According to the Associated Press, citing data accessed by the Charleston Gazette, the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training conducted a survey in August of 1800 continuous mining machines, shuttlecars, scoops and roof bolter units, along with other equipment in the state.

Of those units, 74 pieces of equipment had systems installed.

Additionally, 86 vehicles had blind-spot cameras placed onboard.

Agency director Eugene White said the number of proximity devices should increase as new federal rules go into effect mandating their installation.

However, an outline on rules for proximity on continuous miners is still in limbo with the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Another for other mobile vehicles has been stalled for two years at the US White House Office of Management and Budget.

State laws in West Virginia have also not yet been finalised.

According to federal data, 30 miners were killed and another 200 injured between 1984 and 2010 in accidents involving CMs, with the prime prevention being proximity.

A large percentage of those killed in accidents this year have been tied to powered haulage, with several of those ending in crushing and pinning.

According to the AP, White told the state’s Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety in October that more than 150 proximity detection systems and cameras were in use at West Virginia operations.

“There are a lot of companies acting on their own,” he reportedly said, calling the initiative “a work in progress”

“I would fully expect that number to be up. That number will go up.”