MSHA identifies 31 significant and substantial violations, 3 unwarrantable failure findings
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 12 states in June 2024 and cited mine operators for 195 violations.
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.
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 2024, 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 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.”
Road Fork #52 Mine operated by Spartan Mining Company LLC in Wyoming County, West Virginia, was one of the mines selected for an impact inspection in June. MSHA chose the underground coal mine in response to complaints over the past year about hazardous conditions related to allowing unsafe methane accumulation, tampering with methane monitoring devices and failing to comply with the mine’s approved ventilation plan.