Sunday, August 12, 2007

Question Of The Week, 8/12/07

Good afternoon. I'm late, I was having some problems getting on-line. This weeks Question Of The Week comes from me. Were the two recent mining accidents just that, freak accidents or were corners being cut to save/make money?

I'll post my answer in the Comment Section Monday night.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

4 Comments:

Blogger Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

Can we know yet? Are seismic variations a norm in that part of the world? If so, have adequate measures been taken to minimise the effects of such … elements of nature? Was there any forewarning of what happened and again if so, why were mining operations not halted, at least temporally? Probably a freak accident judging form the news that is getting out, eventually though, the truth may come out.

10:11 PM  
Blogger Praguetwin said...

No Idea. Don't companies always cut corners? Having said that, isn't mining inherently dangerous? Sorry for answering with questions, but I'm in the mood.

In fact, I've got a question up this week as well (by chance). Stop by if you have time.

PT

4:14 PM  
Blogger David Schantz said...

Good morning, I want to thank you for stopping by to answer this weeks question. Yes I'm late again. I was exposed to H2S gas at work Monday night and didn't feel much like getting on the computer when I got home."Were the two recent mining accidents just that, freak accidents or were corners being cut to save/make money?"

Hard question to answer, all we can do is guess or hope. I do hope we find out these accidents weren't caused by greed/cutting corners. It's not always the company, a lot of getting the job done safely falls upon the individual/worker. I could have got hurt last night if I didn't do what I've been taught to do when H2S levels are high. It's a pain/causes more work but you walk away at the end of your shift. Another question, are miners paid straight wages or is there a bonus for bringing more coal out of the ground? I can see how a bonus could be a safety issue.

I've read some articles (One here, http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/233041/ ) that make me feel safety might not be real high on the owners of Crandall Canyon Mines priority list. I hope I'm wrong.

It could be a while before we have the answer. If it was greed lets hope these two accidents cause some changes to be made to protect the miners. For now lets keep the miners (and their families) that were involved in both accidents in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless America, God Save The Republic.

10:23 AM  
Blogger Always On Watch said...

Were the two recent mining accidents just that, freak accidents or were corners being cut to save/make money?

Could be a bit of both. As you have pointed out, David, we'll know more when the investigations are completed.

From day one, mining companies have always tried to cut costs, often sacrificing safety. However, since at least the 1950s, mining companies have been better with their safety record.

Good read, BTW, about mining (in Wales): How Green Was My Valley. There's also an excellent film version.

7:47 AM  

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