West Elk Mine — Accidents

Total: 408 accidents | Fatalities: 2

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
03/25/2004 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.
03/08/2004 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None IMMEDIATELY AFTER A BOUNCE, THE ROOF FELL IN 22 HEADGATE, ENTRY 1, CROSSCUT 24 TO 25. THE ROOF FALL WAS NOT ABOVE THE ANCHORAGE ZONE OF THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, THE FALLEN ROOF MATERIAL IMPEDED THE PASSAGE...
03/07/2004 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None RUNNING JACK LEG WHEN WHERE DRILLING A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING LEFT ARM. WAS INSTALLING TRUSS LEG.
12/31/2003 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE WORKING ON ROOF BOLTER HE WAS USING A PIPE WRENCH AND BELT WRENCH, WHEN HYDRAULICS WERE USED TO TURN THE CHICK, WRENCH SPUNG AND BENT THUMNB BACKWARDS.
12/02/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None DURING THE WEEKLY EXAMINATION, A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN F-SEAM, ENTRY 7, 1ST WEST SUBMAIN, CROSSCUT 54. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 25' LONG X 18' WIDE X 6.5' HIGH.
11/12/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND DURING THE WEEKLY EXAMINATION. THE FALL WAS IN F-SEAM, ENTRY 8, CROSSCUT 75. THE FALL WAS APPROX 9 FT LONG, 11 FT WIDE, AND 6.1 FEET HIGH.
11/12/2003 NO VALUE FOUND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 162d lost EE & ANOTHER EE WERE HANGING PIPE OUT OF RC6. THE WERE STANDING ON THE PIPE IN THE BACK OF THE BED. THEY HAD THE PIPE ON THEIR SHOULDERS AND WERE ABOUT TO CHAIN IT TO THE ROOF WHEN THE CHAIN ON OTHER...
11/05/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND DURING THE PRE-SHIFT EXAM. THE FALL OCCURED IN B SOUTH MAINS, ENTRY 7 TO 8, CROSSCUT 23. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 19'LONG, 19'WIDE & 9'HIGH.
10/30/2003 OTHER INJURIES DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES None EE STATES WHILE PICKING UP TRASH, HE BEGAN HAVING CHEST PAINS. EE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO BYPASS SURGERY. WE DONT FEET THIS IS A WORK RELATED INJURY OR ILLNESS.
10/23/2003 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 49d lost EE STATES WHILE CHECKING A HOSE BETWEEN FT-3 ANDTRAILER, FT-7 STRUCK SGAINST FT 3, CAUSING HIS KNEE TO BE STRUCK BY FT-3 BUMPER. INITIAL X-RAY DID NOT REVEAL ANY FRACTURES, ON 11-11 MRI RESULT S SHOWE...
10/08/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 60d lost EE STATES WHILE HELPING REMOVE BELT STRUCTURE, HE LIFTED UP ON AN H-BEAM WHILE REMOVING CHAIN AND HE FELT HIS SHOULDER PULL. THIS DID NOT BECOME A LOST TIME ACCIDENT UNTIL 12/30/03, AS EE HAS WORKED H...
10/01/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 3d lost WAS FILLING SCRUBBER WITH WATER HOSE. HOSE SLIPPED FROM HAND STRIKING EMPLOYEE IN MOUTH.
09/27/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 15d restricted A COAL CHUTE CONE, THE CONE SLIPPED ON A COMEALONG CAUSING IT TO DROP ABOUT 2"" IN HEIGHT. THE ' OTHER TWO COMEALONGS HELD THE CONE FROM MOVING
09/08/2003 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT (UPS) FAILED ON THE HOIST LOCATED IN SHAFT #1. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE HOIST WAS INOPERABLE FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES.
08/27/2003 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE OPERATING CONT MINER WITH REMOTE, RIB BLEW OUT BETWEEN RIB SCREENS STRIKING EE ON ARM.
08/08/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN 22 HEADGATE, ENTRY 2, CROSSCUT 33. THE FALL WAS APPROX 35 FT WD, 35 FT IN LENGTH, AND 14 FT HIGH.
07/15/2003 NO VALUE FOUND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 245d lost DUSTING AROUND BELT LINE, HE WAS BETWEEN DUSTER AND BELT WHEN 955 DUSTER ROLLED BACKWARDS PINNING HIM BETWEEN DUSTER AND BELT.
07/10/2003 INUNDATION ACCIDENT ONLY None ALTHOUGH THE MINE DISAGREES, MSHA HAS CLASSIFIED THE WATER INFLOW IN 22 TAILGATE, ENTRY 2, CROSSCUT 29-30 AS AN INUNDATION. WATER STARTED FROM A HOLE NEAR THE FLOOR, FLOWING TO THE LOWER PART OF ENTRY...
06/01/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN BOX CANYON MAINS, ENTRY 3, CROSSCUT 30. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET IN LENGTH, 20 FEET WIDE, AND 7 FEET HIGH.
05/28/2003 INUNDATION ACCIDENT ONLY None ALTHOUGH THE MINE DISAGREES, MSHA HAS CLASSIFIED THE WATER INFLOW IN 22 HEADGATE, ENTRY 3, CROSSCUT 20 TO 21 AS AN INUNDATION. WATER STARTED FROM A HOLE IN THE FLOOR, FLOWING TO THE LOWER PART OF THE...
05/25/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED IN ENTRY 4, INBY XC-38, 17 TAILGATE. THE FALL WAS NOT ABOVE THE ANCHORAGE ZONE, BUT PREVENTED SAFE TRAVEL OUT OF THE TAILGATE. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET I N LENGT...
05/23/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE HELPING LOAD PLASTIC PIPE ON TRAILER, THE OTHER PERSON HELPING, PUSHED PIPE CATCHING FINGER IN BETWEEN PIPE AND FORK TRUCK.
05/20/2003 IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST ACCIDENT ONLY None WHILE INSTALLING A CONVENTIONAL ROOF BOLT IN THE RIB, A METHANE FEEDER WAS IGNITED IN 22 HEADGATE, ENTRY 2, XC 20 TO 21. APPARENTLY FRICTION BETWEEN THE ROOF BOLT AND THE PLATE IGNITED THE MET HANE. T...
05/14/2003 IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST ACCIDENT ONLY None ROOF BOLTER OPERATOR WAS INSTALLING A DYWIDAG ROOF BOLT APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET OUTBY THE FACE, ENTRY 2, XC 20-21, 22 HEADGATE. WHILE SPINNING THE BOLT, THE WRENCH CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE METAL MAT, CA...
04/30/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None DURING THE WEEKLY EXAMINATION A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN ENTRY 1, CROSSCUT 14, OF THE SOUTH MAIN RETURNS IN F-SEAM. THE FALL WAS APPROX20 FT WIDE, 25FT IN LENGTH, 6.5 FEET HIGH
04/05/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None REMOVED DRILL HEAD ON ROOF BOLTER. WAS SETTING DRILL HEAD ON OPERATORS PLATFORM. PLATFORM ROCKED & DRILL HEAD CAUGHT EE'S FINGER BETWEEN DRILL HEAD & OPERATORS PLATFORM.
03/24/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 1d lost EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING LOOSE MATERIALS AND TRASH FROM #62 CROSSCUT WHEN SOME LOOSE COAL FROM THE RIB FELL AND STRUCK HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS HIP AND KNEE.
03/07/2003 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A 5/8"" AIR HOSE WHEN COUPLING CAME APART CAUSING AIR HOSE END TO STRIKE HIM IN CHEST.
02/06/2003 NO VALUE FOUND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 339d lost LIFTING BLOCK TO BUILD SEAL & IT FELL ON FINGER.
01/10/2003 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE CUTTING WITH A UTILITY KNIFE, HIS RIGHT HAND SLIPPED, STRIKING THE KNIFE BLADE WITH HIS FINGER.
01/05/2003 NO VALUE FOUND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 36d lost EE STATES WATERING FOR DUST CONTROL AND FREEZING TEM CAUSING ICE. WHILE WALKING HE SLIPPED AND TRIED TO KEEP HIS BALANCE. HE DISLOCATED R SHOULDER.
01/03/2003 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN BOX CANYON MAINS, ENTRY 9 AT XCUT 28. THE FALL WAS APPROX 20' WIDE, 20' IN LENGTH, AND 10' HIGH.
11/21/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A LONGWALL TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED DUE TO A ROOF FALL INT HE #3 ENTRY OF 16 TAILGATE, BETWEEN CROSSCUTS 24 AND 25. THE SIZE OF THE BLOCKAGE WAS APPROX. 40' LONG, 4.5' HIGH AND 18' WIDE.
11/18/2002 MACHINERY NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE BOLTING HE WAS CHECKING FOR SUCTION, STUCK DRILL STEEL FELL FROM THE ROOF STRIKING HIM ON THE FINGER.
11/08/2002 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None ON 11/8/02, AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE HOIST DRIVE MOTOR FAILED, MAKING THE HOIST INOPERABLE. FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY MSHA, THEY DETERMINED THAT FAILED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT CAU SE THE...
10/30/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A LONGWALL TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED DUE TO FLOOR HEAVE IN ENTRY 3, 16 TAILGATE, BETWEEN CROSSCUTS 30 AND 31. THE LENGTH OF THE BLOCKAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET.
10/27/2002 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 25d lost EE STATES WHILE STANDING ON SIDE RAIL OF RAMCAR,HE SLIPPED AND FELL BACK TWISTING HIS KNEE.
10/18/2002 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE SHOWERING HE GOT AN UNKNOWN PARTICLE IN HIS EYE.
10/11/2002 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 5d lost EE STATES WHILE TRAMMING THE CONTINUOUS MINER, IT HIT A ROLL IN THE ROAD CAUSING THE CONVEYOR TO SWING, STRIKING THE EE.
09/30/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED IN PANEL 16, ENTRY 3, CROSSCUT 36 TO 37. THE INITIAL BLOCKAGE WAS THE RESULT OF FLOOR HEAVE.
08/23/2002 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE USING A RAZOR KNIFE HE WAS TRIMMING A BELT, HE REACHED UP AND PULLED ON FLAP WITH RIGHT HAND. WHEN HE PULLED ON FLAP HE LOST HIS RIGHT HAND GRIP AND RAZORE KNIFE SLIPPED, STRIK ING HIS...
07/06/2002 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 22d lost EE STATES THAT HE WAS WORKING ON HIS KNEES, HE RAISED UP INTO STANDING POSITION AND FELT HIS KNEE POP.
06/29/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED IN PANEL 15, ENTRY 4, CROSSCUT 10 TO 11.5. THE INITIAL BLOCKAGE WAS THE RESULT OF FLOOR HEAVE.
06/20/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN 15 HEADGATE,ENTRY 2, CROSSCUT 7. THE FALL WAS APPROX 20 FT WIDE, 20 FT IN LENGTH, AND 12 FT HIGH.
06/15/2002 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 36d lost SETTING BY CENTER SECTION OF RC21 TIGHTENING TRUNNION NUT WITH BOLTS AND 5 TON CRANE, WHEN TRUNNION NUT TIGHTENED COMPLETELY WITH FORCE BY CRANE BOLT. SNAPPED OFF BECOMING AIRBORNE WITH FORCE AND STRI...
06/07/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None AT APPROX. 12:00 P.M. THE MINING SECTIONS LOST WATER AND BELT SERVICE. UPON INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN F-SEAM, ENTRY 5, X-CUT 25, APPROX. 25'L X 18'W X 7'H.
05/21/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A TAILGATE BLOCKAGE OCCURRED IN PANEL 15 TAILGATE, ENTRY 3, CROSSCUT 20 TO 21. THE FALL WAS APPROX 16 FEET IN LENGTH, 18 FEET WIDE, & 8 FEET HIGH.
05/20/2002 MACHINERY DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 44d lost EE WAS TRAMMING CONTINUOUS MINER, THE CONVEYOR BOOM STRUCK THE VENT TUBING, CAUSING A ROCK TO FALL THROUGH THE ROOF SCREEN, STRIKING THE EE'S HAND & RESULTING IN A LACERATION
05/12/2002 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK ACCIDENT ONLY None A REPORTABLE ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN 16 HEADGATE, ENTRY 2, CROSSCUT 13 TO 14. THE FALL WAS APPROX9 FT HIGH, 18 FT WIDE, AND 25 FT LONG.
04/16/2002 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None EE STATES WHILE INSTALLING ROLL PIN ON MONORAIL, ROLL PIN POPPED UP HITTING HIM IN THE MOUTH, BREAKING TOOTH.