Screenings Find 1,500 Ky. Coal Miners Using Drugs

ROGER ALFORD

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — More than 1,500 coal miners have tested positive for drug use since Kentucky began screenings six years ago, a state attorney told lawmakers on Wednesday, and he urged lawmakers to close legal loopholes that can allow miners who test positive to return to their jobs within days.

Mike Haines, who oversees the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing's screening program, said drug abuse creates additional risks in the already dangerous coal industry.

The House Natural Resources and Environment Committee approved legislation Thursday that would revoke the mine certifications for three years for first offenders, five years for second offenders and life for third offenders.

Current law allows miners to be retested after 10 days. In some cases, those who test negative can then return to work.

Natural Resources Commissioner Steve Hohmann said the latest legislation, which now goes to the full House for consideration, could make the state's coal mines safer.

"Mining itself can be hazardous," Hohmann said. "If you compound that with drug use among workers coming in the mines, it increases exponentially the dangers in the mine."

The legislation would allow Kentucky to revoke certificates of miners who have tested positive in other states. It also would allow miners to seek treatment, after which their certificates could be reinstated.

Kentucky led the nation in coal deaths last year with eight miners killed on the job. All the incidents involved miners struck by falling rocks or equipment. None was drug related.

Safety advocates contend tougher standards have paid off in the nation's mines. Between 1900 and 1947 it was common to have annual U.S. death tolls in coal mines between 1,000 and 3,000. The record high was 3,242 in 1907. That year, the nation's most deadly mine explosion killed 358 people near Monongah, W.Va.