25 dead in US mine blast, worst since 1984


LAWRENCE MESSINA
Associated Press Writer

MONTCOAL, West Virginia (AP) - Rescue teams were still holding out hope
for four workers missing in a coal mine where a massive explosion killed
25, but officials said Tuesday that the chances were slim that the
miners survived.

The suspended rescue mission would resume after bore holes could be
drilled to allow for toxic gases to be ventilated from Massey Energy
Co.'s sprawling Upper Big Branch mine about 30 miles (50 kilometers)
south of Charleston, state and federal safety officials said.

"All we have left is hope, and we're going to continue to do what we
can," Kevin Stricklin, an administrator for the federal Mine Safety and
Health Administration, said at a news conference. "But I'm just trying
to be honest with everybody and say that the situation does look dire."

Though the cause of the blast was not known, the operation run by Massey
subsidiary Performance Coal Co. has a history of violations for not
properly ventilating highly combustible methane gas, safety officials said.

Massey Energy, a publicly traded company based in Richmond, Virginia,
has 2.2 billion tons of coal reserves in southern West Virginia, eastern
Kentucky, southwest Virginia and Tennessee, according to the company's
Web site. It ranks among the nation's top five coal producers and is
among the industry's most profitable. It has a spotty safety record.

In the past year, federal inspectors fined the company more than
$382,000 for repeated serious violations involving its ventilation plan
and equipment at Upper Big Branch. The violations also cover failing to
follow the plan, allowing combustible coal dust to pile up, and having
improper firefighting equipment.


--

A spotty safety record, indeed. But what the hell...high profits are
more important than people. This is America, after all.

On Apr 6, 6:36*am, hk wrote:
25 dead in US mine blast, worst since 1984

LAWRENCE MESSINA
Associated Press Writer

MONTCOAL, West Virginia (AP) - Rescue teams were still holding out hope
for four workers missing in a coal mine where a massive explosion killed
25, but officials said Tuesday that the chances were slim that the
miners survived.

The suspended rescue mission would resume after bore holes could be
drilled to allow for toxic gases to be ventilated from Massey Energy
Co.'s sprawling Upper Big Branch mine about 30 miles (50 kilometers)
south of Charleston, state and federal safety officials said.

"All we have left is hope, and we're going to continue to do what we
can," Kevin Stricklin, an administrator for the federal Mine Safety and
Health Administration, said at a news conference. "But I'm just trying
to be honest with everybody and say that the situation does look dire."

Though the cause of the blast was not known, the operation run by Massey
subsidiary Performance Coal Co. has a history of violations for not
properly ventilating highly combustible methane gas, safety officials said.

Massey Energy, a publicly traded company based in Richmond, Virginia,
has 2.2 billion tons of coal reserves in southern West Virginia, eastern
Kentucky, southwest Virginia and Tennessee, according to the company's
Web site. It ranks among the nation's top five coal producers and is
among the industry's most profitable. It has a spotty safety record.

In the past year, federal inspectors fined the company more than
$382,000 for repeated serious violations involving its ventilation plan
and equipment at Upper Big Branch. The violations also cover failing to
follow the plan, allowing combustible coal dust to pile up, and having
improper firefighting equipment.

--

A spotty safety record, indeed. But what the hell...high profits are
more important than people. This is America, after all.

Harry, sad to say, but some things are just a little more dangerous
than sitting in your basement all day cowering with a gun in your hand
wishing you were man enough to not have to lie about every aspect of
your life, including your wife.