Published January 2006 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Finding Ways to Protect Our Miners
In the days since the fatal Sago mine tragedy, we all have sought to find answers to the most basic questions. What sparked this explosion? Could it have been prevented? What can be done to make sure that it does not happen again, in West Virginia or anywhere across the country? Investigation teams will work to determine the explosion's cause and what happened in the immediate aftermath. So that they are thorough and accurate, these reports will take time. The Congress has a responsibility to look at the Sago tragedy. as well. The federal agency tasked with keeping order at coal mines is the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). In the days since the explosion, many questions have been raised about MSHA. Are there enough inspectors checking on mining operations? Are safety violations handled appropriately? Does MSHA have an effective system in place to respond quickly to mining disasters? I recently met with MSHA officials to learn about their progress in the explosion investigation and. more importantly, to get their view of the culture of safety in our nation's mines. After hearing what these officials had to say. I still have lingering concerns. I believe that the federal government can do more to protect coal miners. We need more inspectors. We need more resources. Because of decisions made by officials in Washington, the federal mine safety agency is understaffed, underfunded. and underequipped. A focus on modern technology could help. We owe it to the Sago miners to update technology in the areas of mine safety and rescue operations. Right now, safety and rescue equipment is 30 to 40 years old. We can send machines to Mars and communicate with them almost instantaneously; we ought to be able to talk with miners trapped 250 feet below ground. There have been plenty of technological advances in mining equipment over the years, but miner safety and health have not been given the same priority. Next week, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold the first of what I expect will be many Congressional hearings into the operations of MSHA. My message at that hearing will be clear. We must take a hard look at the Sago mine tragedy; learn its lessons; and do whatever is necessary to protect miners from a repeat of this disaster. MSHA needs to remember that its mission is mine health and safety, and that mission must always come first. January 18, 2006