Mining Incidents

M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc: 64 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Georgetown, Sussex County, DE  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0700104

M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
19
Years on record
1999–2022
Latest incident
Jun 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
64
citations
14
significant & substantial
$8,210
proposed penalties
$8,210
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
59
inspections on record
861
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: 861 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc has $8K 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.
$8K
proposed penalties
$8K
current assessed
$8K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
64 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $1K in penalties contested before the Commission, $1K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-02-18.
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.
21.9%
significant & substantial
6.2%
high negligence or reckless
21.9%
reasonably likely or greater
42.2%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 31.2% low, 62.5% moderate, 6.2% 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.
12 citations taken to the federal commission · 19% of citations on record
  • Stood as issued 12 · 100%
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 6 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$1K 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 2005-01-10.
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
YORK 2005-19M Dismissal Barbour 2005 $1K → $1K
YORK 2005-28M Default Lesnick 2005 $180 → $180
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: 2025-03-12
26
samples
0
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg20
  • Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz5
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (26)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2025-03-12 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Screen/Scalper Operator
2025-03-12 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Laborer, Bullgang
2024-01-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Washer Operator
2024-01-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2024-01-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2020-01-15 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.13 Mechanic
2020-01-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Screen/Scalper Operator
2020-01-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-02-27 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Laborer, Bullgang
2018-02-27 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Washer Operator
2014-05-08 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Utility Man
2014-05-08 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2014-05-08 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Washer Operator
2014-05-08 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Mechanic
2014-05-08 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.37 Welder, etc.
2009-12-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Mechanic
2009-12-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Utility Man
2009-12-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Washer Operator
2005-06-23 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Laborer, Bullgang
2005-06-23 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.26 Washer Operator
2005-06-23 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Utility Man
2005-06-23 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2005-06-23 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.19 Mechanic
2003-07-10 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.12 Front-end Loader Operator
2003-07-10 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Dredge/Barge Operator
2003-07-10 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.46 Utility Man
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.

M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc recorded 6.90 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2022.

Injury rate, 2022
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.
6.90
total case rate
6.90
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.78 and the all-US-mining average was 2.12 cases per 100 workers.
In Delaware, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 4.54 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
2022 * 6.90 6.90 0.000
2021 * 16.47 0.00 0.000
2020 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2019 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2017 * 19.38 0.00 0.000
2006 * 9.22 9.22 0.000
2005 * 8.00 8.00 0.000
2004 * 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. M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc 1991 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 9
2025 9
2024 8
2023 9
2022 13
2021 11
2020 10
2019 9
2018 9
2017 11
2016 8
2015 8
2014 8
2013 7
2012 7
2011 7
2010 7
2009 6
2008 7
2007 9
2006 10
2005 13
2004 15
2003 10
2002 9
2001 9
2000 8
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc sits in Sussex County, Delaware, where the Census mining category is 0.2% 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.
Sussex County, Delaware · Population 247,799
0.2%
Mining share of county employment
$78,162
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 5,068 0 0 0.0
2026 Q1 4,101 1 0 243.8
2025 Q4 4,126 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 5,060 1 0 197.6
2025 Q2 4,687 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 3,597 2 0 556.0
2024 Q4 3,523 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 3,766 0 0 0.0
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 5,587 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 4,208 2 0 475.3
2023 Q4 4,285 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 3,791 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 5,276 5 0 947.7
2023 Q1 5,386 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 8,157 3 0 367.8
2022 Q3 8,114 1 0 123.2
2022 Q2 6,388 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 6,322 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 5,895 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 6,092 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 5,887 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 6,419 3 0 467.4
2020 Q4 6,424 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 5,803 1 0 172.3
2020 Q2 6,067 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 5,140 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 5,253 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 5,128 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 5,749 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 4,878 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 5,275 1 0 189.6
2018 Q3 5,528 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 4,368 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 4,548 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 5,874 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 4,839 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 4,602 1 0 217.3
2017 Q1 5,324 1 0 187.8
2016 Q4 4,731 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 4,489 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 4,916 2 2 406.8
2016 Q1 4,348 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 4,660 1 0 214.6
2015 Q3 3,885 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 3,904 1 0 256.1
2015 Q1 3,438 2 1 581.7
2014 Q4 4,006 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 4,364 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 4,706 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 3,188 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 4,143 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 3,698 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 3,961 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 2,965 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 3,409 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 3,438 2 0 581.7
2012 Q2 3,367 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 3,290 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 3,331 1 1 300.2
2011 Q3 3,571 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 2,997 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 2,866 1 1 348.9
2010 Q4 3,622 3 1 828.3
2010 Q3 3,273 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 3,771 2 1 530.4
2010 Q1 2,845 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 3,019 1 0 331.2
2009 Q3 2,658 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 2,995 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 2,737 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 2,911 2 0 687.0
2008 Q3 3,652 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 3,546 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 3,447 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 3,211 1 1 311.4
2007 Q3 4,672 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 4,576 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 4,971 1 0 201.2
2006 Q4 4,880 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 5,771 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 5,886 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 5,164 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 5,054 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 6,269 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 5,967 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 7,719 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 8,406 12 6 1427.6
2004 Q3 8,526 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 9,359 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 4,449 3 0 674.3
2003 Q4 5,736 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 4,579 2 0 436.8
2003 Q2 4,607 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 4,407 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 5,280 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 4,689 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 4,934 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 3,926 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 4,873 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 4,406 4 0 907.9
2001 Q2 4,522 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 4,151 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 4,292 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 4,194 1 0 238.4
2000 Q2 4,431 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 3,921 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

19 on file

2022 · 1 incident

June 1, 2022 DE · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was adjusting the impeller on the dredge. Adjustment nut stopped moving so EE starting using a 4 foot Snap On Ratchet and strained self too much.

2021 · 2 incidents

October 18, 2021 DE · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee rubbed up against hand rail as they were picking up screen.

June 18, 2021 DE · Metal/Non-Metal barge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck hand HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was closing door to operator cab and shut the door on EE's hand. This caused swelling on top of right hand. Employee was sent for x-ray and no broken bones.

2018 · 1 incident

January 2, 2018 DE · Metal/Non-Metal vacuum filter operator, flotation mill/concentrator operator, flotation plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was stepping out from crew boat to the dock and slipped and fell in the crew boat. This caused a contusion to right shoulder and hip.

2017 · 2 incidents

March 21, 2017 DE · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was wiping off work table with a shop rag when right forefinger came in contact with sharp edge of a pump impeller. This caused a cut on employee's forefinger. No sutures were required. Employee was given a tetanus shot.

March 7, 2017 DE · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was tightening nut on classifier valve rod. Wrench slipped off nut pinching right forefinger between wrench and top of classifier. Right forefinger was cut. No sutures or broken bones. Employee was given x-ray, tetanus shot and antibiotic.

2016 · 2 incidents

October 13, 2016 DE · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was installing a hoist cylinder on a 2006 Volvo Dump Truck. The hoist cylinder moved and pinched middle finger on right hand. EE's finger had a laceration requiring four sutures.

May 16, 2016 DE · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was reaching for tool box drawer and accidentally jammed their right thumb. Right thumb was sprained.

2014 · 1 incident

December 31, 2014 DE · Metal/Non-Metal barge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck hand HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing steps on the dredge. He stated that when he went to take the next step he felt something pull in his left calf.

2013 · 1 incident

July 19, 2013 DE · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was running equipment when it started over heating. Employee started checking for coolant leaks. He opened the engine hood inspection door and as he was doing that coolant and steam started blowing out the radiator cap. Employee stated he did not touch radiator cap.

2011 · 1 incident

February 28, 2011 DE · Metal/Non-Metal barge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck hand SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was checking to make sure all bolts were on cover for cutter gears. When finished he went to take a step backwards and misjudged his footing and twisted left ankle.

2009 · 1 incident

August 31, 2009 DE · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) POWERED HAULAGE
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was operating tender boat. He bent over to pick up. rope tie off small crew boat to tender boat. When he bent over, he stated something in his back pulled.

2008 · 1 incident

2007 · 1 incident

May 29, 2007 DE · Metal/Non-Metal barge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck hand HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Struck by flying object

Installing tips & pins on cutter head, a piece of roll pin came off while driving pin in place & struck employee in right forearm. Cleaned & put band aid on it feeling that was all that needed. On 6/4/07 employee came in & showed supervisor a bump on his arm. We made a DR's appt for 6/7 at which time the DR told him to remain out of work until he had X-rays and the results back.

2006 · 1 incident

2005 · 1 incident

October 21, 2005 DE · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

CONDITIONS WERE WET. EE WAS CLIMBING LADDER ON MACHINE USING 3 POINTS OF CONTACT. HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF LADDER & HE FELL OFF LOADER. EE TRIED TO HOLD HIMSELF WITH BOTH HANDS BUT WAS UNABLE TO. HE FELL TO GROUND CAUSING BACK PAIN.

2001 · 2 incidents

August 20, 2001 DE · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WORKER WAS ON DECK OF LOADER HELPING TO REINSTALL SEAT IN THE CAB. WHEN HE TURNED HE PULLED SOMETHING IN HIS BACK.

1999 · 1 incident

March 24, 1999 DE · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
M L Joseph Sand & Gravel Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS ASSISTING IN THE REMOVAL OF WATER PUMP FROM CONTAINMENT POND, CABLE WRAPPED AROUND HIS LEG, CAUSING SPRAINED KNEE, CONTUSION AND ABRASIONS.