Thomas, the agency's Office of Coal Mine Safety chief of health, is a 16-year MSHA veteran. The new group was developed to oversee the agency enforcement efforts and see that recommended corrective actions are followed through, upon the recommendations of an internal review.
As director, Thomas will work above two field-based compliance specialists focused on both coal and metal/nonmetal mining. He will report directly to assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Richard Stickler, and will travel throughout the nation to mining operations as well as district and field offices.
"Charlie and the compliance specialists who will be assisting him are going to be spending a lot of their time in the field," said Stickler.
"As the director of the Office of Accountability, Charlie will focus on ensuring that MSHA enforcement across the nation is diligent, vigorous and conducted with the strictest regard for miners' safety."
During his years with the agency, West Virginia native Thomas worked in the roof control and electrical divisions in a supervisory capacity, in addition to roles as field office supervisor and acting district manager. He also played a role in the investigations of four fatal accidents.
Thomas will analyse mining data, conduct field audits, and recommend and monitor corrective actions.
The Office of Accountability was established because of internal reviews of the agency's response to the Sago, Aracoma and Darby mine disasters last year.
