Federal agency decisions, searchable in plain English.
Workplace-safety cases from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) and mine-safety cases from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC), each with a plain-English summary, the standards it cites, and whether it counts as precedent. More agencies are coming.
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Secretary of Labor v. Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC
Secretary of Labor v. Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC (FMSHRC SE 2018-239): Ungrounded space heater violated enclosure rule
An MSHA inspector found a metal-cased portable space heater with a two-prong plug in a quarry control room. Vulcan argued that the heater's UL listing, polarized plug, dry office-like setting, and extensive product testing provided protection equivalent to grounding. Judge William B. Moran held…
Secretary of Labor v. Northern Aggregate, Inc.
Secretary of Labor v. Northern Aggregate, Inc. (FMSHRC LAKE 2014-110-M, et al.): Thirteen citations resolved for $19,070
MSHA litigated 13 citations and orders from Northern Aggregate's portable crusher and two processing plants, involving flying rock, compressed-gas storage, platforms, guards, electrical cables and grounding, equipment defects, brakes, and warning horns. Judge Priscilla M. Rae upheld seven…
Secretary of Labor v. Recon Refractory & Construction
Secretary of Labor v. Recon Refractory & Construction (FMSHRC WEST 2010-450-M): Four electrical citations affirmed and examination citation vacated
RECON, a subcontractor at Drake Quarry, was cited for an ungrounded generator, missing continuity testing, damaged extension cords with exposed wiring, missing grounding prongs, and an alleged failure to perform workplace examinations. Judge Alan G. Paez held RECON strictly liable for the…
Secretary of Labor v. Recon Refractory & Construction
Secretary of Labor v. Recon Refractory & Construction (FMSHRC WEST 2010-450-M): Four electrical citations affirmed and examination citation vacated
RECON, a subcontractor at Drake Quarry, was cited for an ungrounded generator, missing continuity testing, damaged extension cords with exposed wiring, missing grounding prongs, and an alleged failure to perform workplace examinations. Judge Alan G. Paez held RECON liable for the electrical…
Secretary of Labor v. Tilden Mining Company, LC
Secretary of Labor v. Tilden Mining Company, LC (FMSHRC LAKE 2008-503-M): Extension cords included in grounding-system testing rule
MSHA cited Tilden Mining for failing to test and record the resistance of extension cords used in the mine's electrical grounding system. The Commission held that extension cords and power cables are components of a grounding system under 30 C.F.R. § 56.12028 because the system cannot protect…
What these documents are
- Commission decisions: Rulings by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission itself, the highest level of agency review. These are citable as Commission precedent, though a decision may have been appealed to a U.S. Court of Appeals after issuance.
- ALJ decisions: Rulings by OSHRC Administrative Law Judges after a hearing. When no Commissioner directs review, an ALJ decision becomes a final order under 29 U.S.C. § 661(j): it binds the parties in that case but is not binding precedent in other cases.
- Why finality matters: Every page here says which kind of decision you are reading, so you know whether it is precedent you can cite or a final order that only shows how one judge ruled on one set of facts.
- Where they come from: Every page links the official OSHRC public release, and the full text on the page is that release. The plain-English summaries are written by Ezel.