Mine safety chief faces scrutiny in wake of Utah collapse

[The Straight Story]

Mine safety chief faces scrutiny in wake of Utah collapse
By Jennifer Talhelm, Associated Press August 22, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As hopes for a rescue dim at Utah's collapsed Crandall Canyon Mine, critics looking for someone to blame are focusing on the stern-faced director of the government agency that oversees coal mine safety.

Members of Congress, union officials and worker advocates were skeptical before the Aug. 6 accident that Richard Stickler was dedicated enough to worker safety.

The former mine executive faced so much opposition when he was appointed to head the Mine Safety and Health Administration, President Bush had to bypass critics and install him during a congressional recess last October.

Now all three groups are pointing out mistakes they say Stickler has made in handling attempts to rescue six trapped miners. The situation grew more grim last week when three rescue workers were killed in a subsequent cave-in.

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