MSHA reports reduction in penalties on aggregate producers

According to MSHA data and reported by NSSGA, penalty assessments imposed on aggregate producers in 2011 declined by 18 percent, to $16.9 million from $20.6 million in the previous year, while citations and orders declined by the same amount. While a number of NSSGA members say they noticed a slight reduction in citations and assessments last year, it seems just as many reported no difference in MSHA enforcement actions, the association noted. While NSSGA said it appreciates the reduction, the level of assessments is still about 50 percent more than the 2007 level of just more than $11 million.