It is reported that Utah has a new head of mine safety. The Utah Labor Commission has named Mr David Kent Houghton as the new director of the state Office of Coal Mine Safety.

The office was established in 2008 at the recommendation of the Utah Mine Safety Commission following the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster. In August 2007 six miners were trapped when an area of the mine collapsed.

Three rescuers died days later trying to reach the trapped miners. The mine has since been permanently shuttered and their bodies were never recovered. The office was created to maximize mine safety, prevent coal mine accidents and provide for effective accident response in Utah. Mr Houghton replaces Garth Nielsen who was appointed as the office's first director in July 2008.

Mr Houghton has been employed in the coal mining industry in Utah for 36 years.

Mr Houghton said “The coal mining industry is of vital importance to the nation’s energy needs, and is equally important to the state and local communities for jobs and the economic development the industry brings. The Office of Coal Mine Safety can best serve the state and the industry by providing leadership in the areas of safety, training, education, technical development and disaster planning.”

As director, Mr Houghton will be responsible for monitoring coal mine safety and act as Utah liaison to the US Mine Safety and Health Administration. He said that "This will help the coal mine industry meet their safety objectives and provide for the safety of the coal miners."

(Sourced from www.deseretnews.com)