When are we ever going to learn?

As a lifelong resident of West Virginia, I am acutely aware of just how dangerous underground coal mines are. My dad was a miner. Just about everyone I know either knows a miner personally or has a close family member who goes underground to support his family. The community we live in consists of “company houses” built for mining families. It’s just a part of who we are.

That said, I’m just heartsick about the situation in Utah right now. We’ve had too many cases of mine collapses followed immediately by the finger pointing. This time, Bob Murray is blaming it all on an earthquake.

Maybe he’s right. Or maybe he’s not. Only time will tell. But I know Bob Murray; he owns a mine near here, and he’s been embroiled in a pitched battle over alleged damage to a virgin woodland area growing over one of his seams of coal. At times, it’s gotten really ugly. There have been accusations of serious safety violations. I can’t confirm them because even though I’ve been inside some union mines, I’ve never traveled into Murray’s operation.

When the Sago Mine collapsed, everybody at both the state and the national level jumped in to increase the availability of rescue breathers and radio communication inside the mines. Now, they’re talking about oxygen levels and adequate supplies of drinking water. Why do we always wait to close the barn door after the horse has escaped? How hard is it to figure out that when (sadly, not if) miners become trapped, they’ll need air and water to survive?

I’m all in favor of business owners making profits. They take risks and provide jobs, and unless they’re in the black, all of that goes away. That’s just basic corporate performance management.  But greed is another thing altogether. Mine owners, your workers are your most valuable asset. Protect them, and take steps to offset tragedy BEFORE it happens for a change.

Please keep those trapped miners and their families in your prayers.