The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections in May 2024 at 15 mines across 12 states, resulting in the identification of 300 violations and one safeguard.
MSHA began conducting these inspections following an April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, which resulted in the deaths of 29 miners. Since initiating impact inspections in 2023, MSHA has identified a total of 3,880 violations, including 1,088 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and 68 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is defined as one that could significantly contribute to a safety or health hazard, while unwarrantable failures occur when inspectors find aggravated conduct beyond ordinary negligence.
The agency targets mines for impact inspections based on poor compliance history, previous accidents, injuries, illnesses, and other compliance concerns. In May 2024 alone, MSHA identified 62 S&S violations and five unwarrantable failure findings among the total violations. Inspections were conducted at mines located in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
“The results of this month’s impact inspections highlight the need for mine operators to focus continually on thorough and effective mine examinations. These examinations are one of the most important tools that can be used to keep miners safe and healthy,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “Mine operators must remain vigilant in conducting required examinations and establish a safety culture in which miners are encouraged to identify hazards; the hazards are corrected; and corrective actions are recorded.”
Among the inspected sites was Mast Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Operated by Heritage Coal & Natural Resources LLC., this surface coal mine was selected due to its prior enforcement history despite a recent ownership change. On May 9th three inspection teams with two inspectors each arrived after the day shift began and found safety conditions had not improved.
Inspectors observed fourteen violations of mandatory safety and health standards at Mast Mine. These included five S&S violations and four with unwarrantable failure findings:
- The preparation plant team found an elevated walkway not properly maintained with unsecured metal grating covering an opening.
- Materials around a rotary breaker created slip hazards.
- An unguarded drive chain posed potential injury risks.
- Failure to conduct required examinations for multiple shifts resulted in another unwarrantable failure violation.
- Equipment parked on grades without blocks to prevent motion.
- Unlabeled hazardous chemical storage tanks.
- An emergency stop cord that did not extend the full length of an unguarded belt walkway.
Other hazardous conditions identified included unguarded moving machine parts at open pits; damaged steps providing access to mobile equipment; no examination tags on fire extinguishers; oil accumulations on mobile equipment engines; and improperly connected generator cables creating shock hazards.
For more information about MSHA's activities or monthly impact inspection results including those from May 2024 visit their official website.
