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Committee approves change to mine emergency technician staffing for smallest shifts after emotional testimony, 7-4
Summary
House Bill 196 would reduce the required number of mine emergency technicians on-site for very small coal-mine production shifts; the Senate committee approved the bill 7-4 after hearing testimony from the widow of a miner killed in 2005 and safety advocates urging the existing two-person requirement be retained.
House Bill 196, which would change the statutory requirement for the number of mine emergency technicians (METs) required on an active production shift at coal mines, passed the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Labor by a 7-4 vote after extended testimony and debate.
Senator Philip Wheeler introduced the bill on behalf of Representative Blanton, noting that current law requires small mines with fewer than 10 workers on a production shift to have two METs while mines with 11 to 50 employees are subject to a different percentage-based standard. "Currently in a small mine, 20% of your workforce on an active production shift has to be certified as a mine emergency technician," Wheeler said, and argued the bill is intended to allow smaller operations to continue to operate amid workforce shortages.
Stella Morris, who identified herself as the widow of David "Bud" Morris, told the committee that her husband died in a mining accident in February 2005 after being struck by a coal hauler and that he "bled out" because proper first-aid treatment was not rendered on site. "I just ask for your all support in this opposing this bill to keep our medics on duty, but 2 medics per month because for the last 19 years, I've had to deal with the fact of knowing had there been another medic on duty that day, we may still have Bud here," Morris said.
Courtney Rhodes, black lung organizer at Appalachian Citizens Law Center, told the committee the change "walks back safety improvements that were made after the tragic death of Stella's husband" and that the organization opposes the bill. Rhodes said training for MET certification is free and available statewide and that the requirement helps sustain a safety record: "There have been no underground mining fatalities in Kentucky in nearly 3 years. We urge you to help maintain this record and vote no on this bill today."
Committee members expressed divided views. Several senators said they are strongly pro-coal but anxious about the safety implications; others said diminishing small-mine operating burdens is necessary to keep smaller employers viable. Senator Thomas, explaining his no vote, said: "If I have to choose between human life, and human profit, then I'm gonna air on the side of human life." Senator Wise said he would vote to move the bill but indicated he expected further work on the language before floor action.
The clerk recorded the committee vote as seven yeas and four nays; the chair declared the bill passed in committee and directed that it be reported. The committee did not adopt an amendment on the floor; several members asked for further work if the bill proceeds to the Senate floor.
