Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 20, 1993 TAG: 9310200241
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mine Safety and Health Administration said it issued three citations last Wednesday at the Big Dog Coal Co. Mine No. 4 near Keokee in Wise County for violations of federal regulations against smoking underground.
Inspectors with the state Division of Mines in Big Stone Gap, who accompanied the federal inspectors on the unannounced inspection, arrested miners Bob Eldridge and Lee Webb.
They were charged with violating a state law making it a felony to carry smoking materials underground, division spokesman Mike Abbott said.
Eldridge was the section foreman at the mine.
The General Assembly passed the law in the wake of a December 1992 methane explosion that killed eight miners in Wise County.
Investigators concluded that a cigarette provided the spark that triggered that explosion.
In addition to citing the two miners at the Big Dog mine, federal authorities cited mine operator Robert Hicks of Coeburn for failing to conduct an adequate search for smoking materials.
According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, when the state and federal inspection team entered the mine, one of the inspectors saw the mine foreman hiding a pack of cigarettes. The inspectors then ordered the foreman to gather the crew and conduct a search for smoking materials. More were found.
Hicks subleases the coal he is mining from Sigmond Coal Co. of Cumberland Gap, Tenn., which in turn leases it from Blackwood Coal Co. of Wise County, the coal's owner.
On Oct. 5 a similar surprise visit by federal and state inspectors at Big Fist Coal Co.'s Mine No. 5 in Lee County resulted in the arrest of two miners and federal citations.
"Those who smoke in an underground coal mine are playing Russian roulette with their lives and the lives of others in the mine," said Ed Hugler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "This dangerous practice must be stopped."
In another development Tuesday, MSHA announced it was setting up toll-free numbers that miners could call to report mine accidents (1-800-746-1553) and safety and health concerns (1-800-746-1554).
by CNB