US Department of Labor completed 14 impact inspections in November 2024 at mines with histories of repeated health, safety violations

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections in November 2024 at 14 mines in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and issued 162 violations and one safeguard.

The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement because of poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 162 violations MSHA identified in November 2024, 44 were evaluated by inspectors as significant and substantial and one had an unwarrantable failure finding. The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. 

Since 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have identified 5,127 violations, including 1,424 S&S and 100 unwarrantable failure findings at 330 mines. An S&S violation is one that could contribute in a significant and substantial way to the cause and effect of a safety or health hazard. Violations designated as unwarrantable failures occur when an inspector finds aggravated conduct that constitutes more than ordinary negligence. 

“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 LLC’s No. 2 Gas Mine, an underground coal mine located in Logan County, West Virginia, 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 arrived at the mine. To prevent advance notification to miners underground, inspectors monitored the mine’s communication and electronic tracking system until other inspectors reached the underground work areas. MSHA inspectors issued 18 violations of mandatory health & safety standards and one 314(b) safeguard, including five evaluated as S&S.

Specifically, inspectors found the following conditions: 

• The presence of loose mine ribs, some as large as 4 feet long, 3 feet wide and 6 inches thick, on a working section and along the track entry/secondary escapeway, exposing miners to hazards if the ribs were to fall. Being struck by falling ribs of this size would likely cause permanently disabling crushing injuries. To ensure the best protection against potential rib falls, MSHA continues to remind operators to install rib bolts with adequate surface area coverage during the mining cycle and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls. 
• During testing of the Proximity Detection System installed on a continuous mining machine, inspectors observed the CMM would not stop before contacting the miner wearable component assigned to the CMM operator, exposing miners to fatal crushing injuries. MSHA reminds all mine operators of the importance of conducting tests and examinations to properly maintain safety features of electrical equipment. 

MSHA selected Ruach Resources LLC’s surface construction sand and gravel mine Ruach Resources 3 for a November impact inspection because of its recent compliance issues. On Nov. 13, 2024, MSHA inspectors arrived at the Burleigh County, North Dakota mine before the beginning of the work shift. MSHA inspectors identified 28 violations of mandatory safety and health standards, seven of which were evaluated as S&S. 

Specifically, inspectors found the following conditions: 

• Numerous serious safe access and housekeeping violations were identified throughout the mine. For example, inspectors found damaged access steps on pieces of mobile equipment, making ingress and egress unsafe for miners. It is crucial for operators to provide safe and clean work environments to ensure miners can access their work locations safely, as well as escape in the event of an emergency.  
• Safety defects on mobile equipment, including inadequate brake lights and damaged windshields. MSHA continues to remind operators to conduct thorough pre-shift examinations of work areas, and pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment, and to correct hazardous conditions before miners are exposed to them.