MSHA fines Massey unit $180,000 for W.Va. accident (+Widows ask judge to reject Massey plea)

[underpants]

Source: Forbes

A Massey Energy subsidiary has been fined $180,000 for three violations that federal investigators say contributed to an injury accident at a West Virginia coal mine last February.

Mine Safety and Health Administration director Richard Stickler says in a statement Wednesday that Massey's Highland Mining ignored cracked and loose rock above a haul road and did nothing to protect truck drivers at the Freeze Fork Surface Mine in Logan County.

MSHA says a driver suffered head and neck injuries when a section of highwall collapsed, partially burying his truck.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/15/ap5924743.html

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in other related Massey Energy news today

Widows ask judge to reject Massey plea
http://www.wztv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.ky/3463abd8-www.fox17.com.shtml

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The widows of two men killed in a fire at a Massey Energy coal mine want a federal judge to reject a plea deal between federal prosecutors and the subsidiary that operated the mine.

On Wednesday, Delorice Bragg told U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver the deal with Aracoma Coal is a mistake because it would preclude prosecution of Massey executives. Bragg says evidence presented during her and Freda Hatfield's civil lawsuit shows Massey executives expected Aracoma to emphasize production over safety.

Hatfield and Bragg reached a confidential settlement with Massey, two subsidiaries and CEO Don Blankenship last November.

Aracoma has agreed to plead guilty to 10 federal crimes and pay a $2.5 million fine.

[pleah]

1. So, they plead guilty to 10 federal crimes

I repeat, 10 federal crimes and they only have to pay a fine of 2.5 million? That is one hell of a deal! :wow:

[underpants]

2. WITH two deaths

it sure is good to know people

[pleah]

4. I was so dumbfounded by that last sentence

that I forgot to add the two deaths in my comment.

[Hubert Flottz]

3. It's okay, they are just killing off a few hillbillies in the name

of kleen coal and progress. Ain't America grand for the haves and the have mores?(Friends of the Friends Of Coal)

[Ikonoklast]

5. Educate yourselves about CEO Don Blankenship

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Blankenship

Many other sources on the web. Google his name, and prepare to be sickened.

He is an evil piece of shit.

[underpants]

6. Yes he is

I am fully aware of Blankenship (he stepped down a few months ago) since Massey is HQ'ed here in Richmond and my family connections (not coal miners) in WV

He got caught on vacation with a prospective WV Supreme Court judge in Italy (just happened to bump into each other there :-) ) a few years ago.

Sludge pit next to an elementary school....but he shows up in a limo to give them Christmas gifts O8) <---THAT is sarcasm