Mining Incidents

Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa: 2 recorded fatalities Metal/Non-Metal

Poteet, Atascosa County, TX  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4105317

Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa has $602K in proposed MSHA penalties and $542K outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
2
Total incidents
30
Years on record
2018–2025
Latest incident
Jul 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2018
187
citations
40
significant & substantial
$602,002
proposed penalties
$51,799
paid to date
9% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $550,203 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2018
55
inspections on record
1,770
inspection hours
10.6
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.
187 citations across 1,770 inspection hours.
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: 2018-04-24.
On record since 2018.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.

Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa has $602K in proposed MSHA penalties and $542K outstanding across 3 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.
$602K
proposed penalties
$593K
current assessed
$52K
paid to date
$542K
outstanding
157 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $19K in penalties contested before the Commission, $10K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-03-24.
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.
22.1%
significant & substantial
8.8%
high negligence or reckless
22.1%
reasonably likely or greater
28.2%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 6.1% low, 85.1% moderate, 8.8% 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.
8 citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
  • Settled 3 · 38%
  • Still open 5 · 63%
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%
46%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$19K proposed, $10K 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 2026-04-29.
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 2021-0039 Settlement Manning 2021 $19K → $10K
CENT 2024-0157 Decision pending
CENT 2026-0158 Decision pending
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: 2026-03-24
44%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
18
samples
9
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz94 over
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg6
  • Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz3
Show the individual readings (18)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2026-03-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.63 0.53 1.19 Utility Man
2025-05-20 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 1.53 0.84 1.82 Utility Man
2025-05-20 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.59 0.46 1.28 Utility Man
2019-09-17 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.98 0.38 2.58 Utility Man
2026-03-24 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.36 0.39 0.92 Utility Man
2026-03-24 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2025-06-17 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 4.94 Supervisor, Co. Official
2025-06-17 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.27 Utility Man
2025-06-17 Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.16 Supervisor, Co. Official
2025-05-20 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Supervisor, Co. Official
2025-05-20 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.48 1.3 0.37 Scraper Operator
2019-11-26 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.17 0.47 0.36 Utility Man
2019-09-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Dry Screen Plant Operator
2019-09-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Utility Man
2019-09-17 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.29 0.7 0.41 Building Repair/Maint.
2018-04-25 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Truck Loader
2018-04-25 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Screen/Scalper Operator
2018-04-25 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 0.27 0.41 0.66 Truck Loader
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.

Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa 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
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 Texas, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.17 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year total case rate days-away fatal
2025 0.00 0.00 0.000
2024 3.13 0.78 0.000
2023 3.70 1.48 0.000
2022 0.89 0.00 0.000
2021 1.99 1.00 0.000
2020 2.22 1.11 0.000
2019 2.82 0.00 0.000
2018 4.81 4.01 0.000
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. SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC 2018 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 114
2025 113
2024 110
2023 116
2022 102
2021 78
2020 83
2019 119
2018 114
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Signal Peak Silica of Atascosa sits in Atascosa County, Texas, where the Census mining category is 7.1% 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.
Atascosa County, Texas · Population 50,058
7.1%
Mining share of county employment
$69,413
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 70,809 0 0 0.0
2026 Q1 69,792 33 6 472.8
2025 Q4 64,772 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 68,257 4 1 58.6
2025 Q2 65,839 7 0 106.3
2025 Q1 62,395 8 2 128.2
2024 Q4 58,285 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 64,541 0 0 0.0
Show 26 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 63,809 3 0 47.0
2024 Q1 69,308 3 0 43.3
2023 Q4 66,982 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 66,289 15 0 226.3
2023 Q2 67,963 3 0 44.1
2023 Q1 68,982 5 3 72.5
2022 Q4 60,857 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 59,186 1 0 16.9
2022 Q2 54,375 3 0 55.2
2022 Q1 51,575 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 46,779 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 59,158 10 2 169.0
2021 Q2 56,224 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 38,520 4 0 103.8
2020 Q4 37,679 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 34,878 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 43,596 1 0 22.9
2020 Q1 63,877 6 2 93.9
2019 Q4 75,754 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 73,855 9 3 121.9
2019 Q2 64,990 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 69,439 2 2 28.8
2018 Q4 69,251 19 2 274.4
2018 Q3 71,727 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 59,445 13 4 218.7
2018 Q1 49,159 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

2 recorded
May 1, 2025 TX · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EE was operating an excavator in Pit 2 at SPS Atascosa. Pit 2 is located between two tailings ponds. 9:18 AM one of the tailings ponds breached causing tailings mixture to flow into the work site. Tailings mixture tipped over the excavator EE was operating cab side down. The front window broke, tailings mixture engulfed the cab & 75% of the vehicle. Employee could not escape.

December 16, 2022 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · MACHINERY
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was working with a 3 man crew dismantling a Caterpillar 390F Excavator. During dismantling, EE was impacted by the counterweight. The other 2 crew members did not witness the accident.

Reportable incidents

28 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2025 · 1 incident

July 2, 2025 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE was installing a sprocket segment on the track pad and you need to put it at a specific torque. EE was applying pressure to EE's ratchet when the internal gear slipped in the ratchet causing EE's momentum to go forward and hitting EE's face against the track pad.

2024 · 5 incidents

November 21, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal plumber, pipefitter, millwright HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by falling object

During the disassembly while test fitting a bearing to the shaft, the bearing got into a bind and then the bearing slipped out of the workers hands, catching a worker's hand under it and smashed the middle finger on the right hand. the wound was cleaned, bandaged and the worker transported for medical evaluation.

July 25, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal dry screening plant operator, screen house operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The injured employee was changing a bag in the nuisance baghouse and when employee lifted the cage it pinched left ring finger causing a laceration to palm side of the finger. The laceration required 4 sutures. Employee was diagnosed with a laceration of the left ring finger without damage to the nail.

May 24, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The injured employee's left hand was caught between the V- belt and sheave wheel of a fan while moving the belt to inspect the bearings on the fan motor. The employee was diagnosed with a fracture to the tip of EE's left middle finger.

February 26, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal dry screening plant operator, screen house operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Injured employee was helping to remove the top screen from a Rotex Mineral Separator. The screen was pulled out too far allowing the weight of the screen to transfer towards the employee. EE was diagnosed with a strained lower back and right shoulder. On 03/02/24 the injured employee was given work restrictions.

February 24, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal hydrate plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

An employee was walking on the wet plant concrete pad adjacent to the west side of the process tank when they slipped and fell on to their left shoulder. On 03/04/24 the employee was diagnosed with a contusion and muscle strain of the left shoulder and given work restrictions.

2023 · 6 incidents

November 18, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall from ladders

While descending a fixed access ladder the employee slipped on one of the rungs causing employee to fall below striking tailbone area causing injury. On 11/20/2023 the injured employee was diagnosed with a fracture of the second/ L2 lumbar vertebra.

August 17, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

An employee was helping to re-install a tail pulley guard on a belt conveyor when it slipped catching EE's left ring finger in the expanded metal of the guard causing a fracture of the distal phalanx of the left ring finger.

August 1, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee suffered an impact injury to upper body and legs while being caught between the jeep king pin connection area and fifth wheel hitch of the tractor.

May 23, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured employee was opening the access door to a Rotex (mineral separator) when they pinched the palm side of their right ring finger at the first knuckle between the door handle and latch, causing a laceration that required three sutures.

May 12, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal car trimmer, car loader, bin puller, truck loader HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

On 5/12/23 after pulling open a sand box truck lid an employee noticed an abdominal protrusion. On 7/20/23 the employee was diagnosed with an abdominal hernia. Surgery to repair the hernia is scheduled for 8/3/23.

February 28, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

Injured employee opened the hatch for a sand box. Once back on platform, the cage caught the box lid. While freeing the cage, the truck moved pulling the gangway down the horizontal track leaving an opening in the handrail. The injured employee fell 12½ feet to the asphalt below suffering a head laceration that required 15 sutures, fractured sternum, ribs, and back.

2022 · 1 incident

December 17, 2022 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The injured employee was standing on a belt conveyor guard changing a gearbox when EE slipped causing EE to fall and strike left elbow on a disconnect box that was in the area. Upon medical evaluation, EE was diagnosed with a fracture to the left elbow.

2021 · 2 incidents

December 4, 2021 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

An employee was removing a shackle from a centrifugal diesel pump lifting lug plate when EE caught the tip of the right 5th (pinky) finger between the shackle and the lifting lug plate. The shackle moved unexpectedly pinching the tip of EE's finger. The injury resulted in an amputation to the tip of the right 5th finger to the first knuckle and required surgery to repair.

September 26, 2021 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

An employee was working on replacing a pin for a skid steer bucket quick connect when EE caught the tip of their finger between a bar and the bucket. The employee was diagnosed with a fracture to the tip of the right 5th (pinky) finger.

2020 · 2 incidents

January 14, 2020 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported injury on 12/23/2019 and was treated at the clinic and released with no restrictions. Employee returned to the doctor and was given mild restrictions that kept employee working. Employee returned to the doctor stating EE was not feeling better. Evaluation made and we could not meet restrictions on the employee.

January 4, 2020 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was closing a truck hatch when EE stepped on a band and rolled ankle. Employee was taken to clinic and a fracture was seen on the x-ray.

2019 · 4 incidents

December 7, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was spotting an employee on a ladder when EE stepped back to look up and slipped. EE struck EE's lip and back while EE fell.

October 9, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking when EE slipped on a loose rock and sprained EE's ankle. The employee was x-rayed and no fracture but due to high ankle-sprain was given an Aircas (boot) to walk in.

May 15, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cleaning off the waste belt when EE went to turn the water off, and stepped into a small dip and twisted EE's knee and felt a pop. The employee was taken to an offsite clinic and seen and released back to work and followed up with a clinic and at this time was given work restrictions.

January 16, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

The injured employee was helping to install electrical cable through conduit when a spool of cable unexpectedly shifted and fell off the stand striking lower left leg injuring knee, calf and ankle. On 6/11/19 the employee was given work restrictions which limited their work capabilities.

2018 · 7 incidents

December 23, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was exiting a sand screw basin, while starting to exit the basin retractable lanyard seized causing the employee to stumble backwards and strike middle back on the sand screw (auger) causing a contusion.

November 4, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was closing hatches on a sand truck, when ee stood up ee twisted straining lower back.

October 31, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck against a moving object

An employee strained their right knee on 10/31/2018. They did not have any restrictions placed on them on 10/31/2018. The employee went for a follow up recently and at this point was given restrictions and reported them to the supervisor.

August 20, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was cleaning under a conveyor with a ride behind skid steer. Employee pinched fingers between controls and conveyor. Employee suffered lacerations and broken finger.

June 4, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was removing cover on a bucket elevator, cover swung and struck miners arm. Miner received a laceration to miner's left elbow.

April 8, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee was closing hatches on top of a semi-trailer. Employee was wearing fall protection. The driver released EE's air brakes and began pulling off the scale. The sudden movement caused the employee to stumble backwards and EE fell off the side of the trailer. The employee struck the side of the trailer.

February 10, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
SP Silica of Atascosa, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Technician was on on-call weekend and was unloading and placing barrels. The technician had to cross over a concrete transformer pad. There was a hole that was not covered and the area was poorly lit. As the technician turned around the technician missed footing and tripping on the edge of the hole and foot going into hole.