Benton County Quarry has $12K in proposed MSHA penalties and $223 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
2
Total incidents
35
Years on record
1985–2023
Latest incident
Feb 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
69
citations
18
significant & substantial
$11,886
proposed penalties
$11,213
paid to date
94% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $673 gap.
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.
69 citations across 1,212 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Benton County Quarry has $12K in proposed MSHA penalties and $223 outstanding across 2 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.
$12K
proposed penalties
$11K
current assessed
$11K
paid to date
$223
outstanding
68 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $2K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-05-19.
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.
13citations taken to the federal commission · 19% of citations on record
Settled
13 · 100%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 4 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
18%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $2K 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 2016-05-23.
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: 2023-12-19
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
45
samples
18
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz15
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz4
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz2
Show the individual readings (45)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2023-12-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2023-12-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2023-12-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2023-12-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Utility Man
2023-12-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2021-01-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
Utility Man
2021-01-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2021-01-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.13
Bulldozer Operator
2021-01-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2021-01-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2016-12-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2016-12-08
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.19
1.74
0.11
Utility Man
2016-12-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Mechanic
2012-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scale Man
2010-08-05
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2010-08-05
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
1.15
0.12
Laborer, Bullgang
2010-08-05
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
1.27
0.14
Crusher Oper/Worker
2006-01-05
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.51
2.56
0.20
Utility Man
2006-01-05
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.81
10
0.08
Truck Driver
2006-01-05
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.53
1.77
0.30
Bulldozer Operator
2006-01-05
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.23
10
0.02
Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-03-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Washer Operator
2005-03-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.48
1.66
0.29
Laborer, Bullgang
2005-03-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.33
1.9
0.17
Laborer, Bullgang
2005-03-29
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.77
10
0.08
Truck Driver
2005-03-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.17
1.09
0.16
Crusher Oper/Worker
2003-11-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2003-11-13
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.12
0.73
0.16
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2003-11-13
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.13
1.17
0.11
Pump, Slurry Mix Operator
2003-11-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2003-11-13
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.01
10
0.10
Truck Driver
2003-07-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.55
0.8
0.69
Cleanup Man
2003-07-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.32
1.19
0.27
Truck Driver
2003-07-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.2
1.08
0.19
Crusher Oper/Worker
2002-01-15
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2002-01-15
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
0.7
0.26
Truck Driver
2002-01-15
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2002-01-15
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2002-01-15
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2001-09-13
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.57
Truck Driver
2001-09-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2001-09-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2001-09-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2001-09-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
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.
Benton County Quarry recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
Injury rate, 2025
ⓘThis rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.65 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Tennessee, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.25 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2025 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2024 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2023 *
2.89
2.89
0.000
2022 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2019 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
30
2025
30
2024
29
2023
30
2022
26
2021
28
2020
26
2019
24
2018
23
2017
21
2016
20
2015
17
2014
14
2013
15
2012
14
2011
17
2010
17
2009
15
2008
16
2007
20
2006
20
2005
22
2004
29
2003
29
2002
36
2001
38
2000
35
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Benton County Quarry sits in Benton County, Tennessee, where the Census mining category is 1.3% 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.
Benton County, Tennessee · Population 15,948
1.3%
Mining share of county employment
$50,435
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
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2026 Q2
18,852
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
16,413
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
18,235
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
18,912
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
17,278
1
0
57.9
2025 Q1
15,715
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
16,565
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
17,537
0
0
0.0
Show 98 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
17,829
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
15,922
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
15,023
1
1
66.6
2023 Q3
18,933
2
0
105.6
2023 Q2
18,851
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
16,358
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
14,319
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
16,427
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
17,700
4
0
226.0
2022 Q1
17,092
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
17,247
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
17,998
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
18,505
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
16,401
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
15,636
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
17,449
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
16,523
1
0
60.5
2020 Q1
18,346
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
15,338
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
17,180
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
15,623
1
0
64.0
2019 Q1
14,656
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
12,888
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
14,929
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
14,860
2
0
134.6
2018 Q1
12,669
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
12,523
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
12,041
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
12,046
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
11,460
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
9,588
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
11,868
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
12,314
3
2
243.6
2016 Q1
11,492
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
10,363
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
11,589
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
10,642
1
0
94.0
2015 Q1
10,321
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
9,090
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
9,308
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
8,363
2
0
239.1
2014 Q1
8,361
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
8,002
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
6,776
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
8,115
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
4,716
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
6,308
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
9,175
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
8,247
1
0
121.3
2012 Q1
8,367
1
0
119.5
2011 Q4
6,743
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
8,918
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
10,184
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
9,900
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
11,062
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
10,911
3
2
275.0
2010 Q2
11,069
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
12,044
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
8,820
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
8,128
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
10,417
3
0
288.0
2009 Q1
7,842
18
6
2295.3
2008 Q4
8,698
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
9,068
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
9,620
1
0
104.0
2008 Q1
7,731
1
0
129.3
2007 Q4
7,787
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
8,094
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
8,233
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
10,208
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
13,793
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
14,741
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
15,470
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
13,869
2
1
144.2
2005 Q4
12,993
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
14,743
3
0
203.5
2005 Q2
16,565
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
13,606
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
16,462
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
21,730
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
19,356
2
1
103.3
2004 Q1
18,428
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
19,755
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
21,051
1
0
47.5
2003 Q2
24,113
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
15,063
5
1
331.9
2002 Q4
15,983
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
24,762
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
25,004
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
22,838
4
1
175.1
2001 Q4
30,140
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
32,941
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
25,349
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
18,757
3
2
159.9
2000 Q4
24,719
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
32,729
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
32,939
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
18,078
0
0
0.0
Fatalities at this mine
2 recorded
April 21, 1997TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techFatality · HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMP WAS FATALLY INJURED FROM CRUSHING INJURY TO UPPER TORSO. LOADER BUCKET WAS POSTIIONED TO THEDUMP POSITION AND LOWERED TO THE GROUND. THE BUCKET SHIFTED AFT, CAUSING THE LIFTING LINGAGE MEC HANISM TO SHIFT AFT. THIS ACTION PINNED THE EMP AGAINST THE FRONT FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL.
October 31, 1991TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techFatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Employee was struck by a chain on EE's lower left leg which resulted in two fractures that required surgical repair.
2006 · 1 incident
October 2, 2006TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The employee was using a utility knife to cut conveyor belt to square up for lacing belt. He was cutting away from his body but knife slipped from belt and cut his left forearm, resulting in sutures.
2004 · 2 incidents
February 23, 2004TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
THE EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING A LINER IN THE BED OF A 773D CAT HAUL TRUCK. AFTER WELDING, HE WAS CHIPPING SLAG OFF THE WELD AND A PIECE OF SLAG GOT IN HIS RIGHT EYE. EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS WEARING EYE PROTECTION.
THE EE WAS CHANGING A SCREEN AND DROPPED THE SCREEN CLOTH. AS HE TRIED TO CATCH IT, HE CAUGHT HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE SCREEN CLOTH AND THE SIDE OF THE SCREEN, RESULTING IN A FRACTURE TO LEFT RI NG FINGER.
April 1, 2002TN · Metal/Non-Metalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS MAKING A HYDRAULIC HOSE AND A WASP FLEW AT HIM. HE SWATTED AT THE WASP WITH THE HAND THATHAD HELD THE HOSE AND THE HOSE HIT HIM IN THE MOUTH, BREAKING A TOOTH.
July 30, 2001TN · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING ANOTHER EE REPLACE THE #2 BELT AT PRIMARY CRUSHER. THE BELT CLAMP BROKE AND THE EE FELL TO FOOT LEVEL HITTING HIS EYE ON A TRUCK PARKED NEARBY.
THE EE WAS HAMMERING ON A PIN THAT HOLDS A TOOTH IN PLACE. THE TOOTH WAS ATTACHED TO THE LOADER BUCKET, & WHEN HE HIT IT, A PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF & EMBEDDED IN HIS LEG.
February 21, 1997TN · Metal/Non-Metalclerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of salesSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING ONTO THE CONVEYOR TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM THE MATERIAL LOADED CONVEYOR. THE EMPLOYEE STATED HE FELT A PULL IN HIS LOWER ABDOMEN.
1994 · 1 incident
November 22, 1994TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
INJURED WAS HELPING TO INSTALL RADIATOR ON 475 LOADER WHEN RADIATOR SLIPPED CATCHING THUMB BETWEEN BOTTOM OF RADIATOR AND FRAME OF LOADER. THUMB WAS MASHED AND CUT AND REQUIRED STITCHES.
1990 · 2 incidents
July 4, 1990TN · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WAITING TO BE LOADED IN MACK TRUCK LOADER OPERATOR DROPPED A BIG ROCK IN BED OF TRUCK CAUSING SHIM TO BOUNCE IN CAB OF TRUCK, SLIPPED VERTABA LOWER BACK.
June 28, 1989TN · Metal/Non-Metalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS HOLDING PATCH WHIOLE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WELDED IT IN PLACE.HE INADVERTENTLY LOOKED WHEN WELDER ARCED.
1987 · 4 incidents
October 19, 1987TN · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS