West Elk Mine — Accidents

Total: 408 accidents | Fatalities: 2

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
04/18/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall was found in 19 Tailgate, entry 3, crosscut 14. The fall was approximately 20 feet in length, 9 feet high, and 16 feet wide.
04/14/2006 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE USING CONCRETE RAKE TO PULL CEMENT INTO HOPPER, HE GOT HIS FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN THE RAMCAR GATE AND HOPPER.
04/13/2006 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 21d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE REACHED TO MOVE CABLE WITH HIS FOOT AND HIS FOOT BECAME TANGLED IN CABLE LOOP, MINER HEAD STRUCK HIM IN LEG.
03/08/2006 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was taking apart water lines; was hitting coupler when pipe came apart falling & striking him in head.
02/06/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None When water was pumped down in the entry, a reportable roof fall was found in 19 Tailgate, entry 1, crosscut 40. The fall was approx. 12' high, 20' wide & 30' in length.
01/25/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 13d lost EE WAS TRANSFERRING A METAL PLATE THROUGH A MANDOOR. PUTTING IT DOWN, HE FELT HIS BACK POP.
01/25/2006 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee states he raised cover on scoop, cover fell catching hand between cover and frame resulting in laceration requiring stitches.
01/16/2006 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 5d lost Employee was delivering samples to lab on 4-wheeler. Weather was a factor. Was coming into a corner when machine started to slide sideways catching and causing machine to roll over.
01/15/2006 OTHER NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee felt severe lower back pain when he finished his shift
01/01/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None On 1/1/06 at approximately 3:00 pm a roof fall was found in the 19 HG Section between 18 & 19 XC. It is approximately 15' wide, 35' long & 7' high.
12/16/2005 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None (2 EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT). Drilling - 7"" casing (holds core sample) kicked out of mast, striking employee in chest. Hairline fracture to sternum and ""wedged"" disc in back.
12/16/2005 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None (2 EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT). Drilling - 7"" casing (holds core sample) kicked out of mast, striking employee above right eye causing laceration (stitches required).
10/24/2005 FIRE ACCIDENT ONLY None Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were found coming out of the gob apparently due to spontaneous combustion in the gob. No fire was observed.
10/13/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE GETTING INTO SCOOP HE CLOSED DOOR OF SCOOP ON HIS RIGHT THUMB.
09/20/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 10d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE TURNING ON WASHDOWN HOSE, END OF HOSE WHIPPED AROUND, STRUCK EMPLOYEE IN FACE, SPRAYING EYE.
09/18/2005 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES A PIECE OF COAL BLEW OUT OF FACE STRIKING HIM IN CHEST AND FOREARM.
09/18/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in 19 Tailgate, entry 2, crosscut 41. The fall was approximately 18 feet wide, 18 feet in length and 9 feet high.
09/01/2005 MACHINERY DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 23d restricted Employee was chuck tending when he got his right hand caught between the hammer and leg of of chuck tender. Employee received fracture to right hand and is working under restrictions
08/20/2005 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE CUTTING COAL WITH SHEARER A PIECE OF COAL BURST FROM THE FACE, STRIKING HIS RIGHT FOOT.
08/17/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in E-East Mains, entry 2, crosscut 12. Fall was approximately 7 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 30 feet in length.
06/03/2005 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None While conducting hoist examination, a defective brake release sensor was found. Due to unavailability of an additional sensor, the hoist was removed from service for more than 30 minutes.
05/21/2005 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None When inspecting the hoist, oil was observed on the brake pad. A leaking seal on the south side brake caliper was found. Due to inavailability of a replacement seal and a new brake pad, the hoist was...
05/03/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee states he was walking between the rib and the rockdusting machine. He stepped on a lump of coal, causing him to fall to the ground, catching himself with his hands, resulting in a fractured...
05/01/2005 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL ACCIDENT ONLY None A bounce occurred that damaged several stoppings between entries 2 and 3, 24 Tailgate outby the longwall face, and caused a tailgate blockage inby XC-26. This resulted in a disruption of mining for m...
04/20/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 10d lost WASHING IN THE #2 SILO HEADHOUSE. THE HOSE SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HAND & HIT HIM IN THE FACE. HE WAS REACHING TO TURN OFF THE WATER VALVE WITH RT. HAND , THE HOSE WAS IN HIS LEFT HAND.
04/14/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in 19 Headgate, entry 2, crosscut 19. The fall was approx. 18' long, 18' wide & 7-8' high.
04/13/2005 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A reportable roof fall occurred in 19 Tailgate, entry 2, crosscut 16. The fall was approximately 23 feet long, 32 feet wide and 6 feet high. The roof fell on top of the conveyor belt installed in th...
03/16/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee states he was helping hang vent tube, he reached up to grab roof screen to maintain 3 point contact and roof screen pulled out of roof and he fell to ground hitting his back. This did not tur...
03/15/2005 OTHER INJURIES DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES 6d lost EE STATES WHILE MOVING PORTABLE HEATER HE FELT PAIN IN RIGHT SIDE OF CHEST. WE DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A WORK-RELATED INCIDENT. (A-FIBRILLATION; BLOOD CLOT ON HEART.)
03/13/2005 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee states he lifted the forks, lost control with one hand allowing forks to fall catching his finger between forks and frame.
01/18/2005 DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS) OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 None Employee states while maintaining spaceheaters on surface to keep pulleys from freezing up his finger got frostbite. Employee did not seek medical treatment until 07/18/05. This did not become a repor...
12/17/2004 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Encoder shaft slipped on drive coupler, resulting a rope speed fault. When HSS control power was reset to clear the fault, the encoder entered a faulty value for the lower limit overtravel, making th...
11/21/2004 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 20d lost THE EE STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO FIND THE LOCATION OF AN EMULSION LEAK ON SHIELD #48. HE WAS RUNNING THE PAN PUSH FUNCTION WHILE RUNNING HIS HAND DOWN A HOSE, WHEN THE PRESSURE WAS ACTIVATED; IT IN...
10/30/2004 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE was driving vehicle from bathhouse to main road on his way back to shop. The ee came around a corner and there was a 5 yard loader pulling out onto the roadway, as the ee braked and tried to change...
10/10/2004 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL ACCIDENT ONLY None A bounce occurred, resulting in damage to several stoppings between entries 2 and 3 in Panel 23 tailgate return, affecting the ventilation system.
10/07/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING WALKWAY TO FEEDER. THE FEEDER PLATE WAS LEANING AGAINST FEEDER. WHEN HE BEGAN MOVING THE FEEDER PLATE HE SET IT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN IT FELL BACK CATCHING HIS FINGER BETWE...
09/27/2004 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 138d lost EE STATES THAT HE WAS CROSSING THE PARKING LOT TO COME TO WORK AND ANOTHER EE ARRIVING FOR WORK DID NOT SEE HIM & STRUCK HIM WITH VEHICLE. THIS DID NOT TURN INTO A LOST TIME ACCIDENT UNTIL 10/06/04
09/20/2004 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee states he blocked in the mantrip throttle to build pressure on compressor. When he drove forward with blocked throttle, the mantrip lunged forward striking another machine. He hit steering wh...
09/19/2004 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL ACCIDENT ONLY None While mining on longwall face in Panel 23, a bounce occurred. This resulted in damage to several stoppings in the bleeder system, effecting longwall face ventilation. An MSHA inspector was present o...
09/15/2004 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 27d lost Employee states jackleg leaned causing him to lose balance, jackleg fell catching thumb between jackleg and belt structure resulting in fracture and laceration on right thumb. EE DID NOT BEGIN LOST T...
08/23/2004 FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Ee states after vent tube was hung he went to get back on right side platform of bolter. He grabbed hold of vent tube holder arm when a piece of rib fell hitting rib protector plate causing plate to r...
07/14/2004 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None THE #1 HYDRAULIC PUMP FOR THE BRAKE GOT WEAK AND COULD NOT PUMP THE REQUIRED 2300 PSI TO SHUT OFF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN, CAUSING THE SYSTEM OT OVERHEAT. THIS CAUSED THE TAN...
06/22/2004 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 71d lost EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS PLACING A CRIB BLOCK UNDER THE PANLINE. THE PANLINE FELL, CATCHING HIS HAND BETWEEN PANLINE AND CRIB.
06/13/2004 IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST ACCIDENT ONLY None IN THE BOX CANYON MAINS SECTION, ENTRY 5, CROSSCUT 54 TO 55, THE CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR WAS GRADING FLOOR INTO THE FACE. AS THE CUTTING HEAD APPROACHED THE FACE, A METHANE FEEDER WAS IGNITED APPAR...
06/08/2004 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 52d lost Ee states while climbing on a scoop to drop tubes, his foot slipped & he fell catching himself w/his left arm. This caused ee to have pain although he continued to work. On 7/9/04 he received an MRI &...
05/11/2004 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE DRILLING WITH SINKING HAMMER, THE STEEL TENDER BROKE, THE HAMMER JUMPED OFF THE DRILL STEEL. EE TRIED TO CATCH HAMMER, CATCHING THUMB BETWEEN STEEL AND HAMMER.
04/20/2004 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.
04/18/2004 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE SERVICING A SHIELD, HE PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON. THE HOSE WAS NOT HOOKED UP, ALLOWING EMULSION TO SPRAY INTO FACE.
03/31/2004 DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA) OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 22d lost EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE TYPING ON COMPUTER OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SHE DEVELOPED PAIN IN BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WRISTS.
03/29/2004 DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 None The operator was notified by MSHA that the ee exercised his rights under 30 CFR Part 90.