Coal Authority attends safety meeting in Wales

The authority is continuing to closely monitor and maintain the disused coal tips that it owns and manages in Wales.

They also attended a coal tip safety meeting, chaired by Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart, and First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford on 24 February 2020, with the Welsh Local Government Association and Natural Resources Wales.

After stating their governments would work together to assess the safety of tips and ensure they are being properly monitored, the First Minister and Secretary of State agreed that:

• All relevant agencies will work together to share resources and technical expertise, establishing a common set of standards for risk assessment.
• Information will be provided to people living in the south Wales valleys about the safety of local tips, co-ordinated by a single point of contact.

Lisa Pinney, Chief Executive at the Coal Authority, said: “The authority attended the meeting yesterday and will work with partners to progress the agreed outcomes.

The tip inspection teams are still busy ensuring that all drainage channels and trash screens are free from debris, so they perform as they should, and there have not appeared to be any significant issues at its 26 Welsh sites.

The authority is, as always, working closely with its partners to help and support others as where possible, whether the authority manage their tips or not.

Following these unprecedented weather conditions, the authority’s thoughts remain with everyone affected. The Coal Authority can receive calls 24/7, and to report a coal mining hazard or to get safety advice phone 01623 646 333.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/28022020/coal-authority-attends-safety-meeting-in-wales/