190 citations issued during MSHA mine inspections

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Federal impact inspections at U.S. mine operations in July resulted in 190 citations and eight orders.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration conducted the inspections at 15 coal mines and three other mines.

There have been nearly 800 impact inspections since April 2010 after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29 coal miners.

The increased enforcement is conducted at mines that have a poor compliance history or specific compliance concerns.

MSHA chief Joe Main says a review shows that safer conditions exist in mines that underwent impact inspections between September 2010 and March 2014 along with at least one follow-up inspection.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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