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The Associated Press writes that a federal Minerals and Management Services report found that out of 1,443 accidents, 41 deaths, and 302 injuries, the majority were caused by “human error and operational and maintenance issues.”
It goes on to say that the agency is planning on imposing new rules that focuse on preventing human error, “a safety area that hadn’t received as much attention in the past.”
Frustrating to see these types of reports. Maybe these poor root causes are to blame!
Category: Accidents, Current Events
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Federal Mines and Management Services;
Effective regulation requires an effective enforcement regime. Despite 458 violations the West Virginia mine was operating , and contesting over $500,000.00 in fines.
Comment by Richard Lucas — May 11, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
Regulation without enforcement is just a large list of “suggestions.” I saw a statistic the other day saying over 95% of all fines levied against the mines are now contested. They clog the system with this backlog.
What is the incentive for the mine owner NOT to contest? He really can’t lose. If you contest, you MIGHT have to pay, and even then, the fine MIGHT be lowered. If you lose, you have to pay it anyway, and you delayed payment by months.
Maybe there should be a finding is contested for “frivolous” reasons, somewhat how some legal cases are handled. If you win you case, you win, if you lose, you must now pay even more.
Comment by Ken Reed — May 11, 2010 @ 3:39 pm