Inspections identify 72 significant and substantial violations, 5 unwarrantable failures
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 14 mines in 10 states in August 2024, issuing 253 violations.
The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners.
Since 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have identified 4,567 violations, including 1,261 significant and substantial and 87 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one that 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.
“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 impact inspections at mines with poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 253 violations MSHA identified in August 2024, 72 were evaluated as S&S and five had 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.”