Mine Safety Chief Faces More Scrutiny

Richard Stickler, left, head of the federal Mining Safety and Health Administration, and Rob Moore, vice president of Murray Energy Corp., depart a news conference concerning rescue efforts for six trapped miners Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at the entrance to the Crandall Canyon Mine northwest of Huntington, Utah. Rob Moore, a top executive of the company that co-owns the collapsed Crandall Canyon Mine said Sunday that it's likely the six miners missing for nearly two weeks inside the mountain may never be found.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer - AP)

In the early days of the rescue, the bespectacled Stickler was regularly upstaged during news conferences by the mine's blustery co-owner, Bob Murray, who used press conferences to rail against his critics and insist that an earthquake _ not a structural failure _ caused his mine to collapse.

Critics say Murray has a reputation as a bully in the industry and he has openly criticized MSHA's inspectors. Murray's dominance led many observers to wonder whether Stickler was able _ or willing _ to control the scene.

When the mine collapsed again last week, Murray disappeared from view almost entirely for a few days, leaving in the spotlight the reserved Stickler, whose monotone drawl was a dramatic change from Murray's staccato outbursts.

Louviere said MSHA can't prevent Murray from speaking and that officials need to include him in the rescue.

She added that MSHA has done everything possible to ensure the safety of the rescue workers. A panel of experts reviewing their rescue strategy said it was "the best possible plan," she said.

Critics still question several of their moves, including the decision to allow even rescue workers in the volatile mine.

One is Jack Spadaro, a former director of the National Mine Health and Safety Academy who has advised the miners' union and attorneys representing injured miners.

"The people who were mining to try to recover the six trapped miners were put at enormous unnecessary risk," Spadaro said. "That resulted in their deaths."

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On the Net:

Mine Safety and Health Administration _ http://www.msha.gov