Chilean Copper Mine Collapse

In 1907, two miles south of Centralia, Illinois was the Centralia Mine No. 5. The Mine was there to provide coal during World War II. This particular mine employed 250 men and produced 2,000 tons of coal each day. During the next several years there were several complaints made regarding the safety of the mine. On March 25, 1947, the mine exploded, killing 111 miners. (Stillman, 2010)

In addition to long working hours, miners paid for the supplies including open head flame lights and detonators. The miners were more or less like craftsmen using their tools and self-acquired skills to produce the maximum output. Consequently, the explosives led to numerous accidents leaving the miners injured badly and dead in many instances. Numerous workers (about 60 each year) were killed as a result of these explosions. The families of the deceased were rarely compensated. Occupational hazards, deterioration in health overtime, inadequate pay in the form of “strips” resulted in conflicts between the labor and the management.

Lack of properly working equipment, employers failing to meet regulations, and the lack of rescue measures. The only survivor, McCloy, stated that "At least four of the rescuers’ emergency oxygen packer were not functioning” (Sago Mine Disaster, p. 4). All equipment, including rescue devices, should be tested to insure that they are functioning properly. If the emergency oxygen packer was functioning properly, there could have been more survivors of the explosion. While trying to increase the amount of profit made, employers often find ways to spend less money. In Sago Mine Disaster, it is discussed that, although it does not meet the requirements, state officials approved the use of foam to seal the mine. “U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration rules seals to be built using “solid concrete blocks” or alternate materials that will withstand 20 pounds per square inch of pressure” (p. 7). Although seals are required to withstand 20 pounds per square inch, the foam could only withstand ¼ of that (Sago Mine Disaster, p. 7). The miners were not given proper rescue equipment. Another problem with the rescue measures becomes apparent when looking at the timeline after the explosion. Specialized mine rescue crews were not notified until 8:04 p.m. and MSHA was not informed until 8:30 p.m. It should not take an hour in a half to begin contacting help. The miners were obviously exploited in so many

Secondly I believe Scanlan could have organized a strike for the workers of the mine. Inspector Scanlan was a former mine working who understood exactly what the mines workers were experiencing. Inspector Scanlan was a very honest man who did not seek to gain favoritism by hierarchy. Inspector Scanlan was focused on doing his job the correct way. Inspector Scanlan was not interested in bribes or becoming wealthy. I believe Inspector Scanlan had the mine workers interest at heart. Inspector Scanlan knew nothing was going to be done due to how corrupt the system was. Scanlan should have informed the workers to strike due to how dangerous the conditions of the mines were. A strike would have created headlines. A strike would have kept the workers out the mine until changes were made to ensure their safety. The owners of the mine would make changes because they needed the workers to operate the mine and

In this unfortunate event, the San Esteban Mining Company needed to tread carefully in how they would communicate to the world about the incident. If the company does not properly communicate what has happened, it would be viewed as careless, and heartless to the world, employees, and the families. The San Esteban Mining Company needed to release information in three ways. First, the families would have priority concerning communicating to different parties involved in this incident. The person(s) that will be updating the family’s needs to be competent and show empathy, honesty, and be trustworthy and compassionate.

When new miners arrive in the town of Matewan, they are automatically in debt to the company store for the equipment need to begin working. Throughout the life of the coal miners they are at the mercy of the company's scams and whims. Coal mining is a dangerous operation; not only by chance of mishap, but the coal miners are in great risk of ill health due to the inhalation of coal dust, and the physical strain of working such a laborious trade. The coal company is insensible to the health concerns of the miners; individuals are irrelevant to the industrial company, and they are secure on the knowledge that a fresh supply of young, healthy, able-bodied workers will fall into their grasp.

In his book “Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free,” Hector Tobar recounts the story of 33 miners who spent 69 days trapped more than 2000 feet underground in the Chile’s San Jose mines following the collapse of the mine in 2010. According to Tobar (2015), the disaster began on a day shift around noon when miners working deep inside the mountain excavating minerals started feeling vibrations. A sudden massive explosion then followed and the passageways of the mines filled with dust clouds. Upon settling of the dust, the men discovered that the source of the explosion was a single stone that had broken off from the rest of the mountain and caused a chain reaction leading to

The media attention will focus on providing tips leading to arrest of the culprits, any useful information from the public that may assist in the investigations, informing the general public to be aware of the situation and hold back to allow authorities to perform their duties, calming the population down with truthful and sensible reporting rather than showing the gore and victims of the disaster.

On January 23, 2018, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Mason Williams (victim) was the last member of the crew to arrive at the mine site. He was a scoop operator and Mine Emergency Technician (M.E.T.) on the first shift.

Every signal person was later found dead with their body ripped to shreds will their organs missing.

In fact, death was not a stranger to the miners. One sabotaged accident left fifteen victims presumed dead. Negrel, the head engineer and supervisor, had the opinion that "not one of the victims could still be alive, all fifteen must certainly have perished from drowning of asphyxia..." (455) Even despite all the danger the workers had to suffer major injustices. Etienne argued against the Company saying "You cut down the price per tub and then pretend to make up for the cut by paying for

Did you know 33 Chilean coal miners got trapped in a coal mine for 69 days in 2010? Even though coal is a very important fossil and plays a big role in electricity in the United States of America. It can be very dangerous. Mining has been on the list of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Even though cost of coal is low and availability of coal is high. Would you do it?

I’m sure you have all heard about the collapse of the mine, and are concerned. We are doing everything we can to try to get to the workers trapped inside the mine, however the tunnel collapsed and we do not want to cause more to collapse. We will have rescue workers and experts looking into how we can get to the emergency shelter where we hope that they reached. We will keep you updated on what is happening with the efforts as we know more.

Coal mining is said to be one of the most dangerous type of mining in the world because it exposes miners to a wide range of risks and health hazards inside the tunnel (Gowrisankaran, He, Lutz, Burgess. 2015). Health and Safety was the major issue identified in the Pike River mine disaster. Proper inspection was not implemented to ensure safety of employees, contractors and subcontractors. They also have insufficient information on the geological location of the mine which was a major factor in the disaster.

When the news came out, there were more serious problems uncovered. There were many subterfuges around the workers. The managers said the bus was repaired, but the truth is they just clean it and leave the same problem unfinished. There is a saying in the managers that the oil is cheaper than repair. Leave the unsafe buses run on the street is irresponsible and also commit the organizational cheating on the customers.