Byrd: Massey’s Safety Policies Are ‘Disgraceful’

[babylonsister]

http://washingtonindependent.com/85362/byrd-masseys-safety-policies-are-disgraceful

Byrd: Massey’s Safety Policies Are ‘Disgraceful’
By Mike Lillis 5/20/10 3:23 PM


Massey CEO Don Blankenship is poised to testify before a Senate funding panel this afternoon. That hasn’t happened yet, but Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is already letting him have it.

In his opening remarks, the 92-year-old Byrd ripped into Massey for its long and dubious record of safety.

“I cannot fathom how an American business could practice such disgraceful health and safety policies while simultaneously boasting about its commitment to the safety of its workers,” Byrd said. ”I just can’t understand that.”

Massey wasn’t Byrd’s only target. The West Virginia Democrat also went after government regulators for failing to do more to prevent the deadly explosion at the Upper Big Branch last month.

MSHA officials, Byrd said, “still have much to explain” about the UBB tragedy “which happened on their watch.”

“I do not believe that it was because of a lack of funding,” Byrd said. “I do not believe that MSHA lacked enforcement authorities.”

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's just now figuring this out? nt