DOCSLIB.ORG

Democrats Content to Let Gonzales Twist in Wind

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Democrats Content to Let Gonzales Twist in Wind MN_A_8_A8_LA_1_08-07-07_tu_2_CMYK 2007:08:06:23:30:19_ A8 TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2007 , LOS ANGELES TIMES THE NATION Desperate effort to aid miners A predawn collapse Trapped underground trapped 6 men 1,500 Hundreds of rescuers dug through a collapsed underground shaft Monday in an attempt to rescue six feet underground in a miners trapped in a Utah coal mine. Here’s an approximate boundary of the Crandall Canyon Mine: Utah coal mine. Provo 191 Detailed NEV. By Ashley Powers UTAH CALIF. and Janet Wilson Price Times Staff Writers Huntington Electric Lake UTAH Reservoir 6 huntington, utah — Res- cuers drilled and smashed Cleveland through solid rock Monday in an Reservoir Miners attempt to reach six coal miners trapped 31 Huntington trapped deep underground by a Miller Flat 10 15 MILES massive predawn cave-in. Reservoir 29 Searchers said they were within 1,700 feet of the miners but their initial approach failed. Workers could not contact the miners. Authorities were uncer- tain whether the men were still Miners trapped 1,500 Mine entrance alive. feet below ground A top mining company official said the collapse was caused by 31 an earthquake, but seismolo- gists said they suspected the re- Main shaft verse. Company officials and hun- Rescuers dig dreds of workers at the Crandall through cave-in Canyon Mine — 140 miles south of Salt Lake City — focused on trying to reach the six men, who were believed to be about 1,500 feet below the surface and 3.4 miles from the mine entrance. Mine rescue teams from around Utah were arriving Mon- day night as other miners, ex- Digital image from Google Earth hausted and covered in black Retreat mining dust, promised to return after a The miners may have been using a technique called retreat mining, which involves gleaning the coal in few hours’ sleep. The rescue ef- pillars that had been left standing to support the mine’s ceiling. How it’s done: fort was to continue overnight. The identities of the miners 1 After coal pillars are mined, 2 Process is repeated as 3 Coal is transported to surface were not released. ceiling is allowed to fall. miners retreat. via uncollapsed mineshafts. About two dozen family mem- bers were in a one-story brick Mine ceiling senior center guarded by sher- iff’s deputies. The relatives, Mined Intact many of them red-eyed, sat on coal pillar coal pillar To couches and nibbled snacks as Fallen mine ceiling surface the sun began to set in this arid patch of desert that makes up central Utah. Mining officials de- livered regular updates. Diagram is schematic “There’s nothing on my mind Danny Chan La Salt Lake Tribune right now but getting those min- FEARING THE WORST: An unidentified woman makes a call Sources: ESRI, TeleAtlas, Murray Energy Corp., Associated Press Graphics reporting by Brady MacDonald, Mark Hafer, Matt Moody ers out,” said Robert E. Murray, outside the site where miners’ relatives gathered to await news. Raoul Rañoa, Mark Hafer Los Angeles Times chairman of Murray Energy Corp. of Cleveland, part owner of the mine. “All that is humanly machinery to break through and too few mine rescue teams. something you wouldn’t wish on in dispute Monday. in which columns of coal hold up possible is being done to gain ac- solid rock. Murray said he was Mine owners have paid more your worst enemy.” Murray insisted that a 3.9- the ceiling. Once an area has cess to these trapped miners,” hoping rescuers could find an old than $150,000 in penalties. For much of Monday, towns- magnitude earthquake a mile been mined, the columns are said Murray, who flew to the mining shaft that would allow Bruce Dial, who was a mining people wandered in and out of from the mine had caused the mined too, then intentionally mine within hours of the acci- them to get within 100 feet of the inspector for 24 years and is now the Huntington diner trading collapse. collapsed, closing off that section dent. miners. a consultant based in North news and consoling one another. “Our active mining did not as the miners retreat. It might take several days to “The idea is to get a hole into Carolina, said most of this year’s Mining, of course, has always cause this earthquake a mile But the company began using reach the men, who could have where they are,” Murray said. citations were for minor infrac- been a dangerous occupation. away,” he said. “How could our a more modern technique in the enough oxygen and water to sur- “They could be in a chamber tions. The mine, Dial said, had “a This year, 30 miners — 10 of them active mining a mile away cause mid-1990s. vive, Murray said. Four other 1,000 feet long or they could be better safety record than many coal miners — have been killed in an earthquake to happen a mile It’s unclear whether retreat miners escaped. dead.” others.” the United States, according to away?” mining is still used in some parts The mining company re- The Crandall Canyon Mine, in Murray said the mine had not the federal Mine Safety and Seismologists at the Univer- of the mine. cruited about 200 employees to Emery County, burrows deep had a serious accident in more Health Administration. sity of Utah detected the quake Utah was the 12th-largest join the rescue effort. A com- into a mountain in the Manti-La than two decades. But the Mine rescue operations face about 2:40 a.m. and said data producer of coal in the United mand center was set up in Hun- Sal National Forest, a sparsely county is still haunted by a 1984 the same perils. they had collected so far indi- States last year, and Emery tington, a rural town of 2,000 populated area. The mine en- fire that killed 27 in the nearby “You don’t want to make the cated the cave-in probably County ranked second in the about 15 miles from the mine en- trance is large enough to accom- Wilberg mine. situation worse,” said John Baza, caused the tremors. Mine cave- state in coal production. trance. Rescuers divided into modate trucks that transport Percy Mounteer, 55, is a for- director of the Utah Division of ins have caused similar seismic four teams, each taking a differ- workers into the tunnels. mer miner and the owner of a Oil, Gas and Mining. Boring or waves in the West. But they said [email protected] ent route to where the trapped Federal safety inspectors popular hangout, the Star Grill. blasting through rock, if done in they could reach a definitive con- [email protected] workers were believed to be. have issued more than 320 cita- He was the radio dispatcher in the wrong place or time, could clusion until all the evidence had Powers reported from Utah, Murray said some rescuers tions to the mine since January the 1984 fire. kill trapped miners. Baza char- been assessed, especially data Wilson from Los Angeles. Times were drilling vertically from the 2004, including more than two “If you can imagine what it’s acterized rescues as “incredibly from within the mine. staff writers Lynn Marshall and top of the mountain while others dozen this year. The citations in- like down there, like a lot of us, complex.” The company has long used a Tomas Alex Tizon contributed to moved horizontally, using heavy cluded inadequate ventilation it’s even scarier,” he said. “It’s The cause of the cave-in was method called “retreat mining,” this report. Democrats content to let Gonzales twist in wind til Bush leaves office, strategists gress on the fired U.S. attorneys A third option involves a pro- back to government, the public’s If he remains in office, hope his continued presence and on Bush’s post-9/11 elec- ceeding known as inherent con- confidence in us will continue to damages GOP candidates tronic surveillance program. tempt, in which the House would grow, as will the chorus of lead- they expect voters will across the country. The House Judiciary Com- hold a mini-trial along the lines ing conservative voices such as “This becomes a piece of the mittee has recommended that of an impeachment. The last William F. Buckley and Bob focus on Bush, not the race,” said David E. Bonior, a for- the Justice Department bring time that was tried: 1935. Novak saying that Republicans 2008 GOP nominee. mer Michigan congressman who contempt charges against two Administration officials have are headed for electoral disaster is managing Democrat John Ed- senior White House aides — for- shown no signs of backing down in 2008,” Van Hollen wrote, in- wards’ presidential campaign. mer counsel Harriet E. Miers in their defense of Gonzales, a voking two well-known conser- By Peter Wallsten By highlighting Bush’s alle- and current chief of staff Joshua longtime friend of Bush and a fel- vative columnists. and Richard B. Schmitt giance to Gonzales, Democrats B. Bolten — who have refused to low Texan. When voters go to the polls Times Staff Writers hope to make a point about how testify or produce documents White House spokesman next year, Democrats want them a Democratic administration about the prosecutors’ firings. Tony Snow last week dismissed to be thinking about Bush, even washington — Democrats are would be different, drawing “the Democrats say they want to find the Democrats’ intensifying as- though he won’t be on the ballot. not winning the battle to force contrast of what we have and out who ordered the firings and saults as a “race to be most Jim Jordan, an advisor to the Atty.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • In the Supreme Court of Ohio
    Supreme Court of Ohio Clerk of Court - Filed February 23, 2015 - Case No. 2015-0127 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO ROBERT E. MURRAY, et al., : Ohio Supreme Court Case No. 15-0127 : Plaintiffs-Appellants, : : v. : On appeal from Cuyahoga County Court of : Appeals, Eighth Appellate District THE CHAGRIN VALLEY PUBLISHING : COMPANY, et al., : Court of Appeals Case No. 101394 : Defendants-Appellees. : : MEMORANDUM IN RESPONSE TO APPELLANTS’ MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF JURISDICTION OF APPELLEES THE CHAGRIN VALLEY PUBLISHING COMPANY; H. KENNETH DOUTHIT, III; TODD NIGHSWONGER; DAVID C. LANGE; DOUTHIT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; SALI A. MCSHERRY; AND RON HILL J. MICHAEL MURRAY (0019626) (COUNSEL OF RECORD) [email protected] LORRAINE R. BAUMGARDNER (0019642) [email protected] BERKMAN, GORDON, MURRAY & DeVAN 55 Public Square, Suite 2200 Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 781-5245 / (216) 781-8207 (facsimile) Attorneys for Defendants-Appellees The Chagrin Valley Publishing Company, H. Kenneth Douthit, III, Todd Nighswonger, David C. Lange, Douthit Communications, Inc., Sali A. McSherry, and Ron Hill Mark S. Stemm (0023146) (COUNSEL OF RECORD) [email protected] L. Bradfield Hughes (0070997) [email protected] PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 3200 Columbus, Ohio 43215 (Continued) J. Philip Calabrese (0072709) [email protected] Tracy S. Francis (0080879) [email protected] PORTER WRIGHT MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP 950 Main Avenue, Suite 500 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Kevin Anderson, pro hac vice PHV Registration No. 3507-2015 Ohio Admission Pending (0092847) [email protected] FABIAN & CLENDENIN, PC 215 South State Street, Suite 1200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Michael O. McKown (0013378) [email protected] Gary M. Broadbent (0083876) [email protected] 46226 National Road St.
    [Show full text]
  • Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010
    111TH CONGRESS REPT. 111–579 " ! 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Part 1 ROBERT C. BYRD MINER SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT OF 2010 JULY 29, 2010.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, from the Committee on Education and Labor, submitted the following R E P O R T together with SUPPLEMENTAL AND MINORITY VIEWS [To accompany H.R. 5663] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Education and Labor, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 5663) to improve compliance with mine and occupa- tional safety and health laws, empower workers to raise safety con- cerns, prevent future mine and other workplace tragedies, establish rights of families of victims of workplace accidents, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. The amendment is as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010’’. (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. References. TITLE I—ADDITIONAL INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION AUTHORITY Sec. 101. Independent accident investigations. Sec. 102. Subpoena authority and miner rights during inspections and investigations. Sec. 103. Designation of miner representative. Sec. 104. Additional amendments relating to inspections and investigations.
    [Show full text]
  • Msha Could Not Show It Made the Right Decision in Approving the Roof Control Plan at Crandall Canyon Mine
    MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION MSHA COULD NOT SHOW IT MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN APPROVING THE ROOF CONTROL PLAN AT CRANDALL CANYON MINE Office of Inspector General—Office Audit Date: March 31, 2008 Report Number: 05-08-003-06-001 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR March 2008 Office of Inspector General Office of Audit WHAT OIG FOUND MSHA was negligent in carrying out its BRIEFLY… responsibilities to protect the safety of miners. Specifically, MSHA could not show that it made the Highlights of Report Number: 05-08-003-06-001, right decision in approving the Crandall Canyon MSHA Could Not Show It Made the Right Decision Mine roof control plan or that the process was free In Approving the Roof Control Plan At Crandall from undue influence by the mine operator. MSHA Canyon Mine, to the Assistant Secretary for Mine did not have a rigorous, transparent review and Safety and Health, dated March 31, 2008. approval process for roof control plans consisting of explicit criteria and plan evaluation factors, WHY READ THE REPORT appropriate documentation, and active oversight In August 2007, "a major coal bump/bounce" and supervision by Headquarters and District 9 occurred in the Crandall Canyon Mine (Emery management. Further, MSHA did not ensure that County, Utah) precipitating a tragedy in which nine subsequent inspections assessed compliance men lost their lives: six miners, and three rescue with, and the effectiveness of, approved plans in workers who died attempting to save the miners. continuing to protect miners. At the time of the incident, the mine operator was conducting a high-risk mining technique known as MSHA and mine operator officials worked together retreat mining in which pillars of coal previously left to develop rescue plans related to the August 2007 to support the mine roof are removed to maximize tragedy, with MSHA exercising final approval resource recovery.
    [Show full text]
  • Families of Mine Disaster Victims Seek Accountability Angie Robertson
    Public Interest Law Reporter Volume 13 Article 13 Issue 2 Spring 2008 2008 Families of Mine Disaster Victims Seek Accountability Angie Robertson Follow this and additional works at: http://lawecommons.luc.edu/pilr Part of the Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law Commons Recommended Citation Angie Robertson, Families of Mine Disaster Victims Seek Accountability, 13 Pub. Interest L. Rptr. 200 (2008). Available at: http://lawecommons.luc.edu/pilr/vol13/iss2/13 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by LAW eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Public Interest Law Reporter by an authorized administrator of LAW eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Robertson: Families of Mine Disaster Victims Seek Accountability Loyola Public Interest Law Reporter FAMILIES OF MINE DISASTER VICTIMS SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY by ANGIE ROBERTSON twelve miners, in West Virginia, which killed T andhe 2006 the 2007Sago minemine disasterdisaster at Crandall Canyon in Utah, which killed nine miners, once again revealed the dangerous working conditions in coal mines and brought renewed national attention to the need for thorough mine inspections.1 Mining remains one of the most dangerous occupations in America, with a fatality rate more than seven times higher than the average for all private indus- tries.2 Because coal remains the source of 50 percent of the energy used in the United States, and energy use continues to rise, this fatality rate could poten- tially increase. 3 200 Published by LAW eCommons, 2008 1 Public Interest Law Reporter, Vol. 13, Iss. 2 [2008], Art. 13 No. 2 * Spring 2008 U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Deep Cover Pillar Recovery in the US
    Deep Cover Pillar Recovery in the US Chris Mark, PrincipalMark, C.Research Engineer NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory Pittsburgh, PA ABSTRACT • Conditions under which retreat mining is used, including In the wake of the Crandall Canyon mine disaster, the U.S. conditions relating to seam thickness, depth of cover, strength Congress asked the National Institute for Occupational Health and of the mine roof, floor, and pillars, and the susceptibility of the Safety (NIOSH) to study the safety of deep cover pillar recovery mine to seismic activity, and; operations in the US. The legislation defined “deep cover” to • Procedures used to ensure miner safety during retreat mining. be greater than 1,500 ft, but NIOSH is also evaluating mines at depths greater than 1,000 ft when multiple seam interactions are NIOSH will submit a report to Congress on December 31, 2009, encountered. By these definitions, there about 35 active mines that containing the results of the study. The report will also include engage in deep cover pillar recovery, in the states of UT, CO, VA, recommendations to enhance the safety of miners on retreat mining WV, and KY. To date, NIOSH has documented ground conditions sections and recommendations for future research. and ground control experience at nearly all of them. This paper provides an overview of current deep cover pillar recovery practice. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the University Specific ground control issues that are discussed include: of Utah (U of UT) and West Virginia University (WVU). At WVU, a team led by Prof. Keith Heasley is investigating pillar design for • Pillar recovery sequences, deep cover retreat mining, focusing on the LaModel numerical • Pillar and barrier pillar design, modeling program.
    [Show full text]
  • The News Director's Balance of Business and News: an Oral History Exploration of Salt Lake Television News, 1948 - 2008
    Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2010-03-16 The News Director's Balance of Business and News: An Oral History Exploration of Salt Lake Television News, 1948 - 2008 Andrew Miles Tyler Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Communication Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Tyler, Andrew Miles, "The News Director's Balance of Business and News: An Oral History Exploration of Salt Lake Television News, 1948 - 2008" (2010). Theses and Dissertations. 2104. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2104 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The News Director’s Balance of Business and News: An Oral History Exploration of Salt Lake Television News, 1948 - 2008 AnDrew M. Tyler A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Dale Cressman, Chair Ed Adams Brad Rawlins Department of Communications Brigham Young University April 2010 Copyright © 2010 AnDrew Tyler All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The News Director’s Balance of Business and News: An Oral History Exploration of Salt Lake Television News, 1948-2008 AnDrew M. Tyler Department of Communications Master of Arts News directors fill, perhaps, one of the most difficult roles within the drama of the news room. In an environment where objectivity and trust are paramount, and where bias must be kept at an absolute minimum, the news director exists as the arbiter, balancing these journalistic ideals with the necessities for financial survival.
    [Show full text]
  • Coal Mine Safety and Health
    Order Code RL34429 Coal Mine Safety and Health March 31, 2008 Linda Levine Specialist in Labor Economics Domestic Social Policy Division Coal Mine Safety and Health Summary Safety in the coal mining industry is much improved compared to the early decades of the twentieth century, a time when hundreds of miners could lose their lives in a single accident and more than 1,000 fatalities could occur in a single year. Fatal injuries associated with coal mine accidents fell almost continually between 1925 and 2005, when they reached an all-time low of 23. As a result of 12 deaths at West Virginia’s Sago mine and fatalities at other coal mines in 2006, however, the number of fatalities more than doubled to 47. Fatalities declined a year later to 33, which is comparable to levels achieved during the late 1990s. In addition to the well above-average fatal injury rates they face, coal miners suffer from occupationally caused diseases. Prime among them is black lung (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, CWP), which still claims about 1,000 fatalities annually. Although improved dust control requirements have led to a decrease in the prevalence of CWP, there is recent evidence of advanced cases among miners who began their careers after the stronger standards went into effect in the early 1970s. In addition, disagreement persists over the current respirable dust limits and the degree of compliance with them by mine operators. In the wake of the January 2006 Sago mine accident, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) was criticized for its slow pace of rulemaking earlier in the decade.
    [Show full text]
  • Finished Guide.Indd
    The SAN RAFAEL COUNTRY Travel Guide Experience The Roads Less Traveled SAN RAFAEL COUNTRY E M E R Y C O U N T Y ® ®® ® www.sanrafaelcountry.com TABLE OF CONTENTS AREA INFORMATION Emergency Numbers Introduction, Precautions, & Important Info. p. 3 Calendar of Events p. 4 Emery County Sheri! : Emergency 911 San Rafael Country App p. 5 Green River 435-564-8111 Museums & Information Centers p. 6 Castle Dale 435-381-2404 Golf Courses p. 7 State Parks p. 8 & 9 Utah Highway Patrol: Emergency 911 Utah State Route 10 p. 10-12 Green River 435-564-3474 Huntington Canyon p. 13 Miller Flat p. 14 Medical Centers: Green River 435-564-3434 Joe’s Valley p. 15 Castle Dale 435-381-2305 Cleveland - Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry p. 16 Cedar Mountain p. 17 Hospital: Old Rail Road Grade Road p. 18 Price 435-637-4800 Wedge Overlook p. 19 Bureau of Land Management: Cottonwood Wash/Buckhorn Wash p. 20 & 21 Price 435-636-3600 Interstate 70 p. 22 Black Dragon Wash p. 23 Forest Service: Ferron 435-384-2372 Little Wild Horse Road p. 24 Price 435-637-2817 Goblin Valley State Park Road p. 25 Heart of Sinbad Road p. 26 Road Department: Behind the Reef Road p. 27 Green River 435-564-3574 Castle Dale 435-381-2550 McKay Flat/Hondu Arch Road p. 28 Hidden Splendor Road p. 29 Reds Canyon Road p. 30 Rod’s Valley p. 31 Swasey’s Cabin p. 32 Dutchman’s Arch/Head of Sinbad p. 33 Moore Cuto! Road p. 34 Rochester Creek Rock Art p.
    [Show full text]
  • Underground Mine Refuge Chamber Expectations Training: Program Development and Evaluation ⇑ Katherine A
    Underground mine Refuge Chamber Expectations Training: Program development and evaluation ⇑ Katherine A. Margolis, Catherine Y. Kingsley Westerman , Kathleen M. Kowalski-Trakofler National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA, United States abstract Refuge chambers are new devices for underground coal mines that provide approximately 96 h of breath­ able air, water, food, and supplies in the event of an emergency where miners are unable to escape. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a training program to prepare miners for what to expect psychologically and physiologically inside of a refuge chamber. The field tests of this training revealed that it was received very positively by miners and helped impart realistic views about the physical discomforts and psychological stresses of being inside a refuge chamber. 1. Introduction (2007) suggested that psychological factors relevant during emer­ gencies, such as reducing anxiety and improving morale, are In 2006, several major incidents occurred at underground coal important design considerations for refuge chambers. However mines in the United States (US), resulting in 19 worker fatalities. well-designed a refuge chamber is, those inside are inevitably These included an explosion at the Anker West Virginia Mining going to experience some negative psychological effects because Company Sago Mine in Upshur County, West Virginia, in which of the situation. One way to help miners deal with these effects 12 miners died; a fire at the Aracoma Coal Company, Inc., Alma is to make them aware in advance of the potential reactions to No. 1 Mine in West Virginia, in which two miners died; and an such an experience.
    [Show full text]
  • Underground Coal Mine Disasters 1900 - 2010: Events, Responses, and a Look to the Future
    Underground Coal Mine Disasters 1900 - 2010: Events, Responses, and a Look to the Future Michael J. Brnich, Jr., BS, CMSP NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Pittsburgh, PA, USA Kathleen M. Kowalski-Trakofker, Ph.D. NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Pittsburgh, PA, USA ABSTRACT: This paper captures almost 110 years of history of underground coal mine disasters in the United States. The deadly disasters of the first ten years of the twentieth century led to the U.S. Congress founding the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) in 1910. The authors examine the changing trends in mine disasters including the frequency of fatalities, causal types, the responses to those disasters and most importantly, the growing body of research on human behavior in mine emergencies. Emphasis is on the future - integrating the research on human behavior in disasters into the mining industry. This research includes the integration of the judgment decision- making process, communication, leadership in escape, expectations training, incident command center issues including fatigue, shifts and leadership, plus issues concerning the introduction of refuge chambers into U.S. mines. The authors suggest that a key factor in meeting the goal of increasing successful mine escape and rescue while decreasing fatalities and injuries lies in the field of social-psychological research and human behavior interventions. INTRODUCTION Mine disasters have been a focal point among mine operators, safety and health personnel, and miners, as well as mine safety and health researchers in the United States for decades. Hundreds of disasters, resulting in thousands of mine worker deaths, have occurred in mines since 1900.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Pre-Disaster Events and Conditions Contributing to the Crandall
    Pre-disaster Events and Conditions Contributing to the Crandall Canyon Coal Mine Disaster of August 6, 2007 Prepared for Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510-6300 Prepared by: Robert L. Ferriter, EM, PE, CMSP and Nick Kripakov, MSME, PE Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO 80401-1887 September 28, 2007 1 Statement of Robert L. Ferriter, Director of Mine Safety and Health Program Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado Before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions October 2, 2007 Good morning Mr. Chairman and other distinguished members of the Committee. My name is Robert Ferriter. I am the Director of the Mine Safety and Health Program at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. I very much appreciate the opportunity to address the Committee today to present my views on the events and conditions which led to the disaster at the Crandall Canyon Mine, and the actions of both the operator and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) during the failed rescue attempt. Based on my observations of the recent disaster, my experience as a mining engineer, an MSHA employee (27 years) and supervisor (17 years), and frequent evaluator of underground mining practice in the Utah coal fields, I believe there is much that needs to be done to improve safety and workplace conditions in western underground coal mines to protect our nation’s most valuable resource --- the miner. To offer my views in an orderly fashion, I will briefly revisit the Crandall Canyon disaster in chronological order, adding pertinent geologic information, explanation, historical safe mining practices, and applicable MSHA safety regulations and contributing events which framed the disastrous event of August 6, 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • Utah Mine Disaster and Preventing Future Tragedies
    S. HRG. 110–471 UTAH MINE DISASTER AND PREVENTING FUTURE TRAGEDIES HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION SPECIAL HEARING SEPTEMBER 5, 2007—WASHINGTON, DC Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/index.html U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 43–788 PDF WASHINGTON : 2008 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402–0001 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia, Chairman DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont TED STEVENS, Alaska TOM HARKIN, Iowa ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland PETE V. DOMENICI, New Mexico HERB KOHL, Wisconsin CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri PATTY MURRAY, Washington MITCH MCCONNELL, Kentucky BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota LARRY CRAIG, Idaho MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas JACK REED, Rhode Island SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey WAYNE ALLARD, Colorado BEN NELSON, Nebraska LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee CHARLES KIEFFER, Staff Director BRUCE EVANS, Minority Staff Director SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES TOM HARKIN, Iowa, Chairman DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania HERB KOHL, Wisconsin THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi PATTY MURRAY, Washington JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire MARY L.
    [Show full text]