JULIAN, W.Va., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- An independently conducted and confidential survey of Massey Energy underground miners shows that 97 percent believe that "safety is important to the company."
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In addition, 90 percent of those surveyed said "yes" when asked if they are "satisfied that this organization responds and resolves Member complaints about safety."
The results directly contradict accusations that Massey Energy is indifferent to safety and that its members are afraid to report safety problems for fear of being punished.
The survey, conducted by Opinion Access Corp., of Long Island City, N.Y., also found that 91 percent believe that the company's S-1 (Safety First) program makes Massey mines safer places to work than competitors' mines and safer than required by law.
Representatives of Opinion Access, which has done no previous work for Massey Energy, carried out the three-day survey at 46 Massey-owned mines. A total of 2,092 Massey miners filled out the survey form as they were starting or ending a work shift. No identifying information was asked of or provided by the miners.
The findings include: -- 89 percent of the miners surveyed answered "yes" to the statement, "I feel free to go to a 'higher boss' than my immediate supervisor to discuss any problems." -- 92 percent are aware that the company has an anonymous hotline to report safety concerns. -- 76 percent said "no" when asked, "Are you afraid of being disciplined or fired if you raise safety concerns?" -- 79 percent agreed that "this organization considers work safety to be of greater importance than production." -- 94 percent agree that Massey "is committed to safety in the workplace," and 96 percent agree that their "immediate supervisor" and "superintendent" are committed to safety. -- 96 percent agree that the "company stresses proper safety procedures."
Jeff Gillenwater, Vice President-Human Resources for Massey Energy, said the survey results were heartening in light of outside claims that the company puts coal production and profits before workers and their safety.
"Massey miners had a full opportunity in this survey to express any concerns they have about safety and we believe they would have been particularly willing to speak up since they did not have to identify themselves. Importantly, a large majority reported that they believe the company puts safety first and that when they see a safety problem, they can report it without fear of reprisal," Gillenwater said. "And that's just the way we want it."
Gillenwater added that the Company planned to undertake additional training and education to make sure its miners felt completely free to report safety concerns. "We will not be happy until 100% of our miners feel free to report problems."
The 46 surveyed mines did not include Upper Big Branch (UBB), which remains closed after the April 5 explosion. However, the vast majority of miners previously employed at UBB are now working at other Massey mines and were included in the survey.
A summary of the Massey-wide responses to all survey questions will be posted on http://www.masseyubb.com/.
Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
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