Feds Cite Contractor over Fatal Mining Accident in West Virginia

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited an earthmoving contractor for an accident that killed a bulldozer operator at a West Virginia coal mine.

In a report issued Tuesday, MSHA blamed 61-year-old James Woods for the Sept. 19 accident that killed him. The report says Woods died from blunt-force injuries suffered after his bulldozer rolled down a steep slope at a Nicholas County surface mine. Woods died Oct. 4.

The report concludes Woods was unaware of conditions on the slope and failed to maintain full control of the bulldozer.

A working telephone number for Woods’ company, Battlecreek Corp., could not be located.

MSHA took no action against mine owner Massey Energy Co. The Richmond, Va., company operates mines in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky.