MSHA Cited 207 Total Violations in February 2024 Impact Inspections
The agency inspected 13 mines, where it identified 58 significant and substantial violations.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Mar 26, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported a total of 207 violations during its February 2024 impact inspections. These inspections targeted 13 mines across nine states due to safety and health histories
According to a release dated March 25, the MSHA launched impact inspections after the April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia claimed 29 lives. Since 2023, these inspections have uncovered 3,134 violations, including 885 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and 59 instances of unwarrantable failure.
An S&S violation is identified as one that significantly contributes to a safety or health hazard, while an unwarrantable failure points to aggravated conduct beyond ordinary negligence. February's inspections alone identified 58 S&S violations and two unwarrantable failures, indicating a failure to maintain safe working conditions.
“February’s impact inspections uncovered hazardous conditions that put miners’ safety at risk needlessly,” MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson said in a statement. “Impact inspections continue to be a valuable tool that MSHA uses to protect miners’ safety and health by identifying hazards, requiring corrective actions, and holding operators accountable for violations of the law.”
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.