West Virginia Coal Mines and Disaster

Timeline

As early as 1865, a bill was introduced in Congress to create a Federal Mining Bureau. However, little was done until a series of serious mine disasters occurred after the turn of the century. In response to these disasters, the public demanded Federal action to stop the excessive loss of life in America's mines.

1891

The first Federal mine safety statute applies to mines in U.S. Territories. Its provisions cover underground coal mine ventilation and bar mine operators from employing children who are under the age of 12.

1888 - 1910

Roof falls, haulage accidents, and explosions kill thousands of miners. The deadliest year is 1907 when 3,242 miners perish. Over 360 are killed in the Monongah explosion, the deadliest mining accident in U.S. history.

1910

Congress establishes the Bureau of Mines.

1941

Congress passes the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act a year after 257 miners die in four separate explosions.

1947 - 1951

The Centralia explosion claims 111 victims in 1947. In 1951, just before Christmas, 119 miners die in an explosion at the Orient No. 2 Mine.

1952

Congress passes the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act.

1966

The 1952 Act is amended. Congress passes the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act.

1969

The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 takes effect a year after an explosion at the Consol No 9 Mine at Farmington, West Virginia kills 78 miners.

1972 - 1976

Ninety-one miners die in a fire in 1972 at the Sunshine Mine at Kellogg, Idaho. In 1976, a pair of explosions at the Scotia Mine at Ovenfork, Kentucky kill 26 people.

1977

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 combines coal and metal/nonmetal health and safety law into one piece of legislation.

Date this page was last updated: 02/09/2003