Mine safety: Inspector hiring, penalty assessments, and injury reporting

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5960778

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has undertaken an intensive inspector hiring program which will result in a force of 1,201, an increase of 90 over MSHA's 1986 ceiling. In calendar year 1986, MSHA assessed $31,388 in penalties against mine operators for failing to report injuries. The consensus of labor organizations and mine associations is that higher fines are needed and that $100 to $500 per violation would make a difference in reporting accuracy. Underreporting occurs mostly for nonserious injuries and fatalities show large differences in what is reported; the indication is that small mines significantly underreport injuries.

• Research Organization: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5960778
• Report Number(s): GAO/HRD-87-71BR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACCIDENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
INJURIES
INSPECTION
MANAGEMENT
MINERS
MINES
MINING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PERSONNEL
SAFETY
SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES