Sketch of Scene of Coal Mine Gas (Frictional) Ignition Gateway Mine Gateway Coal Company Clarksville, Greene County, Pennsylvania June 9, 1969 Scale 1" = 10' Mr. OZONISH. We have a report here of one that occurred just not too long ago but it was not an ignition. This report was made by the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines. A letter of information June 3, 1970: Notice is hereby given that undersigned authorized representative of the Secretary of the Interior in making an inspection of this mine June 3, 1970, observed the violation of Section 306(b) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The violation described below should be corrected as soon as ways and means of correction is available. Automatic circuit breakers were not provided for the cable of the auxiliary mine. Now I am just going to read this, I don't want to go through the whole thing. I know you are pressed for time and we are glad we can get as much time off you as possible. This is referring to water sprays and float dust. There is a hazard of coal dust right there. If you want this inspection, I will let you take this. Senator WILLIAMS. What inspection is this? Mr. OZONISH. This is June 3, 1970. Senator WILLIAMS. Is that a regular inspection? Mr. OZONISH. No; this is what we call a spot inspection where an inspector is sent around to just check. Senator WILLIAMS. That was June 3 and this was a spot inspection. How many have you had since June 3? Mr. OZONISH. Since June 3 I don't think we had any. The only time we had a Federal inspector come since that time was on a near fatality. We have near fatalities and the State inspector comes around or the Federal inspector comes around. We had two near fatalities since that inspection. Senator WILLIAMS. Since this June 3? Mr. OZONISH. That is right. Senator WILLIAMS. And in response to that you had two inspectors come over? Mr. OZONISH. We had two to investigate a near fatal accident. Senator WILLIAMS. And they came because of that near fatality? Mr. OZONISH. Yes. Senator WILLIAMS. Without objection, the inspection letter of information will be inserted into the hearing record at this point. (The material referred to follows:) California, Pa. 15419 (P.O. address of operator) Notice is hereby given that the undersigned authorized representative of the Secretary of the Interior upon making an inspection of this mine on June 3 1970, observe a violation of Section 306(b) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The violation, described below, should be corrected as soon as the ways and means of correction are available. Description of violation: Automatic circuit breakers were not provided for the trailing cable of the auxiliary fan in 9 butt 2 face. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned authorized representative of the Secretary of the Interior upon making an inspection of this mine on June 3 , 1970, observed a violation of Section_ 311(f) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The violation, described below, should be corrected as soon as the ways and means of correction are available. Description of violation: Deluge-type water sprays were not provided over the belt drive in 9 butt 2 face. |