Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994                   TAG: 9401100011
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BRISTOL                                LENGTH: Medium

DEATHS IMPEL MINE-SAFETY REFORM

Proposed changes to the law include more-thorough and more-frequent inspections of coal mines that have a high rate of injury, accidents or deaths; the creation of a $250,000 fund to help small coal mines improve their safety; and giving state enforcement agencies the authority to revoke or deny mine licenses.

In the wake of the Dec. 7, 1992, explosion at Southmountain Coal Co.'s No. 3 mine in Wise County that took the lives of eight miners, the 1993 General Assembly set up the joint legislative subcommittee to look into the state's mine-safety and health laws.

The subcommittee will meet Tuesday in Richmond, the day before the General Assembly convenes, to make final modifications to the package of changes.

"It is a real effort on the part of the committee members to improve safety for coal miners - there's new emphasis on mining safety and preventing accidents," Del. Clarence Phillips, D-St. Paul and a subcommittee member, said Friday.

"I believe we can lower the number of injuries and deaths. Our goal is to have no fatalities in the state of Virginia."

Phillips said most changes deal with underground coal mining.

Other proposed changes to the mine-safety law include:

A strengthened application process for getting mining permits, in terms of identifying operators and owners who have bad records.

Requirements that miners continually update their certifications.

Requirements that all employees working at the face of the mine be certified in use of methane detectors and have easy access to them (investigators of the Southmountain disaster said methane gas had built up to explosive levels).

Requirements that the exact levels of methane be recorded - as opposed to the old practice that allowed bosses to simply write "a trace."

A provision giving anonymity to individuals who report mining violations.

And a requirement that the mine foreman be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the mine's ventilation and roofing system.

Phillips said he also wants to include a provision in the bill requiring legislators to review the law periodically to keep up with changing technology in the industry.

Keywords:
FATALITY GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994