Mining Firms Need to Submit Injury Records to Feds
May 26th, 2011 - Posted in Mining News
Mining accident in Chile killed two miners.
Peabody Energy Corp. and Massey Energy Co. are the first two major coal mining companies obliged by a judge to submit information about mining accidents. work-related diseases, and injuries. Based on an article posted in insurancejournal.com, the two coal producers were forced by the federal regulators to submit such documents.
Massey and Peabody however, has refused to release the information. According to Richmond Mine Safety and Health Administration. Tthe information from the two companies will help them identify if eight mines located at Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, brought harmful effects to its workers, and if stricter mining rules need to be imposed. All of the mines are tagged for not providing the records required by the Authorities.
Mining companies that will be caught on violating more than one mining rules and requirements will be forced to close. Miners will be removed from the site in case the inspectors will find the mining place dangerous.
MSHA director Joe Main, released a statement saying, “Mine operators should be aware that we are not going to rely on what they report to make such critical determinations. We will check those records ourselves.”
The director added that the refusal of the companies to supply the documents the deparment asked is delaying MSHA’s review.
Massey spokesman Jeff Gillenwater on the other hand said the the company is doing its best to supply the documents that MSHA is asking, but the medical records of the company is refusing to supply.
“We worked to provide every document MSHA requested with the exception of the complete medical records,” Gillenwater said.
Gillenwater said workers have the right to keep their medical records. The company is planning for an appeal, saying MSHA can’t just pusch them to supply the medical records of its workers.
