MSHA issues statement in response to latest legal challenge by Massey

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere today made the following statement:

"Both MSHA and the state of West Virginia developed specific protocols to protect the integrity of the underground portion of the investigation of Upper Big Branch Mine. These rules were put in place to ensure that evidence is not disturbed during the sampling or mapping process and were agreed to by all participating parties – including the United Mine Workers of America and Gov. Joe Manchin's review team – except Massey. Massey investigators, who will accompany federal investigators during the course of the examination of the mine, can make suggestions to the sampling and photographic teams, and MSHA investigators will make every effort to accommodate their requests. Any accident investigation, especially one with a criminal component, must be conducted with painstaking care."