Mining Safety Investigation Demanded Following Latest Colliery Collapse
03/11/2011
Industrial accident solicitors at Irwin Mitchell have called for the Health and Safety Executive to launch a full investigation into UK mining safety after yet another incident in which workers were injured following a trench collapse.
Three miners were trapped in an incident at Aberpergwm drift mine in Glynneath, South Wales, in the early hours of November 3 2011. Two miners were taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea following the hour-long rescue operation.
The latest incident comes just weeks after four miners were killed when the Gleision Colliery in Swansea Valley flooded following the collapse of a wall. In addition, a worker was also recently killed at Kellingley Colliery in Yorkshire after being caught in a roof collapse.
The incident has prompted specialist workplace injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to demand that authorities commence a full inquiry into mining safety guidance, examining the effectiveness of current regulations with a view to ensuring this recent spate of serious incidents is not repeated in the future.
Stephen Nye, a Partner and workplace injury expert at the firm, said: “This is just the latest in a series of incidents in recent weeks – following the terrible events at the Gleision and Kellingley Collieries – which have led to serious questions over mining safety in general in the UK.
“We are very concerned about this and would urge the Health and Safety Executive and other industry authorities to address the issue immediately and launch a full investigation into safety standards within the industry and a review of current safety regulations applicable to the mining industry.
“Through our work acting for the victims and families of those killed in workplace incidents, we have seen the terrible impact that such devastating incidents can have on so many lives.
“To have several serious incidents occur just weeks apart suggests a clear need to assess how health and safety in this sector is considered, with a view to ensuring that miners can be given reassurances that they won’t be affected by the same terrible problems in the future.
“A full assessment of legislation and regulations could undoubtedly play a key role in this.”
Back to news
If you would like us to provide you with advice with regard to your potential claim, please complete our brief claim form. We will reply to your enquiry within one working day.
Fill out our quick claim form
If you would like to speak to someone directly about your claim, please call our friendly team on:
0870 024 0558