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: 529 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: 2016-05-25.
On record since 2016.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
WEST PIT has $21K 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.
$21K
proposed penalties
$17K
current assessed
$17K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
57 assessments are final orders; 4 contested dockets.
Of $14K in penalties contested before the Commission, $10K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-07-18.
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.
3citations taken to the federal commission · 5% of citations on record
Settled
2 · 67%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 33%
36%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$314 proposed, $200 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2016-12-21.
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: 2026-07-22
7
samples
0
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg6
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz1
Show the individual readings (7)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2026-07-22
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2024-11-06
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2020-03-24
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.16
Supervisor, Co. Official
2020-03-24
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Dredge/Barge Operator
2020-03-24
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2006-06-01
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2006-06-01
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Dredge/Barge Operator
Area samples (mill and shop air)
Last sampled: 2015-07-21, 11 years ago
1
samples
Show the individual readings (1)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Area sampled
2015-07-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
MP WASH/SCREEN
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.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
4
2025
4
2024
4
2023
4
2022
4
2021
4
2020
4
2019
4
2018
4
2017
4
2016
4
2015
3
2014
3
2013
3
2012
3
2011
3
2010
3
2009
3
2008
4
2007
3
2006
2
2005
4
2004
3
2003
3
2002
3
2001
4
2000
4
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
WEST PIT sits in Colfax County, Nebraska, where the Census mining category is 0.1% 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.
Colfax County, Nebraska · Population 10,541
0.1%
Mining share of county employment
$79,720
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
1,138
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
984
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
1,452
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
1,456
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
1,237
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
899
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
1,965
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
2,081
3
0
1441.6
Show 98 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
2,316
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
1,142
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
2,120
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
1,972
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
2,433
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
802
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
1,480
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
1,999
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
1,561
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
622
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
1,721
2
0
1162.1
2021 Q3
1,732
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
1,757
2
1
1138.3
2021 Q1
512
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
1,611
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
1,898
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
1,954
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
637
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
1,630
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
2,095
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
1,544
4
0
2590.7
2019 Q1
525
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
1,256
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
1,961
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
2,086
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
431
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
1,609
1
0
621.5
2017 Q3
1,884
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
2,108
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
407
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
1,607
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
2,110
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
2,115
6
2
2836.9
2016 Q1
273
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
1,904
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
1,805
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
2,079
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
120
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
1,219
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
1,774
1
0
563.7
2014 Q2
2,066
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
160
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
1,852
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
2,018
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
1,611
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
32
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
1,788
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
2,012
2
0
994.0
2012 Q2
1,711
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
1,345
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
1,624
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
2,062
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
1,649
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
1,304
4
0
3067.5
2010 Q4
1,405
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
1,829
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
1,846
1
0
541.7
2010 Q1
923
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
1,418
2
0
1410.4
2009 Q3
2,137
1
0
467.9
2009 Q2
1,579
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
1,630
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
1,675
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
1,928
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
1,551
5
2
3223.7
2008 Q1
1,481
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
1,580
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
1,501
2
1
1332.4
2007 Q2
1,706
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
1,249
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
1,727
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
1,430
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
1,950
3
0
1538.5
2006 Q1
0
0
0
2005 Q4
1,796
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
2,028
1
0
493.1
2005 Q2
2,334
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
1,299
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
1,984
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
1,828
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
1,821
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
1,872
9
1
4807.7
2003 Q4
1,797
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
1,706
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
1,984
1
0
504.0
2003 Q1
1,395
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
1,791
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
2,397
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
2,173
2
0
920.4
2002 Q1
1,580
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
2,390
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
2,483
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
1,469
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
1,540
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
1,779
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
2,285
6
6
2625.8
2000 Q2
2,106
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
2,106
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
8 on file
2022 · 1 incident
March 15, 2022NE · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Employee was ascending the steps of a front-end loader and impacted left knee on step above. Employee experienced pain and swelling in left knee. Employee went to doctor on 10/17/2011 and doctor examined and x-rayed left knee. Doctor determined no serious damage to left knee, but advised employee to elevate and apply cold-therapy to swelling area.
2009 · 1 incident
October 16, 2009NE · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handMACHINERY
Employee was operating a cutting torch. A small, hot piece of slag fell into the employee's right boot, causing a small burn on his right calf. Employee ceased operation, removed the piece of slag from boot, observed the small burn, and stated he was okay and did not seek or ask for first aid or assistance. Employee resumed operating the cutting torch.
2003 · 1 incident
March 7, 2003NE · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS PLACING A TUB ROLLER ON GRIZZLY SCREEN, ROLLER TILTED BACK, TRAPPING RIGHT HAND BETWEEN ROLLER AND TUB, RESULTING IN HYPEREXTENDING THE RIGHT WRIST.
2000 · 1 incident
September 20, 2000NE · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handFIRE
EE WAS OPERATING A SMALL GAS FRILL AT LUNCH TIME, PREPARING LUNCH ON THE DREDGE. A FALL, SPARE PROPANE BOTTLE 20 LB WAS PLACED NEXT TO THE OPERATING GRILL. SPARE BOTTLE SUSTAINED A LEAK, WHICH CAUSED A FIRE IN THE CABIN OF THE DREDGE. EE EXTINGUISHED FIRE WITH A GARDER HOSE CONNECTED TO THE SERVICE PUMP OF THE DREDGE. EE SUFFERED 2ND & 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO HEAD, FACE, HANDS A FOREAR
1992 · 1 incident
December 1, 1992NE · Metal/Non-Metalbarge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck handSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON