An eastern Kentucky coal miner claims he has been targeted by a Virginia company because he spoke out against unsafe working conditions at one of the company’s mines.
Charles Howard, of Roxana, filed a complaint with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration last week saying he was being discriminated against by Cumberland River Coal Co., which operates mines in Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.
Howard said he received written warning from the company for potentially creating an unsafe work environment when he took a videotape underground in April.
Howard shared the videotape – which showed unsafe conditions at Band Mill No. 2 mine – at a public hearing conducted by MSHA in July. The tape showed leaks and cracks in several seals at the mine.
MSHA inspected the seals shortly after Howard’s testimony and issued two citations to Cumberland River, one for failing to examine the seals before the day shift and another for not using seals designed to impound water.
The complaint against Howard said he violated company policy by taking photos or video footage of active sites on the company’s property without written consent.
Howard said he is being targeted by the company for speaking out. He is asking that the warning be expunged from his personnel file and the company be fined for the alleged discrimination.
Officials at Cumberland River Coal Co. could not be reached for comment.
Topics Virginia
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