On October 7, 2009, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions approved, by a voice vote, President Obama’s nomination of Joseph A. Main as Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor. MSHA administers the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. MSHA also enforces compliance of safety and health standards designed to improve safety and health conditions in mines across the country and reduce the number of accidents. 

At the time of his nomination, Main worked as a self-employed mine safety consultant, with his recent work focusing on international mine safety, preventing mining accidents, and developing training programs and facilities to prepare miners and emergency responders for mine emergencies. Prior to this role, he served in several positions in the United Mine Works of America.