Expert Calls For Action Following Incident At Mine

Workplace injury experts at Irwin Mitchell have demanded that the Health and Safety Executive launch a full investigation into UK mining safety, after yet another incident in which workers were injured following a trench collapse.

Three men were trapped in the incident at Aberpergwm drift mine in Glynneath, south Wales early this morning (November 3rd), with two of them being taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea following the hour-long rescue operation.

This latest incident at a mine has come weeks after four miners were killed when Gleision Colliery in Swansea Valley was 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.

Now, specialist workplace injury lawyers at national law firm Irwin Mitchell are urging authorities to 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 that 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.”