Former mine bosses testify about UBB working conditions
Former mine supervisors at the Upper Big Branch Mine testified on Monday that a combination of pressure to produce more coal and a lack of manpower and equipment to safely meet the production demands existed at the mine prior to the deadly 2010 explosion that killed 29 men.
The men testified as part of the ongoing trial of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship who is being charged with conspiring to break mine safety laws and lying to financial regulators about safety at the West Virginia mine.
Media outlets report that in Charleston federal court, former section foreman Richard “Smurf” Hutchens recalled unrealistic coal production goals at Upper Big Branch Mine. He said a supervisor threatened to fire him if he didn’t meet production goals, despite regularly being behind on cleaning up his section.
Former superintendent Rick Hodges and fire boss Larry Adams said Upper Big Branch never had enough workers to both produce coal and maintain safety, The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors are working their way up the chain of command, trying to show the jury that Blankenship sent pressure from the top down for coal production without regard for safety.
Lead defense attorney Bill Taylor argued that when a mine faced a citation, Massey Energy had to pay the fines, so supervisors wouldn’t have condoned violations.
Taylor also pointed out an incentive program for supervisors who had no absences and who didn’t receive citations in their mines, further arguing Massey’s upper management cared about safety.
Hutchins agreed that he appreciated receiving advance notice underground, so he could clean up any areas with poor conditions. He said advance warning was a common practice since he started mining in 1980.
