Safety Agency Cites 22 Mines in January

The Mine Safety and Health Administration issued 377 citations to 15 coal and seven metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. The coal mines were issued 208 citations and seven orders; the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 148 citations and 14 orders.

The inspections, which began in force last April following the deadly explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, involved mines with poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, according to officials.

The mines cited include seven in Kentucky and two in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and individual mines in nine other states.

“Some mine operators have begun to show signs of improvement, while others continue to demonstrate poor compliance with safety and health laws,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.