Massey Energy Co. owned the
mine in West Virginia where 29 minors were killed in an explosion in 2010.
Faulty water nozzles failed to stop a spark from setting a pocket of methane
gas on fire, which in turn led to an explosion of coal dust. Other safety
violations, such as not cleaning up extra coal dust, contributed to the
accident too. While it is unfortunately not unusual for managers to cut corners
on regulations, the attitude evinced at Massey may point to a deeper problem in
how some companies view law itself--as an obstacle to be overcome
rather than constrained by.
Emergency vehicles head to the Massey explosion in which 29 miners were killed. AP
The full essay is at "Massey Mining."