MSHA Identifies 199 Violations in March 2024 Impact Inspections

MSHA Identifies 199 Violations in March 2024 Impact Inspections

The agency inspected 14 mines, where it identified 74 significant and substantial violations.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • May 02, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced it uncovered 199 violations and one safeguard during its March 2024 impact inspections. These inspections took place at 14 mines across 11 states.

According to a release dated April 30, the MSHA introduced impact inspections following the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion, which resulted in the deaths of 29 workers. Since 2023, the agency has identified a total of 3,333 violations, including 959 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and 63 instances of unwarrantable failure.

“The results of March’s impact inspections uncovered several serious violations, including putting miners at risk of fire and explosion hazards and impeding miners’ ability to escape emergency situations,” MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson said in a statement. 

MSHA targets mines with poor compliance histories as well as previous accidents, injuries and illnesses. An S&S violation significantly contributes to a safety or health hazard, while unwarrantable failure indicates aggravated conduct beyond negligence. In March 2024, MSHA found 74 S&S violations and four unwarrantable failures.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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