|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
Majority
Leader Bill DeWeese |
|
Improved coal mine safety addressed by state House
HARRISBURG, May 14 – Ensuring the safety of Pennsylvania’s coal miners is the focus of legislation that passed the state House today, according to Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese.
"It has been more than 40 years since those who toil within the earth’s recesses have had improvements made to the law which governs their daily safety. Since the Bituminous Coal Mine Act was last updated in 1961, the mining industry has changed immensely. These operations employ state-of-the-art equipment and technology that was never conceived as possible by the authors of the 1961 law. The legislature’s intent should be to provide the hardworking miners of the Commonwealth with the best mine safety law in the nation," said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington.
DeWeese has been a strong advocate for strengthening the state’s mine safety law for years. The legislation is the result of months of discussions between DeWeese and other legislators, the United Mine Workers of America, the Pennsylvania Coal Association and the Rendell administration.
DeWeese said Senate Bill 949, as passed by the Senate, contained many advancements in coal mine health and safety; however, it lacked the language necessary to offer miners the best protections possible.
"Considering the impact the 1961 law had not only on miners of the Commonwealth, but also miners across the nation, it is essential to ensure the new legislation achieve such a standard. We have a duty to protect those miners who travel underground to provide light above for Pennsylvanians and Americans," he said.
As amended by the House, the improved legislation would:
• require a pre-operational check of trailing cables (DeWeese amendment to the bill).
• provide walk-around rights for the representative of miners, which allows the representative of miners to accompany the state mine inspector during an inspection of the mine.
• provide more stringent qualifications for certification reflecting the 1961 Bituminous Coal Mine law.
• require a mine examination to be conducted three hours before the start of any shift, defined as "the scheduled period of work assigned to four or more miners by the operator."
• require miner transport systems to be maintained within 500 feet of the working face of the mine.
• require no fewer than two separate and distinct intake openings or outlets to the surface from every seam of coal being worked and include distance requirements for the openings and outlets.
"Without the guidance and leadership of Representative DeWeese at the helm of this important legislation, the amendments to Senate Bill 949, which are so critical to the safety of underground miners, would not have been a part of this mine law reform," said UMWA International District 2 Vice President Ed Yankovich Jr.
Generally, S.B. 949 would:
· create a Coal Mine Safety Board to promulgate regulations and continually review and recommend the use of new mine safety technologies. The board would be composed of representatives from the coal industry, labor and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
· provide the specifications of emergency shelter chambers in bituminous underground mines.
· better ensure the availability and transfer of maps to the DEP, as well as give the DEP statewide authority to copy all mine maps; it also enables the DEP to establish a central map repository database.
· bring state law more in line with federal standards where appropriate.
· provide greater responsibility on mine operators to ensure safety.
The legislation returns to the Senate for its consideration of the House amendments.
"We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure swift passage of the best mine safety law in the nation," DeWeese said.
DeWeese also credited the efforts of House Environmental Resources and Energy Chairman Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield; and Reps. Peter J. Daley, D-Fayette/Washington; Tim Solobay, D-Washington; Scott Conklin, D-Centre; Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland and Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette.
###