FMSHRC ALJ decision Docket WEST 90-110-M Decided September 4, 1990 Settled Judge John J. Morris

Bob Sherman, employed by Blackhawk

Bob Sherman, employed by Blackhawk (FMSHRC WEST 90-110-M): Settled citation affirmed with $25 penalty

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This order from 1990 bound only the parties to this case; it isn't precedent. Ask about your situation and see what the current MSHA standards and Commission precedent say, with citations.

Currency note: this decision dates from 1990
The MSHA standards may have been amended, penalty amounts have been adjusted, and later Commission or court decisions may have changed the analysis since then. Treat this page as historical context, not current compliance advice. Verify the current standard before relying on any specific rule, threshold, or penalty mentioned here.
Final ALJ decision, not Commission precedent
This decision became final under the 40-day rule in 30 U.S.C. § 823(d)(1) because no later Commission review appears in the official index. It binds the parties but is not Commission precedent. The full text below is from the official FMSHRC release.
About this page: The plain-English summary and decision snapshot below were written by Ezel based on the official FMSHRC release. The full text is the agency's own release.
Read the official release (fmshrc.gov)

Plain-English summary

MSHA alleged that Bob Sherman, employed by Blackhawk at the Evening Star Mine, violated a mandatory safety standard. The parties asked Judge John J. Morris to approve a settlement of Citation 3462951. The original proposed penalty was $250, and the settlement reduced it to $25 while affirming the citation. The judge found the settlement reasonable and in the public interest and ordered payment within 30 days.

Decision snapshot

  • Cited standard: 30 C.F.R. § 57.6250
  • Outcome: The citation was affirmed and the settled penalty was set at $25.
  • Key point: The judge approved a settlement that reduced the proposed penalty from $250 to $25.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

CCASE:
SOL (MSHA) V. BOB SHERMAN
DDATE:
19900904
TTEXT:


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Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (F.M.S.H.R.C.)
Office of Administrative Law Judges

SECRETARY OF LABOR, CIVIL PENALTY PROCEEDING
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), Docket No. WEST 90-110-M
PETITIONER A.C. No. 04-04663-05509

         v.                               Evening Star Mine

BOB SHERMAN, EMPLOYED BY
BLACKHAWK,
RESPONDENT

               DECISION APPROVING SETTLEMENT

Before: Judge Morris

 This is a civil penalty proceeding initiated by the

petitioner against respondent, in accordance with the Federal
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 801 et seq. The
civil penalty sought here is for the violation of a mandatory
standard promulgated pursuant to the Act.

 Prior to a hearing, the parties filed a motion seeking

approval of a proposed settlement.

 Citation 3462951 alleges a violation of 30 C.F.R.   57,6250.

An original assessment of $250 was proposed. The parties now seek
a decision affirming the citation and assessing a penalty of $25.

 In support of their motion to approve the settlement, the

parties have submitted information relating to the statutory
criteria required for assessing civil penalties as contained in
30 U.S.C. 820(i).

 I have reviewed the proposed settlement and I find it is

reasonable and in the public interest. It should be approved.

    Accordingly, I enter the following:

                           ORDER

 1. Citation 3462951 and the amended civil penalty of $25 are

AFFIRMED.


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2. Respondent is ordered to pay the sum of $25 within 30 days of
the date of this decision.

                             John J. Morris
                             Administrative Law Judge

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