Report: Mine officials not overregulating in SD

Officials with Associated General Contractors of South Dakota had complained that MSHA inspectors were applying rules inconsistently and seemed to be seeing how many citations they could issue.

Lindsay Willits, spokeswoman for the association, said Friday that AGC appreciated the report but was somewhat surprised that the inspector general's office was unable to identify the significant incidents that first prompted the investigation.

"We hope the report reflects the fact that the agency has already taken steps to address the incidents that occurred," she said in a statement.

Lewis made no recommendations for the assistant secretary for mine safety and health, and the agency did not provide a written response to the draft report.

Jesse Lawder, an MSHA spokesman, said the administration had no comment on the report.

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