West Virginia Governor Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed the Clinton Administration U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration chief, J. Davitt McAteer, to head an independent investigation of the explosion at the Massey Energy Upper Big Branch coal mine. The death toll from the explosion in that mine now stands at 29. In reports, McAteer has already been critical of current safety standards and the lack of transparency by government and mine officials when dealing with safety regulations.

McAteer has also conducted similar investigations of the Sago Mine disaster that left 12 dead, as well as the Aracoma Alma No. 1 Mine fire that killed two miners. McAteer concluded that the Aracoma mine’s system for detecting fires and alerting miners to evacuate was flawed and water to the sprinkler system and fire hoses had been shut off. The Aracoma mine disaster resulted in a wrongful death suit (settled by the company) and in the payment of over $4 million in civil and criminal penalties by Massey subsidiary Aracoma Coal Co. It is reported that this is the largest fine ever levied for mine safety violations in the U.S.

AP reports Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine has been repeatedly cited and fined for problems with the system that vents methane and for allowing combustible coal dust to build up. Records showed the mine was cited for 44 violations during its most recent state inspection on April 1. Last year, the West Virginia hit the mine with 287 citations, including 74 involving electricity.

In addition to heading the investigation, J. Davitt McAteer will also serve as Gov. Manchin’s special adviser on issues involving the explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine.

Related Resources:

  • Clinton-era official to probe mine blast (AP, MSNBC)
  • Massey Energy: 600 Safety Violations in Year and a Half (FindLaw’s Injured)
  • 25 Dead in Massey Mine Accident (FindLaw’s Injured)
  • McAteer says more transparency needed for miners, families (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)

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