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Miner Drug Testing Bill Passes House Committee: Union, Coal Association Supports Legislation

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 06:00 CST

By Owen Covington, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

Mar. 1--FRANKFORT -- New coal miners would face alcohol and drug tests, and coal companies would receive tax incentives for instituting drug testing programs for miners under a House bill passed by committee Tuesday.

"It shows Kentucky continues to provide leadership in the area of mine safety," said LaJuana Wilcher, secretary of the state Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

House Bill 572 would require all new coal miners to be tested for alcohol and drug use before being certified by the state. Companies would reimburse the miners for the cost of the tests when they are hired.

The bill also would provide credits against workers' compensation insurance premiums for companies that institute a policy of drug testing miners and an employee assistance program that could help miners work through addiction problems, Wilcher said.

Also, those in the immediate vicinity of a mining accident also would be tested for drug and alcohol use to determine what effect, if any, it had on the accident.

Rep. Robin Webb, a Grayson Democrat and the bill's sponsor, said she has been working with coal miners and coal companies to ensure the legislation did not violate the rights of miners or put an undue burden on coal operators.

"I think most everyone's concerns have been addressed and will be addressed," Webb told the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

The bill is the result of recommendations by a mine substance abuse task force and a substance abuse summit, both of which identified drug abuse as a major issue for mine safety, said Susan Bush, commissioner of the state Department of Natural Resources.

"It was very clear we had a substance abuse problem in our mining industry," Bush told the committee.

Several legislators raised concerns about how the legislation would affect miners who take pain medication prescribed to them.

Webb said that had been considered, and that those miners would not be affected by the new requirements unless they are abusing the medication.

Part of the challenge is making miners and mine operators more aware of the dangers of substance abuse, particularly in the mines, said Rep. Howard Cornett, a Whitesburg Republican.

"I think a lot of it's going to be an educating process and I don't know that we've done a good job of that in the industry or in general," Cornett said.

Wilcher told the committee that House Bill 572 mandates substance abuse training for new miners, and ongoing annual education programs.

House Bill 572 is the first of its kind in the country, Wilcher said.

Steve Earle, lobbyist for the United Mine Workers of America, and Bill Caylor, president of the Kentucky Coal Association, both said their organizations support the bill.

"We think that it's a positive first step to eliminate drug and alcohol abuse among miners," Earle said.

House Bill 572

House Bill 572 would require drug testing for new miners and provide incentives for coal operators to institute drug testing programs in their mines. It was approved by the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee on Tuesday and now moves to the full House for its consideration.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

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Source: Messenger-Inquirer

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