MSHA Proposes $1.1 Million Fine Following Deaths Of Colorado Silver Miners
Earlier this week, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) levied a fine of $1,077,800 yesterday after an investigation into the deaths of two Colorado silver miners in November 2013. According to the MSHA release, after approximately 1,600 pounds of deteriorated explosives were detonated underground in an open air blast, the company that owned the mine failed to inform the new crew shift of the blasting activities. According to MSHA, several miners complained of “bad air” but the company allowed two other miners to go into the area the following day, where they were fatally overcome by carbon monoxide. MSHA issued eight unwarrantable failure orders including six designated as flagrant violations, which is defined as “a reckless or repeated failure to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory safety and health standard that substantially and proximately caused, or reasonably could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury.”
