what is the Va mine owner, the site of the recent explosion, accused of putting ahead of safety?”
The coal mine rocked by an explosion that killed at least 25 workers in the nation’s deadliest mining disaster since 1984 had been cited for 600 violations in less than a year and a half, some of them for not properly ventilating methane — the highly combustible gas suspected in the blast. The disaster at the Upper Big Branch mine has focused attention on the business and safety practices of the owner, Massey Energy, a powerful and politically connected company in Appalachia known for producing big profits, as well as big piles of safety and environmental violations and big damage awards for grieving widows. “There are mines in this country who have operated safely for 20 years,” said J. Davitt McAteer, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration in the Clinton administration. “There are mines who take precautions ahead of time. There are mines who spend the money and manpower to do it.” Related WATCH: Pray For A MiracleDiane Sawyer Reports: Struggling in West Va. He adde
JULIAN, W.Va. — The search for survivors of a deadly mine explosion in West Virginia is still going on and the questions about the coal company’s safety record have already started. Federal inspectors cited the Upper Big Branch mine almost 500 times last year and proposed nearly $1 million in penalties. Records show the mine’s production has more than tripled over that period. At least 25 workers were killed in Monday’s blast. Four more are still missing. Parent company Massey Energy insists its mines are safe and says it has a good track record. The coal mine rocked by an explosion that killed at least 25 workers in the nation’s deadliest mining disaster since 1984 had been cited for 600 violations in less than a year and a half, some of them for not properly ventilating methane — the highly combustible gas suspected in the blast. The disaster at the Upper Big Branch mine has focused attention on the business and safety practices of the owner, Massey Energy, a powerful and politically
Mine owner accused of putting coal ahead of safety By TIM HUBER (AP) – 15 hours ago JULIAN, W.Va. — The search for survivors of a deadly mine explosion in West Virginia is still going on and the questions about the coal company’s safety record have already started. Federal inspectors cited the Upper Big Branch mine almost 500 times last year and proposed nearly $1 million in penalties. Records show the mine’s production has more than tripled over that period. At least 25 workers were killed in Monday’s blast. Four more are still missing. Parent company Massey Energy insists its mines are safe and says it has a good track record.
