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.
18 citations across 1,379 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Boone Quarry has $3K in proposed MSHA penalties and $151 outstanding across 9 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.
$3K
proposed penalties
$3K
current assessed
$3K
paid to date
$151
outstanding
17 assessments are final orders; 9 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $1K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-02.
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.
10citations taken to the federal commission · 56% of citations on record
Settled
3 · 30%
Stood as issued
2 · 20%
Vacated or withdrawn
4 · 40%
Still open
1 · 10%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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%
44%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $1K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2026-02-22.
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: 2025-12-03
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
40
samples
9
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg30
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz7
Fibers, >5um2
Asbestos 2.0f/ml1
Show the individual readings (41)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2025-12-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-12-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2025-12-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2025-12-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2025-01-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2025-01-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2025-01-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
0.69
0.23
Truck Driver
2025-01-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2024-03-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2024-03-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2024-03-13
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
0.48
0.29
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2024-03-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2023-02-22
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.42
10
0.04
Drill Operator, Rotary Air
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2016-11-08
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
0.74
0.41
Truck Driver
2016-11-08
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.19
0.66
0.29
Oiler, Greaser
2016-11-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2016-11-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2016-11-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Oiler, Greaser
2013-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2013-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2013-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2013-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2013-12-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2009-09-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2009-09-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Utility Man
2006-10-18
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Supervisor, Co. Official
2006-08-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
0.93
0.19
Mechanic
2006-08-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
0.8
0.18
Cleanup Man
2006-02-01
Fibers, >5um
0.12
Welder, etc.
2006-02-01
Fibers, >5um
0.01
Cleanup Man
2006-02-01
Asbestos 2.0f/ml
0
2
0.00
Welder, etc.
2005-02-02
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2005-02-02
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2005-02-02
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2005-02-02
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2004-07-15
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.12
0.43
0.28
Cleanup Man
2004-07-15
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
Area samples (mill and shop air)
Last sampled: 2024-02-28
4
samples
Show the individual readings (4)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Area sampled
2024-02-28
ASBESTOS BULK, ALL FORMS
0
MP PROD TRANSFER
2022-12-29
ASBESTOS BULK, ALL FORMS
0
SF ORE PROCESSING
2022-06-15
ASBESTOS BULK, ALL FORMS
0
SF ORE PROCESSING
2021-07-13
ASBESTOS BULK, ALL FORMS
0
MP LABORATORY
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.
Boone 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 North Carolina, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.14 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 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2022 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2019 *
5.33
0.00
0.000
2018 *
5.76
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
23
2025
25
2024
20
2023
18
2022
17
2021
18
2020
18
2019
16
2018
14
2017
15
2016
17
2015
15
2014
13
2013
13
2012
13
2011
13
2010
18
2009
20
2008
19
2007
21
2006
21
2005
24
2004
22
2003
22
2002
21
2001
20
2000
20
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Boone Quarry sits in Watauga County, North Carolina, where the Census mining category is 0.1% 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.
Watauga County, North Carolina · Population 54,607
0.1%
Mining share of county employment
$51,367
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
13,159
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
11,933
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
11,408
2
0
175.3
2025 Q3
14,715
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
16,326
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
12,996
1
0
76.9
2024 Q4
15,756
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
10,122
0
0
0.0
Show 98 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
10,160
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
9,856
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
10,134
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
10,247
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
10,273
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
9,187
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
8,572
1
0
116.7
2022 Q3
10,316
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
9,571
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
7,844
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
8,897
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
10,450
1
0
95.7
2021 Q2
9,955
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
8,134
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
8,497
1
0
117.7
2020 Q3
9,710
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
9,013
1
0
111.0
2020 Q1
9,336
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
9,408
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
11,213
1
1
89.2
2019 Q2
8,350
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
8,521
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
8,453
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
9,650
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
8,881
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
7,749
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
8,468
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
9,571
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
9,209
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
6,709
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
8,885
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
10,186
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
9,242
1
0
108.2
2016 Q1
7,172
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
8,908
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
9,681
2
1
206.6
2015 Q2
9,089
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
5,519
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
6,292
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
6,874
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
7,690
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
5,934
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
6,754
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
7,397
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
7,758
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
4,188
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
5,298
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
6,735
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
7,714
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
3,312
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
5,333
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
6,946
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
8,049
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
3,597
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
6,919
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
6,155
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
9,726
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
5,089
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
6,488
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
9,011
1
0
111.0
2009 Q2
6,827
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
4,225
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
7,160
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
10,447
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
10,292
2
0
194.3
2008 Q1
7,439
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
10,585
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
11,598
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
9,687
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
12,537
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
11,938
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
12,153
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
13,294
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
12,354
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
12,500
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
14,207
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
14,709
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
12,848
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
15,107
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
15,419
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
12,973
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
9,634
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
11,369
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
6,695
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
13,102
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
6,841
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
9,516
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
13,254
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
13,080
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
10,815
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
12,413
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
15,599
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
11,294
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
7,912
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
9,669
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
10,797
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
11,389
1
0
87.8
2000 Q1
8,909
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
17 on file
2019 · 1 incident
February 12, 2019NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
Injured employee pushed bolt thru cheek plate and before injured employee could let go another employee hit the trigger on impact wrench causing the bolt head to spin cutting and fracturing employee's right ring finger.
2010 · 1 incident
September 8, 2010NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
A periodic chest x-ray screening was read by two "B" Readers. The x-ray was characterized as consistent with pnemoconosis with readings of 1/1 and 1/2 . Damage or impairment cannot be determine soley by reading the chest x-ray film.
March 1, 2006NC · Metal/Non-Metalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE fractured left heel after losing his balance on the upper deck of the Omni cone ladder at the feed box and falling 4 ft. to deck below, weight landing on heel.
2003 · 2 incidents
July 1, 2003NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
I WAS USING CHANNEL LOCKS TO TIGHTEN TIE WRAPS BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING & I COULD NOT PULL THE TIE WRAPS WITH MY HAND. THE CHANNEL LOCKS SLIPPED & FORCED MY THUMB INTO THE CONCRETE.
May 12, 2003NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS REMOVING LODGED MATERIAL FROM THE DISCHARGE END OF THE PRIMARY CRUSHER. WHILE THE EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE A SLAB OF MATERIAL NEARBY MATERIAL SHIFTED ENOUGH TO PINCH HIS FINGER TIP.
1999 · 1 incident
September 9, 1999NC · Metal/Non-Metalcoal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shovelerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS WORKING FROM A 6' STEP LADDER & WAS POSITIONED ON THE 3RD STEP FROM THE GROUND. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF WIPING GREASE OFF THE BOOM CYLINDERS HE OVEREXTENEDED HIMSELF & FELT HIMSELF LOO SING BALANCE. HE JUMPED OFF THE LADDER & HIS FOOT BECAME LODGED IN TRACK PAD WHILE FALLING TO THE GROUND
INJURED WAS WELDING IN PLACE, GRATING MATAERIAL FOR WALK-WAY AROUND NEWLY INSTALLED JAW CRUSHER IN A SQUATTING POSITION. HE TURNED TO REPOSITIONHIMSELF & A PIECE OF MATAERIAL TO BE USED 1/4" X 4' X 42", STANDING VERTICAL, FELL STRIKING HIM ON THE LEFT CHEEK.
1992 · 1 incident
June 3, 1992NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
INJURED WAS ASSISTING THE UNLODGING OF A GRIZZLEY CHUTE WHEN THE MATERIAL CAME LOOSE, FALLING, AND STRIKING HIS RIGHT HAND. BRUISING HIS LITTLE FINGER.
September 5, 1990NC · Metal/Non-Metaldrill helperMACHINERY
SHARPENING DRILL BIT WITH AIR GRINDER PARTICLES OF GRINDING DUST ENTERED R EYE
1989 · 2 incidents
September 7, 1989NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
INJURED WAS ASSISTING REPAIR TO ENGINE IN 108 LINK BELT CRANE.THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE REMOVED.AS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BEING REMOVED THE MANIFOLD DROPPED DOWN KICKING THE MUFFLER UPWA RD CATCHING HIS LEFT LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN CAB AND EXHAUST.
MEASURING BLAST HOLES USING TAPE TAPE SLIPPED FORM HAND TRUNED QUICKLY TO CATCH OTHER END TWISTED L. KNEE. STANDING IN CUTTINGS RAIN HAD CAUSED CUTTINGS TO BE STICKY HOLDING FT. FAST AS HE TUR NED. 2
1987 · 1 incident
December 2, 1987NC · Metal/Non-Metalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON