Saturday, July 17, 2010
UMWA President Cricizes Massey Safety
WEST VIRGINIA....
Last week, United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts, said in a congressional hearing that "shortcomings in existing laws" have made it hard for MSHA to protect miners at Massey's operations. Thirty-two year old Steven Cain was inside Massey Energy's Justice No. 1 Mine in Boone County on October 8, 2008 when an overloaded supply car was blocked by a high-voltage cable, leaving the crew needing to navigate a tight turn. Cain got off the train, squeezed himself into a corner, and held the energized power cable over his head so the train could pass. As the train rounded the bend, the overloaded supplies pressed too close to the mine wall, trapping Cain between a supply car and the wall, crushing him to death. MSHA didn't fine Massey or its subsidiary, Independence Coal Co. Last month, Massey settled a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Cain's family, agreeing to pay $2.1 million.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 8:05 PM 
