A methane explosion at R&D Coal Company’s Buck Mountain Slope Mine in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, fatally injured miner Dale Reightler, 43, in October 2006.
“During the investigation, our mine inspectors found several violations of Pennsylvania’s anthracite underground mine safety law, and I have directed the Bureau of Mine Safety to ensure that similar violations are not occurring at other mines,” Environmental Protection secretary Kathleen McGinty said.
The inspections will include a review of safety plans and pre-shift examination procedures with miners, mine officials and workers at each mine to ensure that established underground mine safety procedures are being followed.
DEP’s underground mine safety inspectors will accompany mine foremen and other mine officials on pre-shift examinations at each mine to ensure that safety checks are being conducted properly. Inspectors will pay particular attention to methane-detection and ventilation procedures, and the proper storage and use of explosives.
After investigations uncovered a number of blatant safety violations at Buck Mountain Slope Mine, the company has been ordered to seal the mine and begin immediate reclamation of the site.
