Mining Incidents

Quail Hollow Operation: 126 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Peter J Lemon
FELTON, Santa Cruz County, CA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0403177

Quail Hollow Operation has $24K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 9 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
16
Years on record
1983–2025
Latest incident
May 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
126
citations
14
significant & substantial
$23,895
proposed penalties
$21,590
paid to date
90% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $2,305 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2001
67
inspections on record
886
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: 886 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Quail Hollow Operation has $24K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 9 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.
$24K
proposed penalties
$22K
current assessed
$22K
paid to date
$100
outstanding
126 assessments are final orders; 9 contested dockets.
Of $9K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-06-17.
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.
11.1%
significant & substantial
0.8%
high negligence or reckless
11.1%
reasonably likely or greater
48.4%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 22.2% low, 77.0% moderate, 0.8% 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.
18 citations taken to the federal commission · 14% of citations on record
  • Settled 13 · 72%
  • Stood as issued 2 · 11%
  • Vacated or withdrawn 3 · 17%
10%
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 10 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
28%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$9K proposed, $6K 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 2013-02-27.
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
WEST 2013-535M Settlement Bulluck 2013 $3K → $3K
WEST 2008-1367M Settlement 2011 $2K → $2K
WEST 2011-1474M Settlement Miller 2012 $1K → $918
WEST 2009-1065M Settlement Miller 2011 $946 → $750
WEST 2010-1045M Settlement Manning 2011 $446 → $200
WEST 2010-1837M Withdrawal Miller 2011 $100 → $0
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: 2026-01-15
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
18
samples
3
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg14
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz3
  • Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (18)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2026-01-15 Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2025-06-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Kiln/Dryer Operator
2025-06-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2023-07-07 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Laborer, Bullgang
2020-07-29 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Dry Screen Plant Operator
2020-07-29 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Kiln/Dryer Operator
2018-01-04 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.19 0.8 0.24 Kiln/Dryer Operator
2016-03-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2016-03-15 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Washer Operator
2014-07-02 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2014-07-02 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Dry Screen Plant Operator
2014-07-02 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.13 1 0.13 Aerial Tram Operator
2009-04-28 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Laborer, Bullgang
2009-04-28 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2002-05-22 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2002-05-22 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Dry Screen Plant Operator
2002-05-22 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2002-05-22 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.18 0.74 0.24 Bulldozer 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.
Ownership history
  1. Santa Cruz Aggregates 1950 to 1996
  2. Granite Rock Company 1997 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 7
2025 7
2024 7
2023 7
2022 6
2021 6
2020 6
2019 6
2018 6
2017 6
2016 5
2015 4
2014 4
2013 4
2012 5
2011 5
2010 5
2009 5
2008 6
2007 5
2006 6
2005 7
2004 7
2003 6
2002 6
2001 7
2000 7
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Quail Hollow Operation sits in Santa Cruz County, California, 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.
Santa Cruz County, California · Population 266,021
0.0%
Mining share of county employment
$109,266
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 3,455 0 0 0.0
2026 Q1 3,574 0 0 0.0
2025 Q4 3,623 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 3,926 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 4,002 1 0 249.9
2025 Q1 4,037 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 3,992 2 0 501.0
2024 Q3 4,433 3 1 676.7
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 4,458 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 4,334 2 0 461.5
2023 Q4 4,037 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 3,940 1 0 253.8
2023 Q2 4,350 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 3,640 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 3,742 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 3,158 2 0 633.3
2022 Q2 3,166 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 2,706 1 0 369.5
2021 Q4 3,202 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 2,202 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 3,426 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 3,296 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 3,327 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 3,211 1 0 311.4
2020 Q2 3,303 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 3,427 3 0 875.4
2019 Q4 3,439 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 3,477 1 0 287.6
2019 Q2 3,658 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 3,292 2 0 607.5
2018 Q4 3,485 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 3,612 2 0 553.7
2018 Q2 3,496 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 3,331 1 0 300.2
2017 Q4 3,525 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 3,560 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 2,874 3 2 1043.8
2017 Q1 2,867 3 1 1046.4
2016 Q4 2,455 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 2,742 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 2,681 2 0 746.0
2016 Q1 2,525 1 0 396.0
2015 Q4 2,363 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 1,756 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 2,168 3 0 1383.8
2015 Q1 1,943 5 1 2573.3
2014 Q4 2,106 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 2,645 1 1 378.1
2014 Q2 2,305 3 0 1301.5
2014 Q1 2,108 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 2,577 2 0 776.1
2013 Q3 1,770 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 1,813 3 0 1654.7
2013 Q1 2,045 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 1,894 7 0 3695.9
2012 Q3 1,902 7 0 3680.3
2012 Q2 1,903 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 1,737 3 0 1727.1
2011 Q4 1,820 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 1,810 5 0 2762.4
2011 Q2 2,278 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 1,820 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 1,702 6 3 3525.3
2010 Q3 1,992 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 2,199 4 1 1819.0
2010 Q1 2,110 4 1 1895.7
2009 Q4 2,176 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 2,145 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 2,360 7 1 2966.1
2009 Q1 2,374 4 0 1684.9
2008 Q4 2,477 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 3,001 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 3,045 3 0 985.2
2008 Q1 2,882 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 2,950 2 0 678.0
2007 Q3 2,876 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 3,193 7 1 2192.3
2007 Q1 2,580 2 0 775.2
2006 Q4 2,593 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 2,598 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 2,981 1 0 335.5
2006 Q1 3,111 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 3,412 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 3,478 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 3,644 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 3,479 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 3,528 1 0 283.4
2004 Q3 3,337 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 3,471 1 0 288.1
2004 Q1 3,612 3 1 830.6
2003 Q4 2,594 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 2,946 1 0 339.4
2003 Q2 2,968 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 3,074 2 0 650.6
2002 Q4 991 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 3,329 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 3,608 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 3,611 1 0 276.9
2001 Q4 3,519 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 3,150 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 3,355 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 3,726 3 0 805.2
2000 Q4 3,555 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 3,730 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 3,392 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 3,259 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

16 on file

2025 · 1 incident

May 12, 2025 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Granite Rock Company · Fall down stairs

TM fell while descending stairs and while attempting to catch themselves felt a pop in EE's left arm.

2020 · 1 incident

February 5, 2020 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Granite Rock Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Team member hit EE's finger with a 10 pound hammer.

2016 · 1 incident

February 26, 2016 CA · Metal/Non-Metal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Granite Rock Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

IT Team Member from Corporate Office was at the Quarry to install a 60+ lb UPS unit. Team member was sliding the UPS unit into a closet and right pinky finger was caught in the line of fire and bent back. IT Team Member reported the injury on 2/27/16 to Manager.

2013 · 2 incidents

October 25, 2013 CA · Metal/Non-Metal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management STRIKING OR BUMPING
Granite Rock Company · Struck against stationary object

Injured reported that while attempting to unplug a drain pipe, he walked between the water truck and the wash plant to access the drain pipe when he caught his right forearm on a piece of sharp metal protruding from a steel beam

March 21, 2013 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Granite Rock Company · Struck against a moving object

While operating D-8 dozer, moving in reverse, dozer dropped unexpectedly on uneven terrain, jolting injured worker. Injured worker felt pain in lower back.

2009 · 2 incidents

July 20, 2009 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Granite Rock Company · Struck against a moving object

Cummulative trauma to lower back from operating loader and running the #2 sand plant for many years.

May 20, 2009 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Granite Rock Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cumulative hearing loss determined by mobile van testing and confirmed with re-test. Re-test conducted 5-20-09 confirms recordable loss.

2003 · 1 incident

January 17, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Granite Rock Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CAUGHT TIP OF FINGER BETWEEN SHIM & V-BELT DRIVE

1998 · 1 incident

June 3, 1998 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Granite Rock Company · Fall from machine

WHEN EE STEPPED DOWN OFF THE LOADER ONTO THE GROUND (C0NCRETE SLAB SURFACE) HE FELT A PULLING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT KNEE. EE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UNITL 6/23/98. AT THIS TIME, HE HAS NOT YET MISSED TIME FROM WORK AND IS DOING HIS REGULAR JOB DUTIES.

1997 · 1 incident

January 1, 1997 CA · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES
Granite Rock Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

AS EE WAS CHANGING THE SIGNS, HE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH POISON OAK.

1995 · 1 incident

June 9, 1995 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Santa Cruz Aggregates · Fall from machine

DRIVER SLIPPED ON HIS TRUCK'S STEP.

1987 · 1 incident

November 9, 1987 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Santa Cruz Aggregates · Struck against stationary object

REACHED UP TO T6RN ON HEATER OF LOADER.LEANED BACK WHILE TURNING HEAD HIT EYE ON MOUNTED FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

1986 · 1 incident

March 19, 1986 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Santa Cruz Aggregates · Struck by falling object

WHILE HE WAS TR2ING TO BREAK A FOSSIL ROCK FROM THE FEEDER USING A 6"STEEL BAR,IT SLIPPED CAUDING HIS THUMBNAIL TO SPLIT.

1985 · 1 incident

January 2, 1985 CA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman OTHER
Santa Cruz Aggregates · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE HE WAS WALKING UP FLIGHT OF STAIRS TO WASH PLANT HE HAD A SEIZURE

1984 · 1 incident

August 3, 1984 CA · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Santa Cruz Aggregates · Fall from ladders

WHILE CLIMBING THE STEP LADDER, HE SLIPPED AND FELL HITTING LEFT KNEE ON METAL RUNG

1983 · 1 incident

July 22, 1983 CA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Santa Cruz Aggregates · Struck against stationary object

WHILE HE WAS WORKING ON SOME ROLLED STEEL DUCT WORK HE ACCIDENTALLY RUBBED HIS FINGER ON RAZOR SHARP EDGE OF THE MATERIAL