Mining Incidents

Morehead Pit: 111 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Butte Sand & Gravel · Surface
Controlled by Darren Morehead
Sutter, Sutter County, CA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0401712

Morehead Pit has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $151 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
22
Years on record
1987–2012
Latest incident
May 2012
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
111
citations
18
significant & substantial
$16,428
proposed penalties
$16,277
paid to date
99% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $151 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2001
69
inspections on record
859
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: 859 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Morehead Pit has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $151 outstanding across 0 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
$16K
current assessed
$16K
paid to date
$151
outstanding
111 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-05-06.
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.
16.2%
significant & substantial
1.8%
high negligence or reckless
16.2%
reasonably likely or greater
62.2%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 1.8% none, 15.3% low, 81.1% moderate, 1.8% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, 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: 2025-10-22
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
27
samples
10
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg14
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz12
  • Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (27)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2025-10-22 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.17 0.83 0.20 Front-end Loader Operator
2024-10-02 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2024-10-02 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2024-04-16 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2023-06-23 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.13 Mechanic
2023-02-09 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2021-03-18 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Mechanic
2021-03-18 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-04-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.42 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-04-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Cleanup Man
2018-04-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Bulldozer Operator
2013-05-14 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2013-05-14 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.28 0.71 0.39 Laborer, Bullgang
2013-05-14 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Mechanic
2009-01-15 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 1.75 0.11 Crusher Oper/Worker
2009-01-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Bulldozer Operator
2009-01-15 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 1.2 0.16 Laborer, Bullgang
2005-04-12 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2005-04-12 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.17 Front-end Loader Operator
2005-04-12 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.2 1.03 0.19 Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-04-12 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 1.41 0.13 Cleanup Man
2005-04-12 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2001-05-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2001-05-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.24 0.94 0.26 Bulldozer Operator
2001-05-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.43 2.34 0.18 Front-end Loader Operator
2001-05-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 1.57 0.12 Crusher Oper/Worker
2001-05-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.12 0.72 0.17 Mechanic
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.

Morehead Pit 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
No reportable injury cases in any year shown. Employee-hours were reported in each of those years, so these are true zeros rather than missing data. Citations, listed in the compliance record above, are inspector-found violations and are counted separately from worker injuries.
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 California, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.42 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 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2021 * 0.00 0.00 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.
Ownership history
  1. Butte Sand & Gravel 1950 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 26
2025 24
2024 20
2023 19
2022 20
2021 18
2020 16
2019 18
2018 15
2017 15
2016 16
2015 14
2014 13
2013 12
2012 11
2011 14
2010 12
2009 12
2008 13
2007 27
2006 25
2005 20
2004 19
2003 18
2002 15
2001 16
2000 14
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Morehead Pit sits in Sutter County, California, where the Census mining category is 0.1% 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.
Sutter County, California · Population 98,971
0.1%
Mining share of county employment
$75,450
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 13,760 1 0 72.7
2026 Q1 10,995 0 0 0.0
2025 Q4 15,122 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 15,857 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 11,207 1 0 89.2
2025 Q1 10,637 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 11,282 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 13,205 0 0 0.0
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 10,688 1 0 93.6
2024 Q1 8,161 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 10,305 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 12,146 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 9,969 1 0 100.3
2023 Q1 10,244 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 10,928 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 11,169 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 11,331 2 0 176.5
2022 Q1 10,993 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 9,597 1 0 104.2
2021 Q3 9,903 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 9,680 1 1 103.3
2021 Q1 7,996 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 13,382 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 10,014 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 8,229 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 7,959 1 0 125.6
2019 Q4 9,359 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 10,269 6 2 584.3
2019 Q2 10,114 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 8,225 1 0 121.6
2018 Q4 9,101 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 8,738 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 9,249 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 7,105 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 8,221 1 0 121.6
2017 Q3 8,259 1 0 121.1
2017 Q2 9,224 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 7,948 3 0 377.5
2016 Q4 8,631 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 9,632 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 9,563 2 0 209.1
2016 Q1 7,457 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 7,940 3 1 377.8
2015 Q3 9,491 2 0 210.7
2015 Q2 7,139 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 7,405 2 0 270.1
2014 Q4 8,467 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 8,479 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 7,401 2 0 270.2
2014 Q1 7,743 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 8,148 1 0 122.7
2013 Q3 8,564 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 7,113 2 0 281.2
2013 Q1 6,794 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 6,090 4 0 656.8
2012 Q3 6,164 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 4,544 2 1 440.1
2012 Q1 5,332 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 6,247 2 1 320.2
2011 Q3 7,111 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 4,740 2 0 421.9
2011 Q1 5,219 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 5,816 2 0 343.9
2010 Q3 6,492 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 5,353 2 0 373.6
2010 Q1 5,851 5 1 854.6
2009 Q4 5,625 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 7,022 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 6,511 1 0 153.6
2009 Q1 5,097 1 0 196.2
2008 Q4 5,612 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 7,366 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 5,965 1 0 167.6
2008 Q1 8,039 4 1 497.6
2007 Q4 31,050 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 12,088 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 16,007 6 3 374.8
2007 Q1 11,560 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 13,741 5 1 363.9
2006 Q3 11,979 4 0 333.9
2006 Q2 14,063 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 12,247 1 0 81.7
2005 Q4 12,635 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 10,532 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 11,513 2 0 173.7
2005 Q1 9,934 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 10,914 2 0 183.3
2004 Q3 10,104 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 11,668 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 9,069 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 10,887 6 2 551.1
2003 Q3 10,175 3 1 294.8
2003 Q2 10,022 1 0 99.8
2003 Q1 7,635 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 8,579 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 9,364 2 0 213.6
2002 Q2 7,664 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 7,228 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 8,460 3 1 354.6
2001 Q3 8,738 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 7,944 11 2 1384.7
2001 Q1 9,208 4 0 434.4
2000 Q4 7,047 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 8,337 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 7,174 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 6,652 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

22 on file

2012 · 1 incident

May 24, 2012 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Butte Sand & Gravel · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was in the shop installing a tarp on a trailer. He was on the fender adjusting the tarp and slipped. As he slid, he reached with his left hand and grabbed the tarp to stop the slide. When he did that, it jerked his left shoulder, dislocating it. He let go and slid to the ground.

1997 · 1 incident

March 16, 1997 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Butte Sand & Gravel · Fall to the walkway or working surface

WHILE LINING THE ROCK CHUTE WITH URETHANE MATS, EE SIPPED. HIS RIGHT LEG CAUGHT & TWISTED HIS KNEE

1995 · 1 incident

September 1, 1995 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING TRUCK OUT OF OVERHEAD BUNKERS, AND LEVER HE WAS OPERATING STUCK. WHEN IT GAVE WAY, HIS HAND SLIPPED AND JAMMED AGAINST STRUCTURE, BREAKING TIP OF PINK FINGER ON RIGHT HAN D

1994 · 2 incidents

June 2, 1994 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck against stationary object

LOADING TRUCK AT DRAIN ROCK BUNKER WHEN CLOSING LEVER ON BUNKER ON SHUT OFF HIT BUNKER & BROKE FINGER

May 12, 1994 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Butte Sand & Gravel · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE WAS STANDING ON LOOSE GRAVEL ON SLIGHT RISE HE SLIPPED AND WHEN HE TRIED TO CATCH HIMSELF AND TORCH WENT ACROSS LEFT HAND.

1993 · 3 incidents

July 8, 1993 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING TRUCK TIRE WHEN TIRE IRON HE WAS USING SLIPPED OFF THE RIM AND PUNCTURED HIS INSIDE RIGHT THIGH.

May 28, 1993 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Butte Sand & Gravel · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS GREASING A BEARING ON A TRANSFER TRAILER THERE WAS A SPRING LOADED LATCH T HAT CAME OVER THE BEARING EE PRIED THE LATCH BACK WITH A CROWBAR & WAS RUBBING ROLLER BEARING WITH GREASE CROW BAR SLIPPED & THE LATCH SMASHED THE END OF HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER OFF

January 4, 1993 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Butte Sand & Gravel · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE IN LEFT EYE.

1992 · 5 incidents

November 23, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS SITTING ON GROUND BENDING FORWARD TO HOOK UP HYDRAULIC COUPLER BETWEEN A TEN-WHEEL TRUCK AND PUP TRAILER AND PULLED A MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK.

September 3, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING WIPER ON #2 RETURN CONVEYOR ON CRUSHING PLANT WHEN HIS LEFT HAND SLIPPED. A SHARP PIECE OF METAL CUT HIS LEFT THUMB.

February 21, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman OTHER
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS CHECKING FUSES IN ELECTRICAL BOX LID OF BOX WAS PROPPED OPEN WITH A STAICK WIND CAME UP & BLEW STICK AWAY CAUSING LARGE LID TO COMD DOWN STRICKING EMPLOYEE ON ARM

February 10, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING SCRAP METAL INTO END DUMP & STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK & NECK MUSCLES

January 8, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TRYING TO UNJAM TAILGATE LATCHES USING A 2 FT LONG PIPE. PIPE CAME BACK AND HIT EE ON CHIN.

1991 · 1 incident

December 2, 1991 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Butte Sand & Gravel · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING TRANSFER TRUCK DELIVERING SAND TO JOBSIGHT IN YUBA CITY, CA. HE FELT CHEST PAINS STARTING AROUND 2:00 PM WHILE DRIVING. THEN AROUND 2:45 PM, HE WAS AT THE JOSSIGHT IN YUBA CITY WHEN SEVERE PAIN STRUCK HIS CHEST WHILE LIFTING THE TONUE OF THE TRAILER ONTO HIS TRUCK HITCH. ANOTHER DRIVER OFFERED TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL THEN BUT HE REFUSED. HE THEN DROVE THE T

1990 · 4 incidents

June 28, 1990 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Butte Sand & Gravel · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING OFF THE LOADER AT THE FUEL PUMPS TO FUEL LOADER AT THE END OF HIS SHIFT.WHEN HE LANDED,HIS FOOT CAUGHT ON A PIECE OF CONCRETE NEAR THE FUELING STATION,TWISTING HIS ANKLE. HIS ANKLE WAS COMPLETELY DISLOCATED,AND HE BROKEALL THREE LEG BONES JUST ABOVE THE ANKLE.

March 2, 1990 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING TRUCKS WITH FRONT END LOADER.

February 25, 1990 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Butte Sand & Gravel · Fall down stairs

I.NAME WAS STANDING ON DECK BETWEEN TRUCK AND TRAILER. HE STARTED TO STEP DOWN, MISSED THE STEP AND FELL FACE DOWN TO GROUND.

January 23, 1990 CA · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor POWERED HAULAGE
Butte Sand & Gravel · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

I.NAME ADJUSTING RETURN ROLLER ON CONVEYOR BELT WHILE BELT WAS MOVING.RIGHT ARM GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN BELT AND ROLLER PULLING HIM BETWEEN BELT AND ROLLER.

1989 · 1 incident

January 17, 1989 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Butte Sand & Gravel · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STANDING ON A RAISED PLATFORM TURNING A TROMBLE WITH A CABLE COME ALONG WHILE TURNING TROMBLE FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN FRAME OF TROMBLE AND PIECE OF IRON THAT WAS WELDED ONTO TROMBLE FRACUTED S MASHED AND CUT BIG TOE OF RT FOOT

1988 · 1 incident

December 26, 1988 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck by falling object

EMPL LYING ON BACK UNDER SERVICE TRUCK INSTALLING TRANSMISSION. DIRT WAS NOCKED OFF BODY OF TRUCK INTO EMPL'S EYE.

1987 · 2 incidents

August 27, 1987 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PICKING STICKS 5ND TRAMP IRON OFF GRAVEL SEPARATING SCREEN. OBJECT PENETRATED SKIN.

August 12, 1987 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Butte Sand & Gravel · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

TRUCK BED WAS R5ISED 1/2" OFF FRAME EE WAS MANIPULATING SPLITTER VALVE FRAME CAME DOWN ON FINGER.