Nation’s top mine safety official to face lawmakers at Senate hearing on W.Va. accident

Senate to hold hearing on W.Va. mine disaster

WASHINGTON — The nation’s top mine safety official is expected to face tough questions next week at the Senate’s first hearing on the deadly mine explosion in West Virginia.

Joe Main will be the lead witness Tuesday when lawmakers examine weaknesses in safety laws that encourage some companies to ignore the health and safety of workers in mines and other industries. Main heads the Mining Safety and Health Administration.

Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship won’t be at the hearing to discuss the accident at the Upper Big Branch mine his company owns. An explosion at the mine on April 5 killed 29 workers.

A spokeswoman for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee says Blankenship won’t be there because the hearing does not focus on the specific cause of the blast.