We should have listened to disgruntled ex-employee before explosions at Massey mine in West Virginia

Usually it's only the disgruntled ex-employees who will tell the truth about an institution. Those who are still employed are usually afraid to talk, or they have convinced themselves that it is right to protect wrongdoers.

Ex-Massey Miner: Safety Gripes Led To Firing
by Howard Berkes
NPR
June 7, 2010

A former Massey Energy coal miner has filed a federal whistle-blower complaint, claiming he was fired after complaining about unsafe conditions at two Massey mines in West Virginia, NPR News has learned. One of the coal mines is Upper Big Branch, where an explosion killed 29 workers April 5.

Ricky Lee Campbell's complaint says he repeatedly told his supervisors about failing brakes on the coal shuttle cars he drove at the Slip Ridge Cedar Grove mine.

The 24-year-old from Beckley, W.Va., also spoke to a newspaper about unsafe conditions at Upper Big Branch, where he worked until shortly before the accident. And he provided information in the federal investigation of the blast.

Campbell spoke to the newspaper on April 7. A week later, he was given a five-day suspension "subject to discharge" and then fired April 23. He then filed the whistle-blower complaint with the Labor Department, contending that his persistent safety concerns, his media interview and his role in the federal probe prompted his termination...

Maybe federal regulators are a little too business friendly?

We can land on the moon, but we can't drill a safe mine? What has happened to safety regulation?

Drillers May Have Missed Area Where Miners Are
By Sonya Geis
Washington Post
August 11, 2007


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 -- A first attempt to contact six miners trapped in a collapsed Utah mine failed, but rescuers and mine officials said Friday they still had hope the men are alive.

Rescuers lowered a microphone through a 2 1/2 -inch-wide hole late Thursday night, after drilling more than 1,800 feet to the depth where mine officials believe the miners are confined. But no noises could be heard.

Hundreds of rescuers battle falling rocks and debris to reach six coal miners trapped 1,500 feet below ground following a cave-in at the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah, Aug. 6, 2007.

The rescuers may have missed an air pocket where the miners are sitting, said Richard Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. The small drill bit could have veered away from its target as it bored through the earth...