April 15, 2010
Rockefeller Requests Immediate Review of All Pending Mine Violations
Calls DOL 'Computer Error' Troubling and Unacceptable
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) — Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV has requested an immediate review of all pending mine safety violations in West Virginia and across the country.
In a letter sent on Saturday, April 10, to Joe Main, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Rockefeller, D-WV, requested that all mines be subject to an immediate safety check, so nothing can be overlooked. This letter follows Rockefeller’s concern that there might be other mines in West Virginia and across the country with repeated safety violations that require urgent action. Rockefeller requested that this review include all citations issued to underground coal mines across the country—including those that are being contested—to evaluate whether safety trends at any of our nation's mines warrant additional and immediate safety precautions.
Link to letter to MSHA Assistant Secretary Joe Main (CLICK HERE).
Rockefeller also issued a statement yesterday regarding the Department of Labor (DOL) admission of an error in the DOL computer program. The computer program screens mines to determine whether they meet the criteria for inclusion into a pattern of violation status. According to a statement released by DOL on Tuesday, April 13, Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine had eight citations in this category which were not counted in the screening process.
“The federal government has a basic responsibility to track and disseminate accurate information—especially when that information is essential to enforcement of worker safety rules. MSHA and DOL have fallen short here—this is troubling and unacceptable,” said Senator Rockefeller on April 13, 2010.
Rockefeller continued, “The core responsibility for safety lies with the company but government inspections and safety enforcement must be rigorous, thorough and effective. We must take immediate action to ensure that miners are not being asked to enter unsafe conditions and I strongly agree with Secretary Solis that the larger issue of the pattern of violations process needs to be immediately fixed.
“We cannot bring back the brave, hard-working men who perished in the Upper Big Branch mine tragedy—but we can work to make every effort to prevent any future disaster. West Virginians have my word that I will do everything in my power to right this wrong.”
Background
The Upper Big Branch mine has a safety record worse than the national average over the last year. In 2009 there were 458 safety violations; in the first quarter of 2010 there were 122 violations.
Mining is a risky business but it can be made safer by people who want to make it safer—there must be a culture of safety from the top down. Safety comes down to the company doing the right thing or the federal government stepping in and toughening up our laws and enforcement practices.
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Rockefeller Requests Immediate Review of All Pending Mine Violations
Calls DOL 'Computer Error' Troubling and Unacceptable
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) — Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV has requested an immediate review of all pending mine safety violations in West Virginia and across the country.
In a letter sent on Saturday, April 10, to Joe Main, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Rockefeller, D-WV, requested that all mines be subject to an immediate safety check, so nothing can be overlooked. This letter follows Rockefeller’s concern that there might be other mines in West Virginia and across the country with repeated safety violations that require urgent action. Rockefeller requested that this review include all citations issued to underground coal mines across the country—including those that are being contested—to evaluate whether safety trends at any of our nation's mines warrant additional and immediate safety precautions.
Link to letter to MSHA Assistant Secretary Joe Main (CLICK HERE).
Rockefeller also issued a statement yesterday regarding the Department of Labor (DOL) admission of an error in the DOL computer program. The computer program screens mines to determine whether they meet the criteria for inclusion into a pattern of violation status. According to a statement released by DOL on Tuesday, April 13, Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine had eight citations in this category which were not counted in the screening process.
“The federal government has a basic responsibility to track and disseminate accurate information—especially when that information is essential to enforcement of worker safety rules. MSHA and DOL have fallen short here—this is troubling and unacceptable,” said Senator Rockefeller on April 13, 2010.
Rockefeller continued, “The core responsibility for safety lies with the company but government inspections and safety enforcement must be rigorous, thorough and effective. We must take immediate action to ensure that miners are not being asked to enter unsafe conditions and I strongly agree with Secretary Solis that the larger issue of the pattern of violations process needs to be immediately fixed.
“We cannot bring back the brave, hard-working men who perished in the Upper Big Branch mine tragedy—but we can work to make every effort to prevent any future disaster. West Virginians have my word that I will do everything in my power to right this wrong.”
Background
The Upper Big Branch mine has a safety record worse than the national average over the last year. In 2009 there were 458 safety violations; in the first quarter of 2010 there were 122 violations.
Mining is a risky business but it can be made safer by people who want to make it safer—there must be a culture of safety from the top down. Safety comes down to the company doing the right thing or the federal government stepping in and toughening up our laws and enforcement practices.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
