MSHA issued five 104(d)(1) closure orders and one 104(d)(1) citation for unwarrantable failure of the operator to conduct and record on-shift inspections of its belt lines. Timely on-shift examinations are necessary for the protection of miners from hazards and conditions that may develop during the shift and cause a mine fire.

One 104(d)(1) citation was issued for unwarrantable failure of the mine operator to install a male disconnecting device for a battery charger. One 104(d)(1) order was issued for unwarrantable failure of the mine operator to maintain the continuous mining machine in permissible condition. A 104(b) closure order was issued for failure to abate a previously cited violation for not being able to calibrate the methane monitor on the continuous mining machine. These conditions, if left unchecked and in concert with other conditions, could potentially cause a mine fire, explosion or electrocution of miners.

Inspectors issued other citations for inadequate roof support, electrical violations, and accumulation of combustible materials. Additional violations included failing to record that a search was conducted for smoking articles, a non-permissible roof-bolting machine, an inadequate fire suppression system on a surface belt drive, and an inoperative methane monitor on the continuous mining machine.

Since April 2010, MSHA has conducted 292 impact inspections, which have resulted in 5,207 citations, 490 orders and 19 safeguards.

Click here for a spreadsheet of the results.