State Safety

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The operator of Montana’s only underground coal mine expects to resume full operations this week after being hit with multiple safety citations and two temporary shut-downs following a series of roof collapses.

No one was injured in the four collapses, which occurred between July 18 and Aug. 12 at Signal Peak Energy’s three-year-old Bull Mountain Mine near Roundup.

Mine president John DeMichiei said efforts to put in new supports to shore up damaged sections of roof were almost completed. That will allow workers assigned to repair duties to return to mining early in the week, he said.

From: WBOY Chanel 12 (Clarksburg, WV)
MORGANTOWN — Mining is a huge part of West Virginia’s livelihood and on Thursday, 40 mining teams from across the country tested their skills to keep all the miners prepared in case of an emergency.“Our number one goal is to never have an emergency where we need it, but if we do, we need to be prepared and have the proper steps and procedures in place to take care of those emergency. This is a great training opportunity for us,” said Jim Gandy, superintendent of Loveridge Mine, a CONSOL Energy mine in West Virginia.

The sixth annual Southeastern US Mine Safety and Health Conference is set to take place in Birmingham, Alabama, at the Ross Bridge Conference Center on November 8-10.

This year’s theme, “Stop, Think, Act,” calls on every miner to be effective through his or her awareness of the essentials of mine safety & health. The process of a successful safety & health program for every mine begins with each of us. As our economy continues to improve, our responsibilities also grow. Our topics focus on current issues and will provide you technical information from government, community and industry leaders.

Join state mining associations, industry leaders, MSHA Rocky Mountain and Western district staff for the 7th Annual Joint Western Regional Mine Safety and Health Conference, October 25-26, in Las Vegas, NV. The purpose is to:

• Build partnerships focusing on zero fatalities, injuries and occupational illnesses in the mining industry
• Foster relationships and open communication between industry and federal agencies.
• Create a better understanding of how to send miners home healthy after each shift.

The conference will provide important health and safety information and networking opportunities for:

• Mining Associations and companies.
• Safety and Health Professionals