|
Signature Sponsor
May 10, 2022 - Three decades have passed since an explosion at a mine in Plymouth, Pictou County, killed 26 workers. Today, May 9, Nova Scotians will gather to mark the 30th anniversary of the Westray disaster.
On the morning of May 9, 1992, a massive explosion, caused by a buildup of methane gas and excessive coal dust, erupted through the Westray coal mine. Despite an intense and heroic search and rescue effort that continued for six days after the explosion, there were no survivors and only 15 of the 26 bodies were recovered. A public inquiry found that the explosion was preventable, and the inquiry’s recommendations resulted in significant changes to workplace health and safety. Nova Scotians will gather in the New Glasgow area to mark the 30th anniversary of the explosion, including an assembly at Westray Miners Memorial Park. Organizers include relatives of the deceased workers, the United Steelworkers Union, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, WCB (Workers’ Compensation Board) Nova Scotia and the Province of Nova Scotia. Quotes:
“I will never forget the day the call came in to us at the WCB about the Westray Mine explosion. The 26 men lost forever, the lasting heartbreak, the deeply preventable failure of safety – we must remember it, always. Tragedies like Westray, and too many others, must be the reason we do all we can to ensure workers and employers across the province don’t just know the rules when it comes to safety, but truly care about why they matter so much.
Quick Facts:
Additional Resources: The Westray Mine Public Inquiry report is available at: https://archives.novascotia.ca/meninmines/westray-story/ Remembering Westray – 30 Years Later (WCB Nova Scotia video): https://youtu.be/ktrwE-9KOLw |
|