New Utah Labor Commission division established

The Utah Labor Commission has established a new division aimed at improving coal mine safety and preventing future accidents.

The Office of Coal Mine Safety was created in response to last summer's tragedy at the Crandall Canyon Mine, which killed six miners and three rescuers.

The new office "exists to maximize coal mine safety, prevent coal mine accidents and provide for effective coal mine accident response," according to the Labor Commission.

Mine safety concerns can be reported by calling 888-9UT-MINE.

A search for a director is currently under way, officials said. The Labor Commission also is creating a Mine Safety Technical Advisory Council and is in the process of appointing members. The council should be complete by July.