MSHA - Mine Safety and Health Administration
10/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2026 09:17
US Department of Labor finds none of nation’s 12,000 mining operations met criteria for pattern of violations in fiscal year 2026
News Release
US Department of Labor finds none of nation's 12,000 mining operations met criteria for pattern of violations in fiscal year 2026
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that none of the nation's 12,000 mining operations met the criteria for a pattern of violations notice, one of the agency's toughest enforcement tools.
In MSHA's annual screening of operations from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026, the agency found no pattern of violation notices. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 includes the pattern of violations provision for mines with a recurring pattern of significant and substantial violations - those that are reasonably likely to result in a serious injury or illness - and other safety and health compliance problems. If a mine receives subsequent S&S violations after being placed on POV, MSHA is authorized to withdraw miners from the affected area of the mine.
"Under this administration MSHA remains committed to objectively calling balls and strikes in enforcement, including issuing POV notices when warranted," said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Wayne D. Palmer. "For the third year in a row, no mine received a POV notice which, combined with the lowest-ever all-injury rate in 2025, signals continued progress toward protecting miners from safety and health hazards."
MSHA provides mine operators with online tools to help monitor compliance. The POV calculator allows mine operators to monitor performance under the POV screening criteria and alerts mine operators that corrective actions are needed. The agency's S&S calculator enables mine operators to monitor their "significant and substantial" violations.
It is the responsibility of mine operators to track their violation and injury histories to determine whether they need to take action to avoid meeting the POV screening criteria.
Agency
Mine Safety & Health Administration
Date
October 27, 2026
Release Number
26-1615-NAT
Media Contact: Lorynn Holloway
Phone Number
(202) 693-4652
Email
Media Contact: Kristen Knebel
Phone Number
202-693-3435
Email
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MSHA - Mine Safety and Health Administration published this content on October 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 27, 2026 at 15:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]