Top 10 Most Frequently Cited MSHA Standards 

Calendar Year 2024 (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024) 

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has compiled a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards during inspections at mine sites nationwide for calendar year 2024. This annual list serves as a critical tool for improving mine safety and health and will assist mine operators and contractors in identifying common areas of noncompliance. By publishing these frequently cited standards, mine operators can take proactive steps to correct hazardous conditions, strengthen compliance programs, and prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities from mining. MSHA encourages mining stakeholders to review these standards, evaluate current practices, and implement corrective actions to ensure a safe mining environment.
 

1

Accumulation of combustible materials
30 CFR 75.400
3,412 violations

2

Moving machine parts
30 CFR 56.14107(a)
2,897 violations

3

Housekeeping
30 CFR 56.20003(a)
2,640 violations

4

Preparation and Submission of MSHA Form 7000-2 - Quarterly Employment and Coal Production Report
30 CFR 50.30(a)
2,568 violations

5

Electrical conductors
30 CFR 56.12004
2,507 violations

6

Safety defects; examination, correction and records
30 CFR 56.14100(b)
2,339 violations

7

Mine ventilation plan; submission and approval
30 CFR 75.370(a)(1)
1,956 violations

8

Inspection and cover plates
30 CFR 56.12032
1,538 violations

9

Horns and backup alarms
30 CFR 56.14132(a)
1,527 violations

10

Roof control plan
30 CFR 75.220(a)(1)
1,493 violations

Additional Information:

Explore the Data Visualization - To view and search the top 10 most frequently cited standards by commodity and mine type, click on the following webpage: Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards Dashboard.

To search for an MSHA standard, click on the following webpage: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) Title 30—Mineral Resources.

Source: Mine Data Retrieval System violations data set, updated as of July 2, 2025.

For questions, please contact MSHA Data.

Click here to download the PDF: