US disaster mine boss lied

This video from the USA is called Miners speak on safety violations at Upper Big Branch Mine.

From daily The Morning Star in Britain:

US coal mine’s security chief ‘lied over explosion’

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Federal prosecutors have accused the former security chief at a West Virginia coal mine where 29 miners were killed lied to investigators and attempted to destroy documents.

The trial of Hughie Stover is the first criminal proceeding to be initiated since the explosion in 2010 at Massey Energy‘s Upper Big Branch mine, the deadliest such US blast in decades.

Opening statements were given on Monday in US District Court.

Authorities allege that Mr Stover sought to conceal that he instructed the mine’s security guards to announce by radio when US Mine and Safety Administration officials inspectors were on the property. Federal law forbids such advance warnings of spot safety checks.

Assistant US Attorney Philip Wright told the jury: “Coal mining is dangerous and inspectors go to see the conditions because some mines can cut corners on safety. That’s why MSHA cares about advanced notice.”

Mr Stover also allegedly ordered a subordinate to destroy thousands of safety-related documents.

The largest mine workers’ union in the US accused Massey Energy Co and its managers on Tuesday of “industrial homicide” for creating the conditions behind the April 2010 explosion that killed 29 men at a southern West Virginia coalmine: here.