UK coal and machinery supplier charged
UK Coal supplier, Joy Mining Ltd, was fined due to the death of Ian Cameron. Cameron was a pit worker at the mining company. The company was found to be in breach of safety regulations after the HSE conducted health and safety audits. The fine is one of the largest in recent months being set at 568,000 pounds. UK Coal Ltd from Harworth, Nottinghamshire and Joy Mining Machinery of Worchester were sentenced in the Leeds Crown Court. Both companies did plead guilty to the safety breaches of the 1974 act.
UK Coal did not follow proper procedures for the safety of their powered roof supports and the workers using them. Joy Mining also admitted that they failed to provide notice of the dangers surrounding the powered roof supports. Cameron died in 2009, however, it has taken until now for the case to be ready to be heard in the courts. Cameron died due to his injuries when the roof support lowered without any provocation and crushed him. He was crushed against debris that was on the walkway.
The supports each weigh 15 tonnes and are meant to hold 510 tonnes. Unfortunately the health and safety incident happened because the solenoid valve on one of the roof supports was worn and defective. It allowed the roof support to lower without anyone touching it. It was also unable to support the roof any longer. This means the support should have been tested before it was placed in the mine to make certain it was working.
