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Fisher Industries Plant 15: 105 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Thomas G Fisher
Laurel, Yellowstone County, MT  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3901303

Fisher Industries Plant 15 has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
17
Years on record
1984–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
105
citations
21
significant & substantial
$16,015
proposed penalties
$14,693
paid to date
92% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $1,322 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
See Fisher Sand & Gravel Company's full MSHA compliance history →
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
59
inspections on record
896
inspection hours
n/a
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: 896 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Fisher Industries Plant 15 has $16K 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.
$16K
proposed penalties
$15K
current assessed
$15K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
105 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $1K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-05-05.
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.
20.0%
significant & substantial
5.7%
high negligence or reckless
20.0%
reasonably likely or greater
35.2%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 15.2% low, 79.0% moderate, 5.7% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
6 citations taken to the federal commission · 6% of citations on record
  • Settled 6 · 100%
80%
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 5 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
57%
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 2010-01-14.
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.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
CENT 2008-165M Settlement Feldman 2009 $2K → $335
CENT 2010-73M Settlement Lesnick 2010 $450 → $450
CENT 2010-377M Settlement Lesnick 2010 $224 → $224
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
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: 2026-02-11
33%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
18
samples
6
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz92 over
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg8
  • Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (18)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2009-09-09 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 1.94 0.82 2.37 Crusher Oper/Worker
2009-09-09 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.8 0.67 1.19 Crusher Oper/Worker
2026-02-11 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.27 0.62 0.44 Utility Man
2026-02-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Shovel Operator
2026-02-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Bulldozer Operator
2026-02-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2019-12-18 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.27 Washer Operator
2019-12-18 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 Laborer, Bullgang
2019-12-18 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2019-12-18 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Crusher Oper/Worker
2018-10-17 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.18 Crusher Oper/Worker
2018-10-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-10-17 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.15 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-04-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2010-06-30 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.14 0.83 0.17 Crusher Oper/Worker
2009-09-09 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.43 2.19 0.20 Front-end Loader Operator
2002-05-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Crusher Oper/Worker
2002-05-15 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.34 0.67 0.51 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.

Fisher Industries Plant 15 recorded 18.87 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2016.

Injury rate, 2016
ⓘ 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.
18.87
total case rate
9.44
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 2.17 and the all-US-mining average was 2.59 cases per 100 workers.
In Montana, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 2.64 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
2016 * 18.87 9.44 0.000
2011 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2010 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2009 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2008 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2007 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2006 * 11.23 5.62 0.000
2005 * 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.
Ownership history
  1. Fisher Sand & Gravel Company 1983 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 16
2025 9
2024 9
2023 7
2022 6
2021 7
2020 6
2019 6
2018 6
2017 8
2016 8
2015 5
2014 6
2013 5
2012 6
2011 8
2010 8
2009 12
2008 12
2007 8
2006 11
2005 12
2004 3
2003 2
2002 2
2001 4
2000 3
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Fisher Industries Plant 15 sits in Yellowstone County, Montana, where the Census mining category is 1.4% 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.
Yellowstone County, Montana · Population 167,340
1.4%
Mining share of county employment
$74,400
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 4,573 1 0 218.7
2026 Q1 8,302 2 0 240.9
2025 Q4 3,944 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 3,005 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 4,395 1 0 227.5
2025 Q1 3,016 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 3,822 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 4,156 0 0 0.0
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 4,126 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 3,462 2 0 577.7
2023 Q4 3,553 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 3,753 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 6,745 1 0 148.3
2023 Q1 3,033 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 4,513 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 5,154 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 3,836 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 2,079 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 4,116 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 5,368 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 4,272 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 2,305 1 0 433.8
2020 Q4 3,456 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 3,588 1 0 278.7
2020 Q2 3,479 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 3,064 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 3,805 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 3,345 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 2,634 2 0 759.3
2019 Q1 2,180 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 2,832 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 3,301 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 3,646 4 0 1097.1
2018 Q1 2,009 3 1 1493.3
2017 Q4 4,369 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 5,314 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 6,012 3 0 499.0
2017 Q1 3,763 2 0 531.5
2016 Q4 5,572 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 5,976 5 0 836.7
2016 Q2 5,730 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 3,916 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 4,025 3 0 745.3
2015 Q3 2,455 1 0 407.3
2015 Q2 3,118 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 2,895 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 4,022 2 0 497.3
2014 Q3 4,230 2 1 472.8
2014 Q2 3,653 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 3,300 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 3,945 3 1 760.5
2013 Q3 2,752 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 2,520 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 1,646 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 2,084 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 2,105 4 2 1900.2
2012 Q2 10,436 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 4,494 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 10,660 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 2,163 2 0 924.6
2011 Q2 7,061 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 3,872 1 0 258.3
2010 Q4 5,661 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 8,480 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 7,814 2 1 256.0
2010 Q1 197 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 8,062 1 1 124.0
2009 Q3 9,453 6 5 634.7
2009 Q2 9,376 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 8,875 3 0 338.0
2008 Q4 12,859 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 10,578 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 8,973 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 6,873 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 9,358 4 0 427.4
2007 Q3 11,758 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 2,773 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 2,565 10 2 3898.6
2006 Q4 10,575 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 11,849 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 12,686 9 0 709.4
2006 Q1 496 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 7,389 1 0 135.3
2005 Q3 9,896 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 10,455 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 9,572 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 2,935 4 2 1362.9
2004 Q3 1,257 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 3,344 1 0 299.0
2004 Q1 1,028 12 5 11673.2
2003 Q4 1,479 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 1,328 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 400 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 247 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 166 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 108 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 2,575 1 0 388.3
2002 Q1 0 0 0
2001 Q4 3,141 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 3,592 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 1,548 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 4 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 62 2 0 32258.1
2000 Q3 1,673 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 4,603 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

17 on file

2024 · 1 incident

August 29, 2024 MT · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Equipment used to pull belt together slipped; resulting in an employee fall

2023 · 1 incident

November 27, 2023 MT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Twisted knee

2020 · 1 incident

2019 · 1 incident

January 4, 2019 MT · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cleaning material and pinched finger.

2017 · 1 incident

2016 · 2 incidents

May 27, 2016 MT · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Removing concrete and rebar. Tripped and fell on shoulder.

2006 · 2 incidents

June 5, 2006 MT · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Fall onto or against objects

Stepped on rock and fell against crusher, hitting right elbow.

May 10, 2006 MT · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer ELECTRICAL
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Flash burns (electric)

EE was helping pull electrical cords to wire cone crusher. Crew checked rotation for first motor failed to lock out while pulling 2nd motor cord into control box. EE received electrical burn to right hand.

1996 · 1 incident

July 3, 1996 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Struck by falling object

UNPLUGGING SPOKANED CRUSHER--CRUSHER HOPPER FELL AND STRUCK EE CAUSING HIM TO FALL.

1995 · 1 incident

June 13, 1995 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING A TABLE FROM A SPOKAN CRUSHER TO REMOVE A BELT DOWN STRAP ONE EMPLOYEE LET GO & THE OTHER EMPLOYEE REPTURED HIS BACK

1993 · 2 incidents

April 30, 1993 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE CLIMBED THE TRACKS OF A DOZER TO PROVIDE FUEL & SLIPPED.

April 16, 1993 SD · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man FIRE
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

A PAIL WAS BEING USED TO PROVIDE HEAT UNDER A CONVEYOR BELT DIESEL FUEL WAS USED AS A HEAT SOURCE EE TRIED TO EXTINGUISH FLAME BY THROWING A SHOVEL FULL OF DIRT ON IT IT SPLASHED ON TO HIS CLO THES.

1988 · 1 incident

1987 · 1 incident

September 4, 1987 SD · Metal/Non-Metal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS TR2ING AND TURN THE STACKER V-BELTS BY HAND TO GET THE SET SCREWS IN POSITION WHERE THEY COULD BE LIGHTENED ROTATING THE PULLEY HE CAUGHT HIS FINGER IN THE PULLEY IT COVERED NOT R ELEASE IT BECAU8E THE SPEED IN THE PULLEY HAS A BACK STOP TO PREVENT ROLL BACK BELT WERE CUT.

1985 · 1 incident

1984 · 1 incident

September 17, 1984 SD · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fisher Sand & Gravel Company · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING DOWN OFF OF SPOKANT CRUSHER- HIS RING FINGER HOOKED A BOLT AND REMOVED THE SKIN FROM HIS FINGER.