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: 742 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Houston Plant has $30K 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.
$30K
proposed penalties
$30K
current assessed
$30K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
92 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $14K in penalties contested before the Commission, $14K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-17.
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$14K proposed, $14K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2021-02-24.
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: 2025-12-17
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
20
samples
1
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz12
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz4
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz3
Respirable dust, <.1mg1
Show the individual readings (20)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2025-12-17
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
0.38
Mechanic
2025-12-17
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
0.13
Ball Mill Operator
2025-12-17
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
0.36
Bagging Operator
2024-08-21
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.44
Building Repair/Maint.
2024-08-21
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.21
Forklift Operator
2024-03-06
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
Electrician
2024-03-06
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.04
Cleanup Man
2023-03-16
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bagging Operator
2023-03-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
Mechanic
2017-07-12
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.39
Bagging Operator
2017-07-12
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.91
Hammer Mill Operator
2017-07-12
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.36
Mechanic
2013-06-12
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.94
2.62
0.36
Bagging Operator
2013-06-12
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.29
Mechanic
2013-06-12
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.64
Hammer Mill Operator
2002-01-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.18
Bagging Operator
2002-01-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.79
Ball Mill Operator
2002-01-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
4.33
Bagging Operator
2002-01-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.5
Mechanic
2002-01-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
5.15
Bagging 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.
Houston Plant 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 Texas, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.17 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 *
3.41
0.00
0.000
2021 *
10.51
3.50
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
29
2025
26
2024
28
2023
39
2022
29
2021
27
2020
30
2019
37
2018
34
2017
27
2016
21
2015
31
2014
39
2013
43
2012
31
2006
7
2005
5
2004
15
2003
19
2002
19
2001
21
2000
16
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Houston Plant sits in Harris County, Texas, where the Census mining category is 2.3% 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.
Harris County, Texas · Population 4,758,579
2.3%
Mining share of county employment
$73,104
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
20,542
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
18,475
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
16,140
4
0
247.8
2025 Q3
16,154
1
0
61.9
2025 Q2
16,118
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
16,100
1
0
62.1
2024 Q4
15,880
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
14,189
1
0
70.5
Show 74 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
15,998
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
18,858
1
0
53.0
2023 Q4
23,089
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
23,836
4
0
167.8
2023 Q2
23,712
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
17,528
6
0
342.3
2022 Q4
20,848
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
17,299
2
0
115.6
2022 Q2
10,331
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
10,113
4
0
395.5
2021 Q4
9,050
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
14,447
3
0
207.7
2021 Q2
16,809
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
16,786
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
14,274
2
0
140.1
2020 Q3
13,439
3
1
223.2
2020 Q2
16,643
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
20,976
4
1
190.7
2019 Q4
18,665
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
18,545
4
2
215.7
2019 Q2
16,618
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
15,470
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
25,081
2
0
79.7
2018 Q3
17,811
4
0
224.6
2018 Q2
18,266
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
12,804
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
17,720
4
0
225.7
2017 Q3
16,011
4
0
249.8
2017 Q2
17,179
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
14,956
3
1
200.6
2016 Q4
11,059
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
12,146
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
11,081
4
2
361.0
2016 Q1
10,788
1
0
92.7
2015 Q4
10,441
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
14,322
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
16,749
2
1
119.4
2015 Q1
18,959
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
20,130
3
0
149.0
2014 Q3
20,914
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
20,570
1
0
48.6
2014 Q1
22,823
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
22,546
1
1
44.4
2013 Q3
18,786
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
19,762
5
0
253.0
2013 Q1
19,221
2
0
104.1
2012 Q4
15,070
3
0
199.1
2012 Q3
16,580
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
5,169
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
3,640
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
3,678
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
3,945
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
3,038
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
2,806
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
2,783
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
10,924
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
12,240
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
9,929
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
9,979
6
1
601.3
2003 Q3
8,660
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
10,887
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
10,888
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
11,662
1
0
85.7
2002 Q3
11,161
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
9,997
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
12,005
2
0
166.6
2001 Q4
10,796
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
13,860
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
11,766
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
12,617
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
9,016
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
10,463
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
9,013
3
0
332.9
2000 Q1
7,945
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
20 on file
2022 · 1 incident
June 14, 2022TX · Metal/Non-Metalminer, prospector, necDISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Employee reported to supervisor that they did not feel good and felt very weak. EMS was called in and they did a basic check for stroke symptoms. EMS did not diagnose at that point, but they did take them to hospital where they were admitted for observation.
2021 · 3 incidents
September 19, 2021TX · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee became dehydrated, and heat exhausted. EE did not drink enough fluids during EE's shift and EE's legs began to cramp. EE was taken to air conditioned area to cool off and given cool towels, ice packs, water and gatorade.
Employee strained left forearm while attempting to life 6x6 tubing onto forklift. Employee is working but is on light duty - unable to lift over 20lbs.
2017 · 2 incidents
June 6, 2017TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
April 26, 2017TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee setting brake on rail car. Foot was between connection points. Foot was caught/smashed between two rail cars.
2004 · 1 incident
August 15, 2004TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE PUSHING ON WRENCH WITH FOOT, WRENCH SLIPPED EMPLOYEE LOST BALANCE JAM RIGHT KNEE INTO EDGE OF SHAKER. KNEE SWELLING WAS REASON FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION.
April 1, 2003TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
EMPLOYEE WAS TO SWITCH 5" HOSE FROM 600 TO 900. HE LOOSENED EARS OR LOCKING DEVICE ON HOSE. HOSE HAD SOME BACK PRESSURE ON IT CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS GRIP ON HOSE. HE GOT OFF BALANCE AND FELL TO THE FLOOR AND HOSE END FELL ON HIS RIGHT FOOT/ANKLE AND LEG.
EE WAS CLEANING TAIL PULLEY ON #1 CONVEYOR. A CHEMICAL TRUCK SPRAYING HERBICIDE ON FENCELINE SPRAYED HIM WITH KROVAR IDF HERBICIDE. EE WAS DOWN WIND FROM TRUCK. WIND CARRIED MIST ONTO EE.
March 29, 2002TX · Metal/Non-Metalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerOTHER
WORKING IN SIDE MILL REMOVING PLOW SUPPORTS AND HOLDERS, EE WAS IN A HAND AND KNEE POSITION TRYING TO LIFT SUPPORT OUT OF MILL WHEN HE HEARD A POP IN HIS ABDOME N. HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PAIN AND KEPT WORKING. HE REPORTED TO THE SUPERVISOR ON 3-3-01. HE WAS TAKEN TO DR. ON 3-5-01. HE HAS BEEN REFERRED TO ANOTHERDR. ON 3-7-01 W/UMBILICAL HERNIA.
January 6, 2001TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
EESTEPPED BETWEEN TWO 5" HOSES. HOSES DISCHARGED MATERIAL FROM BLOW POT AT 35 PSI, PINCHED TOGETHER ON EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT FOOT AND ANKLE. EMPLOYEE MUST KEEP IT ELEVATED FOR 24 HRS TO REDUCE SWEL LING.
1999 · 1 incident
October 12, 1999TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
HOSE CAME OFF OF BAGGING MACHINE FILLED AIR WITH DUST. EMPLOYEE HIT HEAD ON FORKLIFT. INJURY WAS TO EYE AREA, BLACKED EYE. EE WENT TO DR., WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, COME BACK IN TWO WEEK S.