MSHA Inspections Nationwide Result in Multiple Violations

Federal impact inspections at U.S. mine operations in April resulted in 147 citations and 15 orders.   

The Mine Safety and Health Administration conducted the inspections at 12 coal mines and four other mines.

Twenty-seven citations and seven failure orders were issued at the Alcoa alumina factory in Point Comfort, Texas.
 
MSHA says in a news release the operator was cited for a lack of safety chains on high-pressure hose lines and safeguards on various pumps that expose miners to moving parts. Inspectors also found large pieces of metal slag dropping from an overhead structure. There also were no warning signs alerting miners to high-voltage areas.
 
The impact inspections began in 2010 after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29 coal miners.