The meeting was opened by Chairman Robert L. Frantz at 10:05 a.m.

Attendance:

Robert L. Frantz, The Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
Thomas Strong, Keystone Coal Mining Corporation/Helvetia Coal Company (KCMC/HCC)
Gerald L. Finfinger, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
John F. Burr, CONSOL, Inc. (Representing Carl Trickett)

Others Present:

Joseph Sieber, DEP, Policy and Communications
Richard E. Stickler, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Matthew A. Bertovich, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Alan L. Martin, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Cathy Hajdu, DEP, Deep Mine Safety

Mr. Frantz opened the business portion of the meeting.

Minutes of the January 14 meeting were distributed and reviewed. A motion was made by Gerald Finfinger and seconded by Tom Strong to approve the minutes as typed. The motion carried.

Mr. Frantz asked Mr. Stickler for an overview of recent happenings in Deep Mine Safety. Mr. Stickler said our overall record is good, with no fatalities since July 1997. He is cautiously positive, and said that Deep Mine Safety will remain committed to staying focused on safety. State Representative Larry Roberts has been questioning our policy on issuing miner certificates to out-of-state miners who have not worked one year at a mine in the Commonwealth. Mr. Bertovich commented that the most recent mine officials’ examination had one of the highest number of applicants in recent years. Mr. Sbaffoni commented that Deep Mine Safety will hold a quarterly informational meeting at the Greensburg District Mining Office in Armbrust on May 14.

Old Business:

Mine Rescue Subcommittee: Gerald Finfinger proposed that the Subcommittee focus on two concerns as follows: 1) What mine rescue equipment is currently available in Pennsylvania, the location, and its sufficiency for mine rescue requirements, and 2) The issue of liability and payment for the use of mine rescue teams that are deployed at other’s mines. A general discussion ensued. He indicated that grant funding is available to do mine safety and health research. The committee voted to accept Mr. Finfinger’s work plan. The subcommittee will deliver a report to the Advisory Committee by October 14.

Matthew Bertovich provided information on what DEP was doing with the mine rescue training program. He stated that the new mine rescue contracts with companies contain a mutual aid agreement provision. Each mine will have a standard emergency response plan, and will also incorporate company officials into training exercises.

Ground Wire Monitoring Devices: The issue of approved electrical equipment not performing to safety standards was placed on the table. A discussion ensued about electrical ground wire monitoring devices. Mr. Frantz suggested that the discussion be deferred to the next meeting since the MSHA representative was not present. The committee agreed to table the discussion.

New Business:

Joseph Sbaffoni provided the committee with accident reports during 1997. There were four fatalities and nine serious accidents. Mr. Stickler would like to see safe job procedures developed in reference to each fatality or serious accident; however, he does not feel that the procedures should come from Deep Mine Safety. He feels that industry should do this, with input from all the affected parties -- industry, labor, and academia. These procedures would be used as a tool, not as a mandatory regulation on job procedures. Mr. Finfinger suggested again that money is available from NIOSH to review previous accidents to identify safe procedures.

Gerald Finfinger asked that a quorum check be held on the Monday of future meeting weeks to ensure a quorum will be available.

The next meeting will be held in Uniontown on July 8 at 10 a.m. in the Deep Mine Safety training room.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.