1976 — Mar 9 & 11, 2 methane gas explosions, Scotia Coal Mine, Oven Fork, KY–(15 & 11) 26

–26 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 317.
–15 March 9. Electrical sparks from mine locomotive ignites methane gas; miners killed
–11 March 11. Methane gas explosion during recovery and investigation operation.
–26 Mine Safety and Health Administration, Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the U.S.
–26 MSHA. Report of Investigation…Scotia Mine…Ovenfork…March 9 and 11… 8-11-1993.
–15 March 9 gas and coal dust explosion.
–11 March 11 gas and coal dust explosion.
–26 NIOSH, CDC. Coal Mining Disasters: 1939 to Present. 1-3-2013 update, page 7.
–15 March 9; explosion.
–11 March 11; explosion.
–26 US Mine Rescue Assoc. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Scotia Coal Company…”
–15 March 9.
–11 March 11.

Narrative Information

MSHA: “Two gas and coal dust explosions, the first at approximately 11:45 a.m., March 9, 1976, and the second at approximately 11:30 p.m., March 11, 1976, occurred in the 2 Southeast Main area of the Scotia Mine, Scotia Coal Company, Ovenfork, Letcher County, Kentucky. All 15 Men working in the 2 Southeast Main area at the time of the first explosion died as a result of the explosion. Ninety-one men in other parts of the mine at that time reached the surface without mishap. At the time of the second explosion, 13 men were underground near the entrance of 2 Southeast Main; 11 died as the result of the explosion and 2 repairmen working a short distance outby escaped without injury….

“MESA investigators believe that the first explosion originated near No. 31 crosscut in 2 Southeast Main when a mixture of methane and air was ignited by an electric arc or spark from a battery-powered locomotive. Forces of the explosion spread to all five 2 Southeast Main entries, extended into 2 Left Section off 2 Southeast Main and dissipated as they reached the Northeast Main junction…

“MESA investigators believe that the second explosion originated near the entrance of or in 2 Left Section off 2 Southeast Main when a methane-air mixture was ignited by one of five possible sources: an electric arc or spark from a battery-equipped deluge system; three battery-equipped telephones; scoop batteries; residual fires; or a frictional spark from a fall of mine roof on a roof-bolting machine. The forces of the explosion extended throughout 2 Left Section and all five entries of 2 Southeast Main, spread north and south in all entries in both panels of Northeast Main, and dissipated near the junction of 3 Southeast Main in the northern direction and near the junction of Southeast Main in the southern direction…”

(Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Report of Investigation, Underground coal Mine Explosions: Scotia Mine I.D. No. 15-02055 Scotia Coal Company, Ovenfork, Letcher County, Kentucky, March 9 and 11, 1976. 8-11-1993 release date. Abstract.)

Cole: “March 9, 1976 – Explosion occurred at Whitesburg, Kentucky killing 15 miners. 2 days later – A second explosion kills 11 rescue workers.” (Cole. History of MSHA, slide 21)

Contributes to passage by Congress in 1977 of Public Law 95-164, The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act:

• MESA moved to Department of Labor and changed to Mine Safety and Health Administration.
• Combined Coal and Metal/Nonmetal health and safety laws.
• Established the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
• Expanded the rights of miners. (Cole. History of MSHA, slide 22)

Sources

Cole, Jesse P. (MSHA District 4 Manager). “History of MSHA,” Leadership Intensive Course Mine Safety and Health Administration. No date. 48 slides. Accessed 1-11-2009 at: http://www.usmra.com/repository/category/mining/modified_History_of_MSHA.ppt#256,1

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States. Arlington, VA: MSHA, U.S. Department of Labor. Accessed 10-5-2008 at: http://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/FactSheets/MSHAFCT8.HTM

Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Report of Investigation, Underground coal Mine Explosions: Scotia Mine I.D. No. 15-02055 Scotia Coal Company, Ovenfork, Letcher County, Kentucky, March 9 and 11, 1976. 8-11-1993 release date. Abstract. Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia_1976.pdf

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC. Coal Mining Disasters: 1939 to Present. NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1-3-2013 update, page 7. Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/content/coaldisasters.html

United States Mine Rescue Association. Mine Disasters in the United States. “Scotia Coal Company, Scotia Mine Explosions, Oven Fork, Letcher County, Kentucky, March 9 & 11, 1976.” Accessed 5-31-2020 at: https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/scotia.htm