March US mine inspections result in 188 citations

(AP) - Federal inspectors issued 188 citations and two orders at U.S. mine operations in March.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration says the inspections were conducted at 13 coal mines and seven other mines.

MSHA inspectors issued 21 citations and one order at Georgia Stone Industries' Chelmsford Quarry in Westford, Massachusetts. MSHA says the site failed to adequately train three miners who were conducting workplace examinations, and serious hazards were not identified or corrected, including the use of damaged ladders and elevated platforms without railings.

The impact inspections began in 2010 after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia killed 29 coal miners. Since April 2010, MSHA has issued 14,139 citations and 1,246 orders.

Mines targeted by the inspections are those that have compliance concerns or poor compliance history.