Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed an executive order Wednesday afternoon calling for a mine safety stand-down in West Virginia.
Tomblin said it’s time to pause and concentrate on safety.
“In the past two and a half months there have been six fatal mining accidents in West Virginia, including four in just the past two weeks,” said Tomblin. “This is tragic.”
Gov. Tomblin signed an executive order and explained his decision during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the state capitol.
Coal operators will stop production for at least one-hour during a 24-hour period beginning Wednesday afternoon to re-stress safety. The state Mine Safety Office will also be sending inspectors to the various operations.
“I have authorized all our inspection staff, safety instructors, surface inspectors, electrical inspectors and supervisors to begin going to all the coal mines in the state,” said State Mine Safety Director Eugene White.
During the one hour stoppage at each mine site, those with the state Mine Safety Office will conduct safety talks with employees and conduct inspections.
“They’re talking about best practices, communications, we are also going to discuss with the miners that we do have an anonymous safety tip line,” said White.
West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Chris Hamilton said many companies have already been conducting safety meetings with employees over the weekend.
The latest mining accident came Tuesday night when John Miles, 44, of Hilltop was killed after being hit by a scoop at the Affinity Mine in Raleigh County. A miner from Bluefield, Va. was killed at the same mine on Feb. 7.
Tomblin said mine safety is a priority.
“We’re working statewide with industry officials in making sure we’re taking all necessary precautions.
United Mine Workers Union rep Mike Caputo believes the one hour stand down is a good start, but insists more needs to be done.
“We need to practice safety meetings as much as necessary,” said Caputo. “This has got to stop.”
Both the West Virginia Coal Association and United Mine Workers Union say they support Tomblin’s decision.
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Comments
John
Please, the Coal Mines will never stop to worry about their employees, its about money! Way they see it, there are 1000 others waiting in line for that mans job.
February 20, 2013 at 7:06 pm | Report comment
'jim
The coal company I work for stresses safety ever day. I don't have an explanation for the amount of accidents in the recent months, but it is definitely not because of the lack of concern by the company and employees on a day to day basis. Part of the problem could be the fact that the older more experienced miners are retiring and being replaced by a younger and less experienced work force. Let's hope and pray that this trend will be reversed real soon and all our miners will come home safely everyday.
February 20, 2013 at 11:22 pm | Report comment
Woodchuck
Nice move governor.
Now about real change...
Give raises to the inspectors so they can stay on the job and not leave in 6 months.
Shut down the bad operators.
With the EPA and all the new federal rules, the mine have to cut costs somewhere. Safety cuts will be a choice for some.
The so called anonymous phone line is staffed by people who record the phone number you called from and other information associated with the phone number such as name and address it is registered to. The govt won't protect a tipster. The miners are not stupid.
It reminds me of the electronic OSHA tipster form that an inspector told me I could fill out. You had to put in your name to submit the form. Does not seem annonomuos to me.
Remember, when you report a tip... The company can ask the inspector where the tip came from and anything the state knows about the tip. Then you loose your job for calling in a tip.
February 21, 2013 at 5:25 am | Report comment
Craig
More machines. Less dependency on "old" coal. This is the 21st Century. We shouldn't be digging.
February 21, 2013 at 9:35 am | Report comment
john walters
governor you do not have the right to tell those mines to shut down you do not own those mines that is wrong with this country elected officals think they can do as they please
February 21, 2013 at 11:46 am | Report comment