By Tony McVeigh
Murray, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear is declaring September as Kentucky Coal Miner Safety Month. The theme of the campaign is "Bring Them Home Safe!" At a news conference in Frankfort, the governor's proclamation was read aloud by Energy and Environment Secretary Len Peters.
"We want to make sure that not only in September, but 365 days a year, that we continue to make sure that safety is at the top of what we need to do. It is that safety culture. And we continue to strive for a zero fatality, zero serious accident."
So far this year, mining accidents have claimed five lives in Kentucky. Peters says mining deaths have been declining in recent decades because of mine safety improvements and training offered by entities like the recently created Kentucky Coal Academy.