Mining Disasters - An Exhibition

Historically, large-scale mine disasters have stirred the fires of reform and
provided the impetus for legislation to provide the miner with a safer working
place.
Thus, it happened in 1907 when the Fairmont Coal Company's mine at
Monongah
All mines were considered gassy and additional inspections were required. The
powers of the inspectors were broadened. The inspectors were given the power
to close a mine for imminent danger. Miners were given the right to request a
Federal inspection. Safety standards for all coal mines were strengthened
under the 1969 Act, and health standards adopted. The Act also provided
benefits to miners disabled by black lung disease.
The legacy of the Sunshine Mine disaster is reflected in greatly enhanced
miner training programs and fire protection measures in metal and nonmetal
mines across the country. In 1973 the Mine Enforcement and Safety
Administration (MESA) was created out of the Bureau of Mines as the first
Federal agency with the sole purpose of assuring miners of a safe, healthful
working environment. Standards requiring mine emergency and self-rescuer
training, regular evacuation drills, and two mine rescue teams at
underground metal and nonmetal operations were promulgated by April of
1973.
On March 9, 1977, the Agency was transferred from the Department of the
Interior to the Department of Labor and was renamed the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA). The legislation, which was signed by President
Jimmy Carter, repealed the Federal Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety Act and
amended the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to combine
protection of coal and metal and nonmetal miners under a single law, the

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Act). Following passage of the
Act, additional required miner training, increased MSHA enforcement
activities, and upgraded fire prevention standards continued to address the
lessons learned from fires at the Cargill Salt Mine, Belle Isle, Louisiana and
the Sunshine Mine at Kellogg, Idaho.
The new Act of 1977 required at least four complete inspections of all coal and
noncoal underground mines and two of all surface mines each year. The old
Metal and Nonmetal law called for only one inspection of underground mines
annually and no annual inspections of surface operations."
Among other important changes, the new law provided for procedures to
streamline and speed up the regulation-making process and stronger
mechanisms for enforcing compliance with Federal health and safety
standards. This included increased capability of dealing with the most
dangerous mine hazards; increased emphasis on protection of miners' health;
greater involvement of miners or their representatives in processes affecting
workers' health and safety; and improved procedures for assessing and
collecting civil penalties imposed for violating mine health or safety
requirements.
Mine accidents have declined dramatically both in number and severity as a
result of decades of research, technology, education, and preventive programs.
Today, mine accidents resulting in five or more deaths are no longer common.
However, preventing recurrence of disasters like those of the past remains a
top priority requiring constant vigilance by management, labor, and
government.
http://www.msha.gov/disaster/disaster.htm

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MINE IMPROVEMENT AND NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT OF 2006 OR

THE MINER ACT ( US FEDERAL LAW)

II. BACKGROUND
The record of mine safety in the United States is one of continuing and
oftentimes significant improvement. These improvements are undoubtedly a
function of the increased focus and emphasis on safety by both mine operators
and their employees, as well as the efforts of State and Federal regulators and
members of the regulated community. But despite this progress, mining
remains a dangerous endeavor. The year 2006 began with the tragic loss of 12
miners at the Sago Mine in West Virginia, followed closely by the deaths of two
miners at the Alma Mine, also in West Virginia; and some 4 months later by the
deaths of 5 miners at the Darby Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky. The death
toll in the first 5 months of the year was nearly 50 percent higher than the
entire previous year. Additionally, the rise in coal production in the last few
years raises the committees concerns that there is the potential for a return to
higher numbers of accidents and fatalities. Improvements in safety come about
because of a continued re-examination and revision of safety and regulatory
practices in light of experience. These tragedies serve as a somber reminder
that even that which has been done well can always be done better.

http://www.msha.gov/solicitor/MinerActLegHist.pdf
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