Miller Statement on MSHA Report on Sago Mine Tragedy

Thursday, May 10, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today in response to the report from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration on the 2006 Sago mine disaster:

"MSHA's report repeats some things we have known for a long time - for example, that walls commonly used to seal off unused portions of U.S. mines are not strong enough to withstand an explosion like the one at Sago. If at Sago these walls had been stronger, the 12 miners who died last year would be alive today. MSHA has always had the authority to issue new rules requiring the use of stronger mine seals. In February, I asked MSHA to implement an emergency rule to strengthen mine seals, but MSHA refused. I hope the agency will reconsider.

"Our committee will thoroughly review MSHA's report. We will discuss what more needs to be done to improve mine safety with Richard Stickler, the head of MSHA, when he testifies before our committee next week. Regardless of whether the explosion's ignition source was lightning or friction in the roof of the mine, the fact remains that, after the explosion, those miners still did not have to die. We know what steps should be taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, and Congress will work to make sure that MSHA and the industry take those actions."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853