WV MINE SAFETY Mine Safety Talks Should Wrap Up By Midweek
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 23, 2013 4:06 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 23, 2013 8:38 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Morgantown, Monongalia County
, West Virginia
Mine safety director Eugene White says talks being held at 500 West Virginia coal operations are still under way and should be completed by the middle of next week.
A team of 85 including officials with the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training should finish visits to underground mines this weekend. But White said it may take until midweek to wrap up with surface mines and preparation plants.
The goal is to reach every miner on every shift.
White said he fully supported Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's call this week for a one-hour "stand-down" after the state's fourth mining-related fatality in 14 days.
He said West Virginia had to do something.
Critics call such time-outs publicity stunts, but White said regulators can't stop communicating with coal companies or miners.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Owensboro police clearance rate above average May 20, 2013 7:49 AM EDT Owensboro police reported clearing 77.1 percent of violent crimes and nearly 39 percent of property crimes in 2012.
Patrol: Woman in minivan hits 125 mph during chase May 20, 2013 6:52 AM EDT The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a woman driving a minivan led troopers on an interstate highway chase that reached speeds of 125 mph.
Associated Press
