MSHA Issues 89 Citations in May Special Impact Inspections

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) said Thursday that its inspectors issued 89 citations at 13 coal mines and one metal and nonmetal mine during special impact inspections this May.

The special impact inspections occurred at mines in Alabama, Utah, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.

A coal mine in Kentucky operated by Webster County Coal LLC received the most citations, with 16 violations. Another coal mine in West Virginia operated by Kentucky Fuel Company received 10 violations. 19 citations were logged for a “Metal Nonmetal” the Birdsboro Materials mine in Pennsylvania.

Because of the mining industry’s “poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns,” the MSHA began conducting monthly inspections of mines in April 2010, the agency said in a press release. Since then, MSHA inspectors have issued 16,315 citations, 1,313 orders, and 60 safeguards.