West Elk Mine — Accidents

Total: 408 accidents | Fatalities: 2

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
03/09/2008 STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 3d lost EMPLOYEE STATES THAT WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF THE UNDERGROUND KITCHEN, HE STEPPED ON A PIECE OF COAL, TWISTING HIS LEFT ANKLE.
03/08/2008 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 17d lost EMPLOYEE ACTIVATED ROOF BOLTER CANOPY RAISE LEVER. AS IT ROSE, IT HUNG UP ON A BOLT AND THE STRAIN CAUSED THE CANOPY TO FALL, STRIKING EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT ELBOW.
02/29/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 14d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS WALKING, PRESHIFTING BELTS, STEPPED ON A PIECE OF ROCK WITH RIGHT FOOT, TRIED TO CATCH SELF W/ LEFT, AND FELT PAIN IN LEFT FOOT.
02/18/2008 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 28d lost EMPLOYEE WAS INADVERTENTLY STRUCK BY THE BUCKET OF THE SCOOP.
01/25/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 36d lost Slipped and fell on Ice.
01/23/2008 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. 01/23/2008 = Date Notified
01/22/2008 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in 18 Tailgate 31 crosscut, #3 entry. The fall was approximately 40 feet long, 30 feet wide and 6 to 7 foot high.
01/21/2008 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS CARRYING A VENT TUBE. HE WENT TO TURN AND HIS LEFT FOOT STUCK IN THE MUD, CAUSING HIS LEFT KNEE TO TWIST. RECORDABLE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THIS DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 01/23/2009.
01/05/2008 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORKS ON FORK TRUCK. HIS LEFT HAND WAS BY THE BOOM. HE PUT THE FORK ON HIS KNEE AS HE SLID FORK OVER. WHEN HE LET THE FORK OFF HIS KNEE, HIS LEFT PINKY FIN...
11/30/2007 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Tripped on shield toe and fell cutting his thumb on side of shield toe.
11/29/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in E South Mains, entry 7, at crosscut 28. The fall was approximately 40' in length, 20' wide, and 10' high.
11/09/2007 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 54d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS HAULING SUPPLIES WITH FORKTRUCK. HE STRUCK A BUMP IN ROAD CAUSING HIM TO STRIKE HIS SHOULDER AND ARM AGAINST CAB FRAME. SINCE THE DATE OF INJURY, NO RECORDABLE MEDICAL TREATME...
10/04/2007 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE EXTENDED JACKLEG, TURNED AWAY AND TRIPPED. JACKLEG WENT INTO STRUCTURE, SPUN THE STEEL AROUND, STRIKING HIM ON THE LIP WITH THE BIT.
10/03/2007 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS CUTTING DOWN CHAIN LINK THAT WAS FOLDED UP. WHEN HE CUT THE WIRE, THE CHAIN LINK RELEASED, HITTING HIS LIP.
08/28/2007 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None While moving materials with the 3.5 LHD, the LHD struck the proximity switch to the outer doors of the hoist. The hoist was inoperable for more than 30 minutes for repairs. Repairs were completed at...
08/13/2007 STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 45d lost, 10d restricted EE was hanging 6"" discharge line. They put check valve in and had forgotten to put in noodle. There were pumps running outby. The valve blew off from the pressure. When it did, ee was behind the car....
07/10/2007 MACHINERY PERM TOT OR PERM PRTL DISABLTY None Was replacing covers on miner. When placing the cover, miner operator raised the shoe catching finger (*Tip of Ring Finger Amputated*)
07/09/2007 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Pipe lacerated employees right index finger.
05/29/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 68d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS GETTING READY TO CLIMB A LADDER TO INSTALL A TIMBER WHEN SOME ROOF FELL, AND EMPLOYEE TRIED TO RUN AND ROLLED HIS ANKLE.
05/27/2007 OTHER INJURIES DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES None EE saw inj EE walking up north side of 2 entry to check steering jack on bt4. EE turned again & saw inj EE collapse on floor. When they got to him he looked like he was having a seizure.
05/24/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in E-Seam, 10 Headgate, entry 1 to 2, crosscut 2. The fall was approximately 8' high, 19' wide, and 15' long.
05/20/2007 IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST ACCIDENT ONLY None On 4/25/08 it was alleged that a reportable coal dust ignition occurred on 5/20/07. In the investigation completed on 4/28/08 it was determined that the accident occurred. Several EEs removed a belt h...
03/26/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in E-East Mains, entry 3, crosscut 12. The fall was approximately 25 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 7 to 10 feet high.
03/14/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in the Sly Gulch Return, entry 1 - 2, crosscut 16. The fall was approximately 16 feet long, 8 feet wide and 5.5 feet high.
03/13/2007 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 2d lost He was moving front axle of a 25x with overhead crane when axle caught and swung pinching employee's right arm against machine.
02/23/2007 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 81d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS STEPPING THROUGH BELT WHILE SERVICING THE DRIVE WHEN HE MISSED STEP AND FELL TO GROUND RESULTING IN FRACTURES.
02/22/2007 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 42d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE WALKING ON ICY ROAD, HE FELL TWISTING HIS LEFT ANKLE, RESULTING IN A FRACTURE.
02/18/2007 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Installing flexco splice, EE got his left finger on top of rivit plunger, when another EE hit it with a hammer.
02/02/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A piece of rock approximately 40 inches wide, 8 feet in length, and 10 to 16 feet high fell from a faulted area between two rows of primary roof bolts. The fall occurred in 21 Headgate, entry 1, cros...
01/30/2007 MACHINERY DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 10d restricted Employee was bolting and wiring at the raise bore collar. The ground was fractured and he had to drill in and out. He pulled his left shoulder while extracting the drill steel. He noticed pain in s...
01/24/2007 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 7, crosscut 76. The fall was approximately 20 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 9 feet high.
12/16/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 71d lost Hanging bottom roller, had bracket on one side while crawing under belt. Bracket came off, striking him on side of knee.
12/09/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 25d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE STANDING ON ROOF BOLTER, MUDSTONE FELL FROM ROOF IN BETWEEN SCREEN, STRIKING HIM ON HEAD AND SHOULDER.
11/30/2006 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Due to an electrical problem associated with the oil heaters, the oil to the hoist motors got too cold, preventing the hoist from operating properly. The hoist was inoperable for a period of approxim...
11/19/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in the F-Seam, entry 5, between crosscuts 59 & 60. The fall was approximately 20 feet wide, 6 feet high and 60 feet long.
11/12/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 51d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE HANGING CABLE, HOOK ON CABLE BROKE ALLOWING CABLE TO FALL, STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON HEAD CAUSING NECK AND BACK STRAIN.
10/19/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in E-South Mains, entry 8, crosscut 10. The fall was approximately 7 feet high, 34 feet long and 34 feet wide.
09/19/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in E Seam, 10 Headgate, entry1, crosscut 1. The fall was approximately 10 feet high, 24 feet wide, and 40 feet long.
08/27/2006 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 6d lost, 14d restricted Employee was simply walking down the steps. When she stepped down her ankle twisted. She didn't slip, trip or come across any hazard. She went to the ER where she was told she has torn ligaments in he...
08/25/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 2d lost Employee states he was jacking a Kennedy panel up when some dust come down and went into his left eye. They washed his eye out and he worked his next shift then went to the doctor on 8/27/2006.
08/23/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 5d lost, 28d restricted Employee was removing drill steel and pulled left groin.
08/19/2006 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 109d lost Employee was a passenger on SV-11. The vehicle engine stopped. Before the brakes set, the vehicle hit the rib causing the engine cover to strike the employee's legs, breaking both legs.
08/06/2006 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 42d lost When stepping from one shield to the next, the employee slipped, striking either the panline or relay bar, resulting in a dislocated shoulder.
08/05/2006 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 98d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE CLIMBING OFF LADDER, HE STEPPED OFF LADDER, MISSED FOOTING AND STRUCK SHIN AGAINST METAL PLATE. THIS CONTESTED INJURY WAS DETERMINED TO BE WORK RELATED AS OF 03/01/07.
07/27/2006 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 5d lost Employee states he was pushing a Ramcar up a hill with the Ramcar he was operating. He pushed it up the hill his car climbed up on the car being pushed. When the car being pushed caught traction it...
07/26/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 1d lost Employee was sprayed in the eyes with Dawn Dish soap resulting in a minor eye abration.
07/24/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in 19 Tailgate, entry 3, crosscut 7. The fall was approximately 6 feet high, 15 feet wide and 16 feet in length.
07/09/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Tool box cover fell on right hand resulting in laceration to right middle finger
06/07/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee picked up a section of 6"" plastic pipe that was full of dry mud. As he lifted, he felt pain in his back. Employee has continued to work since date of injury, however, due to continued pain...
06/02/2006 INUNDATION ACCIDENT ONLY None Although the mine disagrees, MSHA has classified the water inflow in 20 Headgate, entry 3, crosscut 35 to 36 as an inundation. Water started from a hole in the floor, flowing to the lower part of the...