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MSHA News Release: [01/22/2003]
Contact Name:
Katharine Snyder
Phone Number: (202) 693-9400
Statement by Dave D. Lauriski, Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Mine Safety and Health, Regarding the Explosion at the McElroy Mine,
Moundsville, W.Va.
WASHINGTON—On behalf of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
and all of us at the Department of Labor, I would like to express our deep
sorrow and sympathy to the families of the miners who lost their lives early
this morning in a shaft explosion at the McElroy Mine. The hearts of all of us,
especially in the Mine Safety and Health Administration, go out to these
families, and to the injured miners and their families also. Most of us in the
Mine Safety and Health Administration have worked in the mines and come from
mining families. We take all fatalities and injuries in the mining industry
personally, and we grieve with you.
We were notified of the explosion at about 2 a.m. and immediately sent
officials to the site. MSHA placed a control order on the mine so that all
actions taken must be approved by our ranking official on site. MSHA worked
closely with company officials and the West Virginia Office of Miners’
Health, Safety and Training during the recovery of the victims.
I have ordered a complete investigation to be started today. We will
determine exactly what happened to cause the explosion and we will take the
steps necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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