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Mine
Safety and Health Administration head Dave D. Lauriski has resigned, effective
Nov. 19. Lauriski submitted his resignation to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao
Friday, Nov. 12. Chao commended Lauriski for his "tested safety management
skills, and profound respect for the dignity of coal miners." No successor
to Lauriski was immediately named.
Lauriski was confirmed May 9, 2001, by the Senate as the nation's seventh MSHA
administrator. Chao said the mining industry achieved the lowest number of mine
fatalities under his tenure since statistics were first recorded in 1910—a 34
percent drop between 2000 and 2003.
Lauriski said in a statement that he resigned "due to personal
circumstances" and reportedly will leave the job this week with plans to
work in mining from his home in Colorado.
"I am truly grateful for the trust and support provided to me by President
Bush and Secretary Chao during my tenure at the Mine Safety and Health
Administration. When I was appointed assistant secretary of MSHA, both the
President and the Secretary set goals and expectations for America's miners. I
am proud to say that we have made substantial progress in moving toward those
objectives," Lauriski said.
In addition to receiving credit for falling miner fatality rates, Lauriski
received widespread praise for the way his agency helped manage July 2002
disaster at the Quecreek Mine near Somerset, PA. Before being rescued in
dramatic fashion, nine coal miners were trapped underground after accidentally
drilling into an abandoned mine shaft that was flooded with water.
Throughout his tenure Lauriski and the United Mine Workers of America, which
represents coal miners, had a rocky relationship. The biggest dispute between
the two involved a Bush administration proposal to change coal-dust testing
regulations. The plan was shelved, with the union accusing the government of
relaxing federal regulations.
Before coming to MSHA, Lauriski was general manager of Energy West Mining Co.
and was president of his own consultancy, Lauriski and Associates in Colorado.
http://www.nsc.org/email/newsalert111504br.htm
