Nevada Mining Companies’ Safety Violations Threaten Nevada Worker Safety
Nevada is in the midst of a whole new gold rush – Northern Nevada’s soil contains more of the metal that is used for currency, in medicine, electronics, computers and of course, jewelry. Mining companies and their lobbyists talk of the high paying jobs their industry provides – the average pay annually for a miner is approximately $83,000. The companies also talk of their commitment to safety. Those working 1,000 feet below the surface (equal in depth to the height of the Empire State Building) are supposedly equipped with a bevy of safety devices. For fire safety, miners are equipped with a self-rescuer that enables miners to create life saving carbon dioxide from deadly smoke fumes like carbon monoxide. Helmet lamps have wireless tracking devices embedded into them. Miners also have to digitally sign in and out at the start and end of each shift. However, Nevada mining company’s history on worker safety is not pristine. If your relative has been injured or killed in a Nevada mining accident, we are deeply sorry for your pain and suffering. Contact the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys of Benson and Bingham today for a free legal consultation.
As we stated above, Nevada mining companies’ records on worker safety leaves much to be desired. In May 2011, the federal agency that inspects and licenses mines, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), fined Barrick $70,000 for violating worker safety standards. In November 2011, MSHA found 13 “significant and substantial” Nevada worker safety violations at the Jerritt Canyon Mill. In the report the MSHA forced the company to remove workers from many sections of the mine. In addition, even though Nevada mining companies have recently secured record profits, they have not offered to help fill the vacancies of the two State of Nevada mine safety inspector positions that are vacant. If a Nevada mining accident has led to the injury or death of a loved one, Benson and Bingham can help you to recover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering.