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: 529 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Cheto Mine has $6K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 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.
$6K
proposed penalties
$5K
current assessed
$5K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
53 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $370 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2019-05-09.
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.
4citations taken to the federal commission · 8% of citations on record
Settled
2 · 50%
Vacated or withdrawn
2 · 50%
50%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 2 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
81%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $370 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2014-06-25.
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: 2019-04-30, 7 years ago
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
17
samples
3
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg14
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz2
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (17)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2019-04-30
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2019-04-30
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2012-01-05
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Mucking Mach. Operator
2012-01-05
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Mechanic
2009-12-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Kiln/Dryer Operator
2009-12-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Mechanic
2009-12-09
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.12
10
0.01
Front-end Loader Operator
2009-06-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scale Man
2009-06-03
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.15
0.59
0.25
Mechanic
2007-08-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
0.68
0.21
Front-end Loader Operator
2007-08-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2007-08-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2007-08-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2007-08-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scale Man
2005-03-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2005-03-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scraper Operator
2005-03-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scraper 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.
Cheto Mine recorded 3.71 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2009.
Injury rate, 2009
ⓘ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.
3.71
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 2.82 and the all-US-mining average was 3.36 cases per 100 workers.
In Arizona, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 2.88 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2009
3.71
0.00
0.000
2008 *
14.22
0.00
0.000
2007 *
15.98
7.99
0.000
2006 *
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
1
2025
1
2024
1
2023
2
2022
1
2021
1
2020
1
2019
1
2018
1
2014
1
2013
1
2012
1
2011
1
2010
9
2009
60
2008
30
2007
24
2006
12
2005
10
2004
9
2003
7
2002
6
2001
7
2000
7
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Cheto Mine sits in Apache County, Arizona, where the Census mining category is 0.7% 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.
Apache County, Arizona · Population 65,680
0.7%
Mining share of county employment
$40,338
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
0
0
0
2026 Q1
73
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
0
0
0
2025 Q2
57
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
15
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
16
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
16
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
0
0
0
Show 80 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4
24
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
48
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
96
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
8
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
16
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
100
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
40
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
40
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
30
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
45
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
48
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
525
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
60
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
112
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
72
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
48
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
72
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
90
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
90
1
0
11111.1
2019 Q1
72
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
95
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
72
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
90
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
550
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
525
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
623
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
550
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
600
1
1
1666.7
2012 Q4
600
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
550
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
600
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
650
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
625
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
600
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
650
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
600
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
2,239
1
0
446.6
2010 Q3
1,965
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
2,644
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
5,485
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
20,732
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
24,980
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
24,900
2
0
80.3
2009 Q1
37,168
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
4,551
2
0
439.5
2008 Q3
10,195
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
6,981
4
0
573.0
2008 Q1
6,400
1
0
156.2
2007 Q4
4,514
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
4,380
2
0
456.6
2007 Q2
5,190
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
10,940
2
0
182.8
2006 Q4
6,664
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
5,340
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
4,868
4
0
821.7
2006 Q1
5,465
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
4,473
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
5,063
4
1
790.0
2005 Q2
5,155
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
4,348
1
0
230.0
2004 Q4
4,535
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
5,146
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
4,269
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
3,783
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
2,548
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
3,840
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
4,017
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
3,209
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
2,967
1
0
337.0
2002 Q3
2,960
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
3,190
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
3,213
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
2,757
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
3,713
1
0
269.3
2001 Q2
3,903
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
3,746
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
3,476
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
3,770
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
3,516
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
3,518
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
12 on file
2023 · 1 incident
April 12, 2023AZ · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was descending stairway carrying 4 empty 5 gal water bottles. He was not using the handrails provided. He missed the last step and fell forward onto both knees. He was eventually diagnosed having a "patellar dislocation quad tendon rupture" requiring surgery. Diagnosis did not occur until July 24, 2009. Surgery scheduled for July 28, 2009.
March 16, 2009AZ · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE was in the shop working on a spray bar. He was installing a spray nozzle(approx. 3/4" x 11/2" long) into a 2" pipe. The wrench he was using to thread the nozzle into the pipe slipped off, causing him to twist his back. At the emergency room, he received an injection for the pain.
2008 · 4 incidents
November 30, 2008AZ · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was looking for a bucket to collect a sample from a stockpile. He lifted an equipment rim to pull the bucket out from under it. His hand slipped off the rim and it fell on his finger crushing it. He went to the emergency room in Gallup New Mexico where he was treated. His injury required two stitches and a splint to protect his finger.
October 8, 2008AZ · Metal/Non-Metalquality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistantSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While lifting a screen deck into place employee stepped on a bolt, slipped slightly (did not fall)and felt a pain in his lower back area. Employee has a sore muscle in his lower left back.
Installing conveyor tail guard section, it fell and pinched left middle finger.
March 27, 2008AZ · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
BASF Catalysts LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EE was on a ladder adjusting the water flow to the dry scrubber, this valve is not within arms reach. On the 3rd step, EE fell backwards and her right leg wedged between the thrid and foeth steps causing her to receive a open compound fracture.
2007 · 2 incidents
August 4, 2007AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
Employee working with gasoline powered sludge pump used to transfer water. Employee noted pump operating but not producing flow (lost suction). Employee shut off gasoline engine driving pump and bled pressure. He slowly loosened plug at top of pump to further reduce pressure. Plug sprung loose and released hot water under pressure. His right forearm sprayed by hot water.
March 8, 2007AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Indiv. moving folding chair w/ seat w/ accumul. about 20lbs wet sand. Chair slipped from his grasp and a leg of chair impacted top of his pinky toe at point that steel toe ended. First doctor visit didn't indicate fracture and individ placed on restricted duty and performed same job next day. Follow-on visit indicated fracture and thus reported now.
2006 · 3 incidents
October 4, 2006AZ · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was picking up tools/materials to relocate to another area when he stepped on a piece of tubing and fell striking his (L) ear on I-beam resulting in a laceration.
Job was rained out. Employee was cleaning up site to leave when he stepped on 3/4" conduit and fell. His (R) elbow struck concrete foundation jamming his (R) shoulder. Employee was taken off work by dr. on 8/7/06 and has not returned.