CHARLESTON - The House of Delegates will host two presentations this week on studies initiated by the Legislature related to coal mine safety and horizontal drilling.
The presentations – which will take place in the House Chamber on Tuesday and Thursday – are required by legislation enacted during the 2011 4th Special Session, "The Horizontal Well Act" ; and the 2012 regular session, HB4351 "The Mine Safety Act."
On Tuesday, February 19th at 3:00 pm
- The Director of the Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training will present a study of the retention and recruitment of qualified mine inspectors, and make recommendations to the Legislature on ways to attract and retain new, qualified mine inspectors.
- The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety will report on the following topics:
- The safety of working or traveling in bleeder or gob areas of a longwall panel or pillar sections of mines where only one travelable entry in and out of the area exists;
- The safety of installation of methane detection shut-off devices on machine extraction apparatus.
- The Board of Miners Training, Education and Training will present a study of the overall program of education, training and examination associated with the various miner specialties requiring certification under state law.
On Thursday February 21st at 1:00 pm
Two studies are to be presented by representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection and West Virginia University, which undertook portions of the studies, on:
- The impact to dwelling structures of noise, light, dust and volatile organic compounds generated by well drilling operations;
- The safety of pits and impoundments constructed and utilized in horizontal drilling operations.
