State Lawmakers Seek Additional Mine Safety Rules

By TOM BREEN

Although Gov. Joe Manchin made mine safety the centerpiece of his State of the State message, some lawmakers want to take steps beyond what he’s proposing.

Two bills in the House of Delegates aired at a public hearing Thursday would create additional safety regulations for mines, including changing the requirements for escape routes and providing whistleblower protection for mine employees who draw attention to safety concerns.

The measures are supported by the United Mine Workers, but a representative from the West Virginia Coal Association said the bills risk usurping the function of the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety.

Both measures primarily deal with how air is delivered to miners underground.

One would restrict how air is used around battery chargers, with proponents saying the change would make fires or explosions near the chargers less likely.

The other measure would prohibit the type of ventilation known as belt air, in which the shaft that carries coal to the surface also helps provide air to the mine. That goes further than the measure proposed by Manchin, who said in his State of the State address he wants a case-by-case review of mines that propose using belt air for ventilation.

“Belt air should not go into the face” of a mine, said UMW lobbyist Ted Hapney. Hapney said his union believes such ventilation contributes to cases of black lung and makes fires more likely.

Chris Hamilton, who represents the coal association, said the bill would likely require mines that currently use belt air to shut down immediately.

“This bill as I understand it sets forth an absolute prohibition on mines using belt air, including mines now using belt air,” he said.

Hamilton also urged lawmakers to send the proposals to the coal mine safety board for review, saying that is the standard process for regulatory changes in mining. Both Hapney and Hamilton are members of the board.

Some lawmakers, though, said leaving such decisions to the board would amount to ceding legislative power to an unelected body.

“I take exception to that,” said Delegate Dale Martin, D-Putnam.

Some senators also are working on legislation that would also address the question of belt air.

(c) 2007 Charleston Daily Mail. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.