Pot times July 18, 2005
Safety Chief - Industry Should Decide Drug Testing's
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1137/a07.htmlNewshawk: chip
Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jul 2005 SAFETY CHIEF: INDUSTRY SHOULD DECIDE DRUG TESTING'S FATE
Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY)
Copyright: 2005 Messenger-Inquirer
Contact:
readerswrite@messenger-inquirer.com
Website: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm
(Drug Test)
LOUISVILLE -- The mining industry and states should decide whether they want
to drug test miners, the nation's top mine safety regulator said.
David Dye, head of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, said
last week that he is not urging Congress to pass a law allowing MSHA to test
miners for drugs. Instead, the federal government will try to educate
miners about the dangers of using drugs at work, he said.
"We're looking at using all our authority and resources that are
appropriate to deal with the issue," Dye told the Louisville
Courier-Journal. "A change of law at the federal level is always a
long and arduous process."
Last year, former MSHA head Dave Lauriski said a federal testing law was one
of several options being considered to help curb the growing problem of drug
use at mines.
Two Kentucky miners who were killed in underground coal mine accidents in the
past two years tested positive for drugs, according to coroner toxicology
reports. It isn't clear whether drug impairment led to either accident.
Currently, some coal companies have voluntary drug-testing policies, and
Kentucky has a 15-member task force of industry, government and labor
representatives discussing whether the state should have a testing law.
The state task force is expected to make recommendations this year to LaJuana
Wilcher, secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
