FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES
601 NEW JERSEY AVENUE N. W., SUITE 9500
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
May 19, 2009
SECRETARY OF LABOR, MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), Petitioner v. ROCKHOUSE ENERGY MINING COMPANY, Respondent |
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CIVIL PENALTY PROCEEDING Docket No. KENT 2008-537 A.C. No. 15-17651-135834-02 Mine No. 1 |
DECISION
Appearances: Brian W. Dougherty, Esq., Vicki L. Mullins, Esq., U.S. Department of Labor, Nashville, Tennessee, on behalf of the Petitioner
Carol Ann Marunich, Esq., Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, Morgantown, West Virginia, on behalf of the Respondent
Before: Judge Barbour
This case is before me on a Petition for the Assessment of Civil Penalty filed by the Secretary of Labor (“Secretary”) on behalf of her Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) against Rockhouse Energy Mining Co., (“Rockhouse”). The matter arises under sections 105(a) and 110(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“the Mine Act”). 30 U.S.C. §§ 815(a), 820(a). In the petition, the Secretary alleges Rockhouse, in three instances, violated safety standards for underground coal mines, standards that are set forth in Part 75, Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations. 30 C.F.R., Part 75. She further alleges each of the violations was a significant and substantial contribution to a mine safety hazard (“S&S”). She proposes a total assessment of $5,160 for the alleged violations.
After the Secretary’s petition was filed, Rockhouse answered, asserting it did not violate the standards, or, if it did, that the violations were not S&S. Rockhouse also took issue with the gravity and negligence findings MSHA’s inspector made with regard to each alleged violation.
After the matter was assigned to me, I scheduled it to be heard in Pikeville, Kentucky.
Due to difficulties in finding a hearing site in Pikeville, the location was changed to Hazard,
Kentucky.
At the hearing the parties presented testimonial and documentary evidence regarding
the alleged violations. Also at the hearing, but prior to going on the record, I asked counsels if
they objected to my issuing a bench decision with regard to each of the alleged violations.
Counsels stated they did not. Rather than submitting post-hearing briefs, counsels were given,
and accepted, the opportunity to summarize their parties’ positions at the close of evidence. Tr.
11-12.
My findings follow. Editorial changes have been made for clarity’s sake.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR §
66576439 12/13/07 75.202(A)
The citation states in part:
Additional roof support is needed in the 010-0
MMU left return [N]o. 1 entry starting at x-cut 4 of the No.
7 belt and extending inby to x-cut 11, a distance of ap-
proximately 560 feet. A roof fall has occurred in the [N]o.
12 x-cut and the entry outby. This show[s] signs of ad-
verse conditions in that there are cutters along each rib
line, large pieces of draw rock are hanging ready to fall,
and visible cracks [are] running with the entry.
This airway is required to be traveled by the
weekly mine examiner once per week.
Gov’t. Exh. 1.
In pertinent part, section 75.202(a) requires “[t]he roof . . . of areas where persons work or travel shall be supported or otherwise controlled to protect persons from hazards relating to falls of the roof.”
Regarding Citation No. 66576439, I stated:
I find the violation existed as [set forth] in
the citation and as testified to by [MSHA] Inspector
David Stepp. In making this finding[,] I [do not] discredit
the testimony of . . . [Rockhouse’s weekly examiner,
Mike] Muncy[;] I simply believe Mr. Stepp’s testimony
reflects a more complete and . . . full [recollection] of
the conditions that existed [in the No. 1 entry] on
December 13. I find that Inspector Stepp’s description of
the draw rock that existed in the cited 560-foot area of the
. . . [No. 1] entry, . . . [and in particular] the channeling that
existed on both sides of the entry, ranging from hairline cracks
to . . . [cracks] up to two to three inches wide, to be indicative
of an entry that was taking weight and that was showing marked
signs of progressive deterioration. The cited roof required
either additional support, or needed to be removed from access
to miners, something Rockhouse did [later] by dangering it off.
I further find the condition was . . . [S&S]. The hanging
draw rock, as Mr. Stepp testified, posed a visually obvious
danger to Mr. Muncy as he traveled the area [during the weekly
examinations he conducted]. And the channeling and cracks
indicated[,] as mining continued[,] rock was reasonably likely to fall.
Indeed, Mr. Stepp’s believable testimony that he noted fallen
pieces of rock in the cited area of the entry . . . is persuasive
to me that the progression of the deterioration had reached
the point where falling rock could be expected.
Mr. Muncy traveled the area weekly. Had the citation
not been issued, it is reasonably likely he would [have]
continued . . . [making the examinations and] . . . he would
have been a moving target as he rode through the cited area.
I recognize [a] rock or roof fall would have had to coincide
with his passage . . . to injure him, but I cannot base a
[non-S&S] conclusion on the fact he would have had. . . to
. . . [be] at the wrong place at the wrong time to . . . [be] struck.
It is enough that the roof was reasonably likely to fall and
that Mr. Muncy was required regularly to travel where . . .
falls were reasonably likely to occur. Had Mr. Muncy been
hit, he most likely would have suffered a serious injury
or worse. [T]hus, I find the violation was both S&S
and serious.
[However,] I do not believe the Secretary has
established anything more than moderate negligence on
Rockhouse’s part. The roof’s condition was progressive.
While I infer . . . [the condition of the roof] constituted a
violation on December [6,when the entry was last examined]
. . . . I cannot find, based on the evidence, [the roof’s condition
was so serious . . . on December 6 . . . [it then] constitut[ed] an
S&S violation. [T]herefore, I cannot conclude the roof’s
condition was so glaringly obvious [on December 6] that
the failure of Rockhouse to [additionally] support . . . [the
roof] or to danger it off at that time constituted high
negligence. [In addition,] . . . the Secretary has not [otherwise]
shown between December [6] and December [13] that
Rockhouse[‘s] management [should have] been aware of
the condition of the roof as it existed on December [13].
Tr. 330-333.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR §
66576443 12/13/07 75.400
The citation states:
Accumulations of loose coal have been allowed
to accumulate in the roadway of the 010-0 MMU right
return airway starting at ss# 30526 and extending inby
4 x-cuts to the section feeder line. This loose coal
ranged in depth from 1 to 6 inches and was deposited
along the entire length of this area.
[The] area is the immediate return for the
right side of the 010-0 MMU that produces coal 2 shifts
per day and has a dead work crew that works 3rd shift.
Gov’t Exh. 6.
In pertinent part, section 75.400 requires “[c]oal dust, . . . loose coal, and other combustible materials . . . [to be] cleaned up and not be permitted to accumulate in active workings.”
Regarding Citation No. 66576443, I stated:
[The] Secretary has alleged a violation of section 74.400
[and] Rockhouse has conceded the violation. [See Tr. 315.]
[Regarding the Secretary’s S&S allegation,] Rockhouse’s
counsel has established there were no ignition sources present on
December [13,] . . . when the violation was cited. There were no
equipment permissibility violations. There were no face ignitions.
There was no methane. Does the record establish . . . an
injury-causing event could have occurred? Yes, it does. But the
Secretary’s evidence is simply too speculative to conclude one
was reasonably likely. Basically[,] the Secretary has
established . . . [only] that . . . accumulations [of combustible
materials] were present and that potential ignition sources
might come into existence in the future [– a]nd I emphasize
the word might – but i]f this were enough to establish an
S&S violation, then virtually every accumulation [violation]
. . . would be S&S, something . . . the Act does not contemplate.
However, the fact an ignition source could occur . . .
establishes . . . the violation was serious. Clearly, had the
accumulations ignited – and I’m fully persuaded by the testimony
the Secretary . . . presented . . . [including] Mr. Stepp’s testimony
– that the loose coal could have ignited, and that the finely ground
coal dust [could have] propagated a methane explosion. If these
things had happened, then all miners on the section would have
been subject to serious injury . . . [or] death. [T]his is enough
to make the violation serious.
[I am] further persuaded . . . the extent of the accumulations
was such . . . they should have been observed and corrected during
more than one preshift examination, and certainly during at least
one on-shift examination. Inspector Stepp found Rockhouse was
moderately negligent, which means . . . [the company] did not
meet the standard of care required . . . and I agree.
Tr. 333-335.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR §
66576447 12/13/07 75.1403-6(b)(3)
The citation states in part:
None of the 4 sanding devices installed on
the . . . diesel mantrip would work when tested. [The]
mantrip was parked [underground] at the end of the
track near the 010-0 MMU when inspected with no
sand available on the [mantrip.] [The] mine has many
hairpin curves and steep hills that must be maneuvered
to exit the mine.
Gov’t Exh. 10.
Section 75.1403 permits an inspector to issue safeguards “to minimize hazards with respect to transportation of men and materials.” Sections 74-1403-2 through 75.1403-11, of which 75.1403-6(b)(3) is a part, set out the criteria by which MSHA inspectors are guided in requiring safeguards on a mine-to-mine basis. MSHA issued a safeguard to Rockhouse on February 27, 1996, that required mantrips at the mine to be equipped with “properly installed and well-maintained sanding devices.” See Citation No. 6656447. The subject citation alleges Rockhouse did not comply with the safeguard notice’s requirement.
Prior to the Secretary’s presenting evidence with regard to the alleged violation, counsel
for Rockhouse moved for partial summary decision on the S&S issue. Counsel argued an S&S
finding could not be made for a safeguard violation, citing the ruling of Commission
Administrative Law Judge Michael Zielinski in Big Ridge Incorporated, 30 FMSHRC 1172
(November 2008).
The Secretary’s counsel opposed the motion based on the same arguments
the Secretary made to Judge Zielinski in Big Ridge and to Commission Administrative Law
Judge Jerold Feldman in Wolf Run Mining Co., 30 FMSHRC 1189 (December 2008) (review
granted March 31, 2009). In Wolf Run Judge Feldman held, contrary to Judge Zielinski, that an
S&S finding could be made for a safeguard violation. Because decisions in Judge Zielinski’s
cases are pending, his holdings in Big Ridge and Cumberland are not yet final for review
purposes. However, Judge Feldman’s ruling became ripe for review after Judge Feldman issued
a decision in Wolf Run (February 26, 2009). Subsequently, Wolf Run appealed, the Commission
granted review, and the issue of whether a valid S&S finding may be made by an inspector when
he or she cites a safeguard is presently before the Commission.
After counsels stated their positions, I explained that I agreed with Judge Zielinski in all respects and that I would grant counsel for Rockhouse’s motion based on Judge Zielinski’s reasoning. Tr. 240-241. Nonetheless, counsels and I agreed evidence should be presented on the S&S issue so that if my ruling were reversed, an S&S finding could be made on the record. Tr. 241.
Regarding Citation No. 66576447, I stated:
I am persuaded by Inspector Stepp’s testimony a violation
existed. The safeguard [criteria] cited[, section 75.1403-6(b)(3),
requires] sanding devices to be operative at all times when being
used at the mine.
[T]o me this clearly means [the devices on the mantrip
must be operative when the mantrip is] capable of being used as
well as [when] the equipment actually is in use.
The [subject] mantrip was capable of being used. It was
parked at the end of the track, true. But it was not dangered off
or otherwise placed out of service. And as Inspector Stepp rightly
noted, it only required a flick of . . . [a] switch to start it up and use it.
With . . . [regard to the inspector’s S&S finding,] even if I
had not concluded the S&S finding ha[s] to be vacated because . . .
[an S&S finding] cannot be made with regard to [a] safeguard
[violation], I would . . . [invalidate] the finding in any event. I am
persuaded by Mr. Adams’ testimony an accident due to the mantrip’s
non-functioning [sanders] was not reasonably likely. First, I believe
Mr. Adams’ testimony established the mantrip was not reasonably
likely to be used before the condition of the sanders was likely to be
found and corrected. In this regard I note that other mantrips were
available and were more likely to be used [than the cited mantrip.]
And I also note that had the [cited] mantrip been used in the regular
course of . . . [mining], its operator would have been specifically asked
about its sanders. Moreover, even if an emergency arose, and the
emergency required use of the cited mantrip, Mr. Adams persuaded
me that [the] non-functioning sanders would [have been unlikely]
. . . to cause an accident.
This is unlike a previous citation involving non-working
sanders at this mine [(See Rockhouse Energy Mining Co.,
30 FMSHRC 1125, 1154-56 (December 2008),] because there
[is] no testimony in [the] situation under consideration today that
the tracks were wet. [A]s Mr. Stepp explained, the mine is dry
during the winter[, and t]he previous violation was cited during
the . . . early days of September when, I’ll take judicial notice, it
is [still] hot in Pike County.
* * *
Moreover, unlike the previous citation, in this particular
instance Rockhouse persuasively offered testimony from an
experienced miner who had ridden numerous times on a rail
mounted mantrip and who had never . . . found the need to use
the [sanders] on his rides.
Because I conclude the violation was unlikely to result in
an accident, I find it was only moderately serious . . . . I further
find Rockhouse’s negligence was moderate. As Inspector Stepp
initially concluded, the most likely inference from me to draw is
that the sanders were brought into the mine in . . . non-working
condition. But given the fact Rockhouse knew the mantrip was
unlikely to be used prior to it being examined, and . . . [that when
it was] examined, the condition was likely to be found and corrected,
the existence of the condition [does] not show a high lack of care.
Tr. 335-338.
CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENTS
Having found the alleged violations exist, I must assess civil penalties taking into account the civil penalty criteria set forth in section 110(i) of the Act. 30 U.S.C. § 820(i). With regard to the company’s history of prior violations, the Secretary offered a computer printout showing those violations cited from December 15, 2007, through December 14, 2008, for which civil penalties had been paid. Gov’t Exh. 12, Tr. 292-295. The printout indicates a total of 626 paid violations. This is a large history. In addition, the parties stipulated that Rockhouse is a large operator and that the proposed penalties would not affect Rockhouse’s ability to continue in business. Tr. 292. Moreover, each of the citations indicates the violations were abated within a time MSHA found to be adequate. From this, I infer the company exhibited good faith in its abatement efforts.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR § PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
66576439 12/13/07 75.202(a) $2106
I stated at the hearing:
The Secretary has petitioned for the assessment of a civil
penalty of $2106 for the violation. Given the serious nature of the
violation, the moderate negligence of Rockhouse and considering
all of the other civil penalty criteria, I find the proposed penalty to be
appropriate.
Tr. 333.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR § PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
66576443 12/13/07 75.400 $2106
I stated at the hearing:
The Secretary has petitioned for the assessment of a civil
penalty of $2106 for the violation. Given the serious nature of
the violation . . . [and] taking into consideration [Rockhouse’s failure]
to meet . . . [its] standard of care and the other civil penalty criteria,
I conclude a penalty of $1,500 is appropriate.
Tr. 335.
CITATION NO. DATE 30 CFR § PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
66576447 12/13/07 75.1403-6(b)(3) $1304
I stated at the hearing:
The Secretary has petitioned for [the assessment of a civil
penalty] of $1304. Given the moderate seriousness of the
violation[,] . . . Rockhouse’s moderate negligence, [and taking into
consideration the other civil penalty criteria,] I conclude [a penalty
of $800 is] appropriate.
Tr. 338.
ORDER
Within 40 days of the date of this decision, the Secretary IS ORDERED to modify Citations No. 66576443 and 66576447 by deleting the S&S findings and by changing line 10(A) from “reasonably likely” to “unlikely.” In addition, Rockhouse IS ORDERED to pay civil penalties totaling $4,406 in satisfaction of the violations in question. Upon modification of the citations and payment of the penalties, this proceeding IS DISMISSED.
David F. Barbour
Administrative Law Judge
Distribution: (Certified Mail)
Brian W. Dougherty, Esq., U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, 618 Church Street, Suite 230, Nashville, TN 37219-2456
Carol Ann Marunich, Esq., Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, 215 Don Knotts Blvd., Suite 310, Morgantown, WV 26501
/ej