Summary
This 8-K filing by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on March 8, 2017, pertains to a minor operational event at one of its subsidiary's coal mining operations. Specifically, Bridger Coal Company, a joint venture in which PacifiCorp (a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary) has a two-thirds ownership and operates, received an "imminent danger" order from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The order was issued on March 5, 2017, due to a safety lapse involving an operator working on a dump truck without fall protection. Importantly for investors, the filing clarifies that the issue was promptly addressed and the order was terminated by MSHA on the same day. This suggests a quick resolution with no anticipated material impact on Bridger Coal Company's operations or Berkshire Hathaway's overall financial performance. The incident appears to be an isolated safety violation that was immediately rectified.
Key Highlights
- 1Bridger Coal Company, a subsidiary of PacifiCorp (indirectly owned by Berkshire Hathaway), received an "imminent danger" order.
- 2The order was issued by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) on March 5, 2017.
- 3The safety concern involved an operator working on a dump truck without personal fall protection.
- 4Bridger Coal Company took immediate action to correct the safety violation.
- 5MSHA terminated the "imminent danger" order on the same day it was issued.
- 6The incident appears to have been resolved quickly with no expected material impact on operations.