Special impact inspections are part of MSHA’s strategy to address serious, repeated safety violations in mines with a history of noncompliance or heightened safety risks. These inspections focus on operations where poor safety records, past accidents, and known hazards indicate a need for extra scrutiny. By targeting these mines, MSHA aims to identify dangerous conditions and enforce corrective actions before they lead to serious incidents. September 2024’s results highlight troubling, ongoing safety issues that are often root causes of fatal accidents or serious occupational illnesses, emphasizing the need for improvement in mining safety practices.
In September 2024, MSHA’s impact inspections covered eight mines across seven states (Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) and led to 112 violations, including 24 classified as significant and substantial (S&S) and one imminent danger order. This demonstrates MSHA’s commitment to identifying and eliminating hazards before they escalate into accidents.
One highlighted case was the North Indianapolis Quarry & Mill in Indiana, operated by Martin Marietta Materials Inc., where inspectors found 42 violations. This included an imminent danger order for a miner observed standing on an elevated deck without fall protection. Other hazards uncovered included inadequate machine guarding, unsafe access to work areas, and numerous housekeeping issues contributing to slip, trip, and fall risks.
Some of the primary hazards identified in the September inspections include:
Lack of Fall Protection: A miner was found on an elevated platform without safety measures, exposing them to a 23-foot fall risk.
Housekeeping Issues: Clutter and material accumulation in work areas created slip, trip, and fall hazards, leading to 13 violations.
Unsafe Access Routes: Poorly maintained travel ways increased the likelihood of slips and trips during routine operations.
Inadequate Workplace Examinations: Incomplete inspections failed to identify and correct hazards, which put miners at risk.
Inadequate Guarding: Missing or faulty guards exposed miners to dangerous moving parts, with three related violations identified, including two rated as S&S.
Since 2023, impact inspections have documented 4,679 violations, including 1,285 significant and substantial findings and 87 instances of unwarrantable failure, where negligence extended beyond ordinary oversight. These findings highlight persistent, systemic safety failures and show the critical need for operators to improve safety culture and adhere to MSHA standards.
The Biden-Harris administration and MSHA emphasize that these inspections are a vital tool for enforcing accountability and protecting miner health. By addressing recurring violations, they aim to encourage mine operators to maintain safe environments and uphold safety commitments, ultimately reducing risks to miners’ well-being.
Read the MSHA News Release HERE.
