citations per 100 inspection hours
ⓘThis rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
Rate withheld: 394 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Ames Plant has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 5 contested dockets.
Penalty disposition
ⓘDifferences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$4K
proposed penalties
$4K
current assessed
$4K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
26 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $1K in penalties contested before the Commission, $701 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-10-07.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
ⓘShares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
6citations taken to the federal commission · 23% of citations on record
Settled
2 · 33%
Vacated or withdrawn
4 · 67%
100%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
37%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$1K proposed, $701 after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2017-07-13.
Contested penalties
ⓘA reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
Health sampling
ⓘA sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.
Metal and nonmetal contaminants (personal samples)
ⓘMany samples are screening measurements of substances with no applicable exposure limit; they are counted as samples but excluded from every over-limit figure. Over-limit shares use only limit-tested samples.
Last sampled: 2023-09-26
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
8
samples
2
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg3
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz2
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz2
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (8)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2023-09-26
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Washer Operator
2020-09-16
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
0.56
Front-end Loader Operator
2014-11-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-06-07
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
1.41
0.10
Dredge/Barge Operator
2011-06-07
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
1.29
0.11
Washer Operator
2004-04-20
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2004-04-20
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.13
Dredge/Barge Operator
2004-04-20
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.15
Crusher Oper/Worker
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly. Metal/nonmetal contaminant figures come from MSHA's Personal Health Samples and Area Samples files (public record), updated weekly.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
3
2025
4
2024
5
2023
5
2022
5
2021
6
2020
8
2019
7
2018
7
2017
5
2016
4
2015
5
2014
6
2013
7
2012
7
2011
6
2010
6
2009
6
2008
6
2007
6
2006
6
2005
6
2004
7
2003
7
2002
7
2001
5
2000
8
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Ames Plant sits in Story County, Iowa, where the Census mining category is 0.2% of county employment.
Local economic context
ⓘCounty figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Story County, Iowa · Population 98,592
0.2%
Mining share of county employment
$69,006
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
Quarterly safety rates
ⓘCitations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
the employee climbed onto a float platform for a pump, the platform had a three foot by three foot opening where the pump would be placed that was uncovered, the employee stepped back and fell thru the opening approximately four feet to the ground below. the employee suffered five broken ribs on left side, a punctured lung, and has left shoulder pain
2015 · 3 incidents
October 13, 2015IA · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handOTHER
Employee was driving loader 23-1042 moving rock up and down the pile. As employee was coming down ramp and struck pipe in ground and was thrown forward in cab striking chest/stomach on steering wheel.
February 10, 2015IA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
Employee was welding bolts on the side of the plant in an aerial lift. Employee welded with welding hood in the up position and received flash burns to both eyes.
2013 · 1 incident
April 8, 2013IA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Changing out the dry belts on a motor on the vibrator and while prying up on the motor with a pry bar employee felt a snap in his right shoulder and upper back area. Employee tightened up shortly after and requested doctor visit.
2012 · 1 incident
October 8, 2012IA · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was kneeling on the bank while connecting two 8" suction hoses. Employee was pulling the two hoses together so they could fasten the coupling clamp and felt a sharp pain on the lower left side of his back.
2007 · 1 incident
February 12, 2007IA · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hallett Materials · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
Installing cross brace on pontoon, got finger pinched by piece of metal bracing.
PUTTING A CONVEYOR BELT ON CONVEYOR, CLAIMANT SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN CONVEYOR BREAKING A RIB AND BRUISING CHEST.
1994 · 1 incident
November 21, 1994IA · Metal/Non-Metalgreaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oilerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hallett Materials · Ingestion of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
EMPLOYEE WAS SIPHONING METHANOL FUEL FROM BARRELL ORALLY THROUGH HOSE. SWALLOWED A SMALL AMOUNT.
1993 · 1 incident
September 1, 1993IA · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMP WAS SHOVELI3G SAND UNDER THE PLANT WHEN HE CAUGHT HIS SMALL FUBGER IB RT HAND ON PIECE OF ANGLE IRON THAT WAS EXTENDED UNDER THE PLANT. HE RECEIVED A DEEP CUT TO HIS FINGER AND REQUIRED 6 STITCHES TO CLO8E
1986 · 1 incident
November 21, 1986IA · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WAS DOING MAINT5INENCE-REPAIR WORK ON CAT-D8 TRACTOR,GETTING DOWN OFF THE BACK OF IT,SLIPPED DOWN & STRUCK SOME CLOGS OF SOIL,JARRING BOTTOM OF HIS FEET CAUSING STINGING & THEN LOWER BACK BEC CAME PAINFUL DU9ING THE NEXT DAY (SAT)AT WORK.WENT TO THE DR. THAT NIGHT FOR EXAMINATION & TREATMENT AT HOSP.EMERG.DEPT.THEN TO ANOTHER MEDICAL PHYSICAL THERAPY UNIT & WAS ADVISED TO LAY OFF
1985 · 1 incident
June 24, 1985IA · Metal/Non-Metalgreaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oilerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHILE DOING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AS AN OILER ON THE PAGE DRAGLINE HE SLIPPED ON SOME OIL-GREASE ON THE STEPS, AND STRUCK HIS RIBS AGAINST THE STEEL AND REC BRUISES HE WENT TO THE DR WITH PAIN FOR EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT OF HIS INJURY TO HIS RIBS BRUISED. HE ADVISED TO STAY OFF WORK TO AID HEALING AND RECOVERY.
1984 · 2 incidents
December 20, 1984IA · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHIEL GETTING DOWN FROM CAB OF FRONT END LOADER HE OPERATES HIS FEET SLIPPED ON LADDER HIS L ARM GOT CAUGHT BVETWEEN STEPS TANGLED AND WEIGHT OF BODY ON ARM CAUSED BRUISES ABRASIONS AND TORE SKIN ON L ARM SUPT TOOK INJ TO DR FOR EXAM AND TREATMENT OF INJURY DR OREDERED OFF WORK UNTIL RELEASED 12 26 84 AND COULD RETURN EMP WENT ON VACATION AND WILL ACTUALLY RETURN LATER AFTER 1ST
SUPT. WAS WORKING ON DRAGLINE, ALONG WITH 2 OTHER MEN, TRYING TO LINE UP A PIN IN THE FAIR LEAD, WHICH WAS LAYINGT ON A BLOCK THE FAIR LEAD ROLLED OFF OF THE BLOCK & LANDED ON THE SUPT.S LEFT FOOT ARCH AREA & REC\D INJURY. X-RAYS REVEALED 2 FRACTURED BONES IN MIDDLE OF ARCH AREA PLUS BRUISED BY THE HEAVY STEEL DRAGLINE MEMBER. DR HAD SCHEDULED TO APPLY A CAS T TO HIS L. FOOT ON 7-
1983 · 1 incident
April 26, 1983IA · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE HAD JUST DRAINED THE ENGINE OIL IN THE FRONT-END TYPE WHEEL LOADER, THAT HE OPERATES, WAS PULLING & SLIDING OUT THE DRAINED OIL PAN FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA, AND RECEIVED STRAINED M USCLES IN THE LOWER NECK & UPPER BACK AREAS. WENT TO THE DR. THE NEXT DAY FOR EXAMINATION & TREATMENT OF HIS INJURY. DR. HAD EMPLOYEE REMAIN OFF THE JOB TO AID HEALING PROCESS.