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Coal Mine Safety

by jerry — last modified December-10-2007 02:15 PM

Mine safety graphic (HB 207)

In the last 10 years, more than 90% of the deaths of coal miners could have been prevented had mine safety laws been practiced and enforced (Charleston Gazette report). We must protect the lives of coal miners working to provide our state and nation with energy.


House Bill 207 will help by:


Making Mines Safer
  • at least two Mine Emergency Technicians (MET) shall be employed on every working shift; those METs must be underground at all times when miners are working in the mine
  • the number of safety inspections would increase from 3 to 6 a year
  • at least two electrical inspections each year would be added
  • an OMSL inspector shall observe the retreat mining/pillaring operations for a sufficient period of time to ensure that the operator is fully complying with the pillar removal plan; OMSL would ensure miner training before retreat mining is allowed to beginMiner at HB 207 rally
  • disciplinary proceedings against mine foremen and others could be initiated by OMSL for violations of federal, as well as state, mine safety laws
  • all mine foremen in Kentucky must receive 8 hours of annual OMSL training
  • any foreman, electrician or other miner whose certification is under revocation or suspension in another state shall not be granted a certificate for that occupation in Kentucky
  • an operator must submit a mine seal construction plan to OMSL (in addition to a roof control and a ventilation plan); after inspection and certification by a licensed engineer, the mine superintendent must certify that mine seals were constructed according to the seal construction plan
  • underground mines in Kentucky shall not be ventilated with air from the beltline entry
  • at least one certified electrician shall be employed on every working shift at all underground and surface mines
  • lifeline cords in escapeways must be made of fireproof material
  • an efficient means of transportation shall be available at all times on the working section while miners are working, which can be used to transport all miners to the surface in the event of an accident or other emergency
  • the mine fan shall operate continuously unless it must be turned off for repairs or maintenance, in which case all miners must be withdrawn from the mine
  • each underground coal mine must have a trained mine rescue team available within 60 minutes driving time of the mine

NOTE: many of these important provisions were removed by Rep. Robin Webb's committeee substitute that passed the House Labor & Industry Committee on Feb. 22 — though most were later restored through House floor amendments.

WHAT WOULD A REAL MINER DO?

Respecting the rights of miner’s families
  • spouses of miners killed in mine accidents, miners who are injured, and miners who are significantly affected by conduct that gave rise to a disciplinary proceeding, shall have full intervention rights in disciplinary proceedings before the Mine Safety Review Commission
  • a representative of a deceased miner or the seriously injured miner, designated by the miner's spouse or next of kin, shall be permitted to attend OMSL accident investigation interviews

Let’s show our miners and their families that we value their lives



House Bill 207
KFTC's position: FOR

Summary

See above.

Outcome

 Kentucky coal mines will be safer because HB 207 is now law. The bill was approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Go. Fletcher.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  There was a hearing on HB 207 with powerful testimony from widows of killed miners on Feb. 15. However, committee chair Rep. Jim Gooch, who has ties to the coal industry, said he would not allow a vote on the bill. After a week of pressure on Gooch and Speaker of the House Jody Richards, HB 207 was brought up on Feb. 22 for a quick hearing on a committee substitute, and then passed. The committee substitute, introduced by Rep. Robin Webb without the courtesy of notifying HB 207 sponsor Rep. Brent Yonts, weakened the bill. However, public pressure again forced House leaders to relent and most of the deleted provisions were restored on the House floor. HB 207 passed the House 100-0 on March 6.  The Senate further amended the bill, taking out a provision that seals be certified.  The amended bill passed the Senate 33-0 on March 12 and the House concurred with these changes.

Action

 Contact Rep. Brent Yonts and thank him for sponsoring HB 207 and working diligently for its passage.  (Rep. Brent Yonts,  232 Norman Circle, Greenville KY 42345).

Click here to download a copy of HB 207.