ENGROSSED

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. B. 2437

(By Delegates Caputo, Manchin, Longstreth,

             Poore, Manypenny, L. Phillips and D. Poling)

(Originating in the House Committee on the Judiciary)

[February 24, 2011]

A BILL to amend and reenact §22A-2-43 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training implementing new requirments; and to require study of requiring installation of mining machines automatic shut-offs when methane is detected.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931 as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §22A-6-11, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6. BOARD OF COAL MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY.

§22A-6-11. Study of methane detecting shut off devices.

    Study of Automatic shut-down of mining machines. -- The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety is directed to conduct a study of the safety of installation of methane detection shut-off devices on machine extraction apparatus, including, but not limited to, long wall sheers and cutter heads. The Office shall study the benefits and appropriateness of requiring the installation of these devices, to determine if there are safety benefits, and whether the Office recommends to the Legislature that requirements regarding mandating these devises in underground mines is warranted. The Office shall report to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 31, 2011 with recommendations regarding whether it is appropriate to implement any requirements.