Massey Energy 1

Case Study 1

Mine Owners Cook Safety Book

Dr. Sheri Bias

Occupational Safety & Health

October 30, 2021

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1. How would you describe the mine owner’s business strategy?

Massey’s business strategy was strictly profit-driven. The company’s goal was to minimize cost,

and they did so by not completing machinery repairs or losing time in safety renovations. They

wanted workers to perform fast and pressured them to achieve their goals disregarding safety.

The coal company’s management lacked integrity and responsible stewardship. Sadly aware of

hazardous conditions, management falsified and destroyed records. The CEO, Don Blankenship,

was selfish and only concerned about keeping up production numbers. They chose to oversee

threatening conditions, and ultimately it took the life of 29 working men.

1. Why would the organization want to mislead the federal inspectors?

The discovery of two books demonstrates the company’s main objective to pass safety audits.

One book was a clean version to give inspectors, so all safety measures appeared up to date.

Doing so allowed them to avoid citations and having to replace faulty machinery and continue

operating. The other book disclosed actual safety conditions that needed immediate attention.

Misleading federal inspectors kept business going without having to stop production from

making safety updates, “Closing them down will take two to three years, as the company shifts

personnel and equipment to more profitable sites” (Barrett, 2011).

2. How did the culture of the organization influence keeping the records?

What do you think would have happened if an employee “spoke up” and reported safety

problems?

The work culture at Massey was work first employees last. Upper management allowed shortcuts

and saw safety as a hindrance. This mentality trickled down to its employees, and due to fear of
 Massey Energy 3

losing their jobs, they did not report hazardous conditions. An article by Power shared that one

employee was dismissed after taking too long to adjust ventilation in the mine. Workers

Witnessed situations like this, and constant threats about reaching production goals created an

environment where employees were exploited. If employees had felt safe reporting unsafe

conditions, perhaps these work fatalities could have been prevented. Employees who can

communicate to their supervisors without the threat can help keep a secure workspace for

everyone. A complaint to either OSHA or MSHA could have initiated a thorough investigation.

Employees must speak up, and even an anonymous tip can save employees from injury or death.

3. Do you think that federal inspectors should also be held responsible for this situation?

Why or why not?

Federal inspectors are not to blame for work disasters if the evidence is concealed and

inspections are being manipulated to pass. However, 600 citations before the explosion should

have been a red flag, and different procedures should have taken place to verify the mine was

safe. Situations like the Massey tragedy teach inspectors to perform more detailed analyses and

take additional measures to ensure employee safety. Moreover, according to OSHA, employers

are responsible for safety in the workplace and recognizing dangers. In this case, Massey Energy

did not offer employees warnings, training, nor implemented mining safety protocols. Lastly,

they forged records, so complete investigations never took place on employee behavior or

settings. Those at fault are former CEO Don Blankenship and all involved in upper management

who hid the dangers of the mine putting profits above workers.

Work Cited:
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NBCUniversal News Group. (2011, June 29). Feds: Massey Kept Fake Safety Records in mine
blast. NBCNews.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna43567980#.XwdyZShKhPY.

Barrett, P. M. (2011). Cleaning America’s Dirtiest Coal Company. Bloomberg

Businessweek, 4243, 48–55.

Feds: Massey Energy Misled Mine Safety Inspectors. POWER Magazine. (2011, July 6).
Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.powermag.com/feds-massey-energy-
misled-mine-safety-inspectors/.

United States Department of Labor. Home | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.osha.gov/.