New Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com
06/23/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Nicole Howley // Nicole Howley
Charleston, WV—The state Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training has cited Newtown Energy Inc. with five serious violations stemming from a fatal accident that killed a West Virginia miner. The report, which was issued on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, blamed a broken wire cable on a hoist for the death of the 53-year-old miner, as reported by Business Week.
On October 27, Fayette County resident Charles Dixon, 53, was crushed by a runaway locomotive while working at Newton Energy’s Eagle Mine. The report stated, “When the cable snapped, the locomotive, a rail car and a hoist car weighing a combined 64,000 pounds careened 525 feet downhill and struck Dixon. Two miners riding up with the load jumped to safety on the downhill trip. They were treated for their injuries and released.”
Investigators decided to cite Newton after finding the brakes on one side of the hoist car weren’t properly working, because of poor maintenance. Investigators noted that immense weight of the load overwhelmed the brakes.
Two additional serious citations were issued because of poor maintenance of the parts of the hoist. Another two citations were issued due to the fact that Dixon was not waiting in a designated safe area and because the two miners who were injured were riding up with the other equipment.
Newton was also issued four noncontributing violations, which including having the wire cable tested by a contractor who isn’t certified to work in West Virginia. The contractor was cited as well.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for West Virginia personal injury lawyers.
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Url: http://NicoleHowley.visionsmartnews.com/newton-energy-cited-for-fatal-mine-accident_1006.html News Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com – Press Release Distribution
