Tag: West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health

Mine Owned by Justice Cited for Safety Violations

Authorities have cited a West Virginia mining operation owned by Gov. Jim Justice for six safety violations following a workers’ fatal fall in February.

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training says 43-year-old Jason Kenneth Matthews of Bluefield, Virginia, fell from a ladder while attempting repairs inside the McDowell County coal preparation plant.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports state inspectors issued notices citing failures to provide training records for Matthews and another miner and within 24 hours all accident details, plus failures to ensure employees wear safety harnesses, that all ladders are properly secured and that repairs aren’t performed with equipment running.

A company official says conveyor belts needed to be moving to do the repair and Matthews didn’t use a fall-protection harness as he was trained.

West Virginia Office Says Miner Dies Following Injury

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training says that a miner injured in February at the CK Mine No. 5 in Mingo County has died from complications related to his injuries.

According to the office, Dennis J. Fillinger of Harts, West Virginia, died Thursday. He was struck by a piece of falling rock about 9:30 p.m. Feb. 23.

The 62-year-old Fillinger was a section foreman for CK Coal Corp.’s CK Mine No. 5.

Inspectors from the office are still investigating.

A call to the company wasn’t immediately returned Friday.

Justice Selects Former Miner to Lead State Safety Agency

Gov. Jim Justice has appointed a former coal miner and union official to lead the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training.

Greg Norman, who is currently the deputy director of the agency, joined the office in 2006 as an inspector.

Justice says Norman has been a strong advocate for the state’s miners.

Norman says his objective is to continue increasing workplace safety.

According to the governor’s office, Norman has worked in mines since 1975 at National Mine Corp., Robinson Phillips Coal Co. and U.S. Steel Mining.

He has been a general inside laborer, shuttle car operator, roof bolter, certified electrician and rescue team member.

He chaired the United Mine Workers of America Local 1713 safety committee, was local president and field representative for UMWA District 29.

Federal Government Doles out Grants for Mine Safety Courses

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training will receive more than $524,000 in federal funds for training courses aimed at reducing mining accidents, injuries and illnesses.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced the grants Wednesday. MSHA has awarded $8.4 million in grants to 47 states and the Navajo Nation.

The funds will be used to provide federally mandated training at all coal, metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA says that includes miners engaged in shell dredging or working at surface stone, sand and gravel mining operations.

Some states also use the funding to support mine emergency response efforts.

In Kentucky, the state Energy and Environment Cabinet will receive a $508,000 grant and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will receive about $148,000.

 

W.Va. Agency to Receive Mine Safety Funding

West Virginia is receiving more than $560,000 in health and safety training grants from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The funding is part of $8.3 million in grants for 47 states and the Navajo Nation in fiscal year 2014. The state funds are being given to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training in Charleston.

Officials say grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training and retraining to miners. Some states use these grants to support their mine emergency response efforts and other functions.

MSHA chief Joe Main says the grants will enable miners to better prepare and arm them with the proper knowledge to avoid accidents and injuries.

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