(Statehouse) April 25, 2007- Yesterday, Governor Daniels signed House Enrolled Act 1335 co-authored by Representative Bill Davis (R-Portland). The legislation revises the duties and requirements for the Mining Board and the Director of the Bureau of Mines and Mining Safety (BMMS) to ensure the safety of Indiana's six underground mines and 25 surface mines. "House Enrolled Act 1335 works to update Indiana law to protect Hoosier miners by establishing a mine rescue team and training guidelines," said Rep. Davis. "I am hopeful that by taking precautions and increasing safety training, we can decrease the amount of mining related injuries and fatalities." The duties of overseeing the mine rescue teams, training and certification of the miners and maintenance of mine maps will transfer from the state mine inspector to the Director of the BMMS. The BMMS will be required to maintain one or two mine rescue teams comprised of personnel from active underground mines. The rescue teams will be trained using the requirements established by the director and the board. In addition, the BMMS will now be required to have a director and two inspectors. Previously, there was only a director. The Bureau was initially set up to regulate underground mines but since the creation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, the federal government has primary jurisdiction for underground mine safety. Currently, federal inspectors conduct inspections of mines for the state in order to determine mine safety. For more information, please contact State Representative Bill Davis at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Room 401, Indianapolis, IN 46204, 1-800-382-9841, h33@in.gov. -30- |
