Coal Mine Health and Safety Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

December 30, 1969: President Nixon Signs Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act

On December 30, 1969, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Since the Monongah mine disaster in Marion County more than 60 years earlier, Congress had been passing laws to address coal mine safety. However, most were filled with loopholes or lacked funding for enforcement.

The tide turned after another Marion County disaster. The 1968 Farmington explosion killed 78 miners. Americans watched in horror as the drama unfolded on national TV.

After the disaster, Congressman Ken Hechler paid to bring hundreds of miners and the widows of the Farmington miners to protest at the nation’s capitol. Black lung doctors rallied miners in the coalfields and testified before Congress about unsafe mining conditions. And in the spring of 1969, 40,000 miners defied their union and went on strike to support the legislation.

The resulting law increased mine inspections; allowed the government to shut down unsafe mines; placed stricter limits on coal dust; improved ventilation, roof supports, and methane detection; and provided compensation to miners suffering from black lung. The landmark legislation ultimately led to a significant decrease in deaths from coal mining.

Abortion Bill Heads to Governor Tomblin's Desk

At the legislature today, bad blood lingers in the Senate after yesterday’s action to move the charter schools bill to the floor. In the House, the Government Organization committee hears an earful from Democrats about the bill to roll back the prevailing wage law. And we’ll check in with the Our Children, Our Future campaign to see how their legislative priorities are doing at The Legislature Today.

Coal Miner Sam Williams Speaks Out

Nov. 20, 1968: Farmington Mine Explosion Kills 78

In the predawn hours of November 20, 1968, a massive explosion ripped through the Consolidation Coal Company’s Number 9 mine near Farmington. Twenty-one miners were able to escape. But another 78 were trapped inside. At first, the intense heat from the fire kept rescuers out of the mine. When they finally got inside, the mine was unstable, and officials feared another explosion. After nine days, the mine was sealed as a safety precaution with all 78 miners still inside.