do they know if these miners are still alive? i haven't really kept up with this story.. its terrible to hear about the rescue workers..tragic story all around
I'm actually very surprised that there isn't more of a precautionary approach to mining. Fact: Mines collapse. Shouldn't they do more than put water down in the depths of the mine? Shouldn't they run a communication line down the entire mine so there is a way to communicate in the event of a collapse? Shouldn't they put a bunch of food rations and supplies in logical places throughout the mine? In my mind, there are a bunch of precautionary measures that can be done to assist in the event of a collapse and none of them are ever taken. Is it that big of a deal to be precautionary about mining? I wouldn't step one f-ing foot in a mine given the safety record. I read some quote over at CNN: "I think this is a defining moment for the history of mining," Huntsman said. "And we all expect to come out of this better and smarter and safer." Umm...weren't they saying the same thing after that other mine disaster? And, how much better off are we besides having some...not even sure how much...water down there. Were there extra breathing apparatuses down there? I don't recall anyone saying a word about breathing apparatuses. I just think the approach to mining is all wrong. You have to be pro-active about safety. You are not being pro-active when you are preaching safety after a mine collapses. Then, you end up losing men in the rescue because their likely taking chances in a rush to get to them. Yet, maybe there wouldn't be such a rush if there was more pro-active planning...just stations throughout the mine where breathing apparatuses, rations, supplies, and water are kept. I'm not talking about a million dollars worth of supplies at each station. If you can put water down there, then you can put a whole lot more than that. It's almost as if they have decided that the mine is safe beforehand so they don't need to be more pro-active about safety. It's really a sad commentary about mine safety IMO. I feel for those guys.
I think not. In wildland fire it is understood (and we are trained on this) that you will not compound a tragedy. You slow down, mitigate the dangers in the environment as best you can, evaluate your options, and then make your decision. I was concerned about this after the first two holes were completed and no sign was evident. The miners were working long hours over an extended time period. Naturally, they were willing to do this for their buddies. The mine owner encouraged this because, obviously, he'd rather have a rescue then a body recovery. He's also playing to the press and politicians on the mine safety issue and probably hoped that if everyone gets out alive, the story will go away. Doesn't look like there was anyone taking a look at this objectively with the power or standing to say, "Let's slow down. There's no use in possibly compounding the tragedy by taking unnecessary risks at this point."
Labor Department investigation says MSHA was negligent in protecting Crandall Canyon miners By Thomas Burr The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated:03/31/2008 11:30:27 AM MDT http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?articleId=8757834&siteId=297 Posted: 10:16 AM- WASHINGTON -- The federal agency charged with overseeing mine safety was negligent in protecting workers at the Crandall Canyon Mine, the Labor Department's own Inspector General says in a new report. The Mine Safety and Health Agency also could not ensure that its approval of the mining plan at the Utah mine was free of undue influence by the mine's operator, Murray Energy, the Inspector General says in a report issued Monday. MSHA responded to the report that the word "negligent" was misleading and expressed concern that the independent investigating arm of the Labor Department was implying its decisions were affected by undue influence. But the Inspector General says its findings "remain unchanged." The IG did not probe the cause of the disaster that claimed six miners -- still entombed some 1,900 feet in the mine -- and killed three would-be rescuers in August. The investigation is one of several ongoing into the tragedy, including a review by MSHA's accident team expected to be completed in the next few months. Murray Energy did immediately respond to a request for comment. A report recently published by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee called for the Justice Department to launch a criminal probe into actions by Murray Energy surrounding the Crandall Canyon disaster. Murray Energy called that suggestion partisan grandstanding.
The MSHA under Bush is an utter insult to miners. I wrote a small report on their newfound love for all things corporate just recently for one of my graduate classes. If you're curious, I have some fun facts.
I just remembered to check this thread. Sorry for the mega-delayed response oski. Some background: Some fun facts about MSHA under Bush: (written from a Mark-Twain-esque satirical point of view) More fun data pulled from a powerpoint presentation (thus the weird formatting):
