During the month, federal inspectors issued 315 citations, orders and safeguards at 10 coal operations and six metal/nonmetal complexes. The coal targets received 200 citations, 50 orders and one safeguard while 62 citations and two orders went to MNM operations.
The figures are versus October, when impact inspections resulted in 226 citations and orders; 145 citations and 18 orders were given to coal mines and 51 citations and 12 orders went to metal/nonmetal mines.
One of the most recent impact inspections MSHA conducted occurred November 17 at Daystar Coal’s No. 3 mine in Pike County, Kentucky, during the mine’s day shift.
The mine, which has since been taken over by Pike Floyd Mining, was issued 52 citations, 11 orders and one safeguard as a result of the inspection.
The operator received an imminent danger order after an inspector observed a bearing on a conveyor tailpiece that was glowing orange with smoke rising from it; float coal dust accumulations as well as loose coal and fines were all observed nearby.
“The mine also allowed accumulations of float coal dust for a distance of 200 feet on top of previously rock dusted surfaces on the mine floor,” the agency said.
“Loose coal up to 18 inches deep had accumulated under the conveyor belt drive in the presence of ignition sources.”
Inspectors also cited the mine for a failure to follow the approved ventilation plan; inspectors observed the cutting machine operating with virtually no air ventilating the mining face.
“Unwarrantable failure orders were issued for the accumulation of water at depths of 10–12 inches in front of seals in the return air course and in other locations throughout the mine,” MSHA said.
“In addition, the operator failed to provide experienced miner training to 17 miners before they assumed their work duties underground and on the surface. The miners were withdrawn from the mine until they received the required training.”
All of the mine’s issued citations were modified to 104(b) failure-to-abate orders, and the mine was transferred to an abandoned status on December 5, then to temporarily idled status December 8 under new operator Pike Floyd Mining.
A second impact inspection last month was conducted November 4 at D&C Mining’s D&C Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky, which received 27 citations and 15 orders.
“Inspectors observed accumulations of combustible material, including float coal dust, along the mine’s belt conveyors,” MSHA officials said.
“For three consecutive day shifts, a certified foreman recorded in the mine’s exam books that the mechanized mining unit needed to be cleaned and dusted. The mine was cited for loose coal up to 24in deep under the entire length of two belt conveyors and in the presence of conditions that created potential ignition sources.”
Inspectors issued unwarrantable failure orders for unsafe roof conditions, as the mine’s roof bolt bearing plates were not properly contacting the roof. It also made note of inadequate fire protection on the conveyor belt, inadequate workplace examinations for hazardous conditions and missing equipment guards.
The impact inspection at D&C was the mine’s seventh since the program began. MSHA issued closure orders to the operator November 4 for repeated hazards that it failed to abate, measures were required at that time to ensure that it had a long-term solution to its repeated health and safety violations.
“I am particularly concerned about what goes on at mines with these kinds of inspection results when MSHA is not there,” assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Joseph Main said.
“MSHA will continue to use all available tools at its disposal, including closure orders, to keep miners safe.”
The agency’s special impact inspections began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine where 29 workers were killed.
The push involved mines that merit increased attention and enforcement by the agency due to a poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, including high numbers of violations or closure orders; indications of operator tactics, such as advance notification of inspections that prevent inspectors from observing violations; frequent hazard complaints or hotline calls; plan compliance issues; inadequate workplace examinations; a high number of accidents, injuries or illnesses; fatalities; and adverse conditions such as increased methane liberation, faulty roof conditions and inadequate ventilation.
Since April 2010, MSHA has conducted 374 impact inspections, which have resulted in 6,645 citations, 666 orders and 23 safeguards.
