From Deseret News archives:
Report paints Murray as bully
That is a major subplot in the piles of documents released last week by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee reporting on conditions at the mine prior to the Aug. 6 disaster that left six workers entombed. Three more died in the attempt to rescue the six miners.
"Murray Energy bullied MSHA (the Mine Safety and Health Administration) and got away with it," the Senate report concludes, commenting on documents showing, among other things, that Murray and his company would seek to have tough inspectors fired or reassigned apparently sometimes with that desired result.
Murray Energy has denounced the report as "politically motivated, irresponsible and unjustifiable." But documents attached to it outline how federal inspectors and their bosses saw Murray as difficult and hostile. They warned each other to be wary of him. Still, they would sometimes give in to his demands to back off on enforcement.
"Murray can be personable until he feels that you have crossed him. He will take any statement and twist it to his advantage," Sargeant wrote. "He can become abusive if he feels that it will serve his purpose. His sole intent is to discredit the inspectors that are enforcing the law."
Documents show that MSHA inspectors in Utah immediately had problems with Murray Energy when it bought mines here.
"Bob Murray, an extremely difficult coal operator, has purchased the West Ridge Mine and their people took over yesterday. Donny (an inspector) wrote an order on their longwall for 80 damaged hydraulic hoses to be replaced, and they are alleging retaliation and have informed our FO (field office) supervisor they will work to get him removed as an inspector," wrote MSHA District 9 manager Allyn Davis in a Aug. 23, 2006 e-mail.
"I expected we would have trouble with this operator, but didn't expect it on the second day after they took over," he added. "They also told my supervisor they have been very successful at getting MSHA people removed in other districts."
Recent comments
I am a union pipefitter, and no one bullies me! If they do, the...
mike | March 15, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.
To some of those above: the MSHA is a Federal agency, hence the...
Jack | March 15, 2008 at 5:29 p.m.
Inspectors should do their job. Simply report the problems, then...
Lynn Tilton | March 15, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


