Coal industry pans proposed mine safety rules

Monday, 13 Jun 2011

It is reported that coal industry officials recently roundly criticized two sets of new safety rules proposed by federal regulators following an explosion that killed 29 West Virginia miners last year.

The West Virginia Coal Association and Alpha Natural Resources Inc the third-largest US coal producer urged the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to drop a proposal that would require mine operators to conduct more extensive safety examinations. Mine safety officials with the states of West Virginia and Illinois also told MSHA to drop the idea.

Only the United Mine Workers labor union testified in favour of both measures which were developed after the April 5 2010, explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia. Abingdon, Va based Alpha has since acquired the mine owner, Massey Energy.

The inspections proposal would require miners to find, fix and record serious regulatory violations while simultaneously conducting mandatory safety examinations to check for hazardous conditions such as elevated levels of explosive methane gas. Specially certified miners conduct the examinations but Coal Association lobbyist Mr Chris Hamilton said they're not trained to know federal regulations and shouldn't be asked to perform the job of a federal inspector.

Mr Hamilton said "There is a fine line that exists between a mere violation of law and something that constitutes an accident-producing situation. Our underground mine foremen and mine examines are trained to look out for hazards, real life conditions."

Mr John Gallick Alpha vice president of safety said the rule would place unrealistic burdens on mine examiners and exposes them to MSHA citations if they miss violations which often are open to interpretation.

He said that "It is difficult enough to a good mine examiner. Now it may become impossible. The current proposed rule detracts from the purpose of conducting exams."

MSHA official Ms Pat Silvey defended the proposal. She said that "This would prevent some accidents because mine operators would be required to take actions earlier, before a hazardous condition develops."

UMW International Representative Jerry Kerns II said the change would improve safety by eliminating judgment calls on whether a condition is hazardous.(sourced Forbes)