Federal Safety

From: MSHA

Summary of 2011 (3^rd Quarter) Fatal Accidents

The mining industry recently experienced four mining deaths within four days. In an effort to remind operators, miners, and contractors to stay focused on preventing fatalities and injuries, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is distributing best practice and preventative measure information in the form of a Safety Alert and a 2011 3^rd quarter fatality update.

The Safety Alert is a poster that can be displayed in the mine to remind operators, miners, and contractors of the fatalities that occurred between Oct 28 -31, 2011. It lists actions to take to prevent these kinds of accidents.

From: Platts

US coal producer Alpha Natural Resources, which continues to integrate Massey Energy coal-producing operations it acquired in June, said Thursday the integration process is making inroads on the safety and financial fronts.

This is despite several former Massey mines being under the US Mine Safety and Health Administration’s “Potential Pattern of Violations” program of enhanced scrutiny, and continuing costs resulting from the integration, including from the now-shut Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.

UBB was shut in April 2010, under Massey ownership, after an underground explosion killed 29 miners. It was the deadliest US coal mine accident in 40 years and investigations in the accident continue.