Along with the Florida Mine Safety Program, MSHA Assistant Secretary Joe Main and Deputy Assistant Secretary Laura McClintock attended the 46th Southern Regional Mine Rescue Classic. The contest was held May 2–5 at the SugArena at Acadiana Fairgrounds in New Iberia, Louisiana. The mine rescue contest allows participants to actively train and test their skills,…
Six years and one day after an explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine, Raleigh County, WV, claimed the lives of 29 miners, former Massey Energy CEO, Don Blankenship, was sentenced to a year in federal prison and ordered to pay a $250,000.00 fine, an amount well above what the federal sentencing guidelines recommend. Following his…
Since 2011, 16 metal and nonmetal miners have died in accidents involving machinery and non-haulage mobile and quarry equipment, and many more have been seriously injured or disabled. Of the 16 persons fatally injured, six were supervisors and three were contractors. Seven miners died when they were struck by the equipment they or a co-worker…
Governor Rick Scott declared January 4-8, 2016 “Florida First Responder Appreciation Week”, and on Thursday the 7th, Tallahassee Community College’s Public Safety Institute, hosted a ceremony honoring them. Prayer, song, applause, and the whirring of a helicopter flyover filled the ears of those who attended the event. First responders from all across the Big Bend…