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: 459 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
WWC #2521 has $68K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 6 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.
$68K
proposed penalties
$52K
current assessed
$52K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
98 assessments are final orders; 6 contested dockets.
Of $55K in penalties contested before the Commission, $40K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2007-07-18.
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.
2citations taken to the federal commission · 2% of citations on record
Settled
1 · 50%
Stood as issued
1 · 50%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
29%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$224 proposed, $160 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2008-01-04.
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: 2005-10-26, 20 years ago
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
3
samples
3
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz3
Show the individual readings (3)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2005-10-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.36
2.31
0.16
Laborer, Bullgang
2005-10-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.53
2.46
0.22
Front-end Loader Operator
2005-10-26
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.5
2.71
0.18
Crusher Oper/Worker
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.
WWC #2521 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2007.
Injury rate, 2007
ⓘ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 3.30 and the all-US-mining average was 3.77 cases per 100 workers.
In New Mexico, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 3.60 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
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2002 *
5.59
5.59
0.000
2001 *
37.46
14.05
0.000
2000 *
4.08
4.08
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
2008
10
2007
9
2006
2
2005
6
2004
1
2003
6
2002
26
2001
45
2000
44
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
WWC #2521 sits in Lincoln County, New Mexico, where the Census mining category is 1.5% 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.
Lincoln County, New Mexico · Population 20,227
1.5%
Mining share of county employment
$51,643
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
2008 Q4
3,269
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
6,291
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
3,701
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
4,935
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
5,679
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
5,885
1
0
169.9
2007 Q2
5,477
10
2
1825.8
2007 Q1
3,142
0
0
0.0
Show 28 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2006 Q4
1
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
12
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
10
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
287
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
296
6
2
20270.3
2005 Q3
2,181
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
2,112
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
3,062
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
3,209
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
0
0
0
2004 Q2
0
0
0
2004 Q1
0
0
0
2003 Q4
1,840
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
2,791
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
2,963
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
1,758
7
2
3981.8
2002 Q4
438
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
4,233
5
1
1181.2
2002 Q2
13,054
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
18,045
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
12,404
50
21
4031.0
2001 Q3
14,418
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
7,815
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
8,077
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
12,624
8
6
633.7
2000 Q3
19,739
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
12,356
13
6
1052.1
2000 Q1
4,247
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
13 on file
2002 · 1 incident
February 24, 2002NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanMACHINERY
AFTER FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE MATERIAL WEDGE IN THE PRIMARY JAW CRUSHER, WORKERS CLEARED THE AREA AND STARTED THE MACHINE. SEVERAL ROCKS FLEW OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE CRUSHER AND STRUCK A MIN ER, WHO WAS STANDING APPROX. 10' AWAY FROM THE EQUIPMENT ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE. APPARENTLY, ONE ROCK KNOCKED THE MINER'S HARD HAT OFF WHILE ANOTHER ROCK STRUCK THE EE'S FOREHEAD CAUSING A LAC
2001 · 8 incidents
October 1, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorELECTRICAL
TWO MINERS WERE WORKING INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX WHILE THE GENERATOR WAS RUNNING. ALTHOUGH THE MAIN POWER DISCONNECTS HAD BEEN SHUT OFF,THERE WAS STILL AN ELECTRICAL LOAD ON THE LINE DUE TO IMPROPER WIRING OF THE CIRCUIT. THE MINERWAS BURNED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FLASH AND ENSUING FIRE WHEN THE OTHER MINER ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT THE LIVE WIRE TO A BREAKER BOX.
October 1, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerELECTRICAL
TWO MINERS WERE WORKING INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX, WHILE THE GENERATOR WAS RUNNING. ALTHOUGH THE MAIN POWER DISCONNECTS HAD BEEN SHUT OFF, THERE WAS STILL AN ELECTRICAL LOAD ON THE LINE DUE TO IMPROPER WIRING OF THE CIRCUIT. THE MINERWAS INJURED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT A LIVE WIRE TO A BREAKER BOX CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FLASH FIRE.
October 1, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorELECTRICAL
W W C Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances
THE MINER WAS INJURED WHILE ASSISTING TWO INJURED CO-WORKERS AND FIGHTING AN ENSUING ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE EMPLOYEE RECEIVED MINOR BURNS FROM SPARKS AND/OR SPLATTERING MATERIAL WHILE BATTLING THE BLAZE.
October 1, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorELECTRICAL
W W C Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
THE MINER SUFFERED MILD SMOKE INHALATION FROM BATTLING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE A CONTROL TRAILER. THE EMPLOYEE WAS SENT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION AND RELEASED THE SAME DAY.
August 9, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
BOLTING A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON ON THE DISCHARGE CHUTE OF A SCREENING PLANT. THE INJURED EMPLOYEEWAS KNEELING ON TOP A PIECE OF PLYWOOD WHILE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS HAMMERING ON THE EQUIPMENT BE LOW. APPARENTLY, VIBRATIONS FROM THE POUNDING DISLODGED A ROCK, CAUSING IT TO FALL FROM THE SCREEN AND STRIKE THE EMPLOYEE ON THE CHEST. THE EMPLOYEE LOST BALANCE AND FELL OFF EQUIPMENT.
July 25, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanDISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
EMPLOYEE WAS MANUALLY DIGGING/CLEANING PUG MILL HOPPER FEED WITH A SHOVEL. APPARENTLY, SUFFERED A HEAT STROKE WHEN HE STOPPED TO GET A DRINK OF WATER. ACCORDING TO THE SUPERVISOR, THE EMPLOYEE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF BODILY FUNCTIONS AND MUSCLE CONTROL. THE EMPLOYEE ENDURED VIOLENT SIEZURES/MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS WHILE ON ROUTE TO THE HOSPITAL.HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AS WELL.
February 12, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE WAS DISLODGING A ROCK FROM A TAIL PULLEY WITH A BAR WHILE THE EQUIPMENT WAS SHUT OFF. AAS THE EE PUSHED ON THE BAR, IT SLIPPED WHEN THE ROCK BROKE FREE. THE EE'S HAND STRUCK THE METAL SCREEN/GUARD, WHICH PUNCTURED HIS HAND. THE EE RECIEVED APPROX 5 STITCHES OR SUTURES.
February 6, 2001NM · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
W W C Inc · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects
THE V-BELTS UNDER THE IMPACT CONVEYOR WAS NOT MOVING BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING. THE EE THOUGHT THE DEVICE WAS SHUTOFF AND HE COULDN'T HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING. THE EE REACHED IN TO SHAKE THE BELT. THE BELT SUDDENLY CAUGHT AND TOOK OFF CRUSHING THE EMPLOYEE'S FINGERS IN THE DEVICE.
2000 · 1 incident
August 30, 2000NM · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
W W C Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EE WAS SHOVELING & THE SHOVEL JAMMED HIM UNDER THIS LEFT ARM