Upper Big Branch Mine-South — Accidents

Total: 369 accidents | Fatalities: 31

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
01/30/2006 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY None EE was struck by a corner brow causing multiple severe lacerations and punctures and crushing injuries to his right foot. Also injured his back and right shoulder. The brow pulled away from the solid...
12/26/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None SPLICING CABLE, KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT LEFT THUMB. TRANSPORTED HIMSELF TO RALEIGH GENERAL HOSPITAL AND RECEIVED 7 STITCHES.
11/25/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 13d lost EE STATED HE WAS STEPPING THROUGH A MANDOOR TO CONDUCT A PRE-SHIFT OF THE EP-22 AREA WHEN HE SPRAINED HIS RIGHT KNEE. AFTER HE SPRAINED HIS KNEE HE FELT SEVERE PAIN IN HIS KNEE AND LEG. HE TRANSPORTED...
11/09/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 126d lost Employee exited a Brookville motor in an attempt to place a mine phone along the track entry. He stepped up on a flat car and as he stepped off his right ankle rolled over producing a loud popping noi...
10/11/2005 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 70d lost Employee was riding in a 5 passenger personnel carrier along with the operator. They had departed the motor bern traveling toward the south portal back switch. Upon reaching the switch they collided w...
09/30/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON PERM TOT OR PERM PRTL DISABLTY 49d lost Ee was carrying a acetylene bottle from last open break toward tool cars. He tripped over half header and fell face first toward the mine floor. The actylene bottle fell against ee rt. hand.His rt mid...
09/27/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY None EE WAS WAITING ON HELPER TO SPOT A BOLT BEFORE ENTERING #2 LEFT TO BOLT WHEN A 12"" BY 12"" PIECE OF ROCK FELL BETWEEN BOLTS STRIKING OPERATOR ON THE HARD HAT BOUNCING OFF OF HAT STRIKING HIM IN THE R...
09/27/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 19d lost EE was attempting to pry rock off of the top of a continuous miner with a slate bar. When the rock slipped causing continuous miner with a slate bar. When the rock slipped causing the other end of the...
09/23/2005 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY None EE WAS OPERATING THE HEAD END OF THE SHEAR CUTTING TO HEAD AT ABOUT #40 SHIELD. THE CUTTING DRUM THREW A ROCK STRIKING HIS LEFT HAND FRACTURING HIS PINKY, RING AND MIDDLE FINGER.
09/16/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE WAS INSTALLING THE OUTSIDE BOLT WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL MEASURING APPROX 2' X 2'. THE ROCK WAS VERY THIN AND HAD SHARP EDGES. THE ROCK BOUNCED OFF HIS CANOPY AND CUT HIS LEG AT THE TOP OF HIS THI...
09/08/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY None EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING 2 BUCKETS OF STOPPING SEALANT. HIS FEET WERE STUCK IN THE MUD. AS HE TWISTED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FREE HIMSELF HE STRAINED HIS BACK.
09/02/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 2d lost Employee and co-workers had loaded a longwall shield onto a flat car. Employee reached his right arm under the shield to remove a hook-up chain and as he pulled his arm out the top of his forearm graz...
09/02/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was located in the #6 face installing roof bolts. A piece of rock fell striking the drill mast and then bouncing up lacerating his left cheek. This accident occurred on the North Mains Sectio...
08/31/2005 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 12d lost TWO EMPLOYEES WERE TRYING TO GET PUMP PRESSURE FROM GLUT TO FACE AREA. INJURED WAS TURNING #3 VALVE ABOUT 1/4 TURN WHEN PRESSURE CAUSED GLUT TO BREAK CHAIN THAT HELD GLUT TO MONORAIL. GLUT KNOCKED BOT...
08/30/2005 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 1d lost After completing a belt move, Injured and another employee were palnning to build an intake stopping.Helper set the bucket down on the 35-c scoop pinching injured's right foot at the tip end of the me...
08/18/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 2d lost EE PICKED UP A LARGE PIECE OF COAL THAT WAS ON THE MINER CABLE AND THREW IT, CATCHING HIS MIDDLE FINGER BETWEEN PIECE OF COAL AND RIB.
07/27/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was using a hammer to knock strap off connecting link on a broken conveyor chain on the left miner. A piece of metal came off strap striking him in neck.
07/27/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE WAS CUTTING OFF A BIT LUG FROM A CONT MINER. HE STRUCK THE BIT LUG WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER & A PIECE OF METAL WENT IN HIS LEFT THIGH. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSP AND TREATED, THEN REFERRED TO A SPECIAL...
07/24/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None FALL OCCURED IN FACE OF #6 ENTRY WHICH IS BUTTED OFF IN FACE AND WILL BE CLEANED UP ON CYCLE AFTER OFFICIALS FROM MSHA AND STATE EXAMINE AREA. THE APPROACHES TO THE FAL WERE SPOT BOLTED WITH 8' CABLE...
07/17/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None Fall was found #1 entry 95 break, longwall nearest spad #18581 the roof was supported by 6' torque tension bolts. The fall had no effect on ventilation or passage. No one was injured.
07/08/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None ALL APPROACHES HAVE BEEN TIMBERED OR CRIBBED. ROOF WAS SUPPORTED WITH 6' TORQUE TENSION BOLTS AND SPOTTED BY 8' CABLE BOLTS. FALL WILL BE CLEANED UP AND RE-BOLTED, USING 6' TORQUE TENSION BOLTS. AT...
06/21/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE WAS MAKING CABLE SPLICE ON THE RIGHT BOLTER. AS EE WAS REMOVING INSULATION HIS KNIFE SLIPPED, CUTTING HIS LEFT THUMB. HE TRANSPORTED HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE RECEIVED STITCHES.
06/17/2005 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was trying to spread forks on CLA forklift with his co-worker. Co-worker dropped the fork that he had lifted up while EE was pushing. When co-worker dropped the fork it mashed EE's ring finger and...
06/03/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) ALL OTHER CASES (INCL 1ST AID) None EE WAS MAKING CABLE SPLICE. HE STRUCK CABLE CRIMPER TOOL WITH HAMMER AND A PIECE CHIPPED OFF CRIMPING TOOL, STRIKING HIM IN HIS LEFT HAND. EE TRANSPORTED HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY CLEANED T...
05/21/2005 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE WAS WELDING ON BELT TAILPIECE AT HEADGATE 20, BRK. 56, WHEN HE FELT SOMETHING ENTER HIS LEFT EYE. EE FLUSHED HIS EYE WITH WATER & CONTINUED HIS SHIFT. EE LATER TRANSPORTED HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL...
04/27/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 17d lost EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING ROOF BOLTS IN THE 3RD RIGHT CROSSCUT. HE ADVANCED THE BOLTER TO INSTALL ANOTHER ROW OF BOLTS. WHILE STANDING AT HIS DRILL STATION WITH HIS RIGHT HAND ON THE DRILL STEEL TRAY A...
04/03/2005 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY None The crew were traveling to the north mains section in a mantrip on track. The conveyor line and track are in the same entry at the mine. As the personnel carrier traveled by the #4 belt drive a shovel...
03/12/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was tightening bolts on a shear panel, when his ratchet slipped striking him in the mouth chipping two of his teeth.
02/16/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was attempting to trim the end off of a 2"" black plastic line when the edge of the line broke resulting in the utility knife slipping off striking his upper right forearm.
02/03/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 26d lost EE WAS WALKING AROUND HEAD DRIVE & STEPPED ON #1 SHIELD RELAY BAR, SLIPPED & FELL. HE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION UNTIL 8/17/05. DUE TO CONTINUAL EXPOSURE THIS INJURY HAS BEEN AGGRAVATED & HE IS NO...
01/12/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was changing bits on the longwall shear. Other ee was changing bit inserts, as other was removing a snap ring from the insert, the snap ring flew off the snap ring pliers striking ee in the mouth.
01/11/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 16d lost Injured was using a 1 1/2 ton chain hoist to pull the conveyer chain on a 10 s/c. The chain hoist was attached to a belt hanger and the chain. As the conveyer chain was pulled the hook attaching to th...
12/17/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A ROOF FALL WAS DISCOVERED 600' OUTBY THE NORTH MAIN SECTION, MMU# 009 & MMU# 008. AREA AFFECTED MEASURED 30'L X 90'W X 4.5-5'THICK. THE AREA HAD BEEN SUPPORTED WITH 4,5 & 6'TENSION BOLTS.
12/14/2004 DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA) OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 46d lost DIAGNOSED WITH CARPAL TUNNEL AND HAD SURGERY ON 12/14/04.
11/30/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 2d lost INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE A 5-HP PUMP OUT OF THE SCOOP ROADWAY. AS HE LIFTED AND TURNED, HE FELT SOMETHING PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK.
10/29/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE #2 ENTRY 20'INBY SPAD 18586 ON HEADGATE 20. THE FALL MEASURED APPROX. 30'LONG X 20'WIDE X 8'HIGH. THE AREA WAS DEVELOPED ABOUT JULY, 2004. THE ROOF HAD BEEN SUPPORTED WITH...
09/27/2004 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 43d lost INJURED WAS GETTING OUT OF #11 JEEP. HE PUT HIS LEFT LEG OUT FIRST WHEN IT BECAME STUCK IN THE MUD. THE AREA WAS WET AND MUDDY. AS HE TRIED TO GET HIS FOOT OUT OF THE MUD BY TWISTING AND PULLING UP, H...
08/31/2004 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 13d lost INJURED WAS DISMOUNTING FROM NW#2 BELT. HE HAD PLACED HIS LT. FOOT ON A TOP CONVEYOR RAIL WHILE HOLDING ONTO A STRUCTURE SUPPORT CHAIN. AS HE BEGAN TO STEP DOWN WITH HIS RT. FOOT, HIS LT. FOOT SLIPPED...
08/25/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A ROOF FAILURE OCCURRED ON NORTH MAINS #3 ENTRY (TRACK ENTRY). THE FALL MEASURED 70'L X 19'W X 2.5-4' THICK. THE AREA HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUPPORTED WITH 4'RESIN BOLTS WITH CRIBBS. 45'INBY SPAD 6906.
08/06/2004 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 34d lost INJURED STOPPED TO USE A TELEPHONE. WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HE WAS CROSSING BETWEEN TWO PARKED LOCOMOTIVES. HE STEPPED UPON THE COUPLERS WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF CAUSING HIM TO FALL AGAINST THE FRONT BU...
07/20/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 30d lost INJURED PLACED RIGHT HAND ON TRS FRAME TO HELP PULL HIMSELF UP INTO A WALK THROUGH BOLTER. HE HEARD ROCK ABOVE HIS HEAD START TO BREAK LOOSE FROM ROOF. HE STEPPED BACK AS THE ROCK FELL, THE ROCK GLAZE...
07/12/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 30d lost INJURED AND ANOTHER MAN WERE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE A ROCK MEASURING 35"" X 36"" X 46"" OUT OF MIDDLE OF TRACK. ON THE 2ND ATTEMPT THE WEIGHT OF THE ROCK SHIFTED TOWARD HIM. HE MOVED SUDDENLY AWAY FROM TH...
06/23/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 5d lost EE HAD GONE TO BACK OF BOLTER TO GET A BOX OF RESIN GLUE. WHILE LIFTING THE BOX HE FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN HIS LOWER BACK.
06/22/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 7d lost Injured was helping install an 8' timber - when the timber touched the roof - a piece of rock measuring 2"" x 5"" x 15"" fell striking him on his miner's hat.
06/16/2004 DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA) OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 27d lost Diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and had surgery on 6-16-04.
06/08/2004 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 88d lost Injured was stepping out of a cont miner conveyer pan. As he put his right leg out of pan onto mine floor he felt a popping in his right knee. He was later diagnosed with soft tissue damage in the kne...
05/18/2004 ELECTRICAL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 36d lost INJURED SUFFERED ELCTRICAL BURNS WHILE GETTING VOLTAGE READINGS ON #1 CONTINUOUS MINER RECEPTACLE. HE WAS TESTING WITH A FLUKE MEGOHMMETER MODEL 1520 THAT WAS RATED FOR 1000 VOLTS.
05/10/2004 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 209d lost INJURED HAD TAKEN #6 JEEP INSIDE AND HAD STOPPED TO OPEN AUTOMATIC AIRLOCK DOOR, WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER MANTRIP.
04/25/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 8d lost EE HAD JUST COMPLETED INSTALLING A TIRE ON #15 CAR. AS HE WAS WALKING BACK TO HIS TOOL BOX, HIS BACK STARTED TO HURT.
04/08/2004 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 272d lost INJURED WAS SETTING BITS IN SHEARDRUM, WHEN COAL ROLLED OUT FROM FACE AREA STRIKING HIM ON HIS RT. KNEE, IN FRONT OF #10 SHIELD.