MINUTES

Pennsylvania Bituminous Mine Safety Advisory Committee
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA
December 11, 1996

The meeting was convened by James J. Brahosky, Acting Director, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, at 10:15 a.m. All Pennsylvania Bituminous Mine Safety Advisory Committee groups were represented except the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Attendance

Members Present:

James J. Brahosky, DEP, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety
Robert Frantz, The Pennsylvania State University
Thomas Strong, R & P Coal Company

Others Present:

Thomas Mucho, U. S. Bureau of Mines
Matt Hindman, RoxCoal, Inc.
John M. Gallick, Cyprus Emerald
Wayne Duerr, U. S. Bureau of Mines
John Kovac, U. S. Bureau of Mines
Bob Stein, NIOSH
Tim Rehak, NIOSH
Matthew A. Bertovich, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
James C. Erlinger, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Allison Trader, DEP, Deep Mine Safety

The minutes of the October 9 meeting were distributed and reviewed. A motion was made by Tom Strong, and seconded by Bob Frantz, to approve the minutes as typed.

Chairman Brahosky declared an open discussion for this meeting.

Mine Rescue Subcommittee:

Matthew Bertovich led a discussion on the state of mine rescue in Pennsylvania. A lengthy discussion took place on the progress and direction of the Mine Rescue Subcommittee. Pennsylvania is unique as far as mine rescue is concerned due to smaller mines, less mine rescue team members, age of members, and older equipment purchased in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

The following points were outlined:

What issues can the subcommittee deal with?

Which issues are beyond the scope of the committee?

What kind of procedures should we recommend for visiting teams, and who directs these teams?

Mechanism for funding -- itemize issues that have to do with funding

Incorporation of others, such as Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Special Medical Response Team

Rescue of people vs. rescue of mines

Liability issue

A motion was made by Bob Frantz, and seconded by Tom Strong, that the subcommittee meet and separate those issues on which the subcommittee can make recommendations. All were in favor of the motion.

Diesel Legislation:

A presentation was made by Matthew Bertovich and Jim Erlinger on the diesel legislation. A request was made that the Advisory Committee review the Diesel-Powered Equipment Package (DPEP) and provide input as soon as possible. An industry briefing is being planned (January 31 in Greensburg).

Advisory Committee Procedures:

Frequency of scheduled meetings should be revised to be held on a quarterly basis. Advisory committee guidelines from the Office of Policy and Communications need reviewed with our procedures. The chairman appointed a subcommittee to review the general procedures and administrative procedures for the Bituminous Mine Safety Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the full committee. These recommendations are to be consistent with the Department’s procedures for advisory committees. Committee members are Matthew Bertovich, Thomas Strong, and Robert Frantz.

Old Business:

Customer Needs Survey: If any Committee member has not received a survey, let us know and we will provide you one. The Bureau of Mining and Reclamation was the first group to survey customers and ask for input on how they were doing. Deep Mine Safety has done the same. Of the more than 500 surveys that were sent out, approximately 135 were returned.

New Business:

Agenda items are needed for the next meeting which is scheduled for April 9 in Uniontown. Matthew Bertovich will contact Advisory Committee members for items.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.