MSHA Impact Inspections in June Target 15 Mines 

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 12 states in June 2024 and cited mine operators for 195 violations.

The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. 

Of the 195 violations in June, 31 were evaluated as S&S and three had unwarrantable failure findings. MSHA completed these inspections at mines in California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

MSHA targeted operations from Cemex, CalPortland, Southern Stone and Graymont, among others.

The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. 

MSHA’s impact inspections since 2023 have identified 4,075 violations, including 1,119 significant and substantial and 71 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation could contribute in a significant and substantial way to the cause and effect of a safety or health hazard. Violations designated as unwarrantable failures occur when an inspector finds aggravated conduct that constitutes more than ordinary negligence.

“MSHA impact inspections in June 2024 highlight the hazards created when mine operators fail to follow approved ventilation plans that protect miners from explosions and exposure to respirable dust,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “The Biden-Harris administration’s continued focus on good jobs includes using enforcement tools to identify and eliminate hazards so miners are able to return home each day to their families and their communities safe and healthy.”

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