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.
26 citations across 1,118 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Morganton has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 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.
$4K
proposed penalties
$4K
current assessed
$4K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
26 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $100 in penalties contested before the Commission, $100 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2021-07-07.
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.
1citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
Settled
1 · 100%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$100 proposed, $100 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2009-12-02.
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: 2025-03-07
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
30
samples
5
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz5
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz4
Fibers, >5um2
Show the individual readings (30)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Shovel Operator
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2024-03-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2024-03-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.13
Truck Driver
2024-03-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Utility Man
2020-09-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2020-09-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2020-09-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2020-09-09
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Shovel Operator
2015-07-30
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Sampler, Dust
2015-07-30
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2009-10-14
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2009-10-14
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2009-10-14
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scale Man
2005-05-04
Fibers, >5um
0
Drill Operator, Rotary
2005-05-04
Fibers, >5um
0
Backhoe Operator
2004-10-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Shovel Operator
2004-10-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2004-10-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.48
Crusher Oper/Worker
2004-10-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Backhoe Operator
2004-10-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
1.51
0.12
Drill Operator, Rotary
2001-07-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.8
1.05
0.76
Shovel Operator
2001-07-25
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Lab Technician
2001-07-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.23
0.46
0.50
Truck Driver
2001-07-25
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
1.16
0.12
Crusher Oper/Worker
2000-09-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.4
Truck Driver
2000-09-19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.17
1.02
0.17
Drill Operator, Rotary
2000-09-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.57
Backhoe 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.
Morganton 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 North Carolina, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.14 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.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
17
2025
16
2024
16
2023
16
2022
14
2021
12
2020
9
2019
13
2018
9
2017
7
2016
7
2015
8
2014
11
2013
12
2012
14
2011
13
2010
11
2009
11
2008
11
2007
13
2006
11
2005
16
2004
15
2003
13
2002
17
2001
17
2000
19
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Morganton sits in Burke County, North Carolina, where the Census mining category is 0.0% 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.
Burke County, North Carolina · Population 87,863
0.0%
Mining share of county employment
$55,684
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
8,757
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
7,834
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
8,023
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
11,366
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
6,755
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
9,531
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
11,638
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
8,362
0
0
0.0
Show 98 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
6,628
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
7,924
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
9,427
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
6,980
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
8,558
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
7,466
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
6,206
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
7,893
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
8,535
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
8,417
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
6,353
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
8,077
1
0
123.8
2021 Q2
6,096
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
6,593
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
4,427
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
4,926
1
0
203.0
2020 Q2
5,170
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
5,908
1
0
169.3
2019 Q4
7,503
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
6,170
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
8,034
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
8,066
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
5,943
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
6,048
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
3,816
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
5,262
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
4,026
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
4,379
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
3,647
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
5,220
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
5,358
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
5,019
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
4,501
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
4,560
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
4,278
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
3,901
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
6,273
1
0
159.4
2015 Q1
3,100
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
3,066
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
7,947
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
3,201
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
6,799
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
4,839
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
5,940
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
6,099
1
0
164.0
2013 Q1
6,234
1
0
160.4
2012 Q4
5,383
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
5,016
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
6,914
1
0
144.6
2012 Q1
6,069
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
6,271
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
6,859
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
6,356
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
5,119
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
5,204
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
6,367
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
6,438
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
5,418
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
5,698
1
0
175.5
2009 Q3
5,385
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
5,645
1
0
177.1
2009 Q1
4,947
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
5,363
1
0
186.5
2008 Q3
6,136
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
7,125
3
2
421.1
2008 Q1
4,651
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
5,849
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
6,220
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
6,765
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
8,622
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
4,040
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
8,670
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
7,323
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
6,991
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
9,864
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
8,824
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
10,149
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
8,495
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
8,302
1
0
120.5
2004 Q3
8,034
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
9,613
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
8,837
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
7,917
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
9,621
1
0
103.9
2003 Q2
8,582
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
3,618
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
5,528
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
7,405
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
8,364
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
14,205
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
6,693
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
11,522
1
0
86.8
2001 Q2
9,678
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
10,663
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
11,388
2
0
175.6
2000 Q3
12,888
2
0
155.2
2000 Q2
12,596
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
11,077
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
24 on file
2026 · 2 incidents
June 29, 2026NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
EE was running the rock breaker while breaking a knot when the excavator jarred sharply. This sudden sharp movement tweaked something in their back. The did not seek medical treatment until July 2nd.
March 26, 2026NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Employee was replacing a transmission in a pick-up truck. They used a floor jack to lower the transmission. While lowering the transmission, it became unstable and started to roll. When it did, the employee smashed their finger between the transmission and the jack. Their right-hand pinky finger had a laceration that required sutures and fractured tip.
2012 · 1 incident
September 22, 2012NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
The employee was sent to a pulmonary specialist who conducted a CT scan. The scan revealed a significant bilateral pleural plaquing. This is characteristic of asbestos exposure. The employee worked for the U.S. Navy in Hawaii during 1973 -1976. During this period, his job was to remove the asbestos insulation from old naval ships.
2003 · 2 incidents
September 12, 2003NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS STEPPING DOWN FROM DOZER AFTER ATTACHING FUEL NOZZLE. HIS LEFT FOOT CONTACTED FUEL HOSE ON THE GROUND CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE. HIS RT. FOOT STRUCK THE GROUND AND TURNED CAUSIN G A BROKEN BONE IN THE ANKLE AREA.
THE EE WAS CARRYING A LARGE WRENCH TO THE DRILL WHEN HE STEPPED IN A DEPRESSION CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE. HE TWISTED TO DROP THE WRENCH AND CLEAR HIS FEET CAUSING A STRAIN OF HIS GROIN AND CHEST WALL AREA. HE CONTINUED WORKING UNTIL ASKING TO GO TO THE DR ON 10-1-03. AT THIS TIME HE WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY AND RETURNED TO WORK.
EMPLOYEE WENT TO SCRAP YARD TO GET PIECE OF METAL FOR A PROJECT HE WAS WORKING ON. HE DROVE A 2000 MODEL F350 TRUCK WITH WELDING MACHINE MOUNTED ON IT WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK HE STEPP ED ON A ROCK TURNING HIS RIGHT ANKLE.
1996 · 2 incidents
December 30, 1996NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING OIL IN THE FEEDER AND GREASING. EMPLOYEE WAS CRAWLING (DUCK WALKING) OUT FROM UNDER FEEDER AFTER GREASING. HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND GRABBED THE V-BELT CAUSING THE BELT TO ROLLA ND CATCHING THE RING FINGER BETWEEN THE V-BELT AND SHEAVE.
March 26, 1996NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE WAS TIGHTENING UP COME-A-LONG, ATTEMPTING TO PULL TRACK SEGMENTS TOGETHER ON 95 NORTHWEST DROP BALL. THE CHAIN BROKE ON THE COME-A-LONGCAUSING 2 SGEMENTWS TO STRIKE HIS LOWER RT LEG.
1995 · 1 incident
August 15, 1995NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
GREASE HOSE BURST IN EMPLOYEES LEFT HAND LACERATING HIS PALM & FORCED GREASE INTO THE LACERATION
1994 · 1 incident
August 25, 1994NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
HE WAS PUTTING BOLTS IN TRACK FRAME THE BOLT GOES IN FRAME & CANNOT BE SEEN HE WAS FEELING TO SEE IF BOLT WAS IN THE INSET WHEN HE TURNED THE NUT & PINCHED HIS FINGER
1993 · 1 incident
August 18, 1993NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING A 350 GAL WATER TRAILER DOWN A 18DEG.GRADE WITH THE TOUNGE IN THE BUCKET HE HAD THE BUCKET APPROX 4FT IN THE AIR WHEN ONE OF THE TRAILER TIRES DROPPED IN A DEPRESSION HE DR OPPED THE BUCKET & THE TOUNGE OF THE TRAILER CAME INTO OPERATORS COMPARTMENT & FRACTURED HIS RT WRIST
1990 · 1 incident
September 6, 1990NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
I NAME & I NAME WERE REMOVING FLY WHEEL COVER ON R-35 TRUCK AS THEY WERE LIFTING IT DOWN FLY WHEEL CAME TOO & STRUCK I NAME ON LEFT HAND CAUSING A PUNCTURE WOUND THAT REQUIRED STITCHES
1989 · 2 incidents
September 28, 1989NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING CRUSHER OPERATOR WITH OVERSIZED ROCK JAMMED IN JAW CRUSHER. A METAL HOOK WAS WEDGED BETWEEN STONE AND CRUSHER. EMPLOYESTOOK A REBAR HOOK TO HOLD METAL HOOK WHEN STONE UNJAMMED, REBAR FLIPPED UP AND CUT EMPLOYEES FINGER.
EMPLOYEE WAS KNEELING ON 2ND DECK OF 3 DECK SCREEN. HE WAS SUPPORTING MOST OF HIS WEIGHT ON LEFT HAND. SCREEN CLOTH SLID DOWN AND KNOCKED HIS SUPPORTING HAND LOOSE, AND EMPLOYEE FELL FORWARD H ITTING HIS MOUTH (UPPER LIP) ON SCREEN CLOTH.
1988 · 1 incident
June 23, 1988NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
MAN WAS STANDING ON DRAGLINE TRACK WHEN HE STEPPED DOWN HE HIT RIGHT INDEX FINGER ON TRACK PIN CAUSING SMALL CUT.
1987 · 1 incident
December 30, 1987NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
I.NAME AND I.NA4E WERE LOADING STEEL STRIPS ON TRUCK TO BE HAULED TO SHOP I.NAME FELT A BURNING IN HIS SIDE OVER THE WEEKEND IT GOT WORSE HE REPORTED THIS 1-4-88
FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN TOW PIECES OF STEEL HOIST AT WORK
1984 · 4 incidents
June 26, 1984NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON