ShareThisAfter August's mine disaster in Utah, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. assembled a commission to evaluate the state's role in mine safety, accident prevention and emergency response.He received an answer Wednesday: 45 recommended improvements in a 97-page document from the Utah Mine Safety Commission.Now it is up to the executive and legislative branches to implement the suggestions. That could entail appropriations for training, education and a few extra state personnel, structural changes at some state agencies and, perhaps, passage of legislation.Citing the sacrifices of the nine coal miners who died in two implosions at the Emery County mine, Huntsman pledged, "We'll proceed on this with those workers in mind."Commission Chairman Scott Matheson said the investigation showed that "Utah does about as little as any other state to promote mine safety. We also have learned that mining conditions in Utah and the risks they present are different from any other state. The conditions and risks in Utah coal mining demand Utah solutions."A Salt Lake Tribune poll showed widespread support for enhanced safety measures.The commission's recommendations include:-- The state should create an Office of Coal Mine Safety in the Utah Labor Commission and pursue a partnership with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to see what the state can do to supplement, not duplicate, MSHA's efforts.-- A confidential ombudsman complaint system should be set up.-- Technical experts should review mining plans involving unusual conditions.-- A research institute should be created to study mine safety and productivity.-- More seismic instruments should be installed in coal country.-- Safety training and emergency response programs should be developed at the Western Energy Training Center in Helper.-- More miner-certification testing should be required.-- The state should devise a blueprint for emergency response and dealing with victims' families.(mikeg(at)sltrib.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Utah commission recommends mine-safety changes
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