We appreciate the focus on mine safety

EDITORIAL

It's a shame it took the deaths of 16 miners to make it happen.

But that being said, we at the News-Express can't help but be thrilled that state and federal officials are finally giving serious attention to the topic of mine safety.

West Virginia legislators took the lead this week, after 14 men there died in mining accidents - 12 of them in just one mine. They responded quickly, and have already passed a bill requiring mine operators to keep extra breathing packs underground and equip miners with personal tracking devices.

After the bill passed, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin challenged other states to pass comprehensive legislation to make mines safer, according to the Associated Press.

Now, lawmakers in Kentucky - where another two miners have died since Jan. 1 - are following in their neighbor's footsteps.

Several Kentucky state lawmakers have joined together to stiffen coal mining safety laws by proposing initiatives that would require coal companies to supply additional self rescuers, possibly with longer life spans - current breathing apparatuses used in underground mines only supply oxygen for an hour - as well as use tracking devices.

Additional ideas officials are examining include laws restricting flammable items from being used in mines, creating a safe house underground where miners would have access to clean air and adequate communication, and requiring coal companies to have their own safety team on site.

The Associated Press also reported that in Tennessee, Gov. Phil Bredesen called for a review of state mining laws to see if changes are needed in that state's nine underground coal mines. And a bill pending in the Virginia General Assembly would require underground mines to have wireless communications devices available so miners could reach people on the surface in case of an emergency.

Plus, there's more good news.

A $910,153 check to support a training program at the Belfry Area Technology Center for students considering a coal mining career was presented Monday in Pike County by Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

The training initiative is important because well-trained coal miners who know how to react during disasters are one of the best safety features that can be found in a coal mine.

We also appreciate the hard work of the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing. We can see they are taking their jobs seriously, since just last week, they ordered Hard Core Mining on Fords Branch to close after a state inspector reported observing a roof area totally unsupported.

Collectively, these efforts have the potential to change the entire industry - for the better.

We just hope that as the memory of these most recent mining disasters fades, the desire to improve safety for our miners doesn't fade right along with it.