Mining Incidents

Spencer Quarries Inc. Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Richard C Sweetman
Spencer, Hanson County, SD  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3900024

Spencer Quarries Inc. has $24K in proposed MSHA penalties and $177 outstanding across 12 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
26
Years on record
1983–2022
Latest incident
Mar 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
150
citations
32
significant & substantial
$24,416
proposed penalties
$24,347
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $69 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
83
inspections on record
2,099
inspection hours
7.1
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.
150 citations across 2,099 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Spencer Quarries Inc. has $24K in proposed MSHA penalties and $177 outstanding across 12 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.
$24K
proposed penalties
$25K
current assessed
$24K
paid to date
$177
outstanding
149 assessments are final orders; 12 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-02-03.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
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
2025 Q4 22,237 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 20,632 2 0 96.9
2025 Q2 20,290 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 17,506 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 19,453 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 17,783 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 16,684 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 14,485 0 0 0.0
Show 95 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 17,544 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 16,383 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 14,907 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 15,337 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 16,889 8 1 473.7
2022 Q3 15,907 5 0 314.3
2022 Q2 15,737 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 14,020 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 14,941 2 0 133.9
2021 Q3 15,750 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 15,389 2 0 130.0
2021 Q1 13,611 1 0 73.5
2020 Q4 16,375 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 16,575 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 17,746 3 1 169.1
2020 Q1 15,155 4 0 263.9
2019 Q4 14,650 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 15,363 6 0 390.5
2019 Q2 14,671 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 11,822 4 0 338.4
2018 Q4 12,038 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 13,140 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 13,132 6 0 456.9
2018 Q1 10,339 9 2 870.5
2017 Q4 10,859 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 11,251 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 10,763 4 0 371.6
2017 Q1 10,355 1 0 96.6
2016 Q4 11,065 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 11,589 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 11,074 3 0 270.9
2016 Q1 10,939 5 0 457.1
2015 Q4 10,328 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 11,432 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 12,488 2 0 160.2
2015 Q1 10,238 3 0 293.0
2014 Q4 12,405 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 11,403 1 1 87.7
2014 Q2 11,631 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 11,323 1 1 88.3
2013 Q4 11,664 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 12,362 1 0 80.9
2013 Q2 12,072 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 10,453 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 12,432 4 0 321.8
2012 Q3 14,570 2 1 137.3
2012 Q2 12,727 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 10,631 1 0 94.1
2011 Q4 11,060 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 13,386 2 1 149.4
2011 Q2 12,004 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 10,378 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 10,655 1 1 93.9
2010 Q3 10,639 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 10,124 8 2 790.2
2010 Q1 7,491 1 0 133.5
2009 Q4 9,737 8 4 821.6
2009 Q3 11,610 6 1 516.8
2009 Q2 12,435 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 7,476 11 5 1471.4
2008 Q4 8,296 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 11,564 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 11,768 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 9,746 5 1 513.0
2007 Q4 10,416 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 9,687 2 0 206.5
2007 Q2 9,757 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 9,057 3 2 331.2
2006 Q4 9,683 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 11,571 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 11,798 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 10,190 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 9,814 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 10,795 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 9,243 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 8,371 3 3 358.4
2004 Q4 8,269 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 10,140 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 10,575 6 2 567.4
2004 Q1 8,621 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 9,373 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 9,869 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 10,214 1 0 97.9
2003 Q1 7,554 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 11,042 2 2 181.1
2002 Q2 10,400 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 7,620 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 9,209 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 12,610 1 0 79.3
2001 Q2 13,444 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 10,559 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 10,787 1 0 92.7
2000 Q3 12,931 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 12,412 4 0 322.3
2000 Q1 10,521 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

26 on file

2022 · 2 incidents

March 31, 2022 SD · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Spencer Quarries Inc · Fall down stairs

Employee slipped going down stairs from the HP400 crusher and jammed finger (ring) on right hand. Went to Queen of Peace occupational health for x ray and was not broken.

January 28, 2022 SD · Metal/Non-Metal welder (non-shop) MACHINERY
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by flying object

Employee is a welder, EE was doing normal repair work, grinding, torching and welding. EE thought EE had dirt in right eye, we had wind and dirty conditions. EE was wearing eye protection at all times. Went to weekend Urgent care and had steel removed from eye.

2021 · 1 incident

September 9, 2021 SD · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Spencer Quarries Inc · Fall from machine

Employee was done with shift, crawling out of Excavator at end of day and missed step and slipped and broke left arm. No issues with steps or excavator.

2012 · 2 incidents

November 19, 2012 SD · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck against a moving object

Commercial truck driver was in quarry to load rock to take to our Asphalt plant in Mitchell SD, he did not see Quarry haul truck that was stockpiling rock. He hit the back dual tire on the Cat haul truck and wrecked the front of his truck. He complained of back pain, and was sent by ambulance for evaluation. Driver of quarry haul truck was not injured in anyway.

June 11, 2012 SD · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck against a moving object

Quarry stock pile driver in 769C Cat Haul truck was driving to stockpile rock when a commercial truck driver was entering quarry to load a rock delivery product. Quarry driver didn't see commercial truck driver because of sun and blind spot. Commercial driver was looking north and driving at excessive speed and did see haul truck. Quarry driver collided with commercial truck.

2010 · 2 incidents

September 14, 2010 SD · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Spencer Quarries Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was in mill tower on cat walk using safety harness and changing clips on conveyor belt. He unhooked harness to reposition himself and mis-stepped and failed to re-hook harness and fell, causing him to strike his side and cracking a rib.

2009 · 1 incident

September 9, 2009 SD · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Spencer Quarries Inc · Fall onto or against objects

While going to morning break, joking and jostling between two co-workers resulted in employee's losing his balance, falling and striking a metal guard rail. He suffered a soft tissue chest contusion and a bruised left knee. He is expected to return to work with no restrictions within ten days from the date of the incident.

2008 · 1 incident

July 17, 2008 SD · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
Spencer Quarries Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Contractor EE was helping unload steel from a flat bed trailer, when load shifted, EE got caught between two pieces of steel and a compound fracture of his lower left leg resulted.

2007 · 1 incident

December 19, 2007 SD · Metal/Non-Metal grader operator, roadgrader operator POWERED HAULAGE
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck against a moving object

Quarry Haul truck struck County Blade passing thru Quarry on Public R/W. Blade operator an employee of McCook County, not a mine employee.

2005 · 1 incident

November 22, 2005 SD · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck against a moving object

Employee was dumping material and truck went over backwards, landing on its top. The employee had cuts to head, a shoulder injury and compression of 2 vertebrae in lower back.

1999 · 1 incident

August 4, 1999 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Spencer Quarries Inc · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE WAS WORKING IN MAILL HAD JUST FINISHED & WAS WALKING WHEN PLANK ON CATWALK BROKE. EE FELL IN EMPTY ROCK BIN. EE CRACKED VERTEBRAES IN HIS BACK

1998 · 1 incident

July 24, 1998 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE ACCIDENTALLY GOT HOOKED BY CABLE WITH HOOK IN GROING. THEY WERE DISMANTLING A CONVEYOR SYSTEM.

1997 · 3 incidents

December 6, 1997 SD · Metal/Non-Metal loader head operator, roscoe operator MACHINERY
Spencer Quarries Inc · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

HE WAS RUNNING THE PRIMARY JAW CRUSHER. A ROCK GOT WEDGED IN CRUSHER. HE WAS WEARING A SAFETY HARNESS AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PRY ROCK LOOSE WHEN ROCK GAVE WAY AND HIS FOOT GOT IN CRUSHER. HE BR OKE HIS ANKLE AND FRACTURED BONE IN LEG BELOW KNEE.

August 20, 1997 SD · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by falling object

CLEARING ROCK OUT OF PORTABLE JAW CRUSHER AND ROCK FELL ON FINGER AND BROKE END.

April 14, 1997 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS CUTTING BELTING FOR SCRAPER AND THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT OPEN LEFT HAND PALM.

1996 · 1 incident

August 8, 1996 SD · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HELPING WORK ON CRUSHER--TO TAKE APART--HE WAS HOLDING A HAMMER AGAINST TO LOOSE PIECE WHILE ANOTHER EE WAS HITTING AGAINST HAMMER--EE'S HAND SLIPPED FROM HAMMER AND GOT BETWEEN CURHSER AND SHARP EDGES CUT FINGER.

1995 · 4 incidents

September 27, 1995 SD · Metal/Non-Metal gathering arm loader operator, loading machine operator, joy loader operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EMP WAS TRYING TO UNJAM A ROCK FROM FEEDER WITH SLEDGEHAMMER AND INJURED HIS BACK.

August 22, 1995 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING SCREEN IN STATIONARY MILL,PORTA POWER HOLDING SCREEN, RELEASED & FELL ON HIS NECK BACKSIDE.

July 10, 1995 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS BENDING TO LIFT SCREEN TO CHANGE IN CRUSHING OPERATION AND STRAINED HIS BACK.HE STRAINED VERTEBRAES IN BACK.

February 15, 1995 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

MECHANIC HAD WORKED IN SHOVEL AND WAS PREPARING TO START TO READY FOR PRODUCTION.HE WAS CLOSING BACK DOORS AND CAUGHT HIS FINGER BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME.

1994 · 1 incident

May 20, 1994 SD · Metal/Non-Metal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS WALKING ACROSS QUARRY GROUNDS AND STEPPED ON A ROCK AND BROKE 5TH METATARCIL ON RIGHT FOOT. HE WORKED ALL DAY AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AFTER WORK AND HOURS.

1991 · 2 incidents

October 11, 1991 SD · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

PERFUSION OF 2/1 MODERATELY ADVANCED SILICOSIS.

April 27, 1991 SD · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Unclassified, insufficient data

WORK RELATED REPETITION.

1988 · 1 incident

January 15, 1988 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Spencer Quarries Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HOLDING WEDGE WHILE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING ZINC OUT OF PRIMARY CRUSHER CONCAVE.

1983 · 1 incident

November 16, 1983 SD · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Spencer Quarries Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS POURING MELTED ZINC INTO THE CRUSHER FROM A MELTING POT HOT ZINC SPATTERED HITTING EMPLOYEE IN NECK AND FACE CAUSING BURNS EMPLOYEE RUBBED HIS FACE CAUSING FOREIGN OBJECTS TO GET INTO HIS EYES

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Spencer Quarries Inc.

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.