Jerry Scott
Mine Inspector, Gate City
Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
On this day, Jerry Scott and trainee Randy Moore would be inspecting the Bluff Spur Mine in Wise County, traveling deep into the bowels of the mine by diesel or battery-powered personnel carriers. The only light a thousand feet down comes from the lamps worn by the miners and inspectors.
From '74 to '85 I worked in the mines and I was  hired by the state in March 1986, in the miners training program for four years and have been inspecting surface and underground mine sites for 15 years. As an inspector, we inspect the entire surface or underground mine – equipment, minter's safety, overall conditions, records of examinations, everything. Every mine has a different set of conditions.
We do oversight. Check to see that they're doing all the things they're supposed to do, complying with all the state laws and regulations. We literally do have the lives of the miners in our hands. When we start an inspection, they'll tell you things, like a piece of equipment they're operating might not be safe or whatever. They can tell us or file a complaint. It's our job to check these things out.
It's not just luck that there haven't been any major mine disasters in Virginia like in other states. We have a very good program and I'm proud of it. We have all sorts of programs – assistance in training, small mine safety, accident prevention personnel. We offer all these services.
Have you ever shut down a mine?
Oh yes, several times for various reasons. I've shut down areas of a mine like a hallway because of a hazardous condition. Closed down equipment. I'm thankful it's not like it used to be when I started. The folks operating the mine sites have come in line with the law.
We pride ourselves on doing a professional job, being sensible. Mine inspectors in Virginia are required to have a minimum of seven years of mining experience to even qualify for the jobs we do.
Sometimes we get into a mine investigation and work up to the wee hours of the morning. My wife has concerns about the extended hours, but I don't let her know the conditions I may be facing. We work all shifts. We may go out again this evening at 8 [p.m.] and work until 4:30 [a.m.] When we do that we plan a little rest in the evening and a couple hours of shuteye. Working different schedules keeps everybody honest.
As part of the inspection process, Jerry Scott and the department's other inspectors work in tunnels as small as three-feet square.
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