The group, which was ordered by Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on April 16, includes former senior science advisor to the director of NIOSH Lewis Wade; retired NIOSH senior physical scientist Michael Sapko; associate professor of law Alison Morantz; and NIOSH director John Howard.

Wade will provide general mining and government experience to the panel, while Sapko will contribute experience in mining technologies, engineering, processes and safety. Morantz will offer public policy and public law experience.

NIOSH said Solis approached Howard after the April 5 explosion and MSHA’s announcement that it would perform an internal review of the events leading up to, and the outcomes from, Massey Energy’s mine blast in Raleigh County, West Virginia.

“I am pleased that Dr Wade, Mr Sapko, and Dr Morantz have agreed to join me to perform the review,” Howard said.

“Together, the panel represents an impressive breadth and depth of applied knowledge and experience in public policy management, science policy and practice, the technical intricacies of mining operations and mining safety engineering, and public law. This is an ideal team to engage the important task at hand.”

The panel’s discussions and conclusions will be independent of MSHA’s work, Solis noted.

"I am confident that this distinguished panel of occupational safety experts will help assure accountability and transparency as we work toward understanding the circumstances surrounding the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine."

NIOSH officials will support the panel’s administrative needs as the work is completed.