Monday, January 23, 2006

mine safety

the 14 deaths in WV mines have finally woken the right people up as to the need for some safety changes. but you know, here's what's ticking me off. Byrd.

"These deaths I believe were entirely preventable," said Sen. Robert C. Byrd (news, bio, voting record), D-W.Va. "And we owe the families of these deceased and noble and great and brave men a hard look of what happened and why."

are you kidding me? this man has been in office for 48 years, he should know the ins and outs of the mining industry and he should have been on top of it. guess he was too busy naming another road/gym/city hall/school/whatever after himself.

ah well, at least something positive will come of all this tragedy. it still doesn't make the deaths any easier to stomach. i know someone who has worked in one of those mines and the thought of him dying in there makes me shiver.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The Democrats have come out in full force calling for Mining safety. And I agree with them on some standpoint. But why now? Minors have been exposed to the same types of dangers for many years. Not to mention there are MANY jobs that require LIFE RISK. Not just mining.

Look at deep sea fisherman. Not only exposed to the currents and changing tides But superstorms that can make an average wave out in the ocean more than 20 feet tall. They lose mates all the time. But you don't see the democratic party out in full force asking for Fisherman safety?

I think IF you have a job as a Minor or fisherman ,YOU should be privy to the RISK. And if your not...then maybe you shouldn't be employed there. Many of those minors were 3-4 generation minors ( meaning thier 4 fathers worked in the mines too). So I doubt very seriously, they didn't know the risk.

I'm not trying to come across as (not sensitive) to the life loss.It saden's me & I feel for those family's. I'm just saying there is no need to have a Democratic Press conference for "Minor" safety and how WE as a country can make it safer for them. The truth is...you can't make it safer. If your 2 1/2 miles down in the earth mining coal..chances are...your gonna subject yourself (at some point) to natural gases..carbon monoxcides.. Risk of fires,,,ect.That comes with the territory. You can't evade it or avoid it. Pehaps mobile technology would help locate them quicker.But you still take a risk every time a miner goes down to work...