Mine Issued Violation Notices in Bulldozer Driver’s Death

A mine in West Virginia has been issued three violation notices over the death of a man in a bulldozer that plunged 100 feet when the ground underneath gave way.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the state’s Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety reviewed the death of 34-year-old Thurman Watts at a meeting Wednesday in Beckley. The state said Watts drove the bulldozer too close to a precipice on Dec. 29.

The state Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training issued the violation notices to Revelation Energy LLC, the company that owns S7 Surface Mine. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said safe work practices weren’t followed, that ground conditions were irregular and that operators must have control of mobile equipment.