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WVOMHST spokeswoman Caryn Gresham told International Longwall News Wednesday that all field and central office staff members who serve as inspectors or investigators or who would be participants in an investigation or inspection as part of their job duties will be included in the testing.

“The decision to test within the office is based on the realisation that we must be certain our office staff is drug-free before we can deal with this problem, if it exists, at mines in the state.”

She also said that, should the agency determine a need, Wooten and the office would look into the possibility of developing a statewide mine drug use program.

Wooten told the Associated Press this week that his concerns about a drug problem within the state’s mines stem from the feedback he receives from inspectors – who enter the mines daily and are reporting problems. “Where there’s talk, there’s something going on,” he told the news service.

Gresham said the office has been in the process of developing the testing endeavour for some time and that its employees know it will be occurring.

Inspectors are also in the process of reviewing and compiling statistics and information about drug use in the mining industry, including past accident reports, “to determine where, and if, they have found that the problem exists.”

She said of the agency’s commitment: “Issues of mine safety are a priority within the MHST office. The agency will take, or recommend, steps that are necessary to keep miners safe on the job.

“If that requires new policies, the agency will make recommendations.”