Mining Incidents

Advantage #1Coal

Smoky Quartz · Underground
Controlled by John T Quintrell
Whitesburg, Letcher County, KY · Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 1502057
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
94
Years on record
2005–2012
Latest incident
Apr 2012
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

94 on file

2012 · 4 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Examiner discovered fall in the #3 entry at break 201. The fall was approximately 20' wide and 30 ' long.

Accident type, without injuries

A flash flood occurred that dropped approximately 3"" of rain in a 45 minute period. A drain pipe stopped up allowing water to overflow the drainage ditch and allowing water to enter the belt portal of the mine. This did not affect ventilation or safe travel for personnel coming out of the mine.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had a cable tied to a mantrip pulling it during a section move. The cable became caught on a pallet of rock dust and caused the cable to become tight and striking him on the upper left arm and ribs. Employee worked until 4-5-12 when he saw the Dr. and was taken off work.

Accident type, without injuries

A mine examiner found a roof fall during a weekly examination of the return air course 2 breaks inby SS 3003 in #8 entry. The fall was 60 feet long, 20 feet wide and 6 feet high. The fall did not ventilation or travel.

2011 · 9 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

The weekly examiner was traveling the return with an MSHA inspector and they found a roof fall in #2 entry of Cow Branch Mains near Spad # 4003. The area was dangered off and cribs built in the area.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was installing a bolt and his left arm was caught between the drill canopy and the drill head, resulting in a broken arm.

Struck by falling object

Employee was lifting a planetary unit with a chain hoist, tried to pull a crib block out from under it and the eye of the anchor pulled out and the planetary fell on his hand, causing injury to the index finger of the right hand requiring surgery.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a piece of belt with a knife and the knife slipped and the employee was cut on his right leg, requiring 3 stitches. Employee was back to work on the next scheduled shift.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a knife while helping make a cable splice. The knife slipped and struck the employee on the left hand causing a laceration requiring one (1) stitch.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that a piece of draw rock was falling and he jumped out of the way and twisted his back. The employee worked the following day but started missing on 3-10-11.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found in the return off MMU 003-0. It was approximately 40' long by 20' wide by 10' high. The fall occurred in an intersection and blocked travel in the entry. The fall will be cleaned up.

Struck by falling object

WHILE ROOF BOLTING IN THE #7 ENTRY, A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF ON TO THE CANOPY AND SLID OFF STRIKING THE INJURED ON THE RIGHT ARM, RESULTING IN A LACERATION.

Struck by falling object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS ROOF BOLTING WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE MIDDLE FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND.

2010 · 19 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A ROCK FALL WAS FOUND IN THE #3 ENTRY OF SMOOT CRK. MAINS ONE OF THE RETURN ENTRIES. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET WIDE 40 FEET LONG AND 10 FEET HIGH. THERE ARE 2 ADDITIONAL RETURN ENTRIES IN THIS AREA.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE BENT OVER TO PICK UP THE MINER CABLE WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS GROIN. EMPLOYEE DID NOT START MISSING WORK UNTIL 12/20/2010.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE (ROOF BOLTER OPR.) LOWERED THE ROOF BOLTER POT AND IT STRUCK A PIECE OF DRILL STEEL CAUSING IT TO BE PUSHED INTO THE LEG OF EMPLOYEE.

Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS ENTERING THE MINE ON A MAN TRIP WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL OFF OF THE SEAT HURTING HIS RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER. EMPLOYEE STARTED MISSING WORK ON 10-11-2010.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN THE BLEEDERS OFF SMOOT CREEK SUBMAINS THAT MEASURED APPROXIMATELY 55' LONG, 20' WIDE AND 6' TO 8' THICK.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROCK FALL OCCURED ON THE #10 BELT APPROXIMATELY 18' WIDE 65' FEET LONG AND 6' HIGH. THIS FALL WILL BE CLEANED UP AND SUPPORTED.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A UTILITY KNIFE TO CUT A CABLE WHEN HIS HAND SLIPPED CUTTING HIS LEFT HAND.

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS HOOKING UP SCOOP BATTERIES WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON A METAL HOOK CAUSING AN INJURY TO HIS GROIN AREA.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN THE SMOOT CREEK BLEEDER IN THE NUMBER THREE (3) ENTRY. THE FALL WAS THREE (3) BREAKS LONG EIGHTEEN (18) FEET WIDE AND APPROXIMATELY SIX (6) FEET THICK. THE VENTILATION AND TRAVEL WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE AREA WAS DANDERED OFF AND PROPS WERE SET AROUND THE FALL AREA.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS REACHING FOR A ROOF BOLT LAYING ON THE MINE FLOOR WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL STRIKING HIS INDEX FINGER ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED 4 BREAKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 10 HEAD DRIVE IN THE ENTRY ADJACENT TO THE #10 BELT. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET LONG, 7 FEET HIGH, AND 18 FEET WIDE.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS HOOKING A ROPE ON THE BELT DOLLY, AND HE PULLED ON THE ROPE TIED TO THE CABLE AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured was moving a continuous miner cable when he felt pain in his lower back.

Struck against stationary object

EE was riding on the mantrip (Johnson Industries) when he struck his head on a roof bolt plate that was hanging from the roof.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE was pulling a piece of conveyor belt when he felt pain in his lower back.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS SHOVELING A BELT IN MUDDY AND WET CONDITIONS WHEN HE FELT PAIN AND POPPING IN HIS KNEE.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was loading oxygen tanks at the #4 battery station when he caught his little finger on his left hand between two (2) tanks. we discovered about three (3) days after the accident that it was fractured.

Accident type, without injuries

Rock fall #3 entry parallel to 21 belt. Rock fall measured 20' x 20' x 6' to 8' thick.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE caught right foot between the mantrip and the coal rib. Medical treatment was provided which required stitches and no splitting of fractures.

2009 · 9 incidents

Struck by powered moving object

Per Safety Dept, EE was working near Mobile Bridge Carrier when running machine hit EE on the foot. Mine was on Winter Break from Nov. 23 through Nov. 29th No lost days for EE.

Rubbed or abraded

EE started missing work on 9/21/09. He was diagnosed as having bursitis in left knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Victim was bending a roof bolt when he felt sharp pain in back

Accident type, without injuries

A fall has occured 9 breaks inby #15 headrive and 90 feet inby survey spad # 3947. Fall is in #8 entry, no effect on travel or ventilation, Props set around fall area and dangered off. Fall discovered at 10:20 am. Fall is 110 feet long by 20 feet wide and 5 to 6 feet high.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Foreman stated that victim said that he had chain hoist hanging near the belt, when the chain hook caught belt splice and caused hook to fly back and strike victim in the face. Later the victim said he couldn't remember what happened.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee began missing work because of surgery to his right knee.

Accident type, without injuries

A fall has occurred 30' inby survey spad 1787 in the #1 entry of the No. 2 Southwest mains. Fall is approx 50' long X 20' wide X 5' high. Area has been timbered and dangered off. No affect to ventilation.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee began missing work this day because of a twisted back he suffered exiting a scoop. MRI indicated degenerative change and chronic no clinical.

Struck against stationary object

Hit roof bolt that was hanging down with left ear requiring 6 stitches.

2008 · 20 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a pry bar and mashed the right middle finger. The wound required stitches.

Struck by powered moving object

Employee was struck by ram car and suffered a laceration that required stitches.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Using a utility knife and while trimming a piece of belt, he cut his left forearm. Treatment required stitches.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall occurred in our bleeder system for our MMU 003 section. The area didn't affect the bleeder ventilation quanities, but travel will have to be rerouted. Fall occurred in x-cut inby spad 3546, starting in the # 5 entry and extending to the # 7 entry. This fall was found during the weekly examination.

Struck by falling object

Employee began missing work from an injury that occurred on 4/3/2008. Employee was struck by draw rock that fell from a rib.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was getting off mantrip and stepped off on a rock & twisted his right knee.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall was found by the weekly examiner in the # 8 entry @ x-cut 69.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking and slipped and twisted her right ankle. The ankle x-ray showed a fracture.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee alledges he was hurt on 7/24/2008 when he jumped off a mantrip. He began missing work on 8/5-2008.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped and fell in muddy conditions resulting in a fracture to a bone in his right hand.

Accident type, without injuries

Unintentional roof fall was found by pre-shift examiner in #6 hdg at #53 x-cut (At spad #3178). Fall was 20' Wide X 20' Long and 12' high.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating a mantrip and steering wheel caugh and spun around catching his right hand. He suffered a fractured bone to his hand.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee began missing work due to a lower back pain and he was diagnosed with Degenerative annular disc bulges.

Flash burns (electric)

Employee was energizing a breaker when the plug flashed up and his eyes were exposed to the flash. He was later prescribed drops to put in his eyes.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ee was assisting in removal of forks on a miner when he lost his grip and dooring his attempt to recover his hold a lock pin punctured his right palm. The wound was treated at the local emertency room and required stitches to close.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was struck by a chain in the back of the head that required stitches.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee began missing work because of a degenerative condition to his knee.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was diagnoised with moderate disc hernation from an injury that occurred 1/23/2008.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee began missing work from an injury that occurred on 1/24/2008. He was rockdust and felt pain in lower back.

Fall onto or against objects

When preparing to enter the mine, the excellerator stuck on the buggy while in reverse. The 3 men on board had to evacuate the buggy as it was going to hit a concrete structure and possibly cause a serious or fatal injury.

2007 · 17 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found in 1-Left Bleeder panel in the #2 entry at spad #2102 when making the weekly examination.

Accident type, without injuries

When traveling the bleeder entry in 1 Left Panel off No. 11 belt a fall was found in the #1 entry. Fall fell from pillared works into the travelway.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall occurred on the #4 heading at spad #2237.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the #2 heading approx 60' inby spad 2238. No injurys or equipment involved.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was picking up a hollow concrete block and felt pain in back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reports that he was standing with his hands on the belt structure ""looking up the belt line"" when a belt splice caught his coverall sleeve. In order to free himself, he jerked with enough force that he dislocated his right shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While bending a bolt it sprung and struck him in the mouth. The injury resulted in stitches.

Struck against stationary object

Employee reported that while shoveling belts, his right upper arm made contact with a sharp barb on the belt structure. The wound was sutured at the local emergency room and he returned to work the same day.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

When drilling a hole for a roof bolt, the wrench broke and drill steel struck employee on left forearm. He suffered a fractured bone in the forearm.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Bending a bolt on T-Bar, when bolt slipped and struck left hand. Resulting in a hairline fracture to ring finger of left hand. No splint required.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the #4 rt X-cut and extended into the #5 hdg approx 80 feet inby spad #1880.

Struck by falling object

EE stated that while operatig a roof bolting machine, a section of rock spun out of the hole he was drilling striking him on right upper forearm. Required stitches to close laceration.

Flash burns (electric)

This report is to abate violation 6646258. Employee recieved a flash burn to his hands when he plugged up a battery plug. This report is made under protest as I do not believe it meets Part 50 requirements.

Struck by falling object

Drill steel fell out of hole and struck employee on hand resulting in a fractured finger.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Lifting jack kicked out, striking employee's right hand and caused a laceration that required stitches to close the wound.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Knife slipped while cutting tape; cut left hand. Required 3 stitches.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was traveling thru a mandoor and bumped his head on the mandoor. Stitches were required to close the wound.

2006 · 11 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

An inundation of water from old works, thought to be over 300 ft from the face occurred in the No.1 entry of the 001 MMU. Miner was backing out of a clean up when he brushed the rib and the water burst through.

Struck against stationary object

Employee slid a piece of rock off the 6 inch waterline. The rock scraped his right hand and middle finger. His finger nail was scrapped off and stitches were required to close the wound. (Employee began missing work on 11/14/06 because of infection)

Accident type, without injuries

The continuious miner was stuck in a pillar run and before the miner could be pulled out a planned fall occurred & caught on the miner. Mining was disrupted for more than one hour and is therefore reportable.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee informed company on 12/12/2006 that he had surgery on a knee that was injured on 10/18/2006. The original incident was recorded when he raised up from handling a miner cable and felt pain in his right knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While employee was carrying a tool bag he felt pain in his lower back. His original injury occurred on 10/5/06, but he visited the Dr. on 10/16/06 & began missing work on 10/17/06.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling belt and was struck by the shovel. This report was filed to abate violation #7436522.

Accident type, without injuries

An unintentional roof fall has occurred outby spad #338 in the #6 entry, along the # 5 Belt panel. This is an intake entry, ventilation has not been affected and area cribbed off to prevent travel into the area. The fall was approx. 12 feet long, 5 feet high and 18 feet wide.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was struck by a flying piece of metal as he was using a hammer. Metal was removed and stitches were needed to close the wound.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Shovelling under belt rollers and felt pain in lower right side. He was diagnosed with a miscropic hernia.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

As employee was loading bottom belt roller, the load shifted and caught his little finger on right hand causing a laceration that had to be closed with stitches.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mashed finger on cable hook on miner while taking pull rope off. Removed finger nail on left hand 5th finger.

2005 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping drill borehole when drill kicked back and caught right knee.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE TURNED & AS HE WAS WALKING AWAY FROM MINER HE CAUGHT HIS RT. EAR LOBE IN A CABLE HANGER, CUTTING THE END. REQUIRED STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee began missing work on 9/29 from an injury that occurred on 8/25/05. He was using a bar when the weight of the part being moved shifted and he felt pain in lower ribs and lower back.

Struck against stationary object

Employee began missing work on 9/28/05 from an injury that occurred on 8/15/05. He was walking to supply area when he bumped his head into the mine roof. He then twisted his lower back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS CUTTING A PIECE OF REMOTE CABLE WITH A UTILITY KNIFE WHEN IT SLIPPED AND HE CUT HIS LEFT FOREARM. STITCHES WERE REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE WOUND.