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Co-sponsored by Senators Bob Casey and Joe Manchin, the Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act’s introduction last Wednesday marked the fourth time it has been introduced.
In a release this week, Casey said the act would, among other things, strengthen whistleblower protections for miners who speak out about unsafe conditions and increase maximum criminal penalties for those who knowingly violate mine safety standards.
“This legislation will take commonsense steps to better protect our state’s miners. Congress should act in a bipartisan fashion to get this proposal to the President’s desk before we lose another miner,” Casey said.
“Our miners undertake significant risk every day. We owe these miners basic workplace safety protections, which is what this bill will provide.”
Both Casey and Rockefeller said the act incorporated provisions that of the victims said they were looking for.
“Since the terrible tragedy at Upper Big Branch more than three years ago, some crucial steps have been taken to improve mine safety, but we are long overdue to make an even bigger leap forward by passing comprehensive mine safety legislation,” said Rockefeller.
“We owe it to families of the victims at Upper Big Branch, and to the miners of today and tomorrow, to pass mine safety legislation that moves us more strongly ahead.
“Coal miners’ loved ones give thanks for answered prayers every time they walk through the front door. We should be constantly vigilant for that safe return home. We cannot wait for another tragedy before we act. The time is now.”
Since the Upper Big Branch disaster, Congress has held nine hearings on mine safety, and five federal, state, and independent entities have conducted investigations into the cause of the tragedy and released recommendations to improve our mine safety laws and enforcement.
Both Congress and the administration have enacted some laws and regulations to improve the health and safety of coal miners but the Senators said this act is needed to make coal mining a safe industry.
