MSHA reports zero pattern of violation notices during FY26

MSHA announced today that none of the nation’s 12,000 mining operations met the criteria for a pattern of violations (POV) notice, one of the agency’s toughest enforcement tools.

In MSHA’s annual screening of operations from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026, the agency found no pattern of violation notices.

Recurring violations can cause mine area closures

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 includes the POV provision for mines with a recurring pattern of significant and substantial (S&S) violations - those that are reasonably likely to result in a serious injury or illness - and other safety and health compliance problems.

If a mine receives subsequent S&S violations after being placed on POV, MSHA is authorized to withdraw miners from the affected area of the mine.

“Under this administration MSHA remains committed to objectively calling balls and strikes in enforcement, including issuing POV notices when warranted,” said Wayne D. Palmer, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health. “For the third year in a row, no mine received a POV notice which, combined with the lowest-ever all-injury rate in 2025, signals continued progress toward protecting miners from safety and health hazards.”

Tools to monitor violations and compliance

MSHA provides mine operators with online tools to help monitor compliance.

• The POV calculator allows mine operators to monitor performance under the POV screening criteria and alerts mine operators that corrective actions are needed.
• The S&S calculator enables mine operators to monitor their S&S violations.

It is the responsibility of mine operators to track their violation and injury histories to determine whether they need to take action to avoid meeting the POV screening criteria.