(AP) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Testing coal miners for drugs presents both benefits and burdens to West Virginia regulators, the House and Senate Judiciary committees heard Monday as lawmakers pursue measures this session to improve mine safety.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has proposed a wide-ranging mine safety bill that includes a mandatory, random screening program for all mine jobs requiring certification. The random testing should annually screen half of any employer's certified workforce, the legislation says.
The two committees launched a two-day series of hearings Monday for that bill and others. Lawmakers seek to focus on proposals that respond to the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine explosion. The worst U.S. coal mining disaster in four decades, the underground Raleigh County blast killed 29 miners. The second hearing is slated for 2 p.m.Tuesday in the House of Delegates Chamber.
Eugene White, acting deputy director of the state Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training, estimated that drugs played a role in around 200 of the 5,413 complaints and incidents his agency investigated last year.
"Most of the complaints we get, believe it or not, a lot of them are from the wives of the miner," White told the committees. "He's home for the evening, and he'll tell his wife that 'They're taking drugs or using drugs on the work area where I'm working.'"
White also said that his inspectors lack specific training on drugs and drug testing, and aren't even allowed to touch a miner. He recalled once going underground on a drug complaint, and he had to ask a foreman to conduct the drug test. The young miner refused to cooperate, and White ordered him out of the mine.
"He left the property, and wrecked his vehicle," White said.
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