Nat'l COSH Statement on Blankenship Verdict

Statement of Jessica Martinez
Acting Executive Director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health
Re: Conviction of Don Blankenship

“Don Blankenship repeatedly violated our nation’s mine safety laws, and his conviction today will send a message to other CEOs: It’s not acceptable to cut corners and put workers’ lives at risk.

“This verdict, sadly, comes too late for the 29 miners who lost their lives at Upper Big Branch in 2010. This preventable tragedy cannot be separated from the culture of indifference towards safety created by Blankenship and other senior Massey Energy executives.

“We stand with victims, family members and safety activists. Together, we’ll continue our efforts to empower workers and hold CEOs accountable, so that today’s verdict makes a real difference in U.S. workplaces.”

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National COSH links the efforts of local worker health and safety coalitions in communities across the United States, advocating for elimination of preventable hazards in the workplace. “Preventable Deaths 2015,” a National COSH report, describes workplace fatalities in the United States and how they can be prevented. For more information, please visit coshnetwork.org. Follow us at National Council for Occupational Safety and Health on Facebook, and @NationalCOSH on Twitter.