What are R D BLANKENSHIP DIRT WORK LLC's MSHA penalties?

R D BLANKENSHIP DIRT WORK LLC has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties on record, with $0 currently outstanding across 1 contested dockets.

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R D BLANKENSHIP DIRT WORK LLC: 74 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Surface

Controlled by Brian Blankenship

Otero, Otero County, NM · Active

MSHA Mine ID: 2901986

R D BLANKENSHIP DIRT WORK LLC has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities: 0
Total incidents: 14
Years on record: 1992–2025
Latest incident: Nov 2025

Compliance record

MSHA citations since 2000

citations

significant & substantial

$8,379

proposed penalties

$8,379

paid to date

100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.

Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.

See R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC's full MSHA compliance history →

Inspection activity

MSHA inspections since 2000

inspections on record

836

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: 836 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.

Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

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

outstanding

73 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.

Of $408 in penalties contested before the Commission, $408 was upheld in final decisions.

As of the most recent assessment on 2026-03-23.

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

1.4%

high negligence or reckless

16.2%

reasonably likely or greater

54.1%

permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs

Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 10.8% low, 87.8% moderate, 1.4% 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.

4 citations taken to the federal commission · 5% of citations on record

Settled 4 · 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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%

Penalty reduction in decided contests

$408 proposed, $408 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 2011-03-01.

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
CENT 2011-502M	Settlement	Barbour	2011	$408 → $408

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: 2025-07-02

of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit

samples

limit-tested

Most sampled contaminants

Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz7
Respirable dust, <.1mg4
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz3

Show the individual readings (14)

Date	Contaminant	Concentration	Limit	Conc / limit	Occupation
2025-07-02	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.32			Truck Driver
2022-05-11	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.23			Laborer, Bullgang
2022-05-11	Respirable dust, <.1mg	0			Crusher Oper/Worker
2020-09-23	Respirable dust, <.1mg	0			Crusher Oper/Worker
2017-08-09	Respirable dust, <.1mg	0			Front-end Loader Operator
2017-08-09	Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz	0.13			Truck Driver
2015-05-20	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.22	0.96	0.23	Front-end Loader Operator
2015-05-20	Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz	0.18			Crusher Oper/Worker
2011-01-05	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.86	2.6	0.33	Laborer, Bullgang
2011-01-05	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.24	1.51	0.16	Mechanic
2010-02-24	Respirable dust, <.1mg	0			Front-end Loader Operator
2010-02-24	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.23	1.37	0.17	Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-07-12	Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz	0.39			Crusher Oper/Worker
2005-07-12	Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz	0.23	1.38	0.17	Front-end Loader 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

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel 1985 to 1994
R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC 1994 to present

Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.

Workforce and production

Year	Employees
2026	6
2025	5
2024	5
2023	5
2022	5
2021	6
2020	5
2019	6
2018	7
2017	6
2016	6
2015	7
2014	7
2013	7
2012	6
2011	8
2010	8
2009	8
2008	9
2007	11
2006	10
2005	9
2004	8
2003	9
2002	7
2001	7
2000	8

Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

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.

Otero County, New Mexico · Population 68,235

1.2%

Mining share of county employment

$52,717

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	2,552	0	0	0.0
2026 Q1	2,220	2	1	900.9
2025 Q4	2,475	0	0	0.0
2025 Q3	2,216	5	0	2256.3
2025 Q2	2,090	0	0	0.0
2025 Q1	1,961	0	0	0.0
2024 Q4	2,069	2	0	966.7
2024 Q3	2,165	2	0	923.8

Show 98 earlier quarters

Quarter	Hours worked	Citations	S&S	Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2	2,295	0	0	0.0
2024 Q1	2,479	0	0	0.0
2023 Q4	2,573	1	0	388.7
2023 Q3	2,038	0	0	0.0
2023 Q2	2,427	0	0	0.0
2023 Q1	2,247	1	0	445.0
2022 Q4	2,290	0	0	0.0
2022 Q3	2,419	0	0	0.0
2022 Q2	2,679	2	0	746.5
2022 Q1	1,091	2	0	1833.2
2021 Q4	2,093	0	0	0.0
2021 Q3	1,986	2	0	1007.0
2021 Q2	2,178	0	0	0.0
2021 Q1	2,047	0	0	0.0
2020 Q4	2,374	1	0	421.2
2020 Q3	2,151	0	0	0.0
2020 Q2	2,189	1	0	456.8
2020 Q1	1,753	1	0	570.5
2019 Q4	1,738	0	0	0.0
2019 Q3	1,836	3	0	1634.0
2019 Q2	1,653	0	0	0.0
2019 Q1	1,993	0	0	0.0
2018 Q4	1,658	0	0	0.0
2018 Q3	1,577	0	0	0.0
2018 Q2	1,523	1	0	656.6
2018 Q1	1,459	0	0	0.0
2017 Q4	1,433	1	0	697.8
2017 Q3	1,612	1	1	620.3
2017 Q2	1,802	0	0	0.0
2017 Q1	1,722	0	0	0.0
2016 Q4	1,951	0	0	0.0
2016 Q3	1,717	0	0	0.0
2016 Q2	1,643	0	0	0.0
2016 Q1	1,946	0	0	0.0
2015 Q4	1,989	0	0	0.0
2015 Q3	2,117	0	0	0.0
2015 Q2	1,649	2	0	1212.9
2015 Q1	1,828	5	4	2735.2
2014 Q4	2,130	0	0	0.0
2014 Q3	1,881	1	0	531.6
2014 Q2	1,459	0	0	0.0
2014 Q1	1,470	2	0	1360.5
2013 Q4	2,063	0	0	0.0
2013 Q3	1,936	0	0	0.0
2013 Q2	1,543	7	2	4536.6
2013 Q1	1,441	2	0	1387.9
2012 Q4	1,565	0	0	0.0
2012 Q3	1,409	0	0	0.0
2012 Q2	1,150	0	0	0.0
2012 Q1	1,557	0	0	0.0
2011 Q4	1,926	0	0	0.0
2011 Q3	1,672	0	0	0.0
2011 Q2	2,276	4	2	1757.5
2011 Q1	2,119	4	1	1887.7
2010 Q4	1,737	0	0	0.0
2010 Q3	1,436	2	0	1392.8
2010 Q2	1,834	0	0	0.0
2010 Q1	1,874	4	0	2134.5
2009 Q4	1,952	0	0	0.0
2009 Q3	1,952	0	0	0.0
2009 Q2	2,007	0	0	0.0
2009 Q1	1,766	0	0	0.0
2008 Q4	3,430	0	0	0.0
2008 Q3	2,466	5	0	2027.6
2008 Q2	2,569	0	0	0.0
2008 Q1	2,814	0	0	0.0
2007 Q4	2,814	0	0	0.0
2007 Q3	2,845	0	0	0.0
2007 Q2	6,132	0	0	0.0
2007 Q1	3,097	4	0	1291.6
2006 Q4	3,192	0	0	0.0
2006 Q3	3,015	0	0	0.0
2006 Q2	2,486	0	0	0.0
2006 Q1	2,760	0	0	0.0
2005 Q4	2,228	0	0	0.0
2005 Q3	2,216	0	0	0.0
2005 Q2	3,077	0	0	0.0
2005 Q1	2,988	1	1	334.7
2004 Q4	2,123	0	0	0.0
2004 Q3	1,856	0	0	0.0
2004 Q2	1,808	0	0	0.0
2004 Q1	2,456	0	0	0.0
2003 Q4	2,189	0	0	0.0
2003 Q3	2,662	0	0	0.0
2003 Q2	2,739	0	0	0.0
2003 Q1	2,405	0	0	0.0
2002 Q4	1,533	0	0	0.0
2002 Q3	1,812	0	0	0.0
2002 Q2	1,970	0	0	0.0
2002 Q1	1,604	0	0	0.0
2001 Q4	2,080	0	0	0.0
2001 Q3	1,797	0	0	0.0
2001 Q2	2,083	0	0	0.0
2001 Q1	2,189	0	0	0.0
2000 Q4	1,992	0	0	0.0
2000 Q3	1,941	0	0	0.0
2000 Q2	2,173	0	0	0.0
2000 Q1	2,265	2	0	883.0

No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

14 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

November 12, 2025 NM · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Struck by falling object

Operator was removing a guard on the crusher plant when the final bolt slipped and the corner of the guard fell against EE's lip cutting it

January 30, 2025 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was welding when welding slag fell into EE's shoe causing 1st degree burns to the top of EE's left foot

2024 · 1 incident

June 28, 2024 NM · Metal/Non-Metal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor MACHINERY

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was welding and once finished put their hands on their legs to push up to the standing position. As they had their welding mask on, they didn't realize the welding rod had stuck to their glove and not fallen to the ground. The rod stuck into their left thigh causing a puncture and burn.

2006 · 1 incident

August 7, 2006 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Struck by flying object

Welding & grinding; slag lodged in left eye during grind welds.

2005 · 1 incident

November 11, 2005 NM · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AFTER WATERING THE PIT, EMPLOYEE STOPPED AT CRUSHER TO CHECK IF HIS HELP WAS NEEDED THERE AND UPON CROSSING A BERM RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED ON ROCKS CAUSING RIGHT ANKLE TO BE TWISTED.

2004 · 1 incident

February 13, 2004 NM · Metal/Non-Metal

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · -

WHILE SHOVELING OUT UNDER THE FEEDER, EE WAS ON HIS KNEES TO REACH SOME DIRT, WHEN HE WENT TO TOSS THE DIRT EE REPORTEDLY TWISTED AND HIS BACK POPPED CAUSING PAIN.

2000 · 2 incidents

August 4, 2000 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Struck by flying object

SITTING IN LOADER AFTER DUMPING MATERIAL INTO FEEDER BIN, EMPLOYEE LOOKED OUT WINDOW AS SOME UNDETERMINED OBJECT FLEW IN THE WINDOW HITTING EMPLOYEE'S GLASSES CAUSING LEFT LENSE TO BREAK AND GLASS TO GO INTO EMPLOYEE'S LEFT EYE.

January 19, 2000 NM · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE SHOVELING EE WAS BENT OVER. TRIED TO RAISE UP & BACK ALLEGEDLY DID NOT WANT TO STRAIGHTEN UP DUE TO BACK PAIN.

1996 · 1 incident

June 17, 1996 NM · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

R D Blankenship Dirt Work LLC · Fall from ladders

HE WAS GREASING THE CRUSHER AND CLIMBING DOWN A LADDER AND LOST HIS BALANCE. HIS RIGHT LEG WENT THROUGH A RUNG AND FELL, ENDING UPSIDE DOWN, HANGING FROM THE LADDER.

1993 · 2 incidents

December 9, 1993 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING CHUNK OF CLAY FROM CONVEYOR. ROCK ROLLED AND HIT HIS FINGER, FRACTURED HIS INDEX FINGER ON RIGHT HAND.

February 17, 1993 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE TRIED TO LIFT LARGE ROCK

1992 · 3 incidents

April 27, 1992 NM · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TRYING TO BREAK BOLT LOOSE- ARM POPPED. TORN NERVE.

March 19, 1992 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel · Struck by flying object

A ROCK BOUNCED OFF THE SHAKER AND HIT INJURED ON SHOULDER.

February 20, 1992 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

Paul E Blankenship Sand & Gravel · Fall onto or against objects

STEPPED ON CONVEYOR BELT-FOOT TWISTED AND BROKE.