FOREWORD*

"The first meaningful approach to collective activity in the field of safety was the inclusion, by contractual arrangement, of the mine safety committee.

"A grave duty and responsibility is conveyed by this contractual arrangement to three elected mine workers and members of the United Mine Workers of America. The present contractual arrangement conveys to the safety committee great powers and responsibility: (1) Investigating causes of an explosion and/or disaster, (2) inspection of any mine development or equipment used in producing coal, (3) upon detection of dangerous mining conditions that endanger the life or bodies of the mine workers, it shall report the finding and recommendations to management, (4) where the safety committee believes an immediate danger exists, they have the contractual right to recommend that management remove all mine workers from the unsafe area, and the operator is required to follow the committee's recommendation, and (5) the safety committee and the operator shall maintain such records concerning inspections, findings, recommendations, and actions related to the provision of the Wage Agreement as may be required, and copies of all reports made by the safety committee shall be filed with the operator.

"By these transmitted rights and duties, the relationship of the safety committee and management is most important. Their importance is emphasized by the very nature of their work and responsibility which is solving safety problems and saving human lives. "Industry safety and good relations between management and the safety committee cannot be taken for granted. This relationship must be cultivated as it can be easily undermined where either party violates the assumption on which the safety program and relationship exists. The committee and management must work together in reasonable harmony and in a climate of mutual respect and confidence. This, I know, is a challenge for all of them, but reason must and will prevail.

"The safety committeemen are called upon to exercise their mature judgment, based on their intelligence and mining experience, as to what actually constitutes a safe or unsafe practice, or a safe or unsafe working condition. Their decision and suggestion may save or cost some employee his life or limb. If they are to be

*Excerpts from "What Does a Good Safety Committee Do," by L. J. Pnakovich, President, District 31, United Mine Workers of America, presented before Coal Mining Section, West Virginia Statewide Safety Conference, Charleston, West Virginia, April 30, 1968.

effective, they must have the ability to secure the confidence of men and management and be looked upon as a friend giving advice and assistance.

"In addition to the five contractual duties previously mentioned, further duties and responsibilities of a good safety committee are as follows:

"No. 1. Study and know the Federal Mine Safety Code which is part of your working agreement, study the Federal Mine Safety Act, and the State mining laws. Work toward establishing safety standards where laws do not cover; see that safety standards and company safety rules are followed and enforced. Request compliance of Code, Act, and Mining Law violations reported by mine inspectors, both State and Federal. This can be arranged after the inspection report is received; arrange a conference with management to review the report and request correction of serious hazards, less serious hazards get assurance of correction within a reasonable time limit. Where time limits are granted, follow up with another conference and/or underground inspection.

"At this point it is well to remember that under the Mine Safety Program of your contract, Section (b) ENFORCEMENT provides that: "Whenever inspectors of the United States Bureau of Mines, in making their inspection in accordance with authority as provided in Public Law 522 find there are violations of the Federal Mine Safety Code and make recommendations for the elimination of such noncompliance, the operators shall promptly comply with such recommendations, except where such compliance would cause irreparable damage or great injustice, the operator may then appeal to the Joint Industry Safety Committee for relief.

"No. 2. If you are to improve your safety performance at your mine, safety violations must be analyzed: (1) Where repeated violations are found, greater safety controls and compliance are indicated, (2) are individuals using all of their safety knowledge at all times, and (3) are proper training and instructions given each worker doing a specific work assignment?

"No. 3.

When safety complaints are reported by workmen to you, the committee, do not promise anything other than that you will do your best to settle the issue and will keep him informed of your progress.

"No. 4. Handle safety complaints and grievances fairly and intelligently. Anticipate management's objections, prepare for them, get all the facts involved, and if in doubt of the proper application of Mining Laws, consult higher authority before proceeding with the complaint.

"Failure to reach agreement on safety problems follow the annunciated policy of the International Union by filing the complaint with your District office for further handling.

"No. 5. The last and most important new area to which a good safety committee can direct its attention, talents, and mining experience is in the area of the new recruit, the young worker who will be the new generation of mine workers. This group, given proper guidance, training, and orientation to the hazards of our coal industry, will pay great dividends, and safety in West Virginia would, in my opinion, exceed all expectations.

"In conclusion, by exercising your talents, knowledge, mining experience, and leadership in safety, you will be making a real contribution to yourself, your union, the company, and your State.

The purpose of a mine safety committee is to assist management in the promotion of a proper safety philosophy for the safe and efficient mining of coal. This joint and cooperative effort can only be accomplished by a close and harmonious working relationship among all affected parties.

An atmosphere for promoting safe job procedures and good working conditions must not only spread from management but must also be strongly advocated by union officials, especially from the mine safety committee. The mine safety committee must never show, by word or deed, an indifference to its safety responsibilities; otherwise, the mine workers will develop the feeling that no one has any real concern for their well being and, consequently, accidents and, therefore, injuries will increase. When a mine safety committee meets its responsibilities with enthusiasm and concern, the miners cannot help but feel that everyone, including management, has the same attitude and are likely to be more cooperative, less inclined to take risks, and the results are fewer accidents. The sole purpose and objective of any safety program, regardless of source and sponsorship, is the reduction and elimination of injuries. There can be no other logical reason for the formation of any safety group.

To more fully appreciate the duties and responsibilities of a mine safety committee and the tremendous problem that confronts all segments of the mining industry, suppose we consider the injury problem for a 2-year period, 1967 and 1968. A solution can and must be found for this common problem, and the untiring efforts, cooperation, and progressive guidance of mine safety committees will greatly accelerate the efforts toward the final objective of an injury-free industry.

During 1968, the Nation's coal-mining industry reported a total of 309 fatal injuries. Corresponding figures for 1967 were 220 fatalities. The unfavorable comparison of fatality experience for 1968 with that of 1967 resulted principally from two major disasters. During 1968, approximately 137,000 men were employed in the production of 557 million tons of coal, a reduction in production of about 8 million tons from the figure for 1967.

The situation with respect to nonfatal injuries in the industry for 1968 does, however, show an improvement. In 1968, an average of 800 miners per month was involved in nonfatal-injury incidents as compared to a monthly average of 860 for 1967, a small but significant and meaningful reduction.

To gain a deeper insight into the injury problem of the coal-mining industry, suppose that we consider the relationship of the major causes of fatal injuries for both 1967 and 1968.