Massey Cited Over Miner’s Death

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited Massey Energy for a violation that investigators say contributed to the death of a miner in May.

Fifty-five-year-old James Erwin died May 21, 11 days after he was pinned between a piece of heavy equipment and a block of coal at Massey’s Ruby Energy underground mine in Mingo County.

MSHA says in a report hat Erwin was standing too close to the equipment when he was injured. MSHA says that violated the mine’s roof control plan, resulting in the citation.

Richmond, Va.-based Massey said avoiding this type of accident is a high prority and has provided hazard-related training for its employees.

Erwin is one of 31 miners to die at a Massey mine in 2010, including 29 killed in an explosion at its Upper Big Branch mine April 5. That blast remains under investigation.