Saturday, September 08, 2007

But Clinton lied.... And Coal Mines

Every time one tries to even have a remotely intelligent discussion concerning politics, if a person is the least bit critical of President Bush, the retort is, but Clinton lied...

One can debate about Bush lies and Clinton lies, etc. Whose lies were worse. Etc.

If you are a coal miner, however, there ought to be some food for thought. Robyn Blumner, one of my favorite columnists, wrote this last weekend concerning coal mining safety:

Say you are a miner, a historically dangerous job in which more than 100,000 of your compatriots have perished since 1900. Whom would you want to have in charge of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the government agency charged with inspecting mines and promulgating and enforcing safety regulations, J. Davitt McAteer, the Clinton appointee, or David Lauriski, the man selected by George W. Bush?

Here is a bit about each:

McAteer was a law student at West Virginia University when an explosion occurred at a mine near Farmington, W.Va., that killed 78 coal miners. The disaster led McAteer to organize fellow students to study the West Virginia coal industry. The resulting report helped to persuade Congress to pass a series of safety reforms under the 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The act revolutionized mine safety, requiring regular inspections of underground mines, fresh air supplies for miners and fines for safety violations.

After law school, McAteer worked to develop a mine safety program for Ralph Nader's Center for the Study of Responsive Law. In 1984 he founded the Occupational Health and Safety Law Center, a public interest law firm, which is where he was working when President Clinton tapped him to head up the MSHA.

Lauriski, President Bush's choice, had a far different resume. He had spent 30 years in the service of mining companies. In 1984, Lauriski was employed by the Emery Mining Corp. in Utah when 27 people died in a mining fire. Safety violations contributed to the cause, concluded MSHA investigators. But Lauriski later defended his employer's safety operations before Congress.

In 1997, as general manager at the Energy West Mining Company, Lauriski lobbied for a substantial elevation in acceptable coal dust levels.

Due to its high combustibility, coal dust has been the root cause of a number of deadly mine accidents. But beyond that, coal dust is a demonstrated source of black lung disease, and experts at the federal National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health say the acceptable levels should be cut in half - never mind increased many fold as Lauriski wanted.

Unlike the safety enhancement agenda that McAteer pushed, Lauriski's tenure at the helm of the MSHA was marked by the slashing of regulations. According to the New York Times, the agency "rescinded more than a half-dozen proposals intended to make coal miners' jobs safer, including steps to limit miners' exposure to toxic chemicals."

In 2004, soon after Bush's re-election, Lauriski resigned to "devote more time" to his family. It also happened to be shortly after a Labor Department inspector general report found that the agency had engaged in improper contract letting under his leadership.

In short, coal mines have become significantly more deadly in the last 7 years. I know, but Clinton lied...

2 comments:

G Coyle said...

scary, but thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hi John,

I have been a miner for 16 years, all be it above surface started as a laborer and put myself through college. Looking at coal mining deaths from 1990 till 2006 in terms employed the average has dropped over all.
Speaking of the character of appointed officials and their capabilities, I find that imho only one deserved any respect for leading the Nations Miners. MacAteer gave me the impression of a bully, egomaniac, and as one of his last acts while in office (if I am not mistaken) was a drunk driving hit and run. Lauriski while an industry veteran, not a lawyer, he started working with the industry to improve across the board training and communications, both which were lacking in the time before him. He was not perfect but things did improve. Speaking of the current appointment, I met him in Florida two weeks ago and while he is an industry veteran I was not impressed, vain, did not want to be approached by miners and ended up most of the conference sitting by himself at a large table very sad. It only took two days for the majority of the people at the conference (mostly Miners) to distance themselves from him. If I had my rathers I would most certainly welcome being represented by a knowledgeable, approachable type than what we have seen so far. The key is that MSHA can't be everywhere at all times and Industry and MSHA will have to work together.
It is my belief that the sweeping reforms with penalties will decrease noncompliance and have a positive effect on Fatalities and injuries. It should be noted that despite unannounced inspections MSHA can not be at all working areas of a mine at all times, this is where it is key to get mining companies sold on taking care of their Teams. If it takes a big stick (heavy fines) or closing the doors that will be that. But I believe Lauriski was headed down the right path, education, education and partnership, imho he just did not have the big stick.

That and $4.00 will get you a cup of coffee at starbucs. mining companies sold on taking care of their Teams. If it takes a big stick (heavy fines) or closing the doors that will be that. But where Lauriski was headed down the right path, education, education and partnership, imho he just did have the big stick.

That and $4.00 will get you a cup of coffee at starbucs.