The meeting was opened by Chairman Robert L. Frantz at 10:00 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)
Carl H. Trickett, CONSOL, Inc.
Gerald Davis, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)

Others Present:

Richard E. Stickler, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Matthew A. Bertovich, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Brad R. Cole, DEP, Deep Mine Safety
Cathy Hajdu, DEP, Deep Mine Safety

Mr. Frantz opened the business portion of the meeting.

Minutes of the April 8 meeting were distributed and reviewed. A motion was made by Thomas Strong and seconded by Gerald Finfinger 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 gave a summary of serious accidents in the previous year. It has been almost one full since there was a fatality in the bituminous region. He wanted to compliment everyone in the mining community and said he would like to see everyone focused on the goal of no fatalities. Copies of serious accidents were passed out, and Mr. Stickler gave a summary of the details. He said Deep Mine Safety is in the process of defining what constitutes a serious accident (explosion, ignition, inundation, etc.). When an individual is injured seriously enough to be admitted to a hospital, that is a serious accident.

Deep Mine Safety has withdrawn their draft technical guidance on the use of common entries [Section 242(c)]. Requests to use common entries will be handled through individual 702 requests. Deep Mine Safety will develop technical guidance for issues that are not mine specific.

Deep Mine Safety drafted technical guidance to permit reporting of manhours and tonnage on MSHA 7002 forms on a quarterly basis. Draft technical guidance is out on the Internet for public comment. The results will be published when they become final.

Deep Mine Safety has developed the criteria for evacuation plans of underground mines. This led to an appointment of a 334 Commission. Mr. Stickler asked if there were any questions. Gerald Finfinger asked if a plan must specify how long it takes to evacuate a mine. A general discussion ensued on the length of time. Gerald Davis remarked that MSHA permits the power to be on in areas not likely to accumulate methane. Carl Trickett remarked every situation is different and warrants a different solution.

Old Business:

Mine Rescue Subcommittee: Gerald Finfinger gave a report on the Mine Rescue Subcommittee. So far, he has ascertained what equipment is available and has received reports from Australia as to what they have available. He remarked that Robert McGee gave an excellent overview of the Bureau's mine rescue training program at the June 24 meeting. He fully expects to meet the October 14 timetable for the final report. He still needs need two representatives from the Pennsylvania Coal Association, two from the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), and one from academia. Carl Trickett volunteered to participate. Several names were suggested as participants. Mr. Finfinger will contact the UMWA again. If they have no one to participate, he will proceed without them.

Matthew Bertovich remarked that the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety is pursuing a renewal of our current agreement with Lake Lynn for advanced mine rescue training. The new mine rescue training agreement is in effect and includes new language requiring training for liaisons. Training will be given on new call-out procedures to state-trained mine rescue team members.

Accident Review and Recommendations: Matthew Bertovich gave an overview of recommendations for accident reduction through safe job procedures. Mr. Strong inquired whether the Bureau reviews accident reports with miners and operators. Mr. Stickler remarked that we encourage the inspectors to explain any written violations and agreed that it was an important safety tool to discuss them with industry. He feels that we should focus on the human factors and use of constructive reminders. Mr. Frantz suggested that Joseph Sbaffoni should give a report on how far our inspectors emphasize this aspect. Mr. Stickler remarked that our accident reports will be condensed to one page and be posted on Deep Mine Safety’s website and sent to inspectors to use at the mines. A general discussion ensued on the different types of accidents and safe job procedures and means to help small coal operators. A general discussion ensued regarding the timeliness of MSHA and state accident reports. Mr. Stickler still feels that that safe job procedures need to come from the people that do the work, not Deep Mine Safety. Mr. Davis agreed, but raised the question of a subcommittee to make suggestions. The possibility of a subcommittee was tabled until Mr. Davis can speak with his supervisor.

Electrical Ground Monitoring Devices: A general discussion ensued on the problem of tripping time for ground wire monitoring devices. Mr. Stickler remarked that we should focus on what is best for safety -- if there is a viable solution, we should move towards it, not debate on technical problems. Mr. Frantz tabled the discussion until the next meeting.

DEP Compliance Initiatives: Matthew Bertovich outlined the DEP Compliance reporting initiative. This was an overall look at how the DEP agencies were measuring compliance with environmental regulations. The Bureau of Deep Mine Safety is posting its serious accident reports on the Internet as part of the Department's compliance initiative. In addition, the Bureau will contribute to the First Annual Compliance report. This report will include the positive compliance assistance activities of the Bureau.

The next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown on October 14. Matthew Bertovich advised the members that he needs all agenda items four to six weeks before the meeting.

Gerald Finfinger made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Thomas Strong. With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.