West Elk Mine — Accidents

Total: 408 accidents | Fatalities: 2

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
03/12/2010 MACHINERY DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 8d restricted In process of swinging trench roller with trackhoe into trench, employee went to hook roller to bucket. While doing so, co-worker hit lever which rolled machine onto employee's foot.
02/26/2010 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 47d lost WHILE ROOF BOLTING, EMPLOYEE WAS ADDING EXTENSION STEEL TO STARTER STEEL WHEN OPERATOR'S PLATFORM SHIFTED, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE. IN AN EFFORT TO CATCH HIMSELF, HE LET GO OF STARTER STEEL W...
01/21/2010 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 110d lost EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE BOBCAT LHD. WHILE TWISTING TO SIT ON THE SEAT, HE FELT BACK PAIN.
12/29/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 4 at crosscut 20. The fall was approximately 20 feet wide, 20 feet long, 6 feet high.
11/25/2009 ELECTRICAL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 26d lost EMPLOYEE APPARENTLY THOUGHT ELECTRICAL POWER HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED AND WAS USING TWO SCREWDRIVERS TO DISSIPATE ANY REMAINING CHARGE. THE SCREWDRIVERS CONTACTED ENERGIZED COMPONENTS, RESULTING IN SECO...
10/29/2009 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Two employees were using the Deer Creek escapeway hoist when the motor tachometer malfunctioned, resulting in an overspeed fault, stopping the hoist. Due to the remote location of the shaft, the empl...
10/09/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in E1 Headgate, entry 1, between crosscut 25 and 26. The fall was approximately 32' long, 18' wide and 8' high.
10/07/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 7 at crosscut 78. The fall was approximately 18 feet wide, 13 feet long and 8 feet high.
09/29/2009 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 20d lost Employee states he was attempting to replace cover plate on petitto mule when cover plate slipped, striking employee on left foot.
09/19/2009 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 96d lost Employee states he pushed vent tubing closer to roof with one hand. He pulled strap tight with the other. When he jerked on strap, he twisted, resulting in lower back pain. He continued to work unt...
09/17/2009 DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA) OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 10d lost EMPLOYEE STATES SHE HAS PAIN IN LEFT THUMB, HAND AND ARM FROM REPETITIVE USE ON COMPUTER. SURGERY TO THUMB OCCURRED ON 01/20/2010.
09/12/2009 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE USED A JACKLEG HOSE TO PULL HIMSELF UP FROM A KNEELING POSISITON, CAUSING THE JACKELG TO FALL AND STRIKE EMPLOYEE'S THUMB, RESULTING IN A RIGHT THUMB FRACTURE AND LACERATION.
09/06/2009 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Hoist would not operate due to an encoder failure.
07/02/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 16d lost, 47d restricted EE was scaling rock when a rock fell striking him on the head and shoulder causing a fractured collar bone and a possible compression fracture.
07/01/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in entry 4, crosscut 4 of F South Mains. The fall was estimated to be approximately 50' long, 30' wide, and 16' feet high.
06/04/2009 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was removing loose rock in wire mesh when a rock fell striking his right 5th finger causing it to hit the man basket. EE received a laceration that required stitches.
04/17/2009 IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST ACCIDENT ONLY None While spinning a cable bolt to mix the resin, the plate was in contact with the ray mat, resulting in a frictional ignition of methane. The small flame was immediately extinguished with a fire exting...
03/30/2009 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE WAS REMOVING SNOW OFF THE LORAIN CRANE WHEN HE SLIPPED OFF THE DECK AND LANDED ON CONCRETE SHAFT COLLAR CAUSING CONTUSION TO TAILBONE.
03/18/2009 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 1d lost EE tried to catch a falling block.
03/15/2009 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE LOWERING ATRS ON ROOF BOLTER, IT CAUGHT ON A MONKEY FACE, PUSHING THE MONKEY FACE INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S HAND AND ARM, CAUSING A FRACTURE TO TIP OF FINGER AND LACERATION TO ELBOW.
02/18/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam Sly Gulch return, entry 7 to 8, crosscut 16. The fall was approximately 25' long, 12' wide and 7' high.
02/08/2009 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was installing a sleeve on the wing of the raise bore head bolt, when his left 5th finger was smashed into the wedge pin, causing a laceration that required stitches.
01/30/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in Box Canyon Mains, entry 8, crosscut 0. The fall was approximately 20 feet long, 20 feet wide and 8 feet high.
01/16/2009 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 5, crosscut 72. The fall was approximately 40' long, 19' wide, and 8' high.
12/31/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, Southwest Main Intakes, entry 3, crosscut 29. The fall was approximately 18' wide, 18' long, and 7' high.
12/22/2008 STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 3d lost Employee was capping top of can, when he stepped down off ladder he stepped on piece of wood rolling his ankle.
12/04/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 61d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS WALKING, CARRYING A PIECE OF BRATTICE. HE TRIPPED ON A PIECE OF COAL AND PUT HIS ARM OUT TO CATCH HIMSELF AS HE FELL, STRAINING HIS LEFT SHOULDER. RECORDABILITY DID NOT OCCUR...
11/30/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in E-1 Headgate, entry 1, crosscut 26. The fall was approximately 25 feet in length, 25 feet wide and 8 feet high.
11/28/2008 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES HE WAS ROCK DUSTING THE BELT ENTRY USING SV-5 WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK.TO BACK THE VEHICLE UP,HE TURNED AROUND IN OPERATOR'S SEAT & PLACED HIS RIGHT HAND ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK BEHIND HIM...
10/14/2008 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE RELEASED BINDER HOLDING CANS ON TRAILER. TENSION ON CHAIN BECAME TOO GREAT, CAUSING BAR TO STRIKE HIM, RESULTING IN A CHIPPED TOOTH.
09/24/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None While traveling the return entry, a mine examiner found a reportable roof fall in E-1 Headgate, entry 3, XC 41 to 42. The fall was approximately 6 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 25 feet long.
09/11/2008 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 17d lost Employee states he was raising belt structure. He was the tallest. As it was brought down, the weight transferred to him. C channel on side rail came in contact w/ hard hat and he felt a pop in his ba...
09/09/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in E-1 Headgate, entry 2, crosscut 47. The fall was approximately 12 feet high, 20 feet long, and 10 feet wide.
09/05/2008 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was holding a rock dust bag above his head as a strength prank. Co-worker reached behind him and cut bag with a knife and cut his thumb.
08/27/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 5d lost Helping another person remove some cap rock off of a power cable, while he was bent over a piece of cap rock fell out of void striking him on the back of the hard hat.
08/23/2008 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 10d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS OPERATING THE CONTINUOUS MINER WHEN A RIB BLEW OUT, STRIKING EMPLOYEE IN THE MOUTH.
08/21/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination a roof fall was found at E-1 Headgate section #3 entry between crosscuts 25 to 26. The fall was approximately 40' long, 5' to 6.5' high 14' to 16' wide.
08/11/2008 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 52d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS IN FORK TRUCK BASKET INSTALLING CRIB. AS BASKET WAS LOWERED, EMPLOYEE HIT RAIL ON BASKET, STRIKING HIS LEFT WRIST ON RAIL, CAUSING A LEFT WRIST FRACTURE.
08/03/2008 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS CUTTING OUT A PIECE OF DUST LINE. THE HOSE WAS LAYING ACROSS HIS RIGHT LEG. AS HE CUT THROUGH THE HOSE, THE KNIFE TURNED AND CUT EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT LEG. EMPLOYEE LATER WENT TO...
07/19/2008 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Was operating a fork truck, as he went around a corner the rear tire caught a drill steel that was leaning aginst the rib pulling it forward striking him in the hard hat. The hard hat was forced down...
07/10/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None He was carrying a 16' x 5' roof screen along longwall face on recovery when he tripped and fell hitting his right ear on another screen that was laying there.
07/07/2008 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 39d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS REACHING FOR MATERIALS WHEN A PIECE OF COAL RIB BLEW OUT, STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON LEFT SIDE RESULTING IN LEFT WRIST DISLOCATION AND LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND ABOVE LEFT ELBOW.
06/03/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 92d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS WALKING WHEN HE STEPPED THROUGH SOME WATER, CAUSING HIM TO STUMBLE, HYPEREXTENDING HIS RIGHT KNEE.
05/15/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None Employee found a reportable roof fall in E-1 Headgate, entry 3, crosscut 27. The fall was approximately 22 feet wide, 25 feet long, and 6 feet high.
05/08/2008 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES AS HE WAS BOLTING, THE PUSHER STEEL CAUGHT ON THE WRENCH AND BENT THE STEEL INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S LEFT WRIST.
05/07/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was in Sly Gulch Return, entry 3, crosscut 1 - 2. The fall was approximately 17 feet wide, 15 feet long, and 8 feet high.
04/15/2008 DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 None THE MINE OPERATOR WAS NOTIFIED BY MSHA THAT THE EMPLOYEE EXERCISED HIS RIGHTS UNDER 30 CFR PART 90. 4/15/2008 = DATE NOTIFIED.
03/25/2008 STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 3d lost Employee was building a stopping, after foaming he stepped down on a chunk of coal rolling his foot and ankle causing a fracture to the bone on the small toe.
03/17/2008 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 43d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS FILLING WATER WAGON. HE HOOKED UP FILL HOSE BUT FORGOT TO PUT STAPLE IN TO SECURE IT. WHEN HE TURNED THE WATER ON, THE HOSE CAME OUT, STRIKING HIM IN THE RIGHT FOREARM.
03/15/2008 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 95d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS DRIVING RAMCAR, PUSHING ANOTHER RAMCAR UP THE HILL. HIS MACHINE CAUGHT ON THE TAILGATE OF THE OTHER, RISING HIGHER AS THEY DROVE. WHEN IT FELL OFF, IT CAUSED EMPLOYEE TO BE BO...