Federal officials cited W.Va. Massey mine twice for safety violations on day of explosion

Feds cited Massey mine twice on day of explosion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Massey Energy coal mine where 25 people died in an explosion was cited for violating two federal safety rules on the day of the blast.

Mine Safety and Health Administration records show the citations were issued Monday.

Massey spokesman Jeff Gillenwater says neither violation was life-threatening. Kevin Stricklin, a top federal mine official, says he is confident the violations had nothing to do with the blast.

Records show one of the violations involved inadequate maps of escape routes from the Upper Big Branch mine.

The other involved an improper splice of electrical cable on a piece of equipment. Gillenwater says that violation was fixed the same day.