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MSHA News Release: [01/24/2003]
Contact Name: Rodney
Brown
Phone Number: (202) 693-9400
Federal Mine Agency Strengthens Oversight and
Accountability Systems
Publishes Internal Review on Alabama Mine
Explosions
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Mine Safety and Health Administration
is correcting weaknesses in its management system following an internal review
into the agency’s actions prior to the September 2001 mine explosions at
Jim Walter Resources No. 5 Mine near Brookwood, Assistant Secretary of Labor
for Mine Safety and Health Dave D. Lauriski announced today.
“The purpose of an internal review is to examine MSHA’s
internal management system, to determine how the agency can do a better
job,” Lauriski said. “A better-managed agency translates to improved
safety and health in the mining industry. Our aim is to make safety a value
throughout the mining industry. In short, we want every miner to go home safe
and healthy at the end of every shift.”
Lauriski said that as a result of the review, MSHA is strengthening its
management accountability system nationwide. “The existing system for
accountability reviews focused on administrative evaluations and lacks
follow-up measures,” Lauriski said. “The new system will streamline
the process so that corrective actions prompted by our reviews will be made
quickly and efficiently. The focus of all our work is to enhance miner safety
and health, and taking this step will allow us to measure ourselves on a
regular basis.”
Lauriski said that other steps that have been taken or are being taken
as a result of the internal review include:
- A nationwide mentoring program for new inspectors and
supervisors;
- Revisions in the agency’s inspection manual;
- Improving information technology systems to track violations more
effectively;
- Additional training for enforcement personnel on appropriate levels
of enforcement; and
- Increased management oversight at the district and national
levels.
“As a result of our investigation into what happened at Jim Walter
No. 5, we issued an emergency temporary standard to improve response to
emergencies in all underground coal mines,” Lauriski said. “The
result of the emergency temporary standard will be additional, lasting
improvements in miner safety. We need to take that same kind of step in our own
management process. This review and the corrective actions taken will provide
the base for that step—a step that leads to enhanced miner health and
safety.”
On Sept. 23, 2001, a double explosion claimed 13 lives at Jim Walter
Resources’ No. 5 Mine. MSHA investigators determined that the explosions
resulted from Jim Walter Resources’ failure to follow federal safety
standards. They also found that most of the victims were in harm's way because
of poor emergency management.
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