Feds cite Massey Energy for serious violations after surprise raid

[sandnsea]

Source: AP

"A surprise inspection has turned up serious safety violations that could have caused an explosion at another Massey Energy Co. coal mine in West Virginia, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Thursday.

Inspectors caught Massey illegally cutting too deeply into the coal seam at its Seng Creek Powellton Mine about 40 miles south of Charleston in Boone County, the agency said. A foreman also admitted skipping mandatory tests for explosive gases, and inspectors caught Massey cutting coal with ventilation curtains rolled up and left out of the way, MSHA said. The curtains help flush away methane and coal dust, which can ignite and cause explosions."

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/business/104504279.html?elr=K ArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. Massey must believe that the feds -- or judges? -- are in their pockets.

They've gotten away with terrible things for some time. I hope the evidence that was gathered in this raid manages to survive the judicial process.

K & R

[onethatcares]

2. was that fat asshole out there crying about how concerned

he is about the miners? Gaud that guy made me sick at his last cave in. I forget his name but ya'll know him.

I say let's have surprise inspections everywhere.

[Kolesar]

6. Bob Murray is with a different company--Murray Energy Corporation of Cleveland

The Sago mine disaster, IIRC

[MadMaddie]

9. Actually he was complaining that there were too many

regulations.

http://afscmelocal183.org/blog/ceo-massey-mines-attacks-safety-regulations-and-unions

[Rhythm]

12. You mean Don Blankenship?

I'd like to drop a coal truck on his greedy ass...

[onethatcares]

14. yeah, that's the guy

I agree with your assessment.

[Kingofalldems]

3. K and R for the miners

Keep it up MSHA.

[quakerboy]

4. Maybe they can fund a few more inspectors

with the fines. Then use those to find the violations we know are not isolated to this site. Repeat until the system comes into compliance.

[indimuse]

5. good!

knr!

[PADemD]

7. But did they shut down the mine until the violations are fixed?

[ShockediSay]

15. Well Said !

[aquart]

8. Ooooooo! They must be so scared!

[maryf]

10. K&Rnt

[The Uncola]

11. Good, what now?

Any of the management going to jail for putting peoples lives at risk? Finding the violations is the easy part, doing something substantial to stop it from happening is quite another.

[Greyhound]

13. So what does this make, citation #1,632?

Killing people and paying insignificant fines is just the cost of doing business...

Call me when they are given the corporate death penalty.