MINE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT WV Coal Dust Standards Not Being Enforced
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 4, 2013 12:53 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 4, 2013 1:00 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
State standards aimed at reducing buildups of explosive coal dust in underground mines haven't been enforced.
The Charleston Gazette reported that more than a fifth of the more than 5,500 dust samples taken from mines by state regulators since August 2011 didn't comply with the standards. But the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training hasn't issued any citations.
Mine safety director Eugene White told the newspaper that the dust sampling program is a work in progress and his agency is working on it.
Mine safety advocate Davitt McAteer said the standards don't mean anything if there are no consequences for failing to comply.
The standards require mine operators to use more inert crushed rock to control the buildup of coal dust.
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