Fatal Encounter
New "fatalgrams" may be in order. Six men trapped in a Utah coal mine since Monday may be the next to be featured in a Mine Safety and Health Administration bulletin. Rescuers have drilled into a pocket where they think the miners are located. “No human noise was detected,” M.S.H.A. reports. But the air is breathable, and food, water, and a camera are on their way.
Entangled
For each mining fatality since the 1970s, the federal government has distributed pictures or illustrations of the tragedy to mine operators in an attempt to increase safety awareness. Within the industry, these bulletins are commonly referred to as "fatalgrams."
Blind Spot
Explosions at West Virginia's Sago Mine and Kentucky's Darby Mine caused 17 of the mining deaths in the first half of 2006. In response, Congress passed new legislation in May 2006.
Caught
In June, President Bush signed the new act, often referred to as the most significant change in mine safety legislation in almost 30 years.
Fatal Charge
But the new legislation primarily addresses tragedies like explosions, fires, and trapped miners.
Crushed
Meanwhile, the majority of deaths have been caused by falling rock and machinery mishaps. These individual deaths largely go unreported in the national media, but are unfortunately routine in the mining industry. Like this one on January 6, 2007 when a 26-year-old with two years of experience was crushed when 6,000 pounds of wire mesh fell on him.
Collapsed
...And this one on October 12, 2006, when a supervisor with 23 years of experience was "fatally injured by a roof fall" while inspecting ventilation controls.
Electrocuted
...And this one on November 5, 2006 when a 52-year-old with 21 years of experience was electrocuted "when he contacted two 23,000-volt energized phases" in a junction box he was repairing.
Dropped
And this one where a miner fell 35 feet to his death.
Falling Rock
U.S. coal mining deaths in 2006 were at an 11-year high. Despite sweeping safety legislation passed a year ago, miners are still dying on the job: 11 so far this year. "The fact is, there is only so much that can be done," says Luke Popovich, spokesman for the National Mining Association.
