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BUSINESS
Union calls for ban on belt shafts for ventilation
CHARLESTON -- The United Mine Workers renewed its long-standing call for a federal ban on using conveyer belt shafts to ventilate underground coal mines Tuesday.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has allowed mines to use belt air for years and proposed rules would allow mines to continue the practice, which the labor union calls inherently dangerous. During a belt fire, ventilation equipment could shove smoke and carbon monoxide directly at miners.
"I just can't believe that we're sitting here today discussing putting belt air on the face of coal mines," UMW member George Hill said during a public hearing on the proposed rules. "Coal miners are going to lose their lives."
Belt air ventilation offers several advantages to mine operators, including preventing cave-ins in deep mines and making it easier to dilute heavy concentrations of methane in gassy mines. Additionally, using belt air allows mines to save money by digging fewer tunnels.
Patricia Silvey, director of MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, said the proposed rules are consistent with a report on belt air issued last December. The panel endorsed the continued use of belt air, as well as safeguards aimed at making the practice safer by improving fire detection and prevention.
"One of the things we tried to do in the proposal was to look not just at the recommendations," Silvey said. Rather, MSHA also looked at the panel's discussions to determine its intent.
