Mining Incidents
Search Operators Mines Alerts Research Controllers Fatalgrams About
Countries
Peru Chile
English Español
← Back to search

ORCHARD QUARRY #4: 39 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Rodney A Birchard
Montrose, Susquehanna County, PA  ·  Intermittent
MSHA Mine ID: 3609768

ORCHARD QUARRY #4 has $5K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at ORCHARD QUARRY #4.

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
10
Years on record
2016–2026
Latest incident
Jul 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2009
39
citations
24
significant & substantial
$5,314
proposed penalties
$5,314
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
See NORTHEAST STONE WORKS, INC.'s full MSHA compliance history →
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2009
31
inspections on record
389
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: 389 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘ A Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2012-06-05.
On record since 2012.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.

ORCHARD QUARRY #4 has $5K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 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.
$5K
proposed penalties
$5K
current assessed
$5K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
37 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-03-19.
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.
64.9%
significant & substantial
2.7%
high negligence or reckless
64.9%
reasonably likely or greater
45.9%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 21.6% low, 75.7% moderate, 2.7% 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: 2025-03-26
20%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
11
samples
5
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz71 over
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg4
Show the individual readings (11)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2010-04-28 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 1.53 0.45 3.40 Stone Polisher/Cutter
2025-03-26 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Forklift Operator
2025-03-26 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Cleanup Man
2025-03-26 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Bobcat Operator
2019-01-16 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.13 Forklift Operator
2019-01-16 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Bobcat Operator
2019-01-16 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.18 Laborer, Bullgang
2016-06-30 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.2 0.33 0.61 Stone Polisher/Cutter
2016-06-30 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.14 0.51 0.27 Stone Polisher/Cutter
2010-06-29 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.18 0.38 0.47 Stone Polisher/Cutter
2010-04-28 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.12 0.43 0.28 Stone Polisher/Cutter
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.

ORCHARD QUARRY #4 recorded 8.70 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2016.

Injury rate, 2016
ⓘ 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.
8.70
total case rate
8.70
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 2.17 and the all-US-mining average was 2.59 cases per 100 workers.
In Pennsylvania, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 2.62 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
2016 * 8.70 8.70 0.000
2014 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2013 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2012 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2011 * 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. Northeast Stone Works, Inc. 2009 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 3
2025 4
2024 7
2023 5
2022 5
2021 5
2020 3
2019 10
2018 9
2017 11
2016 17
2015 19
2014 21
2013 18
2012 22
2011 15
2010 10
2009 9
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

ORCHARD QUARRY #4 sits in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where the Census mining category is 3.2% 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.
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania · Population 38,349
3.2%
Mining share of county employment
$66,930
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 1,085 0 0 0.0
2026 Q1 259 0 0 0.0
2025 Q4 1,340 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 2,045 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 2,401 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 308 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,317 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 3,862 0 0 0.0
Show 60 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 4,024 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 2,359 4 3 1695.6
2023 Q4 2,587 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2,647 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 2,575 1 0 388.3
2023 Q1 753 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 3,226 3 2 929.9
2022 Q3 3,879 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 2,028 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 981 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 3,277 5 4 1525.8
2021 Q3 4,071 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 1,296 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 938 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 1,972 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 1,777 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 354 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 194 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 4,078 1 1 245.2
2019 Q3 6,544 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 6,902 1 0 144.9
2019 Q1 1,378 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 4,257 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 4,355 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 5,292 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 4,720 2 2 423.7
2017 Q4 5,481 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 5,431 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 5,519 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 2,614 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 5,840 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 4,681 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 6,454 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 6,006 3 1 499.5
2015 Q4 453 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 6,257 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 5,821 2 1 343.6
2015 Q1 1,201 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 5,668 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 7,151 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 7,491 1 1 133.5
2014 Q1 4,682 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 4,531 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 5,161 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 5,185 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 5,719 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 5,966 2 1 335.2
2012 Q3 7,147 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 7,556 4 2 529.4
2012 Q1 5,794 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 6,369 3 2 471.0
2011 Q3 5,573 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 6,548 3 2 458.2
2011 Q1 4,575 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 4,158 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 4,845 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 4,188 3 2 716.3
2010 Q1 614 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 968 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 2,895 1 0 345.4
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

10 on file

2026 · 1 incident

July 3, 2026 PA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hit left ring finger with 4 lb. hammer. Open laceration and fracture of tuft of distal phalanx of finger.

2023 · 1 incident

November 17, 2023 PA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Splitting stone, when block slipped and hit right leg. X-rays confirmed bimalleolar fracture of right ankle.

2022 · 2 incidents

September 7, 2022 PA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by flying object

Cleaning stone with hammer & chisel. Piece of stone hit right eye.

April 25, 2022 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by flying object

Hooked bungee cord to pull guard that was rubbing on block saw blade. Cord came unhooked and hit EE in right eye. Employee felt okay. Three days later, when it was windy, eye became irritated. Went to optometrist on fourth day. Follow up appointment May 5, 2022.

2021 · 1 incident

September 3, 2021 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Lining piece of stone on recut table. When pushing it against guide, cut middle finger on left hand. Was taken to local ER and received 4 sutures. Doctor's excuse out until sutures removal on September 13.

2018 · 1 incident

May 3, 2018 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee hit right ring finger with 4 lb. hammer while splitting stone. Created gash open to the bone and ligaments. Originally reported on 5-22-2018, but is not showing up in submission list.

2017 · 3 incidents

September 22, 2017 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer MACHINERY
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was burning stone when they burned their shin. Employee applied topical burn cream and returned to work. Employee told office on Monday they were taking Monday & Tuesday off so the blisters would heal. Employee did not seek medical treatment. They returned to work on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

August 25, 2017 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by falling object

Employee took split piece of stone off pallet to recut. Employee did not realize second piece was not stable. Second piece fell on top of both feet, behind steel toe. The pain of the second stone hitting feet caused employee to drop first stone, also hitting both feet.

March 30, 2017 PA · Metal/Non-Metal stone finishing and sizing personnel, stone/rock cut/polish/saw operator, splitter, cutter, trimmer MACHINERY
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Struck by flying object

Individual was splitting stone, wearing proper protective gear. Small piece of stone entered between face and the protective eye wear, striking eye. Employee cleaned eye with eyewash. Eye continued to bother employee. Co-worker took employee to medical facility for evaluation. No foreign object was found. Eye drops were prescribed. Employee did not work the following day.

2016 · 1 incident

September 27, 2016 PA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Northeast Stone Works, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Moving 18x2 pieces of stone. Set one down, went back for next piece, felt back give. Stood and did stretches. Tried to pick up a second time and realized EE couldn't. Left work, called for doctor's appointment. Was seen at 3 p.m. on 9/27 with follow-up appointment at 8 a.m. on 9/28.