MSHA says impact inspections lowering mine issues - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

MSHA says impact inspections lowering mine issues

Posted: Updated:
By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter - bio | email

  • EnergyEnergy

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:29:23 GMT
    HUNTINGTON - A new Marshall University energy project will demonstrate hydroelectric power using acid mine drainage from coal mining as its source of energy. Marshall University's Center for Environmental,
    A new Marshall University energy project will demonstrate hydroelectric power using acid mine drainage from coal mining as its source of energy.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:35 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:35:02 GMT
    As domestic use of coal slows and gas resources expand so rapidly that prices have plummeted to historic lows, the nation's fossil fuel giants are looking across the ocean for a solution.
    As domestic use of coal slows and gas resources expand so rapidly that prices have plummeted to historic lows, the nation's fossil fuel giants are looking across the ocean for a solution.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:59 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:59:37 GMT
    The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has published for public comment a direct final rule and a companion proposed rule adopting updated standards for administering and
    The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has published for public comment a direct final rule and a companion proposed rule adopting updated standards for administering and interpreting digital radiographs for the Federal Black Lung Program.
    •   

Impact coal mine inspections, the targeted full-force inspections in effect since the Upper Big Branch disaster, appear to be working, says a federal agency.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that federal inspectors issued 245 citations and 13 orders during the inspection of nine coal mines and six metal/nonmetal mines last in January.

"We believe that the impact inspection initiative has made mines safer," said Joseph A Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "According to a recent evaluation of mines targeted in this special enforcement program, there have clearly been improvements."

The impact inspections target mines that warrant extra attention such as through inspection history or through whistleblower action. From April 2010 through December 2012, total violations per one hundred inspection hours decreased 15 percent in coal mines and 13 percent in other mines. Major violations, called significant and substantial violations by the agency, fell 19 percent in coal mines.

Lost time injuries in coal mines decreased by 8 percent.

"However, as we have also said, some mines still don't get it, and we will not hesitate to use our enforcement tools when we identify those mines," Main said.

Three of the mines targeted were in West Virginia – Red Bone Mining Company's Crawdad No. 1 Mine, Maple Coal's Maple Eagle No. 1 and JJ&E Coal Company's Horse Creek Mine No. 2. Only one order was issued in West Virginia, to the Horse Creek Mine No. 2.

Sixteen serious and substantial citations were given to the three West Virginia mines.