Coal Miner Safety
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-04-07/coal-miner-safety
The worst U.S. coal mine accident in 25 years raises questions about the effectiveness of state and federal safety regulations. The explosion killed at least 25 people at a West Virginia mine owned by a company with a checkered safety record.
Guests
Gardiner Harris
science reporter for "The New York Times" and author of the mystery novel 'Hazard.'
Ellen Smith
owner and managing editor of Mine Safety and Health News.
Bruce Watzman
V.P. Health and Human Resources, National Mining Association
Dennis O'Dell
administrator of occupational safety and health, United Mine Workers of America.
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
When my father was in mining 60 years ago in PA, they ALWAYS knew in advance when the inspectors were to arrive. It was not random. I doubt it has been changed today. This gave them time to correct the most serious problems.
The NY Times reporter sounds so elitist. Telling people that it's their fault and they should just MOVE. Puh-leaze. This mine needed a union. It needed government regulation.
What do you suggest these miners do? Go to a nearby small town and get a job at Walmart? There aren't any jobs like that.
Oh yes, the reporter said he lived there for awhile - yeah Gardiner, and you left BECAUSE YOU COULD.
I am outraged at the fact that this mine has been allowed to stay open with the numerous safety violations, and it is disgusting that anyone would place blame on the workers for not speaking out against the mining company. In today’s economy those that have jobs are sure as heck not going to do something that will jeopardize that, and why should they have to?! A safe work environment is the law, not a privilege!
Perhaps President Obama should comment on mining. He should ask these miners of the Appalachia area, "What do you need to operate safely, to be able to perform your duties with less worry about health and safety".
Let them speak, and enforce their needs.
If equipment needs purchasing, repair, whatever. Then, manufacturing companies of this equipment need to come together with the mining companies and make this a possibility without being a matter of financial hardship for either company, and so that the workers have a better working habitat.
There only one reason that the public accepts the ATROCIOUS safety history of the mining industry: because the victims are largely poor, rural, marginalized populations.
Please pronounce Traverse City with the emphasis on the first syllable. It is TRA verse City, where Diane currently is. Thank you.
There can be no excuse for poor safety practices in mines any more than in any other occupation.
But to suggest that coal mining can be abandoned is folly. Even if someone were to decide that electricity could come only from wind, the windmills would have to be built. Each one uses a considerable amount of steel, a couple hundred tons, I’ve heard. Steelmaking requires coal, and the western open-pit coal isn’t really suitable for that use.