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Massey subsidiary cited for 3 violations in coal accident

May 07, 2008 @ 04:30 PM

The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Massey Energy has been cited for safety violations that federal investigators say contributed to the death of a West Virginia coal miner.


The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration found the violations while investigating a Dec. 4 accident at an underground Massey mine in Kanawha County.

Miner David Neal fell about 39 feet when a conveyer belt he was repairing started unexpectedly. The 57-year-old died 10 days later.


Three citations outlined in an MSHA report released Wednesday say the belt had inadequate startup alarms, power wasn’t disconnected before Neal started work, and the circuit breaker had a broken handle, making it inoperable.


A Massey spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.