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Safety chief: Drug, alcohol problems plague mining industry

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state’s mine safety director told lawmakers Monday drugs and alcohol are the biggest issues facing his agency.

Eugene White, speaking to a legislative interim committee meeting, that 550 certified mine workers have temporarily lost their certifications this year after failing drug tests. 

“Seventy-nine have been reinstated and I think there are 200 and some that haven’t done anything,” he said. “So the board will suspend them for three years.”

Those who had their certifications returned did so after plea agreements and treatment for their drug and alcohol issues. White said many failed drug tests come during the pre-employment process. He said the agency is working with the state DHHR to educate miners to the help they can receive.

“We’ve put these posters at every coal mine in the state,” White said. “Instead of reactive, we want to be a little bit proactive and get these individuals who have problems some help so they can get back into the workplace.”

With the state Mine Safety Health & Training Appeal Board conducting appeal hearings at the agency’s Charleston headquarters, White told lawmakers he is concerned about security.

“We do have Capitol police present every time we have a drug case in our building,” he said.





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