The economy of a nation is enhanced by the growth of the various industries. In the United States, the coal industry used to be one of the leading sectors towards economic growth. Coal was exploited by most industries to generate energy for various functions. On that account, this paper focuses on the Upper Big Branch Mine, one of the coal mines that were under the management of Massey Energy. Massey Energy was founded in 1920 and had its headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. The firm had several mines across different states in the United States. It should be noted that Massey Energy was the sixth leading coal producer in the United States. Unfortunately, in April 2010 an explosion occurred at the Upper Big Branch Mine where 29 miners lost their lives. An investigation that was conducted revealed shortcoming from the management with regards to mine safety and health. The CEO, Don Blankenship, was charged for conspiring to violate the Mining and Safety Act. Massey Energy was fined $ 209 million. That being the case, this paper seeks to unveil what actually happened at the Upper Big Branch Mine.
Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion
The investigations conducted found out that the disaster was preventable and it only occurred because the management of Massey Energy failed to implement Mine Safety and Health Act. This Act was established to ensure the individuals employed at various mines are protected from possible disasters like what happened at Massey Energy. It has to be noted the lives of employees is vital in any business organization and, therefore, a firm should ensure that it observes the safety standard to protects its employees (Dowling, Festing, & Engle, 2017). That being the case, Massey Energy failed to protect its miners and hence led to the death of twenty-nine hardworking Americans. The CEO of Massey Energy, Don Blankenship, was charged for conspiracy to violate Mining Safety Act that led to 29 people dead and the Court found him guilty. That being the case, he fined $ 250,000 and imprisoned for one year. Alpha Natural bought Massey Energy and paid the fine attached to the company amounting to $ 209 million.
Massey Energy had a poor ventilation system in the mine. That being the case, it allowed build-up of gases (methane and carbon monoxide) inside the mine. This was actually a tragedy in waiting and it finally happened when the explosion happened. It should be noted that methane gas is a highly flammable gas and should not be allowed to build-up in a confined place and that is why it is vital to have a properly ventilated mine if methane gas is produced (Morantz, & West Virginia University, 2008). The report indicated that official from Department of Labor had raised concern on the ventilation of the mines and recommended for its enhancement. However, the CEO of Massey Energy chose to ignore the recommendation thus contravening the Federal law. One principle in any system is a continuous monitoring, that being the case, the management is able to note malfunctions and rectify as fast possible. However, the case with Massey Energy is mere negligence from their part. It should be noted poor ventilation of mines can result to the miners to collapse due to insufficient supply of oxygen. In addition, this affects the health of miners since they become vulnerable to respiratory diseases. It should be noted that crisis associated with the build-up of Methane at the mine of Massey Energy had happened three times before this catastrophic one in the year 2010. Therefore, the management had made it clear that it was not going to do anything to avert such crisis in future.
During coal mining coal dust is produced and this dust is explosive hence it is vital to control the coal dust level to avert possible explosion (Morantz, & West Virginia University, 2008). However, this practice was ignored by Massey Energy at its Upper Big Branch Mine. Controlling the coal dust level requires a water spray system that will reduce the coal dust level. The report from investigators indicated that the water-spray system installed at Upper Big Branch Mine was not effective since it had malfunctions. That being the case, Coal dust was not effectively regulated hence there was a build-up of the coal dust at the mine. In addition, the report indicated that out of the forty-four water sprays that are supposed to be installed eight were missing. This simply means that Massey Energy failed to conduct maintenance by replacing those eight sprays that were missing. Furthermore, it was noted that carbide cutting teeth had worn out. On that account, the machine had the potential to emit sparks due to friction. The investigators build their case on that founding to develop the series of events. The build-up of methane gas and coal dust at Upper Big Branch Mine was a tragedy waiting for a spark. Therefore, the friction of the worn-out carbide cutting teeth produced sparks which ignited the methane gas. The presence of coal dust there was no way an explosion could be avoided.
Massey Energy used its power to threaten its employees. It is on the record that the miners had refused to work at the areas that were considered to be risk. However, management of Massey Energy could not hear any of the complaints from its staff and was ready to fire any staff who refused to work at the mines regardless of how the status at the mine. It is actually inhumane for an organization to be only concerned with profit generation at the expense of its staffs’ lives (Dowling, Festing, & Engle, 2017). In addition, Massey Energy had a great influence in the politics of West Virginia. On that account, the politicians who dared to criticize its operations risked losing their political seats. On that account, the political class feared indulging in the operations of Massey Energy.
Strain Theory
The theory is anchored on what is described as “American Dream”, which is a philosophy or principle that all Americans regardless of gender, race, et cetera have equal right to prosper. On that account, people are encouraged to pursue their respective goals which are measured in terms of wealth and goals should be pursued via legitimate means. However, the theory argues that the goals set by all persons cannot be achieved using the institutionalized means (Hurst, 2005). On that account, anomie exists and this is where there is imbalance between the set goals and the means available. This thus results to strain between the goals and the means. On that note, individuals who undergo such strain have five adaptive mechanisms to the situation; Conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
Strain Theory and Massey Energy
The culture of an organization is defined on how the organization considers carrying out its operations. However, the adopted culture needs to conform with the set legislation governing the industry and in this case the mining industry. Report from the investigators pointed out the culture goal of Massey Energy is to generate as much coal and profit altogether. Massey Energy was the sixth coal producer across the United States but it was the fourth in terms of revenue generated from coal. According to strain theory attainment of goals is measured by wealth and material possession. That being the case, Massey Energy was trying to lead in terms of Coal Company with the highest revenue. It is known that owners or rather directors of an organization set expectations (goals) for a manager to achieve within a stipulated time. It is based on the performance of the managers in realizing those goals that will determine the future of the manager. Thus it can be argued that the directors of Massey Energy expected high returns from the CEO. Therefore, it was up to the CEO to formulate strategy to achieve the set goals.
Profit maximization is a strategy that managers exploit in an attempt to generate great return from an investment. In this philosophy, costs have to be reduced and resources have to be utilized to the maximum. On that account, the CEO, Don Blankenship, of Massey Energy preferred this approach so as to meet the goals of set by the board of directors. According to the strain theory, when a gap exists between the goals to be achieved and the available means then one has to select an adapt mechanism. Therefore, the CEO considered following the legislation set on mining safety to be an impediment towards achieving the set goals. On that account, Don Blankenship explored the innovativeness adaptive mechanism. According to the strain theory, the innovativeness approach encourages people to explore unapproved means to achieve their respective goals. This explains the reason Don Blankenship preferred risking the lives of the coal mines so as to meet the goals of Massey Energy in terms of revenue. During the trial of the former CEO Don Blankenship, the prosecutor argued that the former CEO found it cheap to be fined rather than to implement safety standard as per the Mining and Safety Act. On that argument, it is clear that the former CEO was cut the cost on safety so as to generate more revenue to the company.
Reflection
The desire by firms to generate income has actually led to firms to prefer using underhand means so as to accomplish their respective goals. This is the case with Massey Energy which violated Mining and Safety Act so as to maximize its profits and unfortunately 29 people lost their lives due to negligence of the management. Corporate Crime which is regarded as white-collar crime needs to be put to an end and on that note; law enforcers should play their responsibility fully. Those mandated to conduct supervision on employees safety should carry out their duties diligently. If corporates are left to get away with such crime then the society or the globe will be held hostage by such firms. On that account, credit has to be given to the office of the Attorney General of the United States for ensuring Massey Energy is charged and the victims receives justice.