The Mine Safety and Health Administration said it completed impact inspections at 14 mines in 10 states in August 2024, issuing 253 violations.
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, 72 were evaluated as significant and substantial (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.
One of the mines inspected in August was an underground coal mine operated by Marion County Coal Resources in West Virginia. Inspectors arrived there August 14, reviewed examination records and then traveled underground. MSHA identified 12 violations of mandatory safety and health standards, including five evaluated as S&S, and two unwarrantable failure findings.
“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.”
Since 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have identified 4,567 violations, including 1,261 S&S and 87 unwarrantable failure findings.