"We learned after Sago," Ward said, noting the new requirements were later adopted by federal mine safety authorities. "Those miners were trapped. If they had more air or if there was a way to locate them more quickly ... they could be here today."

Earlier this year, Ward said West Virginia lawmakers tackled preventing future mine disasters by spelling out how mines should be sealed. Pressure built up in sealed areas of the Sago Mine was blamed for the deadly explosion.

Also this year, West Virginia lawmakers made permanent a task force created in response to Sago. Ward said the task force, made up of industry and labor representatives, pushes for adoption of new safety innovations by industry and government.

State involvement in mine safety provides "broader coverage to make sure the mines are safe," Ward said. "We can go above and beyond what the federal government requires."

Even so, federal investigations and hearings into the Utah mine collapse can be expected once Congress reconvenes in September.

"Ultimately, there will be a time for asking questions and getting answers from officials charged with mine safety," said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. "Congress will continue to look for ways to improve the health and safety regulations for this inherently risky work environment."

House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., and Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., who heads the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, said Friday that they intend to answer questions about the accident and mine safety, "by investigating and convening hearings at the appropriate time."

"Obviously, right now the only job that matters is the job of reaching the six trapped miners while limiting, as much as possible, the risk to rescuers," they said in a joint statement.

The committee has oversight over the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Miller and Woolsey introduced a mine safety bill to build on the major mining safety bill passed after the Sago accident. The committee held several hearings after the accident during the last session of Congress, and had a hearing on mine safety just days before the mine collapse.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., have the same bill in the Senate.

A Senate Appropriations Subcommittee held a specific hearing focusing on the Sago mine disaster on Jan. 23, 2006, just days after 12 people died in the mine.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who visited the Utah mine site Friday, said MSHA will have its own investigation and Congress should hold hearings, but at the right time.

"I know that many in Congress will want to get involved in this, and I'll support the efforts to make sure miners are as safe as possible," Hatch said. "But for the present time, we need to let the professionals do their job, with our support but without our interference."

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; suzanne@desnews.com