MSHA forces 6 Ky. mines to close, sues 2, finds many violations in nationwide inspection blitz

MSHA forces 6 Ky. mines to close during blitz

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hundreds of serious violations were discovered at 57 troubled U.S. coal mines during surprise inspections days after the nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years, federal regulators said Thursday.

Six small Kentucky operations had so many problems that inspectors forced them to close, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said. The secretary of labor later sued Manalapan Mining, Left Fork Mining and three officials of related companies for allegedly interfering with inspectors by tipping off workers that they’d arrived.

MSHA director Joe Main called the results “appalling.”

“At the very least, they have failed to conduct their own mine examinations for hazards,” Main said. “Mine operators have a responsibility to provide for the safety and health of the miners they employ, and too many of the mines we inspected are failing to take that responsibility seriously.”

MSHA wants a court order barring the defendants from interfering with inspectors. The defendants deny the allegations, court records show. Manalapan President Benjamin Bennett did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press. A hearing is set May 14 in federal court.

Two of the six Kentucky mines remain closed, MSHA said. Working numbers for operators Conshor Mining and Red Bird Coal could not be found in multiple directories. Manalapan and Left Fork addressed dozens of violations and resumed production.

The six Kentucky mines were cited for 238 total violations and given 55 orders for miners to leave at least portions of mines while safety violations were being repaired. Overall, MSHA said it issued 1,339 citations nationwide during the five-day blitz from April 19 to 23.

MSHA launched the blitz in response to the April 5 explosion that killed 29 men and injured two at Virginia-based Massey Energy Co.’s Upper Big Branch mine in southern West Virginia. Another 44 workers escaped unharmed, according to MSHA’s preliminary report, which classifies the disaster as an ignition or explosion of gas or dust.

The agency focused the blitz on mines with high numbers of violations in the past and focused on rules covering methane, ventilation and efforts to control coal dust.

Inspectors found more than 70 serious violations at eight Massey operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia that were inspected during the blitz, MSHA said. The Richmond, Va.-based company’s safety record has been under renewed scrutiny after the Upper Big Branch explosion. The incident remains the subject of federal and state investigations.

Massey did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but has defended its record and denied repeatedly charges that the company puts profits ahead of safety.