MSHA's Districts 3 and 4 have taken data collected from mines within their jurisdictions to provide the insight.

Both districts were represented at the annual event Wednesday, the former by Ronald Wyatt (appearing for an absent Bob Cornett) and the latter by Robert Hardman, their regions comprising such coal-rich states as Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as Maryland.

District 3

Wyatt said violations were up quarter-to-quarter in the three states the district covers, from 1352 in the first quarter of 2007 to 1735 in the first quarter of 2008 (October to December). Upon historical review of mine violations, officials for the region found many of the top issues recorded were chronic and re-emerged year-over-year. In fact, just one violation of the top five it ranked was a new, unsafe equipment operation.

Wyatt said the rise in violations did not necessarily paint the gloomy picture one would think. "I don't believe the industry as a whole has gotten worse. I believe we're getting out there and doing a better job of inspection."

He reminded mines in the district that for inspectors to conduct their work properly and efficiently, crews and management must work together with them to prepare for review. One area of focus was the maintenance of seal and sealed areas, he said.

For example, areas where the entire perimeter of seals cannot be viewed can create issues for an inspector. If workers cannot see the perimeter, an inspector will not be able to either, he said.

To learn from violations, and prevent similar issues in future, communication is key. Mines need to share information on violations, communicate with responsible parties and follow-up with them and others with ways to improve.

The district exemplified that tip recently after learning through injury report reviews workers were lacerating extremities with cutting tools because of a behavior of cutting backward instead of forward. The trend prompted a district-wide alert, which was taken to safety meetings by many of the region's mines.

District 4

The topic of health, specifically pneumoconiosis, was the top topic for District 4 district manager Hardman, who presented statistics reflecting decreased black lung cases in miners. However, after reading documentation on an area miner who contracted the condition at age 24, and seeing data pointing to an increase in cases by 25-plus-year veterans, Hardman said all mines should renew their focus on dust reduction prevention techniques.

On-shift examinations at active sections are needed, as are the maintenance of controls and quantities, Hardman said. When controls are damaged, they should be immediately repaired to reduce exposure by workers to an increased dust level.

Operators should also raise awareness with workers about the hazards of coal dust ingestion and measures for reduction. To follow through, mines should insist on safe, healthy practices by all.

District 4's violation rates were also up, from 11,840 in the fiscal 2006 year to 15,380 in fiscal year 2007. Judging from the first quarter of 2008, which came in at 5887, the region is on its way to another year of increased shortfalls at mines.

There was also some movement in its top-ranking non-compliance items, from an increase in rock dusting infringements to a jump in equipment maintenance and permissibility.

The district's enforcement trends are also evolving, especially due to a new crop of inspectors anticipated to be coming into the field in the next eight months. Firm and fair enforcement as well as thorough inspections, are an ongoing goal of the group.

Other items are included in the district's enforcement trends list, Hardman said. They include an evaluation of the office's examination adequacy, a review of action type, gravity and negligence, as well as inspector notes and the abatement of issues.