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www.rockproducts.com ROCK products • DECEMBER 2014 65 65 states. I have attended about a half‐dozen such meetings in the Midwest organized to improve communications and co‐ operation between the agency and the mining industry. • As part of the two‐day meeting, we toured two mines with practices that have helped drive injury and illness rates lower. Rockridge Center Mine, a surface limestone operation em‐ ploying 15 miners, and the Stamper Underground Mine, a limestone operation with 27 miners owned by Martin Mari‐ etta, have had no fatal or lost‐time accidents since 2009. Both mines credit training and employee engagement for their success. The Stamper break room has a plaque that reminds all miners of the company's Guardian Angel Creed, which gives them the right and responsibility to stop operations if conditions become dangerous. • Just a week later, I met with the National Lime Association as we signed an Alliance Agreement with Joseph Reilly, presi‐ dent of the association, under which we agreed to continue to work together on education and training to improve the health and safety of those working at lime quarries and plants. • In mid‐October, we held our annual TRAM training confer‐ ence at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, W.Va., drawing more than 300 attendees for semi‐ nars and workshops on a variety of training topics and a training materials competition. • On Oct. 23, I attended an executive board meeting of the United Mine Workers of America in Morgantown, W.Va., and updated board members on a number of MSHA initiatives • In late October, I addressed by video conference the 10th an‐ nual health and safety conference for Metal and Nonmetal mines in the Rocky Mountain and Western states. The con‐ ference, held in Reno, Nev., was a gathering of state mining associations, industry leaders, and regional MSHA staff in‐ tended to build partnerships and improve understanding of occupational health and safety in the mining industry. • On Oct. 30, we were proud to honor the nation's mine res‐ cuers as we observed the second annual National Mine Res‐ cue Day and top MSHA officials and I attended a meeting of the newly‐created national Holmes Mine Rescue Association at the Academy in Beckley. • On Oct. 9, I attended the awards ceremony of the National Mine Rescue Skills competition at Ruff Creek, Pa., where 24 teams participated from across the country. • A week later, MSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Silvey and I addressed the 9th annual Southeastern U.S. Mine Safety and Health Conference in Birmingham, Ala. The successful gath‐ ering, with about 670 participants, has grown over the years to include an increasing representation of coal as well as metal and nonmetal operations, and this year attracted a record number of mine safety and health professionals from throughout the southeastern U.S. It was a great opportunity for all to share ideas about improving mine safety and health.