BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Virginia’s coal industry is close to celebrating another year with zero fatalities in the state’s coal mines.
If all goes well for the remaining days of 2007, Virginia, ranked 10th in the nation in terms of coal mining production, will celebrate three consecutive years without a fatal injury in its coal mines.
Virginia’s solid safety record for 2006 came during a time when the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration reported 47 fatalities nationwide. According to MSHA, 37 of the deaths in 2006 were in underground coal mines while 10 were at surface mines.
The fatality record nationwide for 2007 improved in underground mines but increased slightly for surface mines. According to MSHA statistics, 32 miners lost their lives on the job this year. Eighteen deaths were recorded in underground mines while 14 were at surface mines.
Virginia’s safety record stands in contrast with other coal producing states.
"To date, there have been no fatal coal mine accidents in 2007," said Mike Abbott, spokesman for Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
Abbott said Virginia saw its last fatal coal mining fatality on Oct. 23, 2004. The last fatal roof fall accident in a Virginia mine happened on March 14, 2001, Abbott said.
He pointed to a new Virginia law which tackles substance abuse in mines as one reason the commonwealth’s mining safety record remains strong.
Abbott said Gov. Tim Kaine signed a bill last April that creates new substance abuse standards for the state’s coal industry. Coal miners can be required to take drug tests if a state mine safety inspector has a reason to think he or she is impaired and if the suspected impairment contributed to a serious injury.
"This new legislation became effective July 1, 2007," Abbott said.
He said the state’s Board of Coal Mining Examiners conducted its first hearing in September under the new law for cases in which miners were suspended for substance abuse violations. Hearings are held each month.
Abbott said 89 cases involving suspended miners were addressed by the board in four hearing sessions. Forty-one miners had their miner certifications revoked while eight others were granted probationary reinstatement of certification based on their compliance with treatment programs.
Fourteen miners had their certification restored by the board, but 23 other cases await hearings, Abbott said.
"The DMME and Board of Coal Mining Examiners remain committed to fair and consistent administration of these new substance abuse standards are encouraged by the progress made by Virginia’s coal industry toward addressing the serious problem of substance abuse in mining," Abbott said.
kstill@bristolnews.com | (276) 679-1338
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