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: 973 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: 2017-12-19.
On record since 2017.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
San Juan Plant has $49K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 4 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.
$49K
proposed penalties
$48K
current assessed
$48K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
139 assessments are final orders; 4 contested dockets.
Of $9K in penalties contested before the Commission, $8K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2021-01-12.
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.
5citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
Settled
3 · 60%
Stood as issued
2 · 40%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 3 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
14%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$9K proposed, $8K 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 2018-03-19.
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: 2021-01-13, 5 years ago
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
21
samples
3
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz17
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz3
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (21)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2021-01-13
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.31
Forklift Operator
2021-01-13
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
3.58
Bagging Operator
2019-04-04
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.48
Mechanic
2019-04-04
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
2.23
10
0.22
Bagging Operator
2019-04-04
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.16
Front-end Loader Operator
2017-12-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.47
Bagging Operator
2017-12-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.37
Bagging Operator
2017-12-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.03
Bagging Operator
2016-08-31
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
2.16
10
0.22
Lab Technician
2016-08-31
Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.63
10
0.16
Cleanup Man
2011-11-02
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.49
Supervisor, Co. Official
2011-11-02
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.42
Bagging Operator
2009-12-09
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
3.7
Bagging Operator
2009-12-09
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.84
Mechanic
2009-06-10
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.31
Front-end Loader Operator
2009-06-10
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
3.99
Bagging Operator
2007-06-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
2.69
Laborer, Bullgang
2007-06-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
7.56
Bagging Operator
2007-06-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
1.18
Supervisor, Co. Official
2002-06-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
3.29
Bagging Operator
2002-06-27
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
4.25
Sampler, Dust
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.
San Juan Plant recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2020.
Injury rate, 2020
ⓘ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
Below average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.77 and the all-US-mining average was 2.08 cases per 100 workers.
In New Mexico, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.21 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
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2019 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
5.64
5.64
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
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
2020
18
2019
17
2018
23
2017
26
2016
27
2015
20
2014
16
2013
16
2012
16
2011
16
2010
14
2009
17
2008
18
2007
15
2006
12
2005
11
2004
11
2003
11
2002
11
2001
11
2000
12
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
San Juan Plant sits in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, where the Census mining category is 1.3% 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.
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico · Population 40,165
1.3%
Mining share of county employment
$53,901
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
2020 Q4
7,438
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
8,934
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
7,286
1
0
137.2
2020 Q1
7,668
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
6,635
2
0
301.4
2019 Q3
7,380
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
7,765
2
0
257.6
2019 Q1
8,678
0
0
0.0
Show 74 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2018 Q4
7,939
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
9,416
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
10,750
1
0
93.0
2018 Q1
10,818
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
9,857
6
2
608.7
2017 Q3
10,849
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
11,919
6
2
503.4
2017 Q1
12,243
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
10,488
2
0
190.7
2016 Q3
11,684
3
1
256.8
2016 Q2
11,444
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
10,467
11
3
1050.9
2015 Q4
9,631
1
0
103.8
2015 Q3
9,145
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
8,540
4
0
468.4
2015 Q1
8,130
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
6,430
6
2
933.1
2014 Q3
5,952
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
7,600
2
0
263.2
2014 Q1
7,736
1
0
129.3
2013 Q4
7,197
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
7,759
2
0
257.8
2013 Q2
7,643
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
7,842
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
7,170
1
0
139.5
2012 Q3
7,496
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
8,432
2
0
237.2
2012 Q1
8,379
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
5,952
3
0
504.0
2011 Q3
8,657
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
8,635
6
1
694.8
2011 Q1
6,662
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
6,636
8
4
1205.5
2010 Q3
7,334
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
7,186
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
6,642
1
0
150.6
2009 Q4
5,849
8
1
1367.8
2009 Q3
7,207
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
7,919
3
0
378.8
2009 Q1
6,751
3
0
444.4
2008 Q4
6,007
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
6,910
1
0
144.7
2008 Q2
8,188
4
2
488.5
2008 Q1
7,991
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
6,511
3
2
460.8
2007 Q3
7,404
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
6,472
10
1
1545.1
2007 Q1
6,847
3
1
438.1
2006 Q2
6,620
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
7,265
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
5,304
2
0
377.1
2005 Q3
5,573
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
6,415
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
6,461
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
5,089
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
5,716
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
6,363
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
6,999
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
5,502
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
6,591
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
7,274
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
6,598
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
5,606
1
0
178.4
2002 Q3
5,976
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
6,501
3
0
461.5
2002 Q1
5,859
2
1
341.4
2001 Q4
5,845
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
6,137
4
0
651.8
2001 Q2
7,129
5
1
701.4
2001 Q1
7,298
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
6,614
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
6,550
5
2
763.4
2000 Q2
7,041
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
6,688
6
4
897.1
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
24 on file
2015 · 1 incident
December 9, 2015NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The EE was preparing a catwalk in order to begin fastening roof decking on a flat roof (total roof area 800 sq ft - 20ft x 40ft). It is unknown how or why the fall occurred, however, the EE was not wearing fall protection equipment as there was no means of tying off. He fell between two rafters that are 2' apart, through the insulation and drywall to the floor below (approx 9 ft).
2005 · 2 incidents
November 10, 2005NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
EE WAS MOVING A 40 FT POLE WITH THE BACKSIDE OF THE BACKHOE BUCKET. WHEN HE RAISED THE BUCKET FROM OFF THE POLE, THE POLE MOVED AND TWISTED IN THE DIRECTION WHERE INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING AND AND THE POLE HIT HIS ANKLE.
September 21, 2005NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Per the employee what happened: Lifting 50 lb pumice bags while bagging and putting them on a skid. And still kept working sweeping the dust on the floors.
EE RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE HYDRAULIC JACK. WHEN THE HYDRAULIC JACK LOST IT'S PRESSURE, THE HYDRAULIC JACK CAME LOOSE, THE HYDRAULIC JACK FELL OFF THE PULLEY ONTO HIS HAND, CUTTING THROUGH HIS GLOVE AND LACERATING HIS FINGER.
April 22, 2003NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
PERSON WAS TRYING TO MAINTAIN BALANCE AFTER NOT STEPPING CORRECTLY, HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO GRAB ON TO SOME METAL WITH HIS THUMB, CAUSING THE LIGAMENT TO SWELL.
2001 · 5 incidents
December 21, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS 1 OF 3 MEN ENGAGED IN HOLDING A TASK MILL COVER, THEY WERE IN A PULLING MOTION TO TRY TO CEN THE COVER ON THE MILL SO THEY COULD PUT THE BOLTS IN.
WAS HELPING FIX ONE OF THE EE'S COMPUTER, THE PCNEEDED TO BE PLUGGED INTO A SURGE PROTETOR. THE SURGE PROTECTOR IS HEAVY AND EE WAS HAVING TO WORK IN AN AWKWARD POSITION UNDER THE DESK ON HER BACKSIDE.
August 23, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS LIFTING 50# BAG FROM PACKING MACHINE & TURNING TO PUT THE BAG ON A SKID. EE SAID HE FELT SOMETHING IN HIS BACK WHEN TURNING TO PUT THE BAG ON THE SKID
February 20, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A PALLET WITH A DOLLY, WHEN HIS FEET SLIPPED FROM UNDER HIM AND HE LANDED ON HIS BACK.
January 25, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE ELEVATOR WHEN HE SLIPPED ON THE SNOW AND SPRAINED HIS ANKLE.
2000 · 10 incidents
December 28, 2000NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS LOADING BAG ONTO PALLET & WAS GOING TO GET ANOTHER BAG OFF OF THE PACKER WHEN HE LOST HISFOOTING & SLIPPED . HE TRIED TO CATCH HIMSELF ON THE PACKING MACHINE & CUT HIS LEFT FINGER
December 21, 2000NM · Metal/Non-Metalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHILE DRILLING A HOLE IN THE FLAT BAR STEEL, THEDRILL BOUND UP ON THE METAL AND JERKED IT FROM THE CLAMP THAT WAS HOLDING IT IN PLACE. THE ROTATION OF THE DRILL SWUNG THE FLAT BAR AND CONTACT ED THE LEFT THUMB OF THE EMPLOYEE.
August 24, 2000NM · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE SAT DOWN IN BREAKROOM BEFORE LUNCH. HE GOT A PAPER TOWEL AND USED IT TO WIPE THE PERSPIRATION FROM HIS FACE WHEN HE FELT AN IRRITATION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS LEFT EYE.
WHILE CONDUCTING A HEGMAN TEST, PRESSING DOWN WITH HANDS PINCHING A PRECISION TOOL AND PULLING HANDS AND ARMS FORWARD, THERE WAS PAIN AND NUMBNESS IN THE LEFT HAND, WRIST, ARM, AND SHOULDER.
May 13, 2000NM · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS CLEANING AND ORGANIZING WORK IN THE SHOP WHEN HE SPRAINED HIS RIGHT THUMB ON A HEAVY BEARING.
1999 · 2 incidents
March 17, 1999NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WENT TO FIX THE HOSE, WHICH IS USED TO WATER THE WASTE, AND THE WIND BLEW SOMETHING IN HIS LEFT EYE. EE WASHED HIS EYE OUT WITH WATER KIT WASH AT THE PLANT SITE BUT THE EYE CONTINUED TO BE IRRITATED. HE WENT TO ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL FIRST CARE, WHERE THEY CONTINUED TO WASH HIS EYE OUT. THEY GAVE HIM DROPS TO PUT IN HIS EYE EVERY SIX HOURS. HE WAS NOT TO WORK FRIDAY OR SATURDA
1998 · 1 incident
April 23, 1998NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
WHILE CUTTING PLYWOOD OVERHEAD WITH A CIRCULAR SAW, THE SAW JAMMED ON THE WOOD. TRIED TO RELEASE THE SAW WITH HIS LEFT HAND, BUT THE SAW KICKED BACK AND SPRUNG FORWARD CUTTING THROUGH HIS LEFT ARM. CUT WAS APPROX. 3" LONG, 1/2" WIDE, AND 1/2" DEEP.