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MSHA issued a specific warning about highwalls because winter months can bring drastic changes to their stability due to freezing and thawing. Water accumulates in crevices of rocks and then freezes. The ice acts as a wedge to expand the crevice opening. The ice thaws and the cycle begins again which in turn compromises the stability of the highwall that can result in highwall failure.
BEST PRACTICES
• Conduct examinations of the highwall before, during and after every rain, freeze, or thaw.
• Scale down loose hazardous material.
• Do not work under loose material for any reason.
• Pay special attention when working in the corners of box cuts.
• Increase the number of benches at each highwall to catch falling material.
• Use CB radios to keep equipment operators informed of highwall conditions.
REMEMBER: Safety depends you!
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Local pastors and community leaders from the Mingo-Logan-Boone region will join in a special event to recognize the societal benefits of mining to our state and region and to join in prayer for both the safety of the mining community over the holidays and in 2011…and for the future of the industry.
WHAT: Interfaith Service Recognizing the Value of Mining to West Virginia
WHEN: Monday, December 20 -- 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center
Featured speakers include Father George Kostas, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Logan, and Pastor Mitchell Bias, Regional Church of God, Mingo County.
Local pastors interested in participating should contact the Logan Chamber of Commerce at (304) 752-1324.
The mining community and the general public are encouraged to attend and be a part of showing their support for our mining industry and its workers and families. Light refreshments will be served.
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The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration held the first of a series of public hearings on its proposed “respirable dust” rule this past week in Beckley. Chris R. Hamilton, senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, presented the industry and Association viewpoint at the hearing. The Association’s testimony is shown at the end of Coal Bits
The hearing provided the opportunity to express concerns over MSHA not allowing machine mounted scrubbers to function as designed to mitigate coal dust at the point of generation and unnecessarily exposing miners to hazards associated with section equipment moves as the result of the Agency’s reluctance to approve extended-cut continuous mining plans. We urge all our members and the Friends of Coal to contact MSHA and our members of Congress and let them know the proposed rules are not the right prescription.
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin hosted the 2010 Governor’s Energy Summit this past Tuesday at the Stonewall Resort in Clarksburg. This year’s summit was focused on steps needed for “Maintaining Energy Leadership.” Among those speaking was West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic, who focused his presentation on the issues related to EPA’s actions regarding the Spruce #1 Mine Permit.
The Summit also featured presentations on energy independence and security, carbon challenges, alternative fuels technology and coal and natural gas resources.
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The following applications for membership were approved by the Association’s Executive Committee at its last meeting:
Abloy Security, Eubia Hall of Irving, Texas; Accurate Surveying, Inc., Roger Tackett of Charleston, WV; Biological Monitoring, Inc., Dave Gruber of Blacksburg, VA; Bratton Farm, Ben Faulkner of Princeton, WV; Diamond Mining Associates, LLC, Phil Longenecker of Charleston, WV; Frost Brown Todd LLC, Trigg Salsbery of Charleston, WV; Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC of Richmond, KY; KSD Enterprises, LLC, Gary Disbennett of Clarksburg, WV; Laurita, Inc., Tom Laurita of Morgantown, WV; and, The Appalachian Wildlife Foundation, David Ledford of Corbin, KY.
Welcome to all of our new members and we look forward to a long and active relationship.
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