Mine Safety
Safer Union Mines
Studies show that union mines are much safer than non-union mines. A May 2011 report from the John M. Olin Program in Law and Economics at Stanford University found a "substantial and significant decline in traumatic mining injuries and fatalities" at underground mines where the United Mine Workers of America represented workers.
The report found that over two decades there were:
- between 18 and 33 percent fewer traumatic injuries at union mines, compared to non-union operations;
- between 27 to 68 percent fewer fatal accidents at union mines (the range in figures accounts for possible statistical variations because of small sample sizes).
Need a Lawyer?
If you are a coal miner and need legal representation on a mine safety issue, we suggest you contact:
Wes Addington
Appalachian Citizens Law Center
317 Main Street
Whitesburg, Ky 41858
606-633-3929
[email protected]
OR
Tony Oppegard
Attorney-At-Law
P.O. Box 22446
Lexington, Ky 40522
859-948-9239
[email protected]
Above all else, coal companies should be diligent about the safety of their workers and the conditions inside their mines. Officials responsible for enforcing mine safety laws should do so wihout interference. And elected leaders should strengthen those laws when the need is clearly demonstrated.
Unfortunately, none of this happens as it should.
An examination of 320 coal mine deaths from 1996 to 2005 by Ken Ward Jr. of the Charleston Gazette found that 91 percent of those deaths could be traced to a serious safety violation, including not performing required safety checks, poorly maintained equipment, roof control and ventilation violations, and inadequate training.
The disaster that killed 29 miners at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia in April 2010 reminds us that not enough has changed since Ward's report. Yet legislation to address some of the enforcement issues brought to light by this tragedy is stalled in the U.S. Congress.
KFTC has established this space to provide news, analysis and opinions about mine safety issues. We'll update the list below as new articles and reports become available.
It Took This Coal Miner 14 Years to Secure Black Lung Benefits. How Come?
RETIRED COAL MINER BETHEL BROCK had to fight for 14 years to win his federal black lung claim. One may think that Mr. Brock's legal fight is rare, but it is not. His story is common among Appalachian coal miners.
Why Black Lung Disease Is Deadlier Than Ever Before
More than 76,000 miners have died from black lung disease since 1968, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. And now there's a resurgence of this deadly disease that should have been wiped out decades ago.
Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action Day: Environment/Energy
KCC is hosting Prayer in Action days at the State Capitol each Tuesday during the 2017 General Assembly to pray for government officials and act on behalf of Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens. Each week will focus on a particular justice issue.
Northern Kentucky Lobby Training
Join KFTC and others as we prep members for meeting with elected officials and other decision makers by learning more about the legislative process, good guidelines to go by, practice mock lobbying moments, and more.
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