Should Coal Miners be Tested for Drugs and Alcohol?
Should Coal Miners be Tested for Drugs and Alcohol? Save Email Print
Posted: 8:50 AM Sep 29, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:50 AM Sep 29, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled public hearings on its proposal to test all miners for drugs and alcohol.

MSHA says hearings will be held via a Webcast on Oct. 14 for Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh and Englewood, Colo. A joint audio-only session also is planned Oct. 14 for Beaver and Birmingham, Ala.

The federal agency's proposal would prohibit the possession and use of drugs and alcohol at coal, copper, gold or any other type of mine. It calls for testing of all job applicants and for random testing of existing miners.
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Posted by: tencar on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:02 PM
I just want to make myself clear I am not promoting drugs or alcohol use on the job, on the other hand if you test the miners what is it going to prove? That they have drank or smoked a joint? Is it going to prove when they did? Most people who have jobs are smart enough to know that drug tests only show if something has been consumed, not when. lets just say a miner goes home friday and not expected to return until monday, has a couple of beers or smokes a joint. Then monday he goes in to work and his boss hands him "THE CUP" he is still going to test positive for anything he consumed on the previous friday, when he was on his own time (that he dosen't get paid for). I agree with what j.d. had posted. If they show up to work drunk or high then his coworkers should speak up and say they dont feel safe to work with this individual. And thanks for the vote wb.
Posted by: Ron on Sep 30, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I have peed in the cup for about 8 yrs. now, it is done randomly, I thought at first it was a bad idea, it does make a difference, you wouldn't let someone work beside you drunk as a skunk with alcohol, as the same as someone high as a kite on meds.
Posted by: Joker on Sep 30, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Hey Tencar, How would you feel knowing that your father or brother could be working next to a guy, blasted out of his mind on drugs, making stupid mistakes that could cost everybody next to him their life. Still think its a bad idea? How about if your working next to him? Test them all.
Posted by: Pablo on Sep 30, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Sure, drug and alcohol test miners. Also, lets drug and alcohol test all of our elected officals. We can't drink on the job, even on our unpaid lunch periods. Why should those elected to office be any different. We are entitled to sober elected officials doing the people's business. No drug and alcohol testing of miners until those governing us are drug and alcohol tested.
Posted by: Thats funny on Sep 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
NO WAY!!! if u all do this the lights r going to go out... no one to dig for coal....lol
Posted by: frank on Sep 29, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Sure all miners should be tested and so should the people on WELFARE!!!!!
Posted by: wb on Sep 29, 2008 at 06:51 PM
to tencar,run for office you have my vote ...if you want to do drugs at home go for it ,but not on the job !!!big brother go away!!!let us be free .to do what we want at home....
Posted by: Concerned in Clay County on Sep 29, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Yes they should be tested, I hear everyday of someone that works in the mines somehow that are doing some kind of drug, It is so dangerous for those workers to face that job everyday without the workers beside them not on drugs but when they are on drugs it is so bad I think that they shold test them on a regular basis along with other jobs, Drugs is taking over, Take a look at the methdone clinics, There are so many coal miners there, It is a sad. I also think that the cops need to open the eyes a little more to the drugs, If I can se it so can they.
Posted by: Leanna on Sep 29, 2008 at 03:19 PM
My husband is a contract miner right now for Aracoma Mines and he had to have a drug test. As far as other mines, I don't know how they do their business practices but all miners should be tested. The reason we have so many mining accidents is because people are either 1) Careless or 2) Are under the influence of something that could hinder their work preformance.
Posted by: jessica on Sep 29, 2008 at 02:40 PM
My husband works for a company that makes mining equipment and they are subject to drug test at anytime. If the people who make the equipment are impaired, lots of people are going to die. I feel miners should be held accountable as well and be tested before they get their co-workers killed.
Posted by: j.d. on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:59 PM
its an invasion of privacy. if someone is to screwed up to work then it should be visually apparent and then action should be taken. remember, all the latest accidents in the mines were not due to miner error but due to the errors of the officials who oversee the mines. this is just propaganda to get the public off the officials backs and attention toward the miners. any adult with half sense should be able to tell if someone is to messed up to work. otherwise, who cares what they do after work?
Posted by: Beth Ann on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:59 PM
I don't think they should do it on the job and if they got caught they should get fired. I don't think it is any ones business what they do off the job. I sure would not want thier job.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Drugs yes. alcohol is kind of hard. they should be tested for both if they show signs of anything in their system while on the job. the fact is they are working with loved ones and are responsible for not only their own life but the life of others.
Posted by: Former Miner on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I would just like to say this request should have been made years ago. Although there are some good honest people working in the mining industry but most are on drugs .Mining is a very dangerous occupation. Putting someone to work in a mine, that someone being on drugs is a greater danger,It endangers everyone's life they are working with. Drugs is the reason I used this name,Because of previous experience with working with people in the mining industry who were on drugs. It is hard for mining companies to find anyone who does not use them these days. It would open up more good jobs for more honest people
Posted by: Amy on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Why shouldn't miners be tested? Almost all trades that I know of requires drug and alcohol testing. It is for the safety of the workers. My opinion is yes it should be required.
Posted by: tencar on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I think that our government should spend our tax dollars protecting our people instead of finding new ways to harass us. The miners are putting their lives in danger every day they go to work and some one is worried whether or not they are having a drink or even smoking a joint. I think they could put our tax dollars to work more effectively. For example better roads or health care. This is just another way for "BIG BROTHER" to chase us all down and make us do what he wants us to do. It is supposed to be of the people by the people and "FOR THE PEOPLE". I'm just as proud to be an American as the next guy but im still wondering when it got to be "The land of the free and home of the brave and compliant".Our fore fathers founded this country on the freedom of choice and every day our choices seem to diminish more and more. I say leave the Miners alone and let them do their job.
Posted by: unknown on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Random testing before the shift starts for alcohol would cause alot of miners to loose their jobs. I know a handful myself that drink before work... Would be great to test for all including prescription drugs. This is also a known problem!
Posted by: Angie on Sep 29, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I thought that Coal Miners was already tested for Drugs? I think it is a great idea but just dont understand how the alcohol would work. I mean I was told that if you drank the night before you had to go to work it would still show up in your system. My opinion on that is, you can do what u want on your time just dont do it on company time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 29, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Most coal miners are tested for drugs b4 they are hired and once they are hired random drug screens are completed by most coal companies
Posted by: confused on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I thought they already did this but obviously not, every weekend I see the same coal miners at the bar talking about doing pills, cocain, and smoking pot.
Posted by: kim on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:53 AM
this is about a stupid question. That is a very dangerous situationanyway without adding drugs or alcohol into the situation.
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