The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections in November 2024 at 14 mines and issued 162 violations and one safeguard. Of the violations, 44 were identified as significant and substantial and one had an unwarrantable failure finding.
Since 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have identified 5,127 violations, including 1,424 S&S and 100 unwarrantable failure findings at 330 mines. November inspections took place at operations in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
“MSHA’s November 2024 impact inspections identified hazards such as loose mine ribs, safety defects on mobile equipment and lack of safe access that put miners at unnecessary risk. During the winter months, it is incredibly important for mine operators to ensure their miners have safe access and clean working areas that are free from slip, trip and fall, as well as other hazards,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson.
“This administration continues to use all of its tools, including impact inspections, to prioritize miners’ safety and health.”
Ramaco Resources’ No. 2 Gas Mine, an underground coal mine in Logan County, W.Va., was selected for an impact inspection because of its enforcement history. Weeks before the impact inspection, MSHA issued 34 violations at the mine, including 14 S&S, four unwarrantable failure findings and a safeguard. On Nov. 13, 2024, inspectors issued 18 violations of mandatory health & safety standards and one 314(b) safeguard, including five evaluated as S&S.