MUST READ: (WV) mine has history of roof falls

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

An Upshur County coal mine where 13 workers were trapped Monday has a recent history of roof falls and serious safety violations, according to a review of government records.

In 2004, the Sago Mine reported an injury rate that was three times that of similar-size underground mines across the country.

And last year, the Anker West Virginia Mining Co. operation was fined more than $24,000 for about 200 alleged violations, according to U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration data.


During the last six months of 2005, the Sago Mine reported a dozen accidental roof falls, according to MSHA records.

Only one of those roof falls caused an injury, the MSHA records show.

more at:

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2006010212

and
---
Mine Safety a Matter of Politics (The Village Voice)
Lax enforcement from Washington is no accident
by James Ridgeway

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Upshur County coal mine where 13 miners were trapped, just outside Tallmansville, West Virginia, has had a rash of safety problems. The Charleston (West Virginia) Gazette reports the Sago Mine had a "history of roof falls and serious safety violations."
Sago management claims the explosion underground resulted from a lightning strike, but there is skepticism about whether lighting could have followed a circuitous path into the mine. Five of the 13 trapped workers are 50 years of age or older, and one of them is 61.

Skepticism about the lightning explanation grew after company officials admitted they had called federal and state mine-safety personnel before calling 911.
www.villagevoice.com/news/0601,ridgeway,71487,6.html

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

1. important info

that may be neededx

[Bluzmann57]

2. It can be difficult to fool MSHA

I know because I work in a mining atmosphere and I am the official safety rep at my company. These fuckers must have just not cared at all about the miners who worked for them. The explosion was not caused by lightning. No, I was not there, but logic dictates that it wasn't. Having said this, I wish nothing but the best for the families of the men who are trapped and likely dead. Sago better take care of the families forever.

[madrchsod]

3. i have worked in the steel forming busniness

for most of my life and had some very scary moments that could have been fatal but i thank god that i wasn`t born a miner. god has a special place in heaven for those who go into the earth.