USA: Experts say mining safety has improved since Crandall disaster

Extract from fox13now, Utah, USA

SALT LAKE CITY - Standards have certainly changed since the 2007 Crandall Canyon mining disaster, says Mining Engineering Dept. Chairman, Mike Nelson. "Last year in 2009 had the fewest number of fatalities ever in the mining industry," Nelson says. "They're definitely not where we want them to be -- the accident rate for the mining industry. We look at the lost time per 100 workers per year and its around four. We'd like to see it much less, close to one or zero." Ed Havas, who represents the families of miners killed in Utah, says that on a personal level, for the family of miners trapped "it's emotionally, just such a gut wrenching, trying time. Mostly the waiting and the not knowing for those that are waiting word about their loved ones."

Havas thinks lawsuits are likely in the case of the recent West Virginia mine collapse.

"Lawsuits are highly likely probability for a case like this because for there to be a disaster of this magnitude something went wrong somewhere and if that turns out to have been the failing of the company or some entity that should have taken better care then they need to be held responsible," said Havas.
 
Editor:  Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)