Nation IN BRIEF : WEST VIRGINIA : Health Violations Cost Coal Company
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
The world’s largest private coal company was fined $500,000 by the federal government for tampering with coal dust samples taken to protect miners’ health. Peabody Coal Co. pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating a required testing program that is designed to keep dust concentrations low and thus prevent such respiratory diseases as pneumoconiosis, or black lung. Peabody was fined last week in Charleston, W. Va., for three misdemeanor counts, the maximum penalty under the federal Mine Safety and Health Act.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
