US Mine Safety and Health Administration announces results of special impact inspections in August 2016

Who: U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration

What: The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that federal inspectors issued 105 citations and one order during special impact inspections conducted at 11 coal mines and six metal and nonmetal mines in August.

Where: MSHA conducted special impact inspections at mines in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Background:  Monthly impact inspections began in force in April 2010 at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns. Since then, MSHA inspectors have conducted 1,190 impact inspections and issued 16,695 citations, 1,318 orders and 60 safeguards.

MSHA recently added enhanced enforcement criteria to its impact inspection initiative, including “Rules to Live By” standards – which are commonly cited following mining deaths – and nine underground coal mine exam rule standards.