Miner Drug Testing Proposal
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Updated: 7:16 AM Oct 16, 2008
Miner Drug Testing Proposal
Some in the coal mining industry are criticizing a new proposal by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Posted: 3:59 PM Oct 15, 2008
Reporter: Kimberly Burcham
Email Address: kimberly.burcham@wymtnews.com
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Some in the coal mining industry are criticizing a new proposal by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The organization held a public video conference on the proposal.

Officials with the United Mine Workers say MSHA's proposal to expand federal drug testing rules is unnecessary.

Under the new proposal, pre-employment and random drug testing would be required for all miners.

“That way I don't get hurt, or he hurts somebody else,” coal miner David Burns said.

Officials with the United Mine Workers of America say the attention should be on safety issues other than drugs.

Our concern is that this proposal takes funding away, takes resources away, and takes attention away from health and safety issues in the coal mines,” UMWA Communications Director Phil Smith said.

MSHA officials say the public hearing was an effort to come up with a compromise on the issue.

“There's a lot of difference in opinion and it's our job to go through all those opinions and come up with what we think is the best rule that can be put in place,” MSHA Administrator Kevin Stricklin said.

Andy Fields with Sapphire Coal Company says he's had problems with employees being under the influence before, and that's why miners there are already randomly drug tested.

“If they hurt themselves, or they hurt somebody else, it's too late to say, hey let's do something about this,” Andy Fields with Sapphire Coal Company said.

He says coal mining is already dangerous enough without throwing drugs into the mix.

MSHA typically takes several months to publish a final ruling after the public comment period is over. MSHA officials estimate the initiative would cost the mining industry about $16 million the first year and $13 million annually after that.


Latest Comments

Posted by: me Location: ritehere on Oct 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM

i think we all need tested 4 drugs not just coalminners everone since we got so much money we dont need heat or power so i ant worried about the coal mines
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Coal Miner in Harlan Location: Cumberland on Oct 16, 2008 at 08:09 AM

I'm glad to see this, I'll feel alot safer under ground now. The ones who fight this is the same ones who protect the drugies under ground. I have called and complained about the mines I work at about guys coming to work high and the Boss will let him sit in the office until we come out and then he would have sent him home or turn him lose with the rest of us. All I'm saying is just check up in Cloverlick, alot, don't call, because I always hear when you guys are coming.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Shawn Location: ky on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:14 PM

you should check anyone with miner card trucker,s surface and undergrond.
[ Report Abuse ]
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