Department of Labor completed impact inspections at 16 mines with histories of repeated health, safety violations in December 2023

Summary:

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 16 mines in 11 states in December 2023, issuing 247 violations. The inspections aimed to identify hazards, issue violations, and ensure corrective actions to protect miners' health and safety. Notable findings included:

9 Significant and Substantial (S&S) violations and 2 unwarrantable failure findings at the Excel #5 Mine in Kentucky
Failure to remove accumulation of combustible material and maintain equipment in permissible condition
Inadequate workplace examinations, contributing to explosion hazards
Other serious violations included inadequate roof and rib support and inoperable fire warning devices

These inspections demonstrate MSHA's commitment to addressing compliance issues and prioritizing miner safety and health.