SOUTH MCDOWELL QUARRY has $7K in proposed MSHA penalties and $246 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
18
Years on record
2002–2023
Latest incident
Aug 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
54
citations
8
significant & substantial
$7,373
proposed penalties
$6,835
paid to date
93% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $538 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.
54 citations across 1,081 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: 2011-08-30.
On record since 2011.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
SOUTH MCDOWELL QUARRY has $7K in proposed MSHA penalties and $246 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.
$7K
proposed penalties
$7K
current assessed
$7K
paid to date
$246
outstanding
53 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $1K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2022-05-10.
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 · 9% of citations on record
Settled
3 · 60%
Vacated or withdrawn
2 · 40%
50%
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%
30%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $1K 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 2011-10-24.
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: 2025-03-07
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
32
samples
9
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz9
Fibers, >5um1
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (32)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-03-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2025-03-07
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.13
0.57
0.23
Crusher Oper/Worker
2023-02-22
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.29
0.42
0.69
Crusher Oper/Worker
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2023-02-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Cleanup Man
2019-02-13
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.47
0.82
0.57
Crusher Oper/Worker
2019-02-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2019-02-13
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2018-03-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.18
0.52
0.35
Cleanup Man
2018-03-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2018-03-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.34
0.63
0.54
Crusher Oper/Worker
2017-07-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.15
1.28
0.12
Laborer, Bullgang
2017-07-26
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2012-06-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Stone Polisher/Cutter
2012-06-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2012-06-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2012-06-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2012-06-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.36
0.9
0.40
Laborer, Bullgang
2009-05-28
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
0.27
0.52
Crusher Oper/Worker
2009-05-28
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2009-05-28
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2006-03-08
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2006-03-08
Fibers, >5um
0.03
Truck Driver
2006-03-08
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
1.12
0.14
Laborer, Bullgang
2005-06-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2005-06-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2005-06-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2002-07-31
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2002-07-31
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.13
Truck Driver
2002-07-31
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.
SOUTH MCDOWELL QUARRY 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 North Carolina, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.14 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
2025 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2024 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2023 *
11.80
5.90
0.000
2022 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
6.17
0.00
0.000
2019 *
12.74
6.37
0.000
2018 *
7.26
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
18
2025
17
2024
15
2023
14
2022
14
2021
17
2020
14
2019
13
2018
12
2017
11
2016
11
2015
11
2014
11
2013
10
2012
15
2011
16
2010
13
2009
12
2008
13
2007
11
2006
13
2005
11
2004
10
2003
7
2002
7
2001
8
2000
2
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
SOUTH MCDOWELL QUARRY sits in McDowell County, North Carolina, where the Census mining category is 0.5% 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.
McDowell County, North Carolina · Population 44,679
0.5%
Mining share of county employment
$55,527
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
10,434
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
9,441
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
10,512
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
10,447
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
9,698
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
10,166
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
9,547
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
7,368
0
0
0.0
Show 97 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
7,808
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
8,737
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
8,794
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
9,085
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
8,368
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
7,665
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
6,738
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
7,829
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
8,135
1
0
122.9
2022 Q1
9,412
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
9,973
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
8,706
3
1
344.6
2021 Q2
9,054
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
10,634
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
8,386
1
0
119.2
2020 Q3
7,502
1
0
133.3
2020 Q2
7,627
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
8,878
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
8,876
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
8,100
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
7,041
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
7,370
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
6,782
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
7,111
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
7,212
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
6,453
1
0
155.0
2017 Q4
6,649
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
6,750
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
6,448
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
6,050
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
6,660
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
5,652
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
6,569
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
5,881
2
1
340.1
2015 Q4
6,164
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
5,292
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
5,841
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
6,977
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
6,401
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
5,131
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
5,981
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
4,644
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
5,377
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
6,042
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
4,647
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
3,341
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
7,805
1
0
128.1
2012 Q3
9,170
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
6,581
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
8,303
4
2
481.8
2011 Q4
8,926
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
10,152
2
1
197.0
2011 Q2
7,423
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
5,774
1
0
173.2
2010 Q4
5,612
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
6,082
3
0
493.3
2010 Q2
6,199
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
6,315
4
0
633.4
2009 Q4
3,975
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
6,725
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
6,065
3
0
494.6
2009 Q1
6,436
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
6,597
4
0
606.3
2008 Q3
6,082
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
6,904
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
6,898
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
6,043
3
1
496.4
2007 Q3
7,424
4
0
538.8
2007 Q2
2,540
1
0
393.7
2007 Q1
8,102
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
7,481
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
6,989
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
9,077
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
7,324
4
0
546.1
2005 Q4
8,646
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
6,482
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
6,926
3
1
433.2
2005 Q1
5,105
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
6,316
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
6,877
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
6,877
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
3,751
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
2,172
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
1,948
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
4,666
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
5,023
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
5,557
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
5,945
1
0
168.2
2002 Q2
4,848
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
1,337
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
1,082
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
3,934
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
4,893
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
5,509
2
0
363.0
2000 Q4
1,755
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
0
0
0
2000 Q2
0
0
0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
18 on file
2023 · 2 incidents
August 30, 2023NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EE was changing wear segments on the bucket of a 988 loader. While loosening one of the bolts with an impact wrench EE lacerated the palm of EE's left hand trying to hold the bolt head with it. EE was wearing latex gloves at the time of the injury.
March 27, 2023NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
EE was watching another employee that was welding. EE was wearing safety glasses which were not appropriate for welding and caused EE to get flash burn to eyes. EE could not work the next day missing time because of this incident making this accident reportable to MSHA.
2020 · 1 incident
May 12, 2020NC · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanMACHINERY
EE was assisting replacing shanks on a CAT 345 bucket in the pit. The EE was grinding on the shanks that had come off of the bucket. The EE was wearing a shield and safety glasses, but the EE said something got in EE's eye while grinding. The EE was taken to the doctor and was prescribed Antibiotic Ointment Drops for 7 days, thus making the incident reportable.
The EE was cleaning off the catwalk of the belt to the wash screen from an earlier spill. When raking rocks off of the catwalk, a couple ballast sized rock went behind feet. EE backed up, stepped on the rock, and twisted right foot on the rock. Ended up having a sprained ankle.
March 25, 2019NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techNONPOWERED HAULAGE
EE was moving a fan shroud on a pallet for an R-65 haul truck when EE felt a pop in EE's left shoulder. EE went to doctor the next day and was diagnosed with a strain. Doctor gave EE a cortisone shot and restricted duty for two weeks. After further review, the cortisone shot seems to have fallen under medical treatment rather than first aid for a strain, making it reportable
The pit loader operator dumped a load of rock next to rock breaker operator. The breaker operator had side window down, a piece of rock broke when the loader operator dumped the rock, it went thru the side window, hit the front window in the cab, and went in the operator's right eye causing irritation. Dr. prescribed antibiotic drops making the accident reportable.
2016 · 1 incident
February 29, 2016NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was changing bit on Gill Drill. The bit basket was stuck to the bit. When EE unscrewed bit, the bit and basket pinched left little finger. EE was wearing gloves, but the pinch lacerated left little finger requiring 3 stitches.
2014 · 1 incident
June 18, 2014NC · Metal/Non-Metalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The EE was dismounting the R65 Haul Truck when he lost his footing and he fell to the ground. He landed on his right heel and sprained his foot. He has been placed on restricted duty. New Diagnosis of broken heel instead of sprain
The EE was checking out the locking device for the bucket on a CAT 236 skidsteer. The EE jostled the controls and the bucket detached and struck him on the left foot. The employee did not fracture foot, but had to be on crutches, so the EE's activity was restricted, thus reportable.
2011 · 2 incidents
August 22, 2011NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
The ee was pulling a drop cord off of the top of the screen after performing maintenance. When the end of the drop cord came over the edge of the screen, it hit the ee in the mouth, cutting his lip and chipping a tooth. The cut was minor, but the tooth had to be repaired by placing a cap on it.
July 14, 2011NC · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was getting into skid steer loader to get Pre-Shift. Stepped up onto step and slipped due to mud on his feet. When he slipped, his right knee hit a bolt on the bucket, causing a laceration. The laceration required two stitches and the doctor restricted his duty for three days (back to full duty on 7/21/2011).
2010 · 1 incident
June 18, 2010NC · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE was walking around where some other EEs were chipping slag from welds. A piece of slag came up under his safety glasses and got in his eye. EE thought he got it out. Bothered EE over weekend and went to doctor on Monday. Doctor removed debris and prescibed antibiotic drops, thereby making the accident reportable on 6/21/2010.
EE was adding antifreeze to haul truck radiator. The EE tripped over the battery box and fell on his left shoulder. The employee kept working and said he was fine. Over the weekend, he felt more pain, went to the doctor, and found he had two broke ribs.
2007 · 1 incident
March 2, 2007NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The employee was coming down a ladder. When the employee reached the bottom, his foot slipped, and he caught himself with his left arm and felt a pop in his lower back.
The EE was backing up the maintenance truck up to the wash plant. When the EE stepped out of the truck, his right foot slipped, twisting his right knee.
EE WAS HAULING DIRT TO THE DUMP AREA WHEN A PIN BROKE IN THE STEERING UNIT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE TRUCK WENT OVER THE BERM & ROLLED 1 & 1/2 TIMES LANDING ON ITS SIDE. EE SUFFERED MINOR B RUISES & A CUT INDEX FINGER REQUIRING 4 STITCHES. HE ALSO SUFFERED A STIFF NECK SEVERAL DAYS LATER.
INJURED MAN IS AN OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER, SELF EMPLOYED. HE WAS ADJUSTING HIS TAILGATE ON COMPANY PROPERTY WHEN HE GOT HIS RIGHT HAND CAUGHTBETWEEN THE TAILGATE AND TRUCK FRAME.
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