New Mine Safety Regulations
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 8:28 PM Apr 29, 2008
New Mine Safety Regulations
A recent federal report says the nation's underground coal mines are still not up to par when it comes to protecting trapped miners.
Posted: 8:24 PM Apr 29, 2008
Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com
width:200 and height: 150 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 150
Font Size:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A recent federal report says the nation's underground coal mines are still not up to par when it comes to protecting trapped miners.

This comes nearly two years after Congress required extra safety equipment in mines.

When an international coal group mine in Raleigh County is fully up and running, more than 250 coal miners will go there to work and what is promised at this mine is a new standard of safety.

“They are starting from day one with all the SSER and the ultra modern safety equipment, modern training. We are going well beyond the training operations with developing skills and safe habits,” President and CEO of ICG Ben Hatfield said.

Two years ago was a tragic reminder of the serious dangers coal miners face. 12 miners were killed after an explosion at ICG’s Sago Mine.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the federal government stepped up its mining safety regulations, but according to a recent federal report our nation's coal mines are not yet making the grade.

“I can tell you the members of coal industry I work with are very determined to protect their people and comply with the law,” Hatfield said.

They blame it on supply and demand. They say vendors can't keep up with their orders for equipment.

“Even on the mine rescue shelters, we're the first in the state to order ours and even now we are continuing to have them filter in slowly. They have not all been delivered,” Hatfield said.

Owners are waiting to deliver on a promise of safety all the while the danger underground stays the same. The deadline for coal mines to comply with the tougher regulations is June 2009.

State Safety Chief Ron Wooten says new wireless communication devices and tracking gear should be in place by the end of this year.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Jim on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:58 AM

With Mrs.Mitch McConnellin charge of Dept.of Labor and her husband doing the mine owners bidding in congress as leader in majority then minorityso any wonder safety has suffered since 2001 when she took over?And she's the only one left in office that Bush put in,being married to Mitchhelps since her only other big job she had was head of United Way.Vote Mitch out!!!
Live Feed Now on the Always On Channel
Click here to send us your pictures and video pix@wsaz.com
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
SOMC-Very good things are happening here SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more
Click here for closing and delays
Click here for school closings and delays
West Virginia Lottery nightly @ 6:59pm on WSAZ click here for numbers and drawings
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here.
Ohio Lottery
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
WSAZ Children's Charitable Foundation
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you.
Making Moms LIfe Easier - with Diane Dimoff
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier.