2 West Virginia coal mines on MSHA’s POV list

Two mining operations in southern West Virginia have been placed on notice by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration for showing a pattern of violations.

MSHA chief Joe Main said Thursday Brody Mining LLC’s Brody Mine No. 1 in Boone County and Pocahontas Coal Company’s Affinity Mine in Raleigh County have demonstrated a disregard for the health and safety of miners through a pattern of significant and substantial violations. (S&S violations)

MSHA’S POV notice is given to the mines that pose the greatest risk to safety. When S&S violations are issued the mine is required to withdraw, which basically shuts down operations.

“MSHA’s new POV rule, which we will vigorously enforce, enhances protections for miners and shifts the responsibility for monitoring compliance and taking action to prevent POV enforcement actions to the operator,” Main said in an agency news release.

The Brody No. 1 Mine received 253 S&S violations from MSHA. It had nearly 1,800 lost work days. MSHA said Brody failed to report some of those injuries to the agency.

The Affinity Mine received 124 S&S violations. MSHA said there was a high negligence or reckless disregard for the health and safety of miners. Affinity received 35 closure orders during the review period.

Tram Energy LLC’s Mine No. 1 in Floyd County, Ky., is the third mine on MSHA’s POV list.

MSHA revised its POV rule earlier this year. The three mines named were the first under the new screening provisions.