Let’s say the speed limit was changed on an interstate in your area — changed from 70 mph to 50. But all the motorists just kept driving 70 and above and no citations were issued.
Or say texting while driving. Let’s say everyone is doing it and no one is charged even through they are deliberately breaking the new law against texting while driving. This would also be a serious crime, don’t you agree?
So what if no one was enforcing the new state regulations aimed at reducing buildups of explosive coal dust in underground mines? More than a fifth of the more than 5,500 dust samples taken from mines by state regulators since August 2011 didn’t comply with the standards.
There have been no citations issued by the State Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training. Not any. None. Nada.
David McAteer, the Fairmont native who was appointed by then-Gov. Joe Manchin to lead the independent team to investigate the 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners at the Upper Big Branch mine, called what has been happening, or not been happening, a charade.
“They are going through some motions,” McAteer said, “but nothing has happened. The dust issue was absolutely the most critical failure at the Upper Big Branch mine and three years later, there’s still not a preventative measure in place to keep it from happening again.”
Those are strong words indeed.
Dennis O’Dell, also a Fairmont native, serves as safety director for the United Mine Workers. He says the state has been “dragging its feet too long. If the state is finding violations and they are not issuing citations, then shame on them. Why even do it if you’re not going to use it as an enforcement tool?” These were also strong words by O’Dell.
The standards were issued by Manchin nine days after the deadly explosion. Back then everybody was eager to do whatever was necessary so such a tragedy would never happen again. New regulations were issued. It seemed apparent that the new standards would be followed.
But this most recent report says they have not been.
Randy Harris, a consultant to the mine safety agency, said operators are being notified of the sample results. He said state officials are pushing mine operators to address any dust-control problems. He says his group has been “harassing them to death.”
Just whom is to be believed?
The strong words coming from McAteer and O’Dell are good enough for us. When human lives are involved, people shouldn’t be playing around with mandates from higher-ups on things that should be done — on steps that should be taken.
Opinion
Why aren’t mine safety standards enforced?
- Opinion
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Three Rivers Festival offers chance for city to celebrate
What were you doing 34 years ago?
That was when the West Virginia Three Rivers Festival was born.
It didn’t start out as the Three Rivers Festival. It actually started over Labor Day weekend in 1980 and it was called Septemberfest. -
Seizure of AP phone records is an insult to an independent press
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We change — at least a little — after each attack
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Sound policy would give coal a chance, not erase challenges
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration, through a report it began releasing last month, forecast that although total U.S. coal production is expected to rise after 2016, Appalachian coal will not. -
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Anna Jarvis, from our neighboring city of Grafton, began the tradition that on the second Sunday of May, mothers and motherhood would receive a national celebration and recognition.
From those early local beginnings, Mother’s Day has evolved and become one of the most celebrated days of the year. -
Teens need co-pilots to navigate social media
It’s tough to be the parent of a teen.
Heck, it’s tough to be the parent of a preteen. Ten is the new 15 these days. Fifteen is the new 21. Kids grow up so fast, and we have to fight them every step of the way to make sure they’re not growing up too fast. It’s a constant question of whether something is age-appropriate and the constant response of “all of my other friends are doing it.” -
Proposed bill levels playing field for local businesses
The study of economics is vast, complicated and debatable on almost every point.
There are those who are conservative in their estimates when given all factors to calculate into a model. -
Move past baloney and continue quest to ensure students get meals they need
It’s time to move past the baloney ... or bologna ... or lack of same at school lunch.
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Three Rivers Festival offers chance for city to celebrate
