SECTION I PURPOSE OF A MINE SAFETY COMMITTEE

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.

The injury experiences of the major coal-producing States are listed in Tables 2 and 3 for the years we are comparing.

Reversing the bleak image of our industry offers many challenges, to say the least, that will require considerable effort on the part of every affected individual. Mine safety committees must assume a large portion of the responsibility in the search for solutions.

SECTION III ·

ASSISTING IN THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS

How do you as a member of a mine safety committee fulfill the various obligations conveyed by the present contractual arrangement. In general, what are your responsibilities with respect to the prevention of accidents, the sole objective of your group? Let us consider the following items and any others you may care to add:

1. Responsibility for the well being of all mining personnel. With this responsibility, there is authorization, both specific and implied, to take any reasonable action required to prevent accidents.

2.

Assist, whenever possible, in employee safety orientation and job instruction. This particular duty implies that each member of the mine safety committee will be familiar with mine and section safety rules and regulations, safe job procedures, major work hazards, and policies and procedures advocated by management. In addition to being familiar with management safety rules and regulations, the mine safety committee should have a working knowledge of the following basic mining subjects: Mine gases, principally methane and its detection; section and mine ventilation practices, including emergency escapeways; roof-control standards and the roof-bolting permits; safe haulage practices; equipment and machinery and the attendant hazards, and safe uses and practices of electricity. In short, members of the mine safety committee should be experienced, well-qualified mining personnel.

3. Employee safety attitude. The mine safety committee is responsible, in part, for the development of a positive safety attitude in the workers.

4. Investigation of accidents and submission of necessary reports with appropriate recommendations on matters of safety for improvement.

5. Analysis of injury statistics. An analysis of current injury statistics may help to prevent additional incidents caused by either poor work habits or hazards that can be eliminated.

SOME CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

Since the beginning of the safety movement, certain facts have become apparent during this perind that are worthy of our discussion. The facts of progress are as follows:

1.

Accidents can be prevented. The decreasing frequency rates of safety-minded companies prove that accidents can be prevented.

2.

Safety improvement has no limit. Some persons argue that there is an "irreducible minimum" frequency rate beyond which improvement is impossible, but the facts of progress disapprove this theory. Frequency rates, at times, appear to level off, but the only conclusion that can be drawn is that there is no limit to improvement.

3. Improvements in safety records are becoming smaller each year. Frequency rate trends over the years indicate that improvements per year are becoming smaller because the worst hazards of previous generations have been eliminated, and the area for improvement is now limited to the individual workman, which requires that greater imagination be used than before to develop cooperative attitudes and safety mindedness.

4. Accident prevention is good ethics and permanently profitable.

5. Expenditures for good results are relatively small.

6. Techniques for reducing accidents are not difficult.
7. Accidents are caused.

9. Hazards must be eliminated before they become causes.

10. Causes of accidents are more important than causes of injuries.

1. Take the initiative in telling management about ideas for safer layouts of equipment, tools, and processes.

2. Take pride in knowing how to use equipment and material safely.