Inspector Threatens Operators (email)

“There is an inspector in the state of ************* who if he sees something unusual about a distribution / breaker panel, he is requiring the operator to remove the cover so he can inspect the circuits. Example: if a breaker is marked spare and it is not turned off.

One operation stated that he told them if they did not remove the panel cover he would shut the mine down until a licensed electrician could get there and the operator would have to pay for it.

Most operations require a licensed electrician to work on electrical panels.

I would like your thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Company Officer”

Inspectors Threaten Contractor (email)

“It looks like the boys at MSHA are up to something again.  On our last inspection at our clients in ******, **** (where “a manager” works) both “***** and “our firm” had no citations.  The “boys” showed up this week and came in looking to write something serious.

On the second day the same inspector came back with his “regional supervisory inspector” in tow to really start sniffing. (Details omitted by $afepro to prevent possible embarrassment for **** and certain retaliation toward the firm.)

… On the third day another inspector came in on the first shift and saw where the operators had put up barricade tape and signs to warn of some spillage coming from the back of the machine.  He is threatening to write an S &S and maybe worse because the machine was spilling and it had not been repaired in a timely manner.  We have been working on this for several weeks to correct the problem, but it has been a game of chase to stop the leak.  He is also threatening to write us an S&S because we had not fixed the problem yet.  We do not schedule the work or schedule downtime so we have no control over when we get a piece of equipment is serviced and repaired.

                                                   I just can’t believe what is happening, but “a manager” and I talked before this inspection and both commented that MSHA would come back with vengeance to find something wrong and make up for the zero citations.  We have not seen the citations yet, but you can best believe if we do get cited we will be contesting it and fighting hard to stop this type of harassment.  This is a really good site with good housekeeping and excellent maintenance, but no one can endure the constant nit picking and bad citations written by this gang of yahoos in “the regional office”.

                                                   Thanks,

                                                   Contractor Company Officer

(Names of people firms and states have been omitted and Red font inserted for emphasis by $afepro. This is now necessary to avoid retaliatory inspections! I do not think that MSHA’s managers and inspectors are paying any attention to PIL NO. I10-V-17 (Enforcement Policy Reminder).

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