During the month of December 2010, federal inspectors issued 288 citations, orders and safeguards at 13 coal and four metal/nonmetal operations.

Coal mines were issued 170 citations, 15 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 90 citations and 12 orders.

MSHA highlighted the record of one operation in its report, the Wilcoal Mining Tri-State One operation in Claiborne County, Tennessee. On December 3, inspectors captured and monitored the phones while other federal staff issued 17 104(a) citations and four 104(d)(2) orders, including for combustible coal dust accumulations of as much as 24 inches in extensive areas of high traffic.

The agency also issued a 104(d)(2) order for improper maintenance of a lifeline in the mine’s secondary escapeway, as coal and rock dust kept the reflective markers on the device from being easily seen.

A subsequent inspection at Tri-State One on January 19, a regular safety and health inspection, garnered more violations, including combustible material accumulations, failure to maintain proper beltline clearance and inadequately supported ribs. Under federal regulations, equipment was forced to be shut down and coal production ceased.

“Tri-State One mine was one of 13 operations to receive a letter last November putting the operation on notice of a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977,” MSHA noted Friday.

“The operation repeatedly has been targeted for an impact inspection over the last eight months.”

The agency also noted a regular inspection December 7 at Left Fork Mining’s Straight Creek No. 1 mine in Bell County, Kentucky, where three 104(d)(2) orders were issued for an inadequate mechanized mining unit pre-shift examination, an inadequate on-shift examination of the conveyer belt and accumulation of combustible materials. These orders forced the closure of one entire section of the operation.

Just one day later, MSHA then issued a 104(b) order over water accumulation in a bleeder air course, which can potentially disrupt ventilation patterns.

“The mine is currently shut down under MSHA’s order until the operator completes the pumping of water from the bleeder entry,” inspectors noted, adding that Straight Creek did not receive an impact inspection in December because of the idle.

The mine has been subject to number of impact inspections of late, and received a letter last November putting it on notice of a potential pattern of violations.

“In spite of our relentless attempts to make mine operators accountable for their workers’ safety and health, some continue to flout their responsibilities,” assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Joseph Main said.

“While we are seeing improvements at a number of operations, the persistently bad behavior at others underscores the need for tougher legislation and stronger enforcement tools. As the condition of the Wilcoal mine demonstrates, some operators know that MSHA cannot be at a mine all the time.”

Since last April, when the impact inspections began in force following the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, MSHA has conducted 198 impact inspections which have resulted in 3758 citations, 363 orders and 13 safeguards.