On December 16, 2024, Dr. Jeffery Kraviz, a longtime member and supporter of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association JAHSA, passed away after a long illness.
Dr. Kravitz was President of the Holmes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA) for several years until stepping away during the summer of 2024. He was an influential founder at the HMRA’s inception, then built it into a vibrant branch within the overarching JAHSA organization. Dr. Kravitz was a strong advocate for the Association’s mine rescue mission while leading it through many challenging times and changes, all the while making it stronger and more effective.
He was also a respected leader in the Holmes Safety Association (HSA), which is the second and older branch of the JAHSA. He served as the HSA President during 2015-2016 and was honored as its Man of the Year in 2015.
Dr. Kravitz was a dedicated public servant, working for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for 43 years. During that time, his accomplishments and innovations were many. While serving as Chief, Mine Emergency Operations, and the Chief, Scientific Development, he led MSHA’s mine emergency operations and respiratory protection programs and brought in innovative lifesaving technologies. He fostered Mine Emergency Response Development (MERD) training programs for MSHA, State, Labor, and mining companies and was personally involved in over 80 mine emergency responses worldwide. In 2017, he was inducted into MSHA’s Coal Mine Rescue Hall of Fame for his outstanding lifetime achievements.
After leaving MSHA, Dr. Kravitz became the founder and President of JHK & Associates Consulting, LLC to continue his leadership in mine safety and health.
The demand for Dr. Kravitz many abilities led him to several other influential positions. He was on the Board for the Pittsburgh Section of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), and was a President and board member for the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America (PCMIA). He also served as President for the National Mine Rescue Association, the Veterans of Mine Rescue, and the International Society for Respiratory Protection (ISRP).
Dr. Kravitz was respected and admired throughout the mining safety and health community. He made lifelong friends with all those he touched and inspired. He is deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues.
The Association will honor the life of Dr. Jeffery Kravitz at its 2025 National Holmes Mining Safety and Health Conference.