Little Hill Mine has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 16 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
18
Years on record
1988–2018
Latest incident
Mar 2018
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
116
citations
24
significant & substantial
$22,253
proposed penalties
$18,101
paid to date
81% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $4,152 gap.
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: 912 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Little Hill Mine has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 16 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.
$22K
proposed penalties
$18K
current assessed
$18K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
114 assessments are final orders; 16 contested dockets.
Of $15K in penalties contested before the Commission, $11K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2018-11-27.
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.
32citations taken to the federal commission · 28% of citations on record
Settled
26 · 81%
Stood as issued
6 · 19%
71%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 14 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
26%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$17K proposed, $13K 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 2018-12-30.
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: 2018-11-27, 7 years ago
26%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
30
samples
19
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz195 over
Respirable dust, <.1mg10
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (30)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2017-05-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.58
0.46
1.26
Laborer, Bullgang
2011-05-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.45
0.46
3.15
Laborer, Bullgang
2011-05-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.69
0.51
3.31
Crusher Oper/Worker
2004-12-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.9
0.53
1.70
Crusher Oper/Worker
2003-07-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.98
0.38
2.58
Crusher Oper/Worker
2018-11-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2018-11-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2018-11-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.22
Cleanup Man
2017-08-03
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2017-08-03
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
0.32
0.94
Crusher Oper/Worker
2017-05-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-06-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.44
1.89
0.23
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-06-26
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-06-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.69
0.73
0.95
Laborer, Bullgang
2011-09-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.21
0.53
0.40
Crusher Oper/Worker
2011-09-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.2
0.48
0.42
Laborer, Bullgang
2011-05-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2010-04-14
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.17
0.95
0.18
Front-end Loader Operator
2010-04-14
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
0.49
0.61
Laborer, Bullgang
2010-04-14
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.29
0.52
0.56
Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-06-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.13
0.55
0.24
Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-06-29
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.17
1.09
0.16
Truck Driver
2004-12-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
1.78
0.17
Front-end Loader Operator
2004-12-02
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
0.53
0.30
Front-end Loader Operator
2003-11-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.36
0.52
0.69
Crusher Oper/Worker
2003-11-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.12
1.26
0.10
Truck Driver
2003-11-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2003-07-23
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2003-07-23
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Backhoe Operator
2003-07-23
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
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.
Little Hill Mine recorded 7.12 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2017.
Injury rate, 2017
ⓘ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.
7.12
total case rate
7.12
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.99 and the all-US-mining average was 2.48 cases per 100 workers.
In Arizona, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 2.03 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
2017 *
7.12
7.12
0.000
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2012 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011 *
8.14
8.14
0.000
2010 *
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
2023
4
2020
7
2019
6
2018
13
2017
16
2016
18
2015
19
2014
20
2013
20
2012
17
2011
15
2010
15
2009
17
2008
19
2007
21
2006
20
2005
20
2004
19
2003
18
2002
17
2001
20
2000
22
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Little Hill Mine sits in Pinal County, Arizona, where the Census mining category is 0.8% 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.
Pinal County, Arizona · Population 449,219
0.8%
Mining share of county employment
$77,588
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
2023 Q1
1,872
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
550
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
985
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
1,189
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
942
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
1,037
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
3,227
1
0
309.9
2018 Q3
4,132
0
0
0.0
Show 74 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2018 Q2
4,705
1
0
212.5
2018 Q1
6,382
2
1
313.4
2017 Q4
6,755
2
0
296.1
2017 Q3
7,606
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
7,275
3
1
412.4
2017 Q1
6,472
4
0
618.0
2016 Q4
7,937
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
7,325
3
0
409.6
2016 Q2
7,644
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
6,591
2
1
303.4
2015 Q4
7,859
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
7,373
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
8,615
4
0
464.3
2015 Q1
7,825
3
0
383.4
2014 Q4
8,722
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
7,339
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
8,390
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
7,085
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
8,854
1
0
112.9
2013 Q3
7,553
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
8,806
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
6,611
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
7,551
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
6,028
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
7,077
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
5,824
1
0
171.7
2011 Q4
6,466
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
6,625
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
5,660
3
0
530.0
2011 Q1
5,826
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
6,638
4
0
602.6
2010 Q3
6,583
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
5,826
3
1
514.9
2010 Q1
6,685
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
5,488
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
7,341
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
6,405
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
8,054
1
0
124.2
2008 Q4
7,991
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
8,978
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
8,481
9
2
1061.2
2008 Q1
10,553
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
9,861
3
1
304.2
2007 Q3
9,680
1
0
103.3
2007 Q2
8,781
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
9,932
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
9,450
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
10,825
1
0
92.4
2006 Q2
10,907
11
1
1008.5
2006 Q1
8,749
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
10,072
8
1
794.3
2005 Q3
9,758
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
10,675
2
1
187.4
2005 Q1
9,013
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
10,469
2
1
191.0
2004 Q3
8,673
1
0
115.3
2004 Q2
9,645
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
7,643
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
9,039
1
0
110.6
2003 Q3
7,670
16
3
2086.0
2003 Q2
8,557
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
7,250
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
9,436
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
7,551
1
0
132.4
2002 Q2
9,530
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
7,527
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
3,535
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
7,999
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
11,450
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
9,830
2
0
203.5
2000 Q4
11,708
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
11,149
1
1
89.7
2000 Q2
10,795
18
8
1667.4
2000 Q1
9,981
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
18 on file
2018 · 1 incident
March 28, 2018AZ · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
During morning hours with moderate lighting and overcast skies, employee was on the engine deck checking engine oil level. To better see the oil level, EE turned toward the front, missing step and fell approximately 7 feet to the ground, landing on back. The engine deck was clean and the ground was clear.
2011 · 1 incident
December 20, 2011AZ · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laborer (ee) and loader operator were cleaning material from under the #1 feed conveyor. EE placed his hand between the conveyor frame and loader bucket. When another ee moved loader ee right middle finger was caught in between.
2009 · 1 incident
November 25, 2009AZ · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorMACHINERY
EE was in the shop changing cutting edges on a 966F Front-end loader. The EE reached under supported bucket with his left hand when the bolt spun and cut his wrist. EE rec. 11 sutures and was released back to work. No time lost and returned to work on the same day.
2008 · 1 incident
April 15, 2008AZ · Metal/Non-Metalbelt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
When pulling suction out of pond the right rear tire went up on the berm causing to much weight to front of the83 boom and the loose dirt landing sluffing causing the83 to tip resulting in a roll over EE then made the decision to unbuckle and jump causing him to land on his head resulting in a c2 fracture and a fracture to right wrist.
2005 · 3 incidents
August 30, 2005AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
Using tool for clean up near tail pulley, tool was caught in conveyor assembly, jerking tool along with employee's hand and smashing the tool and hand against conveyor damaging three fingers of his right hand.
May 27, 2005AZ · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
WATER TRUCK OPERATOR HAD STARTED TO ASCEND A HAUL ROAD GRADE & DID NOT SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR UNTIL THE MOTOR STARTED TO STALL. WHEN HE DISENGAUGED THE CLUTCH, THE TRUCK ROLLED BACKWARD. THE OPERATOR HIT THE BRAKES AND SLID IN WATERED AREA SIDEWAYS & THE TRUCK ROLLED OVER.
April 22, 2005AZ · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
ON 4-16 EE RECEIVED A FIRST AID INJURY. ON 6-15 EE RECEIVED SECOND INJURY TO THE SAME LEG; (BUMPED IT) IT WAS DETERMIBNED TO BE AN ABCESS ON THE BONE. HE WAS TREATED FOR THIS INFECTION.
1998 · 1 incident
June 3, 1998AZ · Metal/Non-Metalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverHANDLING OF MATERIALS
HE WAS ASKED TO GO FROM CRUSHER TO GOLD PIT TO CHECK ON MATERIALS IN THE STOCK PILE. THERE WAS A FAILURE TO CONTROL SPEED ON PERSONAL MOTORCYCLEAND RAN INTO ROCK SLIDE. HE SUFFERED SKULL FRACT URE, BLOOD CLOT BEHIND THE EAR AND BROKEN COLLAR BONE.
1995 · 3 incidents
September 11, 1995AZ · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techFIRE
PRIMED CARBURETOR TO START VEHICLE AND IT BACKFIRED CATCHING FIRE.
August 30, 1995AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE CHAIN ON SPROCKET OFSMALL CLEAN UP CONVEYOR, HE SLIPPED OFF, FELL 7 FT LANDED ON HIS FEET CAUSING INJURY TO HIS RIGHT KNEE.
July 12, 1995AZ · Metal/Non-Metalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF RUNG OF LADDER WHILE CLIMBING UP TO LOAD HIS HAUL TRUCK WHEN HE SLIPPED HIS KNEE HIT THE ABOVE RUNG &CAUSED HIS KNEE CAP TO DISLOCATE
1993 · 1 incident
February 16, 1993AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
EE WAS USING A CUTTING TORCH WHEN SLAG WENT DOWN HIS LEFT GLOVE AND BURNT HIS HAND. HE REPORTED TO THE DOCTOR THE NEXT DAY FOR TREATMENT OF AN INFECTED BURN. HIS HAND IS HEALING FINE.
1988 · 1 incident
May 26, 1988AZ · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
I.NAME WAS W ORKING ON A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER HE ATTEMPTED TO LOOSEN BOLTS WITH A 3/4 DRILL SWING HANDLE TOOL HE WAS GOING TO USE HIS RT.FOOT FOR LEVERAGE TO LOOSEN BOLT HIS FOOT MISSED TOOL HAN DLE & WHEN HIS FOOT HIT THE GROUND H IS KNEE APPARENTLY TWISTED & TORE THE CARTILAGE