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OPA News Release: [08/01/2002]
Contact Name: Rodney
Brown
Phone Number: (202) 693-9425
MSHA Begins Quecreek Investigation, Review of Maps
New Stanton, Pa. – The
U. S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
has begun its investigation of the underground flood that trapped nine miners
who were rescued last weekend from the Quecreek mine. At the same time the
agency is starting a national project to identify old mines, along with reviews
of mine maps, technological innovations, and regulations and practices designed
to prevent these incidents, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and
Health Dave D. Lauriski said.
“Our investigation will determine the root cause of the Quecreek
accident,” Lauriski said. “The purpose of the investigation, along
with the other steps we are taking, is to find ways to prevent a recurrence.
We’re going all-out to keep this from happening elsewhere.”
Lauriski said MSHA’s Quecreek investigation team will be led by Pat
Brady, District Manager of the agency’s District 4 office in Mt. Hope,
W.Va. Also included in the nine-member team are engineers and other mine safety
and health specialists from MSHA’s headquarters as well as the
agency’s district offices throughout the country, its Pittsburgh Technical
Support Center, and its mining equipment approval center in Triadelphia,
W.Va.
“Team members will contribute expertise in a range of mine safety
specialties in order to assemble a complete picture of what took place,”
Lauriski said.
Lauriski said that in addition MSHA will:
- Establish a task force to review the availability, accuracy and
quality of old mine maps;
- Hold a technical symposium with representatives from academia, mine
operators, and manufacturers on methods to accurately identify the extent and
perimeter of closed mining operations; and
- Review existing Federal mine safety standards and practices designed
to prevent mine inundations.
“The Quecreek rescue was a tremendous partnership effort by Black
Wolf Coal Company personnel, the miners themselves, Federal, State and local
officials, and many others,” Lauriski said. “We need the same kind of
partnership to prevent similar accidents in the future.”
MSHA accident investigators will closely examine Quecreek mine records
and maps, interview individuals who may have information relevant to the cause
of the accident, and collect and review applicable physical evidence. After
reviewing all of the information collected, the MSHA team will prepare a
detailed report that will be made available to the mining industry and the
public.
Lauriski thanked the MSHA employees who participated in the rescue as
well as others including Pennsylvania agencies, Black Wolf Coal Company
personnel, and the numerous private and nonprofit organizations that provided
equipment, services, and support to the rescuers and families. In line with
past practice, MSHA investigators will work cooperatively with and share
information with investigators from the Pennsylvania Department of Deep Mine
Safety, which also is investigating the accident.
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