Severian
20th January 2006, 21:06
New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/national/20cnd-miners.html?hp&ex=1137819600&en=f4e5cb463dd92e68&ei=5094&partner=homepage)
It's owned by Massey Coal and so it's probably non-union, which helps the company get away with unsafe practices.
***
To follow up on the Sago mine explosion which killed twelve miners:
The seals to block off the section of the Sago Mine where the explosion took place were made of Omega Block, a dense fiberglass foam material that is lighter and cheaper than cement blocks. MSHA reported that these seals were completely destroyedblown out toward the surface. Tim Baker, a UMWA spokesperson, said the union has always opposed such materials for mine seals. Those blocks cannot withstand the pressure, he stated.
From the Militant. (http://www.themilitant.com/2006/7004/700402.html)
Christ on a crutch, fiberglass foam?
The article goes on to point out that obsolete communications equipment and natural-gas drilling too close to the mine may have contributed to the miners' deaths.
It's owned by Massey Coal and so it's probably non-union, which helps the company get away with unsafe practices.
***
To follow up on the Sago mine explosion which killed twelve miners:
The seals to block off the section of the Sago Mine where the explosion took place were made of Omega Block, a dense fiberglass foam material that is lighter and cheaper than cement blocks. MSHA reported that these seals were completely destroyedblown out toward the surface. Tim Baker, a UMWA spokesperson, said the union has always opposed such materials for mine seals. Those blocks cannot withstand the pressure, he stated.
From the Militant. (http://www.themilitant.com/2006/7004/700402.html)
Christ on a crutch, fiberglass foam?
The article goes on to point out that obsolete communications equipment and natural-gas drilling too close to the mine may have contributed to the miners' deaths.