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The attorneys of Shor & Levin discuss the dangers that PA miners face on a daily basis. Continue reading
prREACH
Oct 29, 2016 /prREACH/ -- For many Americans, the mining industry may seem like a thing of the past. Many children learn about coal miners in school and are tickled by the thought that miners got to take a canary into the mine with them, not realizing that it wasn’t a companion animal, but instead served as a way to warn the workers about deadly gases. But mining is still a very active industry and despite the advances made in safety, miners are still working one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.
On an average day, a miner may be exposed to a number of toxic substances and gases, including silica, radon, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. If that exposure isn’t enough, they need to constantly be aware of rock fall, shifting ground, and flooding. But it doesn’t stop there - if their employer or another employee makes a mistake or fails to properly use safety equipment, fires, accidents involving sharp or heavy machinery, or falls from a height can all cause serious injury or even death.
Limestone is a common mineral that is mined in Pennsylvania and just last year, three workers in a quarry were seriously injured due to a tunnel collapse and the resulting air blast. An investigation revealed that the company which owns the mine has had 223 safety violations over the past ten years and have paid around $100,000 in fines. This time, the mine was shut down until a full investigation into the most recent accident was made.
According to the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), 22 miners have died in mining accidents in 2016 alone, despite the fact that the administration performs at minimum, four inspections of each mine in the state every year. Many have concluded that if employers were more diligent about following safety standards, fewer deaths would occur and fewer workers’ compensation claims would be made.