WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States government has asked all coal mines across the country to shut down briefly next week for safety checks, following two more coal-mining deaths Wednesday in West Virginia, media reports said Thursday.

    The national "timeout" for coal mines was urged by David G. Dye, the acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety, who designated next Monday as "Stand Down for Safety" day because of the recent surge in mining deaths.

    Eighteen workers have died in coal-mine accidents in the past 30 days, including two on Wednesday. Sixteen of the fatalities were in West Virginia, and the other two were in Kentucky and Utah.

    West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin made an identical request earlier Wednesday to the state's 554 coal mines, urging them to stop work immediately and thoroughly review safety procedures with their miners.

    "We're going to correct any unsafe conditions before we mine another lump of coal," he said.

    West Virginia mines were urged to review safety checklists and inspect escape routes and other safety measures before resuming work. It was unclear how long the mines would be temporarily closed in the state.

    Manchin said his decision was prompted by three coal-mining accidents in the state on Wednesday, two of which were fatal.

    In January, 14 West Virginia miners died, including 12 in a Jan. 2 explosion and fire at the Sago Mine. The deaths prompted Manchin and state legislators to make changes, including new rules for safety equipment.

    The deaths also brought renewed scrutiny to federal oversight of coal mines. Several congressmen have criticized the Mine Safety and Health Administration for not imposing tougher penalties on coal mines with poor safety records.

    Meanwhile, the agency, noting that coal mining deaths overall have declined to record low levels, has promised to review its performance and proposed new safety equipment that could improve the chances of survival in an explosion.

    The mine safety administration said it was adding inspectors to its 155-person team in West Virginia, which has about 16,000 miners, the most of any US state.

    The nationwide stand down was the first sought by the agency since late 2001 after 13 miners were killed in an Alabama mine. Enditem