Mine-safety laws part of spending bill (UMW thanks Sen. Byrd D-WV)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/NEWS01/801280398

Byrd addressed ventilation, refuge

Monday, January 28, 2008

By James R. Carroll
[email protected]
The Courier-Journal

WASHINGTON -- With little notice, Sen. Robert Byrd inserted language making key changes to the nation's mine-safety laws into a spending bill approved last month.

An ardent champion of the nation's coal miners, the West Virginia Democrat won approval of provisions establishing rules restricting the use of conveyor-belt openings for ventilation, a practice considered hazardous by safety advocates.

At the same time, Byrd also included language in the omnibus appropriations bill -- signed into law by President Bush -- that is aimed at quick deployment of underground refuge chambers, which miners can use to protect themselves during emergencies.

Finally, he added $34 million to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration's budget to hire more inspectors and implement the new rules.

"Changes need to be made at MSHA that will result in safer mines," Byrd, a strong critic of the agency, said in a statement last week.

Tony Oppegard, a former state and federal mine safety regulator, praised the changes.

"They're positive steps for coal-mine safety, and the coal miners will benefit from them," he said.

FULL story at link.

[wain]

1. multiply that by 49 other senators.......