Safety measures, layoffs contribute to lower mining fatality rate, officials say

Mining fatalities are down in Kentucky. But does that mean the coal industry is getting safer? Four Kentucky coal miners were killed in 2012 – a 50 percent drop from the previous year when the Commonwealth led the country with eight. “I think we’ve really concentrated on reducing injuries and fatalities,” said Dave Blankenship, the mine safety director for TECO Coal Corp. “I think it’s due to a lot of the improved training, improved management strategies and of course I think the equipment continues to get safer and safer.”  

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Safety measures, layoffs contribute to lower mining fatality rate, officials say