Massey responds to safety questions

    * Since January 2009, UBB has had less than one violation per day of inspection by MSHA, a rate consistent with national averages. Most of the citations issued by MSHA to UBB in the last year were resolved on the same day they were issued.

    * Since the passage of the Miner Act in 2006, we have worked hard to implement its requirements, including the usage of tracking devices and shelters.

    * Massey continues to invest in the development of safety innovations that exceed industry and regulatory standards. Our lost-time incident rate has been better than the industry average for 17 of the past 19 years and has been improving significantly. These improvements have been achieved through concerted effort and significant investment.

A new report in the Wall Street Journal, though, raised new questions. Citing information released by federal regulators, the Journal says the Upper Big Branch mine was cited for alleged safety violations involving control of methane and dust 11 times more often than the average underground coal mine in the past year.