MSHA Identifies 300 Violations During Impact Inspections in May 2024

The agency inspected 15 mines, finding 62 significant and substantial violations.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Jun 28, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 15 mines in May 2024 across 12 states, identifying a total of 300 violations and issuing one safeguard.

According to a recent release, these efforts are part of MSHA’s ongoing response to the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia, which claimed the lives of 29 miners. Impact inspections target mines with poor compliance histories, previous accidents and other safety concerns. Since 2023, MSHA has identified 3,880 violations through impact inspections, including 1,088 S&S violations and 68 unwarrantable failure findings.

In May 2024, inspectors found 62 significant and substantial (S&S) violations and five unwarrantable failure findings. S&S violations are those that could significantly contribute to safety or health hazards, while unwarrantable failures indicate aggravated conduct beyond ordinary negligence. 

“The results of this month’s impact inspections highlight the need for mine operators to focus continually on thorough and effective mine examinations. These examinations are one of the most important tools that can be used to keep miners safe and healthy,” MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson said in a statement. “Mine operators must remain vigilant in conducting required examinations and establish a safety culture in which miners are encouraged to identify hazards, the hazards are corrected, and corrective actions are recorded.”

MSHA’s monthly impact inspections are available on the agency’s website.