MSHA Finds 195 Violations During June 2024 Impact Inspections

MSHA Finds 195 Violations During June 2024 Impact Inspections

The agency inspected 15 mines, identifying 31 significant and substantial violations as well as 3 unwarrantable failure findings.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) concluded a series of inspections in June 2024, targeting 15 mines across 12 states with a total of 195 violations, including 31 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and three unwarrantable failure findings.

According to a recent release, these impact inspections were introduced after the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia, which claimed 29 lives. Since 2023, the agency has identified 4,075 violations, including 1,119 S&S violations and 71 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is one that could significantly contribute to a safety or health hazard, while unwarrantable failure findings indicate aggravated conduct beyond ordinary negligence.

Impact inspections focus on mines with poor compliance histories, previous accidents and other compliance concerns. In June 2024, inspections were conducted in California, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“MSHA impact inspections in June 2024 highlight the hazards created when mine operators fail to follow approved ventilation plans that protect miners from explosions and exposure to respirable dust,” MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration’s continued focus on good jobs includes using enforcement tools to identify and eliminate hazards so miners are able to return home each day to their families and their communities safe and healthy.”

MSHA’s monthly impact inspections results, including those for June 2024, are available online.

About the Author

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

Product Showcase

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

  • Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. Read More

  • SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit

    The SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit is a single-use spot test designed for use in screening for cannabis compounds in any sample type or on any surface. The test is capable of identifying the presumed presence of cannabinoids in very small quantities, with a level of detection as little as 6 μg in mass. Learn more about the SwabTek® Cannabis Test Kit and the rest of SwabTek surface drug testing solutions through the webinar titled "Everything You Want To Know About Surface Testing" Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars