Massey health and safety records questioned

Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America union, has urged federal and state agencies to review Massey Energy?s health and safety record, one he called ?abysmal? and ?the nation?s worst.? Roberts said the union?s review of federal Mine Safety & Health Administration records over a recent 10-month period revealed five fatalities at Massey mine sites and ?a marked increase in the number of lost-time accidents? involving both Massey contract workers. ?There is a serious problem here?and one that needs to be immediately addressed by both federal and state agencies. Massey?s use of an ?abnormally high number of private contractors? enables the coal firm, Roberts said, ?to better mask its overall abysmal health and safety records because the company does not have to report the contractor injuries and deaths as part of the mine?s safety record.?