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2015 SESSION

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HB 2257 Coal mine safety; wide tracking and electric equipment shall maintain safe operating conditions.

Introduced by: Todd E. Pillion | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Coal mine safety. Eliminates the requirement that every miner receive copies of the mine rules and the Coal Mine Safety Act and requires that the surface mine foreman ensure that miners are aware of hazardous conditions and that the health and safety requirements of the Act are followed. The bill also requires that mine-wide tracking systems, electric equipment, and fire sensor systems be maintained. The bill contains technical amendments and is identical to SB 1366.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Coal mine safety; mine rescue teams. Authorizes the Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (the Department) to enter into agreements with mining operations to provide for mine rescue services, removing from certain rescue teams the classification of state-designated mine rescue team. The bill removes some requirements of compensation and monthly training hours for rescue teams; provides that a rescue team may comprise as many members as can work effectively and are approved by the Chief of the Division of Mines of the Department; requires that where two teams are underground, a third team need only be stationed at the mine portal when it is feasible; reduces rescue station inspections from four times per year to once per year; shifts some current responsibilities of the Director to the Chief; and requires that mine-wide tracking systems, electric equipment, and fire sensor systems be maintained. The bill eliminates the requirement that every miner receive copies of the mine rules and the Coal Mine Safety Act and requires that the surface mine foreman ensure that miners are aware of hazardous conditions and that the Act is complied with. The bill contains technical amendments.