COAL MINERS AND OPERATORS TO DISCUSS DRUG ABUSE ON JOB

Msha, Mining Agencies Schedule Meetings

HAZARD - Coal miners and mine operators will meet next week to discuss drug
and alcohol abuse on the job.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in conjunction with state
mining agencies in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia scheduled the
daylong meeting for Wednesday at the Hazard Community and Technical College.

Public health experts as well as representatives of industry, labor and
state governments also are encouraged to attend the meeting, which begins
at 8 a.m.

David Dye, acting MSHA director, said toxicology reports done after recent
accidents found drugs and alcohol in some of the victims.

"Use or abuse of alcohol or drugs in the mining environment can
significantly impair a miner's ability to focus on the task at hand and
avoid the kinds of hazards that can maim or kill workers," Dye said.

"Drug or alcohol abuse in mining by any one person puts the safety of all
workers at risk. One impaired person can bring tragedy to many other
innocent workers."

Dye said one of the goals of the meeting is to identify priorities and
actions needed to address drug and alcohol use among miners.

The meeting will include panel discussions involving coal miners, coal
operators and government regulators.