The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections in October 2024 at 15 mines in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming and issued 286 violations.
Inspections occurred at plants owned by Arcosa, Holcim and Mid-Michigan Materials, among others.
The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement because of poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 286 violations MSHA identified during October impact inspections, 95 were evaluated by inspectors as significant and substantial (S&S) and 12 had unwarrantable failure findings. 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 4,965 violations, including 1,380 S&S and 99 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one that is reasonably likely to cause a reasonably serious injury or illness. Violations designated as unwarrantable failures occur when an inspector finds aggravated conduct that constitutes more than ordinary negligence.
“Miners have the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, which can only be achieved when safety and health is a core organizational value with commitments to identifying and eliminating hazards, devoting sufficient resources, ensuring transparent communication and encouraging active miner participation,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “The impact inspection at Atalco Gramercy LLC’s Gramercy Operation in October identified the continued existence of a troubling culture and repeated hazards that demonstrate a disregard for the safety and health of miners. Impact inspections and enhanced enforcement are valuable tools this administration has used to prioritize miners’ safety and health.”