MSHA cites W.Va. mine after watching 'Coal' on TV

[April 08, 2011]  MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- The first episode of a reality show set in a southern West Virginia coal mine had real-world results: Inspectors cited Cobalt Coal for two activities they say endangered miners.

Spike TV's new series "Coal" was filmed at Cobalt's Westchester mine in McDowell County.

In the debut, a miner used the wrong tool -- a 12-inch pick -- to pull down loose roof rock. The Mine Safety and Health Administration says it was too small for the job.

MSHA also cited Cobalt for moving the continuous mining machine when it wasn't cutting coal and allowing a worker to walk alongside.

Cobalt Chief Executive Mike Crowder says some good can come of the violations: He says the footage can help educate miners nationwide about the right and wrong way to do things.

[Associated Press; By VICKI SMITH]

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