Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Kentucky Coal Association Says Mine Safety Perception Distorted
KENTUCKY....
Last year was the deadliest in the U.S. coal industry in nearly two decades, with 48 miners killed - 29 of those in a single explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. That's the highest yearly total since 55 died in 1992. A new report from the Kentucky Coal Association says fatalities and serious accidents have "dramatically decreased" since the 1980s. KCA says coal mining in the U.S. has become safer over the last three decades, but recent tragedies in Appalachia have distorted the public's perception of mine safety. The Kentucky Coal Association blames increased enforcement by federal regulators for raising allegations that coal industry safety compliance has declined, but mine safety experts say gains in safety are the result of better regulations and technological improvements that have been opposed by the industry. MSHA said in a statement Wednesday the federal MINER Act passed in 2006 increased minimum penalties and established new fines for flagrant violators.
Last year was the deadliest in the U.S. coal industry in nearly two decades, with 48 miners killed - 29 of those in a single explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. That's the highest yearly total since 55 died in 1992. A new report from the Kentucky Coal Association says fatalities and serious accidents have "dramatically decreased" since the 1980s. KCA says coal mining in the U.S. has become safer over the last three decades, but recent tragedies in Appalachia have distorted the public's perception of mine safety. The Kentucky Coal Association blames increased enforcement by federal regulators for raising allegations that coal industry safety compliance has declined, but mine safety experts say gains in safety are the result of better regulations and technological improvements that have been opposed by the industry. MSHA said in a statement Wednesday the federal MINER Act passed in 2006 increased minimum penalties and established new fines for flagrant violators.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:39 PM 
