Tom Harkin Statement On The Utah Mine Disaster And Preventing Future Tragedies

September 5, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today held a hearing to investigate the recent Utah mine disaster and how future tragedies can be prevented. The son of an Iowa coal miner, Harkin has continually pressed the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to improve mine safety.

The following witnesses testified at today’s hearing: the Honorable Richard E. Stickler, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health at the United States Department of Labor; Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America; J. Davitt McAteer, Esq., Vice President of Sponsored Programs at Wheeling Jesuit University and formerly the Assistant Secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration under President Clinton; and Mr. Bruce Watzman, Vice President of Safety and Health for the National Mining Association.

Harkin made the following statement at today’s hearing:

“As we all know, last month, an underground collapse in the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah trapped six miners. My heart goes out to the families of the six missing miners.

“Three rescue workers died trying to save the trapped miners. One of those brave men, Gary Jensen, was an MSHA employee. Mr. Stickler, I understand how difficult this must be for you personally and I offer my condolences to you and for the loss of Mr. Jensen. Our hearing today will address what we know so far about why this accident happened and what we can do to prevent similar accidents from recurring in the future.

“I come from a coal mining family, so I appreciate the risks involved in mining. My father was a coal miner, starting around 1910. Not many people are aware that Iowa was a coal producing state in the early 20th century. In fact, my father mined coal there for 23 years.

“And, not only was Iowa an active coal state, it also is home to the great labor leader, John L. Lewis. Lewis was born February 12, 1880, to Welsh immigrant parents, in the coal mining camp of Cleveland, Iowa – one mile east of Lucas. Now, Lucas is home to a museum in his honor.

“Anyhow, I will never forget the stories my dad told me about how they used to pump air down into the mines, and ride rickety old elevators down the mine before sunrise and come back up after the sun had set. He and his fellow miners would describe the cave-ins and other tragic losses of their friends. The bravery of these men really left an impression on me. It’s also why I believe we need to do all we can to protect workers who operate in dangerous settings like these.

“A lot has changed since my father started mining in Iowa, almost 100 years ago. That’s why I continue to ask why we do not have better systems for communicating safely and effectively with miners underground after an accident, or at least knowing where they are through some tracking technology. I am disappointed that MSHA has not been able to approve the use of better communication and tracking systems and that mine operators are not employing the best technology currently available to protect their employees.

“Our hearing today will focus what this subcommittee and agencies under its jurisdiction —MSHA, NIOSH — to make mining as safe as possible. We also need to understand MSHA’s actions leading up to the accident in Crandall Canyon. What did MSHA know about the bounces that occurred in March before it approved the plan to mine in the area of the accident? Is the approval process for this type of mining rigorous enough? Is the inspection process identifying everything it should when miners are pulling pillars of coal 2,000 feet beneath the earth?

“We also need to know how the rescue operation plan was developed. Did we get the best thinking and technology available to the table? I know MSHA sponsored the third annual International Mine Rescue Conference just last week. What did we learn about what other countries are doing in effective mine rescue operations that can be adopted here?

“And, most importantly, why do we continue to have these hearings? It’s been more than 18 months since the hearing after the Sago disaster in West Virginia.

“This Congress has taken significant steps to give the Administration the resources and tools it needs to work toward zero fatalities and serious injuries in underground coal mines. The 2006 emergency supplemental appropriations bill included $25 million to hire more mine inspectors. The 2007 appropriations bill included more than $300 million for MSHA, almost $14 million more than the President requested in his budget. The Administration must respond by effectively spending these substantial resources and delivering the kind of results that mining families across the country expect and deserve.

“Before we hear from our witnesses, I would like to recognize Senator Byrd and Senator Specter for their vital role on mine safety issues. Senator Specter and I continue the seamless passing of the gavel for this subcommittee and both had a great interest in calling for this hearing. He is a true friend to miners in Pennsylvania and the United States. His legislation was crucial in forging the bipartisan MINER Act, which was passed last June.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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