Get Mine Safety And Health Administration (MSHA) - Report Of Investigation - Surface Nonmetal Mine

The Pattern of Violations (POV) is used by MSHA to identify mine operators who have demonstrated a recurring pattern of Significant and Substantial (S&S) violations of mandatory health and safety standards at their mines. An S&S violation is one that is reasonably likely to result in a serious injury or illness.

At least once a year, MSHA reviews the violation and injury history of each mine to determine whether any meet the established criteria to have a Pattern of Violations.

MSHA is required to inspect each underground mine four times a year and each surface mine twice a year for health and safety compliance.

Operator Negligence The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) is a strict liability statute. This means MSHA can issue enforcement actions without regard to fault. However, an MSHA inspector will still evaluate negligence when issuing a citation or order.

Accidents A death of an individual at a mine; An injury to an individual at a mine which has a reasonable potential to cause death; An entrapment of an individual for more than thirty minutes or which has a reasonable potential to cause death; An unplanned inundation of a mine by a liquid or gas;

A coal mine bump (a bump, a mine bump, a mountain bump, or a rock burst) is a seismic jolt occurring within an underground mine due to the explosive collapse of one or more support pillars.

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)