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WASHINGTON, DC -- It took the Mine Safety and Health Administration two days or more to initiate investigations into nearly one-third of the complaints of hazardous conditions filed at MSHA’s Virginia headquarters by miners or their representatives, according to a new government report released today. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today in response to the report:
“It is vital that MSHA take immediate action anytime a complaint is filed about hazardous conditions in a mine. Waiting two days before investigating a complaint could literally mean the difference between life and death. By failing to investigate complaints in a timely manner, MSHA may be forcing miners to work in dangerous – and potentially life-threatening – conditions.
“One thing this report implies is that understaffing at the Mine Safety and Health Administration may explain much of the agency’s failure to respond quickly to every complaint. For years, the Bush administration and Republican-controlled Congress reduced MSHA’s staffing levels. Thanks to Senator Byrd’s leadership, this year Congress approved funding for MSHA in an emergency spending bill that will allow it to hire more inspectors. Those positions must be filled as quickly as possible, and Congress must commit to providing MSHA adequate resources to do its job.
“Two other things must also happen. First, the Congress must stop neglecting its constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight. The complaints process at MSHA is obviously one area that Congress should examine in hearings. Second, miners and their families deserve to have the confidence of knowing that MSHA is headed by someone who has their best interests in mind and who will seek to quickly correct problems like the one described in this report. President Bush needs to nominate someone who clearly fits that description.”
The report was issued by the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor. For a copy of the report, click here.
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