Independent Review of MSHA's Actions at Crandall Canyon Mine

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) states that mine operators, with the
assistance of the miners, have the primary responsibility to prevent unsafe and unhealthful
conditions and practices in the Nation’s mines. MSHA has the responsibility to develop and
promulgate mandatory safety and health standards, to inspect mines to determine whether
there is compliance with these standards, and to investigate accidents to determine their
causes and prevent recurrences.
Purpose The Independent Review Team (IRT) was established to evaluate MSHA’s actions
relating to the accidents at the Crandall Canyon Mine on August 6 and 16, 2007, and to
determine if any of MSHA’s actions contributed to the accidents. Specifically, the IRT was
charged with evaluating and identifying deficiencies in MSHA's actions preceding the initial
accident, evaluating and identifying deficiencies during the rescue attempt, and providing
meaningful recommendations to better protect the safety and health of miners and prevent
such accidents in the future.
Scope The IRT primarily evaluated the actions of MSHA's Price, Utah Field Office and District
9 as a whole. In some instances, however, the IRT's evaluation extended to all Coal Mine
Safety and Health districts or to MSHA in its entirety. The IRT undertook this broader scope
when there was evidence that deficiencies were systemic. The date range of the review varied
by issue and are defined, where necessary, in the appropriate sections of this report.
Methodology The review compares MSHA’s actions with the requirements of the Mine Act,
its implementing standards and regulations (Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations), and MSHA
policies and procedures. The IRT interviewed MSHA employees and other relevant persons
with personal knowledge of related events. Bargaining unit employees were afforded the
opportunity to have a representative present during their interviews. All persons interviewed
cooperated fully with the IRT. The IRT requested an interview with Robert E. Murray, coowner
and operator of the Mine, but the request was declined. A list of persons who were
interviewed is included as Appendix A.
The IRT met with representatives of the victims’ families near the beginning of the review.
The IRT explained the scope of the review, and extended an offer to each of them to speak
with the team privately or in groups. Representatives from most of the families accepted the
offer, and provided the IRT with helpful information.
Additionally, the IRT examined inspection records, mine plans, the plan approval process,
compliance with pertinent parts of the new Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response
Act (MINER Act), and other related records and documentation. The IRT also examined
MSHA’s interaction with the Mine operator. The Mine was restricted from access before the
IRT could conduct a mine-site visit.
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