Re: Mine Safety Subordinated to Mining Company Interests


"Jo Schaper" <joschapern4ospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:11rtvsa1nu5lr3e@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> George wrote:
>> "Jo Schaper" <joschapern4ospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:11rtrgvdk0vbkb6@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>>One thing which has me curious is why mines do not station rebreathing
>>>gear underground. Some of you may be familiar with this from SCUBA--they
>>>are headset/tank affairs with chemical cleaners, allowing divers to stay
>>>down extended lengths of time because the air is actually cleaned and
>>>recycled, not exhausted and lost. Since a mine is at 1 atmosphere, it
>>>would seem to me that these devices might be able to be used in bad air
>>>situations, at least for a couple of days (assuming recharge canisters
>>>are available) and extend the possibility of surviving a collapse where
>>>the explosion is not the killer, but the lack of breathable oxygen is.
>>
>>
>> I don't know anything about rebreathers, but I do know something about
>> mining managers. I can think of one reason: money.
>>
>> George
>
> It strikes me that rebreathers which save lives would pay for themselves
> by saving the mining co. the money they likely would put out in wrongful
> death lawsuits/death settlements, etc. with money left over. Assuming the
> mining cos. are liable for employee deaths, and aren't covered by 'Act
> of God' (or Pat Robertson)clauses for non-liability or something.

It only takes one serious mine incident to cause serious financial loss for
mining companies, yet companies like this one continue to receive violation
after violation with few if any repercussions. The only way something like
a rebreather would ever be used is if it is mandated by MSHA, and they've
had their teeth cropped by the Bush administration, who appointed mining
insiders to the regulatory agency. It's like the cops and the robbers
joining forces against the robbers' victims.

George

George


.

Loading