DIGEST PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION This report summarizes the results of an investigation .conducted for the Kentucky Coal Mine Research Institute in eastern Kentucky aimed at evaluating problems in coal mine safety and training and research priorities. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, while implemented for the safety of coal miners, has caused confusion and economic hardship for most mine operators in eastern Kentucky. Accident reports indicate that fatalities have increased since passage of the act. Complaints made by coal operators and miners concerning the act may be placed into two "categories"--those common to most mines and those common to specific mines. It is concluded that these "categories" of complaints reflect the diversity of conditions in mines, and that the 1969 act is too inflexible to provide maximum safety under a wide range of mining conditions. It is recommended that immediate research and testing in several mines might offer solutions to some of the immediate problems in such areas as ventilation, dust control, and haulage design. Accidents and loss of production may be traced in part to deficiencies in training of coal miners. Many miners apparently have low educational levels. Miners also tend to "drift" from mine to mine. Absenteeism is high at some mines and many miners show a lack of concern for their own safety. iii Perhaps cestification of miners by the state is desirable to insure that every miner has at least some training. An extensive study of present miners is recommended to guide the development of training programs for new miners. Educational programs might also include the principles of economics and consider also the miner and his family in terms of safety programs. The 1969 act requires mine operators to provide a program of training and retraining for employees in health, safety and for certification in conducting certain tests in the mine as required by law. A major problem of these training programs is that of reaching many men scattered throughout a large area. It is recommended that: --Programs of instructor training be initiated to reach more men. --The use of mobile training units be considered. --The development of a clearinghouse for educational material pertaining to health and safety be considered. With the complexities of modern mining techniques a reexamination of training methods in coal mine principles is needed. Accident reports show that most mine accidents could have been avoided and that carelessness, disregard for or ignorance of safety rules or the lack of knowledge of how to do a particular job is usually the cause. The present method of training is often the "learn by doing" method where unsafe work habits are easily acquired. It is concluded that every miner should receive comprehensive training in coal mine principles as well as health iv and safety. In order to accomplish this goal the Kentucky Coal Mine Research Institute might: --Establish extension classes dealing with coal mine principles near coal mine communities. --Consider the establishment of a permanent training experience in an essentially non-producing mine. Surface mining accounted for about 48 percent of the total coal production in Kentucky in 1970 and has increased steadily during 1971. There has been much public criticism aimed at surface mining, but many responsible coal operators argue that land-use benefits may be derived by surface mining methods. New federal and state regulations present new problems to be considered by surface mine operators, both as to health and safety practices and to pollution controls. It is recommended that: --Programs be developed for the training of equipment operators with provisions for certification of surface mine foremen. --Consideration be given to the future use of land to be surface mined. --Research be considered in the treatment of mine water. 669 INTRODUCTION This report is respectfully submitted to the Kentucky Coal Mine Research Institute Advisory Council. It summarizes the results of an investigation of mining areas of eastern Kentucky conducted by the writer, David K. Hylbert, Assistant Professor of Geoscience, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky. PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION The Kentucky Coal Mine Research Institute was formally organized on April 30, 1971 at a meeting at Morehead State University. The Institute was organized as a response to the many problems facing the coal mining industry in areas of health and safety for miners and from the standpoint of environmental control. At present, the Institute is composed of an Advisory Council which consists of representatives of the coal mining industry, various federal and state agencies, and Morehead State University. Elected officers are: Mr. Cloyd McDowell, Chairman; Dr. Morris Norfleet, Vice Chairman; and Mr. George Evans, Secretary. As originally outlined, the purposes of the Kentucky Coal Mining Research Institute were: (1) To identify specific problems in the area of mining health and safety which need immediate research attention. (2) To study problems that would require a longer period of research and development to bring about results and establish priorities on the immediate and the long range problems for program development possibilities. 2 (3) To identify the areas in which additional trained personnel will be needed by the coal mining industry and to assist in developing programs to provide the needed trained personnel. (4) To identify programs of an educational nature, that would benefit the mining industry. (5) To establish an interdisciplinary and interagency approach to pull together all of the resources within the state of Kentucky to focus on problems relating to coal mine research. (6) To arrange for on-site field laboratory experiences for researchers involved in the Institute and place at their disposal the various pieces of equipment and other research information which would be used in this endeavor. As a preliminary procedure, it was proposed by the Institute that an individual spend the summer months in the eastern Kentucky area in order to study problems confronting the coal industry and to provide information relevant to the development of short and long range research and training priorities. This report contains the results of this investigation. METHODS OF INVESTIGATION During the course of this investigation, from June 1, 1971 through August 15, 1971, underground mines, surface mines and reclaimed surface mine sites were studied in order to familiarize the writer with mining operations and problems confronting mine operators and miners. Interviews were held with |