In February 1972, an impoundment dam made of coal waste collapsed. The dam was located in Logan County, which is found in West Virginia County. The resulting flood from the collapse culminated to the death of approximately one hundred and twenty-five people and also at the same time causing a loss of around fifty million dollars' worth of property. Up to now, the occurrence has remained to be one of the most talked about deadly disaster. After the calamity taking place, various investigative commissions were set up. Worth noting is that they made revelations that the Pittston coal mining company who were the proprietors of the Buffalo Creek imperfectly built the dam that tumbled i.e. dam 3. Besides, the management disregarded the safety concerns of the dam's workers, violated safety procedures and also did not conduct regular inspections thereby aggravating the problem. While the management committee of the mining company wanted to dodge the criminal charges that were leveled against them, three successful suits were brought up by the survivors. In light of the above occurrences concerning the Buffalo Creek Disaster, the following article will present a reflection on the same while at the same time incorporating a discussion on ethics and corporate social responsibility. (Stern 3).
On the first account where an ethical perspective comes up is how Pittston’s management was very fast in its dismissal of the disaster as an entirely an act of God. This was a reckless, as well as, an entirely unethical deduction from the management of the company since it is their carelessness that resulted in the several deaths that were experienced in the locality. Notably, this deduction led to widespread protests from the surrounding community. This bid by management was for the purpose of absolving it from bearing the legal responsibilities and also payments in terms of compensation to the survivors of the ordeal. Even when the Pittston Company agreed to hold talks with the affected community, it still didn’t accept the responsibility resulting from the occurrence of the flood. It held that the case had not reached such a critical stage that required the compensation of the victims. Such happenings would make one to wonder whether the company had a code of ethics that it was supposed to follow. An active corporate social responsibility would require that the company look into the affairs of the affected since it was directly associated with the dam that collapsed.
Secondly, the attorney who represented the survivors i.e. Gerald Stern exhibited very high ethical standards throughout the court procedures that led to winning of the suit filed by the survivors. Worth noting is that this had been seemingly the most powerful and at the same time successful case that he had handled. This is so because his passion regarding the case is vivid through his dutiful representation of the survivors of the disaster. He, as a result, goes out of his way in his support of the victims and stands against the Buffalo Creek Mining Company. This comfortably makes be regarded as that prosecutor who would love to have justice prevail for every society's member regardless of his status. His quest for justice significantly catapults him into personal involvement in the case making him drive further into the defense. He firmly held that in the end, one would have to be accountable for the occurrence of the disaster. This presents a strong ethical consideration from attorney Gerald Stern because of the high ethics leading to professionalism in his work.
Another ethical perspective can be gauged in terms of the practices of the mining entity’s negligence concerning the environment and also the infrastructural laws. The security, as well as, the safety bills were enacted in 1969. Worth noting is that the bills illegalized building of the coal refuse dams. In contravention of the bills, however, the company constructed the Buffalo Creek dams. Besides, to comply with the stipulated laws, the company should have stopped dumping the coal refuse in the dam. The commissions that were also formed made significant revelations that the dams had not been constructed to the tune of correct engineering standards. This begs an ethical question on the Buffalo mining company concerning its failure to adhere to the set standards by the law.
The deductions in the book are precious in personal developments regarding one's life and also career. One should always bear the responsibility for his actions as opposed to trying to run away from the consequences emanating from the bad decisions that were earlier on made. This is in particular to the mining company that wanted to run away from the responsibility arising from the fact that it did not take critical considerations regarding the possible collapse of the dam. One can also learn that professionalism should consistently be deeply embedded on each person's performance of his duties. This is as depicted by the zeal in which Attorney Stern willingly represented those who were affected by the floods. His professionalism is extremely admirable because he had the inner drive to bring justice to the oppressed and also make the mining company pay for the damages that were caused by their failure to take into account the laid down prescriptions. (Stern 12).
In conclusion, it’s a sad affair that such a calamity that could be easily avoid claimed several lives and also destroyed massive property. The Buffalo town could have been significantly influenced to prosperity by the individuals who were wiped away by the floods. If only the mining entity had upheld high ethical standards, practiced good corporate social responsibility and also at the same time learned from previous occurrences e.g. the Aberfan in 1972, the Saturday would have gone on well just like any other day, bright, as well as, joyful. The above article has thus conclusively presented a discussion on the ethical happenings regarding the Buffalo Creek. Precautions ought to be taken by other mining companies for the possible prevention of a similar occurrence. The enactment of strict rules for the control of the mining process should be conducted on top of the illegalization of the lobbying operations by various state corporations.
WORK CITED
Stern, Gerald M. The Buffalo Creek Disaster. New York: Vintage Books, 1977.
