Crawford responded that MSHA usually works closely with states "and there's an agreement that since they have common interests and purposes of investigating the cause of an accident and coming about with any enforcement resulting actions that we can share information for those reasons, but not with the public or any other entity that is not involved because it could compromise the investigation."

Matheson fired back that since the state does not have the resources to conduct its own probe, the commission relies on MSHA for pertinent information.

"There's no interest (by our commission) in compromising your investigation," Matheson said. "Our interest is in doing our work consistent with an investigation that you feel is thorough and meets all the confidentiality needs that it needs to meet.

"But at the same time, we'd like to have access to information that would help us in doing our work. And periodic updates and giving us information that you're going to give to the public, at least in my view, is not sufficient."

Matheson later said the commission will push for full cooperation from MSHA as it conducts its probe.

However, commission member Dennis O'Dell, administrator of occupational health and safety for the United Mine Workers of America, is not especially optimistic. He said his 30-plus years of experience in the mining industry has taught him MSHA has usually been reluctant to share information about its investigations.

O'Dell expects agency investigators to keep whatever findings they come up with "close to their chest" — a position Matheson said he understands but that he still believes there is a way where both his panel and MSHA will be able to do their jobs effectively while still sharing information.

"I think there is common ground there. We've just got to make sure we agree on what that common ground is. We'll push them (MSHA) for information that we think we need to do our job. And I'm confident that we can get there," he said.

One of the first agenda items Monday was a historical review of coal mining safety in Utah. According to MSHA, tens of thousands of coal miners have died nationwide in accidents since 1900, with the number of annual fatalities falling significantly year over year since 1948 when 999 workers perished.

Following that year, the number of deaths across the country dropped to 585, with fewer and fewer fatalities reported thereafter. Since 1993, few than 50 fatalities have been reported annually. Though mine safety has increased dramatically over the years, coal mining (particularly underground mining) is still considered one of the most dangerous occupations.

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E-mail: jlee@desnews.com