West Virgina Energy Firm Says Zero Mine Accidents is Realistic

March 25, 2008

Consol Energy says zero mining accidents is a realistic goal, despite the inherent dangers of coal mining.

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Chief Operating Officer Bart Hyita told the Tug Valley Mining Institute that Kentucky's example has shown that fatalities can be reduced to almost zero. Kentucky had two mining fatalities last year.

Hyita said it's Consol's goal to go beyond that and have no reportable accidents, accidents that require medical treatment or those which take away time from the job.

Safety can be improved by, for example, offering rewards to teams that go without accidents.

Last year, there were 33 mining deaths nationwide. Consol operates about 19 mining complexes and has roughly 8,000 workers.

Source: Williamson Daily News.