The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Coal Mine Health and Safety Act" ...
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No. 9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster
The 1968 Farmington Coal Mine Disaster prompted Congress to pass the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the first law to set meaningful underground safety standards and fines for violations. Despite the importance of the tragedy, which took the lives of 78 men, neither federal nor the state government determined the cause of the disaster. The state did not produce a final report as was required by West Virginia law, and the federal government did not make public its final, inconclusive report until 1990. This book pieces the story together, documenting the dangerous conditions that plagued the No. 9 from 1935 through the first deadly disaster in 1954 that killed 16 men and up to the 1968 tragedy.
Tags: farmington coal mine; virginia; united states; safety; coal
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A Coalfield legacy: black lung
The Roanoke Times looks at the common complaints of Virginia miners who go through the federal black lung program. "Passed more than three decades ago to lower levels of dust in coal mines and to compensate miners suffering from black lung, the program has fallen far short of its goal. Since 1982, between 92 percent and 96 percent of all Virginia miners who applied for black lung benefits were denied. Most were turned down because they failed to produce enough evidence that they had the disease. But few miners are able to prove they have black lung because they often lack the financial resources to hire medical experts." In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor does grant temporary benefits to miners after the examinations are doctor approved. However, when coal companies appeal, the doctors are not present to back up their decision. Instead miners end up losing their benefits due to the lack of experts on their side, and ultimately end up paying the government back.
Tags: black lung; U.S. Department of Labor; Black Lung Benefits Act; mining; coal companies; company doctors; miners; testimony; medical experts; Coal Mine Health and Safety Act; Mine Safety and Health Administration