Regulators Found Negligent In Collapse of Utah Mine

Regulators Found ‘Negligent’ In Collapse of Utah Mine

The internal inspection arm of the Labor Department determined that the Mine Safety and Health Administration was negligent in last summer’s Crandall Canyon Mine collapse in Utah. Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandes, Carlos Payan, Manuel Sanchez and Brandon Phillips died in the accident, several others were injured. Three rescue workers, Dale Black, Brandon Kimber and Gary Jensen died while trying to save the others.

In the 80-page report released by the office of the Inspector General, MSHA is faulted with failing to prove that it made the correct decision in approving a safety plan for the mine’s roof. It also faults the company for failing to show “that the process was free from undue influent” from Murray Energy Corp., the Cleveland-based operator of the mine.

The report did not address the possible cause of the disaster, which occurred in August. It is said, however, that a “bounce”, which occurs when coal flies off of a wall due to pressure, is likely the culprit.

MSHA responded to the report, expressing concern that the word “negligent” was misleading. The Inspector General promptly retorted that the findings “remain unchanged.” The investigation is one of several, most of which are still underway.

The families of the six miners, who are still entombed 1,900 feet below ground in the mine, recently filed a lawsuit seeking “substantial punitive damages”, as well as “unspecified compensatory damages.” The lawsuit alleges that mine co-owner Robert Murray was aware of some of the specific dangers in the mine much earlier that he had publicly stated.

Other plaintiffs in the case include two men who were injured during the rescue attempt, although the three rescue workers who died are not currently included in the suit.

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