Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Lawmakers Praise States Efficiency In Implementing Mine Safety Laws
The Bluegrass state is ahead of the curb in implementing regulations to improve mine safety according to lawmakers who released a statement on the issue on Wednesday January 3. According to a statement by State Senator Ray Jones (D-Pikeville) though safety measures have passed in other states and on the federal level, Kentucky has already implemented many of the safety measures called for in the emergency legislation while other states continue to lag behind. "I'm pleased that many of the important changes called for in our new mine safety law are already in place," said Jones, who was one of the authors of the legislation.
"Obviously, it doesn't do any good to change the law if the changes are not implemented underground," Jones said.
Kentucky does share the problems other mining states are having in providing additional self-contained, self-rescue devices, as mandated by the new laws according to the State Democratic Office. Although Kentucky mines have ordered the safety equipment, there is a backlog because of the increased demand across the country. Kentucky's new law requires that additional caches of the devices be readily accessible in main escape-ways, with attached reflective signage and strobe lights.
"Obviously, it doesn't do any good to change the law if the changes are not implemented underground," Jones said.
Kentucky does share the problems other mining states are having in providing additional self-contained, self-rescue devices, as mandated by the new laws according to the State Democratic Office. Although Kentucky mines have ordered the safety equipment, there is a backlog because of the increased demand across the country. Kentucky's new law requires that additional caches of the devices be readily accessible in main escape-ways, with attached reflective signage and strobe lights.
# posted by Justin Mullins @ 4:10 PM 
