The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced it completed impact inspections at 14 mines across 10 states in August 2024, issuing a total of 253 violations.
Impact inspections began after the April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, which resulted in the deaths of 29 miners. Since 2023, these inspections have identified a total of 4,567 violations, including 1,261 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and 87 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one that could significantly contribute to a safety or health hazard. Unwarrantable failures occur when an inspector finds aggravated conduct beyond ordinary negligence.
“It is vital that miners play an active role in their safety and health by identifying hazards and reporting them to MSHA for investigation, appropriate enforcement action and abatement,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “Impact inspections are a valuable enforcement tool to ensure hazards are corrected to keep all miners safe and healthy.”
The agency conducts these inspections at mines with poor compliance history, previous accidents, injuries, illnesses, or other compliance concerns. Of the 253 violations identified in August 2024, there were 72 S&S violations and five unwarrantable failure findings at mines inspected in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
“The Biden-Harris administration has focused on educating miners about their rights, including the right to a safe and healthy workplace,” Williamson added. “Miners should continue to exercise those rights to protect themselves and their coworkers.”
Details from two specific impact inspections conducted in August include:
**3M Little Rock Industrial Mineral Products**
Operated by the 3M Company in Pulaski County, Arkansas. The surface granite mine was selected for inspection due to recent hazard complaints and its compliance history. During an inspection on Aug. 12, investigators found 35 violations of mandatory safety and health standards; this included 13 S&S violations and three unwarrantable failure findings.
Violations included:
- Two untrained miners working on-site led to a Section 104(g)(1) withdrawal order until they complete required training.
- A miner working without proper fall protection resulted in an imminent danger order.
- Several unsafe conditions were discovered: walkways not kept clean with piled-up material; an operating conveyor’s head pulley lacked guards; exposed areas where falling material posed risks.
- Numerous electrical hazards such as missing cover plates on electrical conductors were also identified.
**Marion County Mine**
An underground coal mine operated by Marion County Coal Resources Inc., located in Marion County, West Virginia. This mine was selected based on its compliance history and hazard complaints. Inspectors arrived on Aug. 14 reviewed examination records before traveling underground where they identified twelve violations including five S&S evaluations along with two unwarrantable failure findings.
Violations included:
- Accumulations of combustible materials around belt conveyors leading to fire hazards.
- Previous examinations did not fully detect hazardous conditions resulting in another unwarrantable failure finding.
- Unsupported roofs were observed along with inadequately guarded head drive pulleys of belt conveyors.
Inspectors emphasized adherence to MSHA-approved roof control plans following previous incidents involving unsupported roofs causing fatal injuries.
More information about MSHA can be accessed through their official channels along with monthly impact inspection results for August 2024.
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