Should Coal Miners be Tested for Drugs and Alcohol?
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Posted: 8:50 AM Sep 29, 2008
Should Coal Miners be Tested for Drugs and Alcohol?
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled public hearings on its proposal to test all miners for drugs and alcohol.
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.

Latest Comments

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.
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