Coal Company Cited for Safety Issues in Wyoming Miner’s Death

Rocky Mountain Power has been cited with a safety violation for the death of a miner in September.

Jaimie Olivas was killed in the Bridger Underground Coal Mine when part of a wall of coal collapsed on him.

The Casper Star-Tribune reported that state officials found that the company violated a regulation that mandates that roofs, ribs and walls must be secured in areas where miners are present.

The state office does not have the authority to levy fines for health and safety violations. The federal agency that oversees mining in the state, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, can issue penalties along with serious citations.

Representatives from Rocky Mountain Power did not respond to request for comment by press time.