While the agency already features a high level of mine-specific information on its Data Retrieval System, such as inspection dates, violations, accidents and samples, mines will now be able to use it to review specific details about violations per inspection day (VPID) as well as repeat violations.

 

“MSHA's website serves as a unique tool for retrieving information about a mine's safety and health performance," said MSHA acting assistant secretary for mine safety and health Richard Stickler, who added that the addition to the database will allow for more precise data collection on a mine's violation history.

 

“We are hopeful that operators will use this feature to identify compliance problems and to take positive steps to address those problems.

 

“Doing so should help improve compliance with federal standards and ultimately improve mine safety and health."

 

According to the agency, its regulations dictate that violations issued per day, as well as the number of repeat offences of the same standard, play a role in dictating the amount of a violation's associated fine.