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Alcohol Contributing Factor In Mining Death
Nov, 20 2009
(West Virginia) -- An investigation by the state Mine Safety Board says a coal contractor was intoxicated when he wrecked a large truck into a pond and drowned at a Kanawha County mining site in late July.
State Mine Safety Director Ron Wooten says the mine safety board is holding a security guard and a supervisor partly responsible. The accident report was released Thursday.
Wooten says the investigation shows the two had prior knowledge that victim Mark Allen Gray may have been drinking while at work.
"The security guard indicated she had seen him place beer in his lunch bucket," Wooten said. Investigators found a beer can in the cab of the truck shortly after the July 28 accident. Wooten says Gray's supervisor also had reason to believe alcohol was being used.
Gray had a blood alcohol level of .08 and a trace of marijuana was found in his system. The accident happened when he was backing up his Lizard Truck at a high rate of speed at Cantenary Coal's Samples Mine in eastern Kanawha County. Gray missed a curve and went over an embankment into the pond where he drowned. He worked for Hawkeye Contracting.
Wooten says both workers have been cited individually along with the companies. He says there's a new emphasis on keeping alcohol off of mining sites.
"We regard intoxication in the workplace as an imminent danger," Wooten said. "And anyone, whether it's a supervisor, fellow employee, security guard or anyone else who allows that individual to stay in the workplace without doing anything about it is going to be held responsible," Wooten said.
SOURCE: www.wvmetronews.com
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