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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Deberah Kula |
  
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Kula, state House approve strengthened mine-safety proposal
Local lawmaker says bill is first in five decades to significantly deal with mine safety
HARRISBURG, May 14 – State Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland, announced that members of the state House passed a proposal today that would considerably update the state's mine-safety law.
Kula said the legislation (S.B. 949) would add key improvements to the state's current law and place a priority on the safety of mine employees. The bill was amended by the House to further strengthen mine-safety regulations and improve upon the Senate's proposal.
"Our Commonwealth, and Southwestern Pennsylvania specifically, has a long, proud tradition of mining," Kula said. "But it has been almost 50 years since we have updated our state's mine safety law and it is about time that we make some significant improvements. This bill would do just that."
Kula said the bill would make safety a priority by broadening definitions so that more miners and mine employees are protected under the state's mine-safety law, and tightening regulations regarding transportation for exiting mines and certification requirements for mine foremen, examiners and electricians. The bill also would require mines to have at least two intake outlets to the surface from every coal seam being mined and restrict mine access when a potentially dangerous condition becomes apparent.
In addition to the safety improvements included in S.B. 949, the legislation would create a seven-member Coal Mine Safety Board that would develop safety regulations that utilize new technologies, make a mine owner or operation responsible for safety compliance at a mine, and authorize emergency contracting provisions to pay for mine rescues and other safety concerns.
"We may never be able to wipe out all tragedies and accidents associated with mining because it is still one of the most dangerous professions," Kula said. "But we should always strive to continue to find ways to protect our miners and our mining communities. I believe that the amendments we have made to this legislation will go further and do more to protect the brave men and women who risk their lives each and every day."
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