A Missouri mine operator who harassed inspectors and prevented an investigation was recently forced by a federal judge to allow the inspection to continue.
Westley Partridge, owner of Partridge Sand & Gravel, was served an injunction Feb. 2, preventing him and his company from stopping federal inspectors from completing safety inspections.
Forced car off road with mine equipment
Partridge used loading equipment filled with rocks and dirt to force vehicles driven by Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors off the road on their way to inspect his mine on Aug. 17, 2021.
After forcing the inspectors off the roadway, Partridge verbally harassed them and told them to leave his property, according to the Department of Labor.
U.S. Marshals serve complaint
MSHA filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri on Sept. 28, 2021, to ensure inspectors could access the mine.
The U.S. Marshals Service served the complaint to Partridge Dec. 14, 2021, and on Jan. 12, 2022, he allowed MSHA to inspect the mine.
As part of the Feb. 2 injunction, Partridge and his company agreed to a consent judgment barring them from interfering with future inspections and preventing them from threatening or harassing MSHA inspectors.
