WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 11 states in April 2024, issuing 247 violations and two safeguards.
The Buffington Plant, owned and operated by Carmeuse Lime Stone Inc., in the Vincennes district, received 29 citations. The plant was issued six citations for significant and substantial violations and 23 citations for non-significant and substantial violations.
In April, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 11 states, including Indiana, issuing 247 violations and two safeguards. Of these violations, 67 were considered significant and substantial.
“April’s impact inspections found serious conditions that placed miners at risk of slip, trip and fall and powered haulage hazards,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “More than half of the fatal accidents so far this year have involved powered haulage. Mine operators, contractors, and miners need to remain vigilant in identifying and eliminating hazards.”
The April inspections were completed at mines in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. MSHA conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history, previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses, and other compliance concerns.
Since last year, MSHA inspectors have identified 3,580 violations, including 1,026 significant and substantial violations and 63 unwarrantable failure findings.
The agency began conducting impact inspections after the deaths of 29 miners in an April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia.
