President Obama has nominated Greene County native Joseph Main to head the Mine Safety & Health Administration.

Mr. Main, 60, has mine health safety experience in the United States and is internationally recognized as an expert in mining health issues, according to the White House. Mr. Main, now of Spotsylvania, Va., began working in coal mines in 1967 and quickly became an advocate for miners' safety as a union safety committeeman as well as serving in various local union positions in the United Mine Workers of America.

He was employed by the United Mine Workers in 1974 as a special assistant to the international president, and joined the union's Safety Division in 1976. In 1982 he was appointed administrator of the UMWA Occupational Health and Safety Department, a position he held for 22 years, managing the international health and safety program and staff. He has considerable hands-on experience inspecting and evaluating mining conditions, plans and systems.

Mr. Main, nominated yesterday, has been a vocal critic of shortcomings by the agency he would head if confirmed by the Senate. After George W. Bush became president, he attacked MSHA for what he said were its weak enforcement efforts.

Mr. Main is now a self-employed mine safety consultant.