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.
92 citations across 1,073 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Felton Quarry has $93K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 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.
$93K
proposed penalties
$54K
current assessed
$54K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
90 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $79K in penalties contested before the Commission, $40K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-02-19.
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.
2citations taken to the federal commission · 2% of citations on record
Settled
1 · 50%
Stood as issued
1 · 50%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 2 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
49%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$79K proposed, $40K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2010-07-20.
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: 2026-01-09
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
23
samples
13
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz15
Respirable dust, <.1mg7
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (23)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2026-01-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-09-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-09-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2022-06-28
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.27
Front-end Loader Operator
2022-06-28
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.2
Crusher Oper/Worker
2020-07-30
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.2
0.65
0.31
Crusher Oper/Worker
2015-06-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.31
1.8
0.17
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2015-06-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.07
2.6
0.41
Mechanic
2015-06-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
0.92
0.20
Bulldozer Operator
2011-07-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.27
0.96
0.28
Crusher Oper/Worker
2011-07-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
1.44
0.10
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-07-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.21
0.85
0.25
Laborer, Bullgang
2011-07-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
1.12
0.14
Belt Cleaner
2005-05-18
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
1.39
0.12
Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-05-18
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bulldozer Operator
2005-05-18
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2005-05-18
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.82
Front-end Loader Operator
2005-05-18
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2001-05-17
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
0.55
0.33
Utility Man
2001-05-17
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2001-05-17
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.33
0.56
0.59
Crusher Oper/Worker
2001-05-17
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.24
0.42
0.57
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2001-05-17
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.21
1.05
0.20
Truck Driver
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.
Felton Quarry recorded 9.41 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2007.
Injury rate, 2007
ⓘ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.
9.41
total case rate
9.41
days-away rate
9.408
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 3.30 and the all-US-mining average was 3.77 cases per 100 workers.
In California, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 3.87 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
2007 *
9.41
9.41
9.408
2002 *
8.48
8.48
0.000
2001 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2000 *
16.31
8.15
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
8
2025
9
2024
8
2023
9
2022
10
2021
10
2020
10
2019
9
2018
9
2017
9
2016
10
2015
10
2014
8
2013
8
2012
8
2011
9
2010
8
2009
8
2008
10
2007
11
2006
9
2005
9
2004
9
2003
9
2002
12
2001
13
2000
11
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Felton Quarry sits in Santa Cruz County, California, where the Census mining category is 0.0% 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.
Santa Cruz County, California · Population 266,021
0.0%
Mining share of county employment
$109,266
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
EE was assisting operation and placed finger on shim; finger was pinched causing a fracture and laceration of the left index finger tip requiring two sutures. Employee released to work without restrictions.
Wheel loader bucket made contact with dump truck bed. The driver experienced neck and back pain from the jolt. Employee was released to full duty, but referred to physical therapy for neck and back pain.
A trespasser not employed by the mine operator entered the property when the mine was not in operation and died as a result of an apparent suicide. *The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries as a result of jumping off a cliff into the quarry.
2002 · 1 incident
August 5, 2002CA · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
THE MECH WAS WELDING A PLATE ON THE REAR OF A HAUL TRUCK. ANOTHER EE WAS TAPING THE PLATE INTO PLACE WHEN THE HAMMER SLIPPED STRIKING THE TOP OF THE MECHANIC'S HEAD. THE MECH FINISHED THE SH IFT WITH LITTLE COMPLAINT. THAT EVENING HE DECIDED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE RESULT WAS A SLIGHT CONCUSSION. EE WAS OFF 8/6/02 AND RETURNED 8/7/02.
2000 · 2 incidents
July 27, 2000CA · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
OPERATOR WAS RIPPING W PIT. WHILE LOOKING BACK OVER RIGHT SHOULDER AT RIPPER. THE DOZER TRAVELED OVER A HARD HUMP WHICH CAUSED THE DOZER TO ROCK FAST SIDE TO SIDE JERKING THE OPERATORS HEAD AN D NECK.
May 15, 2000CA · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
WHILE SPINNING AN UNBELTED SHEAVE ATTACHED TO A SHAFT ON A GRIZZLY FEEDER, THE EMPLOYEE CAUGHT HIS ELBOW ON A PIECE OF STEEL, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO JAM & TWIST HIS WRIST ON THE SHEAVE. THIS RES ULTED IN HIM CHIPPING THE RADIAL BONE IN HIS ARM
1999 · 1 incident
January 30, 1999CA · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
INJURY DID NOT HAPPEN AT MINE SITE. EMPLOYEE WASUNLOADING FURNITURE AND HOME AND SLIPPED AND DISLOCATED LEFT SHOULDER. EMPLOYEE CLAIMS INJURY ISRESULT OF ACCIDENT DATED 05/21/98. SURGERY WAS P ERFORMED ON SHOULDER ON 02/19/99. EMPLOYEE WILL BE OFF WORK FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS.
1998 · 1 incident
May 21, 1998CA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE PUT AN EXTENSION LADDER IN EMPTY BIN TO WELD PATCH ON WALL WHEN EE GOT ON LADDER EE FAILED TO CHECK THAT LADDER SECTIONS WERE LATCHED AND LADDER SLIPPED 1 OR 2 RUNGS BEFORE LATCHING AFRAID OF FALLING EE GRABBED TOP OF BIN AND DISLOCATED LEFT SHOULDER.
1992 · 1 incident
September 21, 1992CA · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
OPERATOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO DISLODGE A ROCK JAMMED IN GRISSLY BARS. HE WAS USING A 6' PRY BAR AS A LEVER. THE BAR SLIPPE DAND THE OEPRATOR'S FINGER WAS PINCHED AND SMASHED AGAINST THE JAW CRU SHER FRAME.
April 23, 1991CA · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
MAN HAD REPLACED SWITCH ON 4 1/2 HAND GRINDER WHEN HE WENT TO TEST NOW SWITCH HE PLUGGED IN GRINDER AND IT STATED WITH BACK OF FINGER BAGAINST GRINDING DISC SWITCH HAD BEEN LOCKED ON AND DISC GARD HAD BEEN REMOVED TO DO REPAIR AND NOT REPLACED.
1989 · 2 incidents
June 6, 1989CA · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanPOWERED HAULAGE
DRAIN ROCK BIN WAS OVER-FULL AND WAS SPILLING ROCK ONTO THE GROUND. EMPLOYEE WAS INJURED WHILE RUNNING FROM AN OPEN AIR AREA TO AN AREA UNDER THE BIN. HIS POSITION IN THE OPEN AIR WAS FIFTY FE ET FROM ACCIDENT LOCATION AND WAS SAFE. ACCIDENT DIDN'T RESULT IN LOST TIME.
April 13, 1989CA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
AT THE BEGINNIN1 OF THE WORK DAY, THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS STEPPING UP ON TO THE FIRST STEP OF THE EQUIPMENT CARRYING PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN HER HANDS. WHILE GRABBING A GUARD TO PULL HERSELF UP. HER HAND SLIPP9D CAUSING HER TO FALL TO THE GROUND LANDING ON HER BUTTOCK.