US coal mines face looming shortage of emergency air packs as 1 maker stops selling them
By Tim Huber, APThursday, May 27, 2010
US mines face shortage of emergency air packs
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One of just two major makers of emergency air packs for U.S. coal mines has stopped selling them and the industry fears it could lead to a shortage.
Pennsylvania-based CSE Corp. needs to fix a problem making the small oxygen cylinders used to start its air packs automatically. They have long been known to fail.
National Mining Association lobbyist Bruce Watzman says the industry fears the result will be a shortage for underground mines.
The mines must continually increase stockpiles as their operations grow.
Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Amy Louviere says the agency is evaluating how mines can comply with regulations if CSE can’t fix the problem.
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