Mine Blast Probe Moves Forward, Massey Energy Sues MSHA over Ventilation Rules

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/06/28/mine-blast-probe-moves-forward-massey-energy-sues-msha-over-ventilation-rules/

by Mike Hall, Jun 28, 2010


This memorial in Whitesville, W.Va., honors the 29 coal miners killed in the Massey Energy Upper Big Branch explosion.


Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine, where 29 West Virginia miners were killed in an April 5 explosion, is now safe enough for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) investigators to begin their underground inspection of the mine.

Both MSHA and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training will conduct the underground investigation to try to determine the exact causes of the explosion.

Meanwhile, six Massey subsidiaries filed suit in federal court last week claiming MSHA does not have the authority to reject a mine’s ventilation plan. Proper ventilation is essential to a mine’s safety. The Massey subsidiary that operates Upper Big Branch is not a party to the suit.

An MSHA spokesman told BNA’s Daily Labor Report (subscription required) that the agency wouldn’t comment on pending litigation but finds Massey’s “timing and substance of some of the arguments curious.”

But at Upper Big Branch, all indications are that the blast was caused by the extremely combustible combination of high levels of explosive methane and coal dust. According to MSHA’s preliminary report on the blast, the Massey mine was cited 32 times for violations involving, methane, coal dust and other combustible materials between Jan. 1 and the day of the blast. It also had been cited for failure to develop and follow a ventilation plan. If proper procedures had been followed, would the explosion have been prevented? It’s impossible to say with certainty but, as the MSHA report says:

When methane and coal dust levels are controlled, explosions from these sources can be prevented. Explosions in coal mines are preventable. Mine operators use methane drainage and adequate ventilation to minimize methane concentrations. Operators can add sufficient rock dust to counter the explosive potential of coal dust.

FULL story at link.