The Coal Mine Health and Safety Commission was established pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 63 of 1976.

John C. Buchanan of Wise, a member of the Senate of Virginia and patron of Senate Joint Resolution No. 63 was elected Chairman. Orby I. Cantrell of Pound, a member of the House of Delegates, was elected Vice Chairman.

In addition to the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Daniel W. Bird, Jr. of Wytheville, a member of the Senate of Virginia, was appointed to the Commission. Also appointed to serve from the House of Delegate were Claude W. Anderson of Buckingham, Charles W. Gunn Jr. of Lexington, James B. Murray of Earlysville, and William T. Wilson of Covington.

The following citizens were appointed pursuant to the resolution to serve on the Commission: W. Foster Mullin of Big tone Gap; James McGlothlin of Grundy; and Lody Salyers of Coeburn. Due to illness Mr. Mullin retired and was replaced on the Commission by Frank A. Linkous of Big Stone Gap who assumed Mr. Mullins function as acting Chief Mine Inspector. Bragdon R. Bowling, Jr., Hugh P. Fisher and Sieglinde F. Nix of the Division of Legislative Services served as staff to the Commission.

The Commission spent its first year of existence generally familiarizing itself with the health and safety problems inherent to the coal mining industry. The Commission thoroughly analyzed both State and Federal coal mine safety laws. The Commission al o was briefed by the staff or the Chief Mine Inspector, W. Foster Mullins, on mining techniques and mine operations. The Commission toured both a deep haft mine and a truck mine in Grundy, Virginia. The Commission presented an interim report, Senate Document No. 8, which discussed Commission activities during 1976.