Wolf Run Mining Co. v. Federal Mine Safety & Health Review Commission
659 F.3d 1197
D.C. Cir.2011Background
- Wolf Run seeks review of an MSHA safeguard-notice violation issued under § 314(b) and whether such violation can be designated “significant and substantial” under § 814(d)(1).
- § 314(b) is an interim mandatory safety standard enforceable like other mandatory standards.
- Safeguard notice (June 27, 2000) required crossing facilities at conveyors; cited § 314(b) and § 75.1403-5(j).
- January 23, 2008 MSHA citation (No. 6606199) for lacking a suitable crossing facility; inspector designated the violation S&S.
- ALJ denied Wolf Run’s partial summary-judgment challenge; Commission affirmed that a safeguard-notice violation is a § 314(b) violation and can be S&S; Wolf Run petitions for review.
- Court holds § 314(b) is an interim mandatory safety standard and its violation constitutes a violation of § 314(b), thus can be designated S&S.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is § 314(b) an interim mandatory safety standard? | Wolf Run: § 314(b) is not a standard under § 3(l). | Secretary: § 314(b) is an interim mandatory safety standard. | Yes; § 314(b) is an interim mandatory safety standard. |
| Can a safeguard-notice violation under § 314(b) be designated significant and substantial? | Wolf Run: safeguard violation cannot be S&S since not a universal standard. | Secretary: safeguard violations are violations of § 314(b) and can be S&S. | Yes; safeguard-notice violations can be designated S&S. |
Key Cases Cited
- Cyprus Emerald Res. Corp. v. FMSHRC, 195 F.3d 42 (D.C.Cir.1999) (S&S designation limited to mandatory standards; Cyprus Emerald applied to broader context of standards for mine safety)
- SOCCO II, 14 FMSHRC 1 (1992) (interpretation of mine-by-mine safeguards and safety regulation)
- SOCCO I, 7 FMSHRC 512 (1985) (early decision on mine-specific safety provisions enforcing section 314(b) style safeguards)
- Bethenergy Mines, Inc., 14 FMSHRC 17 (1992) (operator-notice and safeguards under section 314(b) proceeding)
- Zeigler Coal Co. v. Kleppe, 536 F.2d 398 (D.C.Cir.1976) (interpretation of mandatory standards and mine-safety provisions)
- Prairie State Generating Co., 32 FMSHRC 602 (2010) (pre-enforcement review context for safety provisions)
- Carbon County Coal Co., 7 FMSHRC 1367 (1985) (review of ventilation/safety plans under Mine Act)