Pubdate: Fri, 03 Dec 2004
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
Copyright: 2004 Lexington Herald-Leader
Contact:  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240
Note: from the Associated Press

COAL MINERS AND OPERATORS TO DISCUSS DRUG ABUSE ON JOB

Msha, Mining Agencies Schedule Meetings

HAZARD - Coal miners and mine operators will meet next week to discuss drug 
and alcohol abuse on the job.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in conjunction with state 
mining agencies in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia scheduled the 
daylong meeting for Wednesday at the Hazard Community and Technical College.

Public health experts as well as representatives of industry, labor and 
state governments also are encouraged to attend the meeting, which begins 
at 8 a.m.

David Dye, acting MSHA director, said toxicology reports done after recent 
accidents found drugs and alcohol in some of the victims.

"Use or abuse of alcohol or drugs in the mining environment can 
significantly impair a miner's ability to focus on the task at hand and 
avoid the kinds of hazards that can maim or kill workers," Dye said.

"Drug or alcohol abuse in mining by any one person puts the safety of all 
workers at risk. One impaired person can bring tragedy to many other 
innocent workers."

Dye said one of the goals of the meeting is to identify priorities and 
actions needed to address drug and alcohol use among miners.

The meeting will include panel discussions involving coal miners, coal 
operators and government regulators.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D