Galax, Virginia (Platts)--20Feb2013/445 pm EST/2145 GMT
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday ordered all coal mines in the state to close for safety reviews of at least one hour after six fatal accidents were recorded since November. "Within the next twenty-four hours, every shift in every coal mining operation in this state shall halt operations for at least one hour to honor the six employees of our coal industry who lost their lives recently," Tomblin said in his executive order. "During the halt in operations," the Democratic governor continued, "all operators, supervisors, miners, and other employees of the state's coal industry shall engage in a 'safety stand-down' and thoroughly review applicable health and safety laws and regulations, communications protocols, and any particularized safety issues apparent in their operations." Article continues below... Sign up for Coal Outlook Coal Outlook is delivered daily and focuses on marine fuel prices and supply in major ports worldwide. It is essential reading for those who require accurate and timely data on this market sector.
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday ordered all coal mines in the state to close for safety reviews of at least one hour after six fatal accidents were recorded since November. "Within the next twenty-four hours, every shift in every coal mining operation in this state shall halt operations for at least one hour to honor the six employees of our coal industry who lost their lives recently," Tomblin said in his executive order. "During the halt in operations," the Democratic governor continued, "all operators, supervisors, miners, and other employees of the state's coal industry shall engage in a 'safety stand-down' and thoroughly review applicable health and safety laws and regulations, communications protocols, and any particularized safety issues apparent in their operations."
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Coal Outlook is delivered daily and focuses on marine fuel prices and supply in major ports worldwide. It is essential reading for those who require accurate and timely data on this market sector.
Also, beginning on Wednesday "and continuing until completed, the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training [Eugene White] and his authorized representatives shall deploy to all coal mining operations in the state to advise and assist operators in conducting additional safety reviews aimed at preventing future injuries and accidents," the Tomblin said in his order. West Virginia's surface and underground coal mines produced 134.7 million st in 2011 and 92.1 million st during the first three quarters of 2012, according to the US Energy Information Administration. West Virginia mines produce both steam and metallurgical coals. Tomblin's executive order reflects four coal-mining fatalities in West Virginia so far in 2013, with the most recent occurring Tuesday at a Metinvest/Affinity Coal underground mine in Raleigh County. Shuttle car operator John Myles, 44, of Hilltop, West Virginia, died from injuries he received while working at the operation, which is now "idle for the time being," MHST spokeswoman Leslie Fitzwater said. The fatality marks the second one at the Affinity mine this year, after 43-year-old Edward Finney died February 7 after a scoop slipped away from a hoist deck at the facility, crashing onto the mine floor and fatally crushing the victim.--Steve Hooks, steve_hooks@platts.com --Edited by Jeff Barber, jeff_barber@platts.com
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