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Investigators from the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), as well as from the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals (IDMM), are now investigating just what caused a fatal mine accident that occurred in Franklin County last week, leaving one 20-year-old miner dead.
According to the latest reports, the accident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 8th at an M-Class mine owned by Foresight Engery, LP. Although emergency responders from the Cave Fire Protection District respond to the accident as soon as they were alert about it, the victim was still reportedly underground by the time help arrived.
Little other details about this accident are currently available due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. However, Franklin County Coroner, Marty Leffler, has issued a statement regarding the preliminary results of the autopsy, explaining that, at this point, it is believed that the miner was killed as a result of blunt trauma to at least his head and neck.
The Risks of the Mining Industry
This type of tragedy is, unfortunately, all too common in the mining industry, which is among the riskiest industries to be employe in due to some of the prominent and inherent risks associated with it. In fact, labor advocates have identified some of the biggest health and safety risks to miners including (but not necessarily being exclusive to):
- Cave-ins, which can result from:
- Failures to properly secure mine walls and ceilings
- Excessive excavation, which can put extra strain on mine walls and floors
- Land gradually and continually sinking.
- Explosions, which can occur when:
- Equipment or tools are not properly maintain.
- Work areas are not properly ventilate.
- The air in mines is not monitor for the possible buildup of combustible gases.
- Electrocutions, which can occur when:
- Equipment is not properly maintain.
- Miners are not train on how to safely use heavy equipment.
It remains to be seen whether any of the above risks will be reveale by the MSHA and/or IDMM investigations.
As more news about this ongoing investigation becomes available, we’ll report the latest updates to you here in a future blog. Until then, share your comments about this story, as well as your thoughts about the general risks of the mining industry, on Facebook & Google+
Contact a Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
If you or a loved one has been injure on the job, a seasoned Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. is ready to stand up for your rights and help you obtain the benefits to which you may be entitle.
Contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.
