Simonton Sand Plant has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $574 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
10
Years on record
2008–2022
Latest incident
Mar 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2006
29
citations
4
significant & substantial
$4,411
proposed penalties
$3,345
paid to date
76% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $1,066 gap.
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: 415 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Simonton Sand Plant has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $574 outstanding across 1 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.
$4K
proposed penalties
$4K
current assessed
$3K
paid to date
$574
outstanding
29 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $824 in penalties contested before the Commission, $332 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-04-13.
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.
2citations taken to the federal commission · 7% of citations on record
Settled
2 · 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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 2 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
60%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$824 proposed, $332 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 2009-09-28.
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: 2022-01-04, 4 years ago
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
9
samples
1
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg7
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz1
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (9)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2022-01-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2022-01-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Scraper Operator
2015-04-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Utility Man
2015-04-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2015-04-08
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.12
Front-end Loader Operator
2015-04-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Dredge/Barge Operator
2007-06-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.21
1.86
0.11
Front-end Loader Operator
2007-06-20
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Hydrating Plant Operator
2007-06-20
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
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.
Simonton Sand Plant recorded 6.20 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2022.
Injury rate, 2022
ⓘ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.
6.20
total case rate
6.20
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.78 and the all-US-mining average was 2.12 cases per 100 workers.
In Texas, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.25 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
2022 *
6.20
6.20
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
8.99
0.00
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
9.02
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
2026
0
2025
1
2024
2
2023
7
2022
14
2021
13
2020
11
2019
9
2018
9
2017
11
2016
6
2015
6
2014
9
2013
8
2012
8
2011
9
2010
7
2009
8
2008
9
2007
10
2006
9
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Simonton Sand Plant sits in Austin County, Texas, where the Census mining category is 2.2% 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.
Austin County, Texas · Population 30,712
2.2%
Mining share of county employment
$75,994
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
0
0
0
2026 Q1
0
0
0
2025 Q3
4
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
11
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
32
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
23
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
11
0
0
0.0
2024 Q2
62
0
0
0.0
Show 73 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q1
58
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
1,213
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
1,503
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
4,516
1
0
221.4
2023 Q1
7,043
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
7,331
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
8,173
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
7,672
1
0
130.3
2022 Q1
9,064
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
8,231
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
7,835
1
0
127.6
2021 Q2
7,342
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
6,706
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
6,189
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
6,271
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
6,933
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
6,612
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
7,364
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
5,353
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
3,674
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
3,268
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
4,610
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
4,449
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
4,864
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
6,848
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
7,504
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
6,749
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
6,693
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
6,561
1
0
152.4
2016 Q4
4,890
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
3,741
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
2,133
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
2,960
1
0
337.8
2015 Q4
0
0
0
2015 Q3
1,878
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
4,101
2
0
487.7
2015 Q1
4,950
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
5,652
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
5,576
1
0
179.3
2014 Q2
5,460
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
5,558
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
4,790
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
5,630
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
4,931
1
0
202.8
2013 Q1
4,406
2
0
453.9
2012 Q4
4,041
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
4,163
1
0
240.2
2012 Q2
3,290
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
3,481
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
3,917
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
3,821
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
4,148
1
0
241.1
2011 Q1
4,217
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
4,089
2
0
489.1
2010 Q3
4,389
4
1
911.4
2010 Q2
4,063
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
3,826
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
4,433
1
0
225.6
2009 Q3
5,312
2
2
376.5
2009 Q2
4,930
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
5,715
1
0
175.0
2008 Q4
4,966
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
5,370
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
5,863
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
5,982
1
0
167.2
2007 Q4
6,454
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
6,519
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
6,733
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
7,223
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
8,650
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
6,342
1
0
157.7
2006 Q2
5,831
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
1,470
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
10 on file
2022 · 1 incident
March 15, 2022TX · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EE wrapped nylon strap around 8' pipe while excavator operator waited for signal to proceed. Operator bumped the joystick causing the bucket to move. EE attempted to move away, but EE's feet were submerged in sand, causing what was believed to be a sprained L ankle. EE requested medical attention on 4/5 due to continued pain while walking. X-rays revealed a fracture to EE's ankle.
Rain events caused Brazos river to rise to a level (eventually) greater than the berms that separate our settling ponds from the river, causing an inundation. No people nor equipment are in danger. We constantly monitor the river level at our site and up river, and take preventative action as needed.
2014 · 1 incident
May 20, 2014TX · Metal/Non-Metalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerSTRIKING OR BUMPING
While observing the work, standing on a decline, the employee placed his hand on a rock for balance and support. He did not realize that a sharp piece of shell was protruding from the rock. The shell punctured the palm side of his left hand near the thumb. 3 stitches closed the wound. No restrictions. No Lost Days.
Due to a rain event earlier in the week the Brazos river began to rise substantially. The river eventually rose to a height greater than our levee and entered our dredge pond. No one was exposed to any danger associated with this event. No equipment was damaged as a result of this event.
2011 · 4 incidents
July 1, 2011TX · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was walking back to the control tower on the dredge. He tripped on a platform that was the same color as the deck and cut his right ear on the deck plate. The laceration required 10 stitches.
June 16, 2011TX · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The employee was carrying an air conditioner when he slipped or tripped on wet uneven ground and fell backwards. The frame of the air conditioner cut his left arm requiring stitches.
June 15, 2011TX · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was trying to cross from one boat to another. One boat started to drift and the employee used his foot to try and pull the boats back together. While doing this he slipped and hit his arm on the side of the boat. Employee did not go to the doctor until 6/28/2011 where the fracture was found in the left wrist.
January 31, 2011TX · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Employee was using a knife to cut a drive belt. The knife went through the belt and cut the employee's left index finger that was in the line of fire. The laceration required 14 stitches.
2010 · 1 incident
November 9, 2010TX · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Removing pipeline from dredge sleeve behind dredge (in a small boat). The pipeline came free, and the boat moved up striking left lower leg with flange on dredge sleeve. Left lower leg got pinned between the flange and the metal seat in the boat, resulting in a laceration to the left shin bone.
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