running splice machine hurt EE's right shoulder no work missed until surgery on 10/07/2025
CASSELMAN MINECoal
- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 108
- Years on record
- 2012–2025
- Latest incident
- Aug 2025
Reportable incidents
108 on file2025 · 3 incidents
While pulling a P pin from a belt drive with a scoop bucket pin turned striking EE's hand causing EE to lose tip of left pointer finger
Fire started in one of three buildings burning down the mantrip building, water shed, and the old shower house. There was no one at work during the time when the fire started.
2024 · 8 incidents
Pulling canvas down in 2-1 and stepped in clay hole that caused the employee to fall and twist knee
Employee not wearing gloves using battery powered grinder w/ cut off wheel. The cut off wheel ""Bucked"" off of the steel EE was cutting causing the wheel to contact the RT. hand between the thumb and index finger which resulted in EE receiving 5 sutures.
Cutting dust bag open for bolter to but bits in and cut hand while doing so. Was seen at ER and received 7 stitches.
Hands going Numb after repetitive shoveling and using hand tools. Was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and had surgery on 10-23-2024.
Employee was operating golf cart traveling from 4 to 5 crosscut into #5 entry. Left front tire contacted a block lying along the rib causing the wheel to rotate suddenly and ball on wheel contacted employee's right hand. Employee was put on restricted duty.
pulling drill steel out of roof and pinched finger between drill steel and bolter head causing a cut that required 6 stiches
Traveling to section seen a bucket of miner bits in travel way stopped to pick them up from cart and felt left shoulder pop while lifting bucket of bits resulting in a rotator cuff tear. Continued working full duty until time of surgery on 07/08/2024.
Employee was loading T-3 channels onto a scoop. The stack of T3's started to tip over so they tried to catch them. Their hand went into the bolt hole and was cut by the straps as they shifted causing a laceration to their right pinky finger that required stitches. The employee was wearing rubber gloves when the accident occurred.
2023 · 5 incidents
Employee has been dealing with intermittent right knee pain since March 2022. Recently, EE's knee pain increased due to lower seam height requiring more crawling. EE was taken to doctor and diagnosed with a torn meniscus and surgery was performed on 10/25/2023. EE continued to work EE's normal duties until surgery.
Doing on shift stood up and turned from Kneeling. Employee was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with a torn meniscus and surgery was performed on 1-24-24. Employee continued to work their normal duties until surgery.
Miner stuck finger between the wheel and the hub and got it pinched.
Preshifting section stepped in a hole in crosscut 4-5 and twisted right knee. EE was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with a torn meniscus and surgery was performed on 1-29-24. EE continued to work their normal duties until surgery.
Employee was watching cables as MBC was tramming outby dragging a bridge that was to be re-attached to the haulage system. Employee unknowingly placed self in a red zone and became pinched between the coal rib and the bridge resulting in a fractured hip and pelvis.
2022 · 10 incidents
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the return of MMU 001 on 3 north 8 panel. It fell from 1 thru 5 entry 30 feet outby S/S 10720 in #3 entry. The roof fall measured approx. 18' wide by 250 long at a undetermined height. The exact cause of the fall is unknown but due to other caves occurring in this area previously the operator is abandoning any further mining in this area.
EE was heating up tar for scoop batteries using a tea pot and hot plate. EE opened the tea pot to check how much tar was in it. When EE lifted the lid it blew out of the container covering the palm of EE's hand and between fingers migrating to the wrist area.
An unintentional roof fall occurred on the MMU 001 section in #3-4 #4 #4-5 and #5 entry inby 40ft from S/S 10262 in #4 entry. The roof fall measured approx., 18'ft wide by 250'ft long and at 6ft high. There was a small cutter that came across the section which is what caused the roof to fall
Employee was walking back lo-lo to shovel. They reached down and put a hand on the lo-lo to help walk and a shard of metal cut left pinky though their glove
An unintentional roof fall occurred on the MMU 001 section in the #3 entry at S/S 10603. The roof fall measured approx. 18' wide, 15' long, and an undetermined height. There was a large cutter that came across the section, which is what caused the roof fall at the face.
Employee was roof bolting and felt a pain in EE's back. EE was given a cortisone injection in EE's back to help alleviate the inflammation.
Employee knelt down on the section and felt a ""pop"" and burning pain on the inside of EE's right knee. Employee continued to work normal duties until surgery was performed to repair a torn meniscus on 10/13/2022.
Was shoveling belt line on knees. Went to stand up and felt a pop and burn in right knee
Using a utility knife EE was cutting a piece of belt to make a piece of guarding for a belt tail. The utility knife slipped out of the belt cutting EE at the second knuckle through EE's glove. EE had received 7 stitches
EMPLOYEE WAS REINSTALLING LEFT CUTTER BOOM PIN. STRIKING SHIM PLATE TO INSTALL PORTA POWER TO PUSH PIN. EE STRUCK PIN AND CONTACTED FINGER ON STEEL PLATE LACERATING RIGHT INDEX FINGER. ON 6/18/2022 THE LACERATION BECAME INFECTED. EE RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR THE INFECTION. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK FULL DUTY
2021 · 11 incidents
Employee was advancing 6"" waterline to the section. While lifting a 6"" metal sweep adjacent to the section belt drive, the employee felt a sharp pain in lower back.
EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING THE LOW BELT. EE PUT EE'S HAND ON THE LOW STRUCTURE TO STAND UP. EE'S HAND STRUCK A BUR ON THE STRUCTURE LACERATING THE PALM AREA OF EE'S LEFT HAND THROUGH EE'S GLOVE. EE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE MEYERSDALE PA ER AND RECEIVED 3 SUTURES.
A miner has incurred a reportable hearing loss as defined under 30 CFR Part 62.
EMPLOYEE WAS ADDING OIL TO THE BOLTER. EE HAD OPENED THE OIL CAN AND PLACED THE HOSE IN . WHEN THE CAN BEGAN TO RUN EMPTY EE REACHED OVER TO TILT THE CAN AND EE'S LEFT THUMB CONTACTED THE SHARP EDGE OF THE LID. EE RECEIVED 6 SUTURES FOR A LACERATION
EMPLOYEE STATES THAT ON 8/5/2021 THEY BEGAN HAVING ACHING IN THE LOWER BACK FROM WORKING IN THE LOW COAL SEAM . EE DESCRIBED THIS AS ""NORMAL"" FOR THEM. OVER THE NEXT FEW SHIFTS THE PAIN BECAME WORSE UNTIL THE EE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION ON 8/8/2021. EE WAS TREATED FOR A PULLED MUSCLE ON 8/9/2021.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE 4 NORTH 4 PANEL IN THE RETURN OUTBY THE SECTION. THE FALL OCCURRED AT #30 BLOCK APPX 1 X-CUT INBY SS'S 9430 AND 9432. THE FALL CLOSED INTERSECTION OF THE #2 ENTRY AND FELL IN A TRIANGULAR SHAPE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION OF THE #4 ENTRY. HEIGHT IS UNKNOWN. THE AREA HAS APPROXIMATELY 700' OF COVER AND IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A STREAM BED.
EMPLOYEE WAS HOOKING A SMALL TRAILER UP TO A CART. THE TRAILER HITCH SLIPPED OFF OF THE BALL . EMPLOYEE TRIED TO GRAB THE TONGUE AND A FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE TONGUE AND BOTTOM .
EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING LOW BELT. EE FELT DISCOMFORT IN BACK. EE STRETCHCHED BACK OUT AND AFTERWARD HAD NO STRENGTH IN LEFT ARM/SHOULDER. EE CONTINUED TO WORK FULL DUTY UNTIL 8/18/2021 WHEN EE WAS PLACED OFF WORK.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN 4 NORTH 3 PANEL AT 37 BLOCK IN ENTRIES 1 THROUGH 5. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 250' LONG BY 6 FEET HIGH WITH AN UNKNOWN DEPTH. THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE FALL IS UNKNOWN. THE AREA HAS APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET OF COVER AND IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A STREAM BED.
EMPLOYEE WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT A PARTIALLY INSTALLED BENT ROOF BOLT. EMPLOYEE LOWERED THE BOLTER HEAD AND THE BOLT SPRUNG TO THE SIDE STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON THE LEFT WRIST.
EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING THE BOLTER. AS EE WAS CARRYING BOLTS EE STEPPED IN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM. THE NEXT DAY EE WOKE UP WITH PAIN AND NUMBNESS IN RIGHT LEG FROM HIP TO FOOT. EE CONTINUED TO PERFORM NORMAL DUTIES UNTIL EE WAS PLACED OFF OF WORK ON 3/16/2021 BY EE'S PHYSICIAN.
2020 · 3 incidents
EMPLOYEE WAS KNEELING DOWN WHILE INSPECTING THE FACES. WHEN THEY BEGAN TO STAND AND TURN AT THE SAME TIME EMPLOYEE FELT A POP IN THE LEFT KNEE AND PAIN. AFTER SEEING AM ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST EMPLOYEE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TORN MEDIAL MENISCUS. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK FULL DUTY UNTIL SURGERY ON 10/6/2020.
EMPLOYEE WAS ROOF BOLTING AND BENDING A BOLT FOR INSTALLATION. EMPLOYEE NEVER FELT ANY TYPE OF INDICATION BUT WHEN EMPLOYEE GRABBED THE STEELS FOR THE NEXT HOLE A BURNING PAIN WAS SHOOTING UP EMPLOYEE'S ARM FROM WRIST TOWARD ELBOW. SWELLING BEGAN IMMEDIATELY IN THE ELBOW AREA.
EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING BELT. WHILE CUTTING, KNIFE SLIPPED CAUSING A LACERATION ON THE LEFT THUMB/WRIST AREA. INJURY REQUIRED 7 STITCHES.
2019 · 11 incidents
Employee was using a come along to lift belt when the come along handle broke causing the employee to fall forward striking their left cheek off of the broken handle. Employee received a laceration from this that needed 5 stitches.
Employee was on operator side of the bolter at the inch trams when a section of rock and coal fell from the rib striking EE in the right foot causing multiple fractures to EE's foot and toes. Rock was approximately 14"" wide by 8"" thick by 6' long.
Employee was cutting belt when EE slipped and cut arm. Laceration needed 3 stitches.
Employee was kneeling down, when employee stood up to walk employee felt a pop in left knee. Employee has a torn meniscus.
Employee was diagnosed with a MSHA reportable hearing loss.
Employee was helping install a head jack cylinder when prying it into place the bar slipped causing them to slip and smash a finger under the pry bar against the pan of the miner. Employee received 9 stiches to close the laceration.
Employee was dragging a section of bridge cable out of the way when employee felt a sharp pain in stomach/groin area. Employee has a hernia.
Employee went to shovel the section tail piece when ee knelt down the belt began to spill causing it to catch the lid over top the tail roller and bearings causing it to flip over striking the employee in the left knee.
Employee grabbed ahold of handle on drill station canopy and went to stand up when shoulder dislocated. Employee received medical treatment to have shoulder set back in place.
Employee was working in a 995 panel when the power got turned on causing the employee to receive an electrical shock and burns resulting in the amputation of left middle finger.
Employee was getting on mantrip when ee grabbed a hold of building there was a sharp piece of tin sticking out that caused a laceration to left hand. Employee received 6 stitches to close the laceration.
2018 · 8 incidents
Employee was installing the rub rail on the miner when the rub rail slipped on pry bar ee was using pinching finger between rub rail and miner causing a laceration. Employee receive 3 stitches
Employee was in intersection waiting for the belts to come back on when a section of roof rock fell striking ee in the left foot causing a crushing injury and amputation of three toes. the rock measured 37"" wide 67"" long and 11"" thick.
Employee was operating the front MBC on the cat haulage system by remote control. EE was setting the unit up for a shuttle car cut when they noticed they pulled the unit too far so when they went to back the unit up they swung it towards themselves that's when the unit contacted them, pinching them between the unit and the coal rib.
Employee was bolting when they reached out to pick up bolt, a piece of rock measuring 32""x12""X4"" fell striking them in the right hand amputating the tip of the pointer finger.
Employee was gathering loose block up and loading them into a scoop bucket when another employee tossed one in the scoop bucket it slid and struck the injured employee on pointer finger causing a laceration and a fracture
Slippery ground - pulling material line when it became stuck and injured pulled hard to loosen and tripped on ridge in mine floor.
Employee was driving the stinger out and a mantrip was coming in the mine when the mantrip caught a cable and pulled it down striking the employee on the head. Employee received a laceration above EE's left eye EE received 4 stitches to close the laceration.
Employee was cutting belt when employee slipped and cut left wrist with utility knife. Employee received 3 stitches.
2017 · 6 incidents
Employee was fixing a cat pad on haulage unit. Employee was driving the pin out using a hammer and a punch when a piece of metal flew off hammer striking them in the ear causing a laceration. The employee had the metal removed and received two stitches.
Employee got a small cut on the back of their hand when they bumped the roof while setting a bucket of bolter bits on top of the bolter. Employee did not get any medical treatment for the injury. Then on November 1, employee's hand was very swollen so employee was given antibiotics via IV to treat infection.
Employee was leveling belt structure when employee went to pick up jack and felt a pop in employee's right bicep.
Employee went over to help operator install cable bolt in high spot when operator started pushing bolt up it slipped off bolter head striking employee in chin resulting in a laceration. Employee received 5 stitches in chin.
Employee was in the process of fixing a broken cat pad when a section of rock fell from the rib striking employee in the lower back causing a fracture to lower back
Employee was bending a roof bolt when employee felt a pop in employee's right forearm causing a sprain to employee's muscle.
2016 · 2 incidents
Employee was removing a man door from a wall when ee removed the door there were three blocks left hanging above where man door was installed. Employee pushed on block to knock them down. EE slipped and fell hand was placed on a block already on bottom and the hanging block fell and struck the employee on the right hand/finger causing a fracture to the index finger.
A roof fall occurred in the return air course in the # 6 panel in south east mains at spad 2417. The fall was approximately 100' long X 20' wide X 6' to 8' high.
2015 · 8 incidents
Employee was pulling cable for CO system along the belt line. He was walking backwards and his left foot slipped in a hole and became lodged. As he fell backwards his body twisted causing his left ankle to break.
Roof fall was discovered on early pre-shift, before normal shift began. Fall was located at x-cut 58 in the intersection, outby section in #4 entry. Approx. 20' wide x 18' long x 10-12' high. Fall found at 9:45pm, MSHA notified at 9:51pm.
Employee was replacing a metal cover on the ATRS of the roof bolter. Cover shifted while being put in place and pinched his right middle finger, amputating it to the first knuckle.
Bolter operator was exiting the rear operator's compartment. He had grabbed the canopy to pull himself out. At the same time the front tires fell into a hole causing the rear of the bolter to smash into the roof. This smashed his right thumb and index finger. Coal seam was 52in. at this location.
Employee was cutting a bulk size rock dust bag open with a utility knife in his left hand. Knife slipped out and caught employee's right forearm. Received approx. 1"" cut with 1/4"" opening. Received 3 stitches.
Employee was walking in parking lot, slipped on icy conditions and fell on back.
Bruised right hand middle finger when it was caught between rock bar and screen house frame to loosen frozen coal.
Employee was shoveling under the belt line, felt pain in his back.
2014 · 10 incidents
Employee was loading T3 straps on to a scoop, while loading the straps one slid and caught his arm causing a laceration.
On 11/06/14 Employee was hauling supplies in the mine with a scoop. While traveling, the scoop hit a bump that jolted the employee. The employee continued working until 11/21/14 when he started having additional pain in his neck/back and sought medical care.
Employee was helping mechanic, he started to stand up to get a part, as he was standing up he was turning at the same time striking his head off of a brow causing small lacerations to his forehead.
Two employees were lifting a 4"" x 6' metal beam, while lifting the beam, the one employee felt a pain in his back resulting in a pulled muscle.
Employee was roof bolting when he felt a slight pain in his back. Later in his shift, he was helping install a canopy jack on the roof bolter when the pain worsened. He finished his shift and then sought medical attention for an apparent strained back.
A roof fall measuring approximately 20'W x 70'L x 10'H was discovered during the preshift in the intersection of the #3 entry at spad #1490 on the #6 belt.
A roof fall measuring approximately 18'W X 20'L X 10'H was discovered in the intersection of the #6 entry at spad 1216 in 2nd right. The roof fall was discovered during the weekly air course run & did not impede ventilation or escape ways.
Employee was helping moving bridge unit, while disassembling the bridges the employee was removing the junction box. The junction box slipped falling on the employees finger causing laceration.
Employee was setting up a 995 breaker with one hand, while setting up the breaker employee felt a burning in his arm that led to a pulled tendon. Employee continued to work until he sought medical attention, and went under doctors care on 02/20/2014.
Miner was cutting in the #3 entry near S/S 1090 on the 3-Right Section when it cut into a borehole. The borehole was on the mine map and was not fully grouted, causing an inundation of water to come into the section. The water did not impede ventilation or escapeways and was plugged immediately.
2013 · 14 incidents
Employee was cutting a piece of belt, while cutting the belt the knife slipped and employee cut his leg resulting in four stitches.
Employee was walking to his shuttle car, while walking bent over (48"" coal), the employee struck his head off of the rib and caused a stinger, and pinched nerve in his neck.
Employee was getting off of the mantrip on surface. While the employee was standing up, he stepped on a lager stone causing his ankle to give out resulting in a sprained ankle.
Roof fall was discovered in South East Mains during weekly examination. The fall was approximately 18x40 in the # 1 entry, 80ft outby spad# 506.
Roof fall was discovered during weekly examination. The fall was outby the working section in the #1 entry. The roof fall was approximately 100 ft long and 5-8 feet high.
Employee was changing the tire on a John Deere skid loader. While trying to stand the tire upright the employee felt a pain in the groin area. Employee continued to work until 09/03/2013 when he had surgery for the hernia.
Employee was moving the continuous miner to set up for daylight. While the employee was moving the miner, he twisted his ankle and sprained it.
Scoop was pulling miner cable slack. While pulling the cable, it started to get close to the scoop tires, the miner operator tried to pull it back away from the tires when part of his hand was ran over, dislocating his little finger.
The roof bolter operator (victim) and his helper pulled into #6 entry to begin bolting when the bolter operator began to feel short of breath. He walked away from the bolter and then passed out shortly after. CPR was performed by the section EMT while he was transported to the surface. An autopsy is being performed. MSHA's investigation did not identify any contributory factors.
Employee was assisting in changing a scoop tire. Employee began hitting the scoop tire with a sledge hammer to knock it loose and felt a pain in his lower back.
Employee was bending a roof bolt to install it into the mine roof. While bending the bolt, the employee felt a pain in his forearm, resulting in a torn muscle.
Employee was moving high voltage cable, he twisted wrong and strained his back.
Miners were cutting a boom hole to set a belt drive. The injured employee was helping the miner operator when a piece of steel came back, broke the employee's safety glasses and struck him in the right eye.
Victim was pulling drill stlls out of the roof, while pulling them out the drill still fell out of hole that was drilled bounced off the drill head and struck the victim in the mouth breaking 3 teeth and caused a small cut on his lower lip.
2012 · 9 incidents
Two employees were building a crib tower. One employee was tossing cribs to the other, while the victim was picking up a crib the other employee tossed one striking the victim's hand causing a laceration to the victim's pinky finger.
A roof fall occurred in the #4 entry of the Southeast mains section, MMU 001-0. The fall occurred approximately 80 feet inby S/S 509. The fall was approximately 40 feet in length, and 20 feet of the area that fell was unbolted. The roof supports in the area that fell out were 4' fully grouted resin bolts. The height of the fall is unknown, but is above the anchorage zone.
Employee was towing a skid of belt from the surface to the section when the chain holding the belt came unhooked and the belt slid off of the skid. The employee then tried to lift the belt back onto the skid by himself, resulting in a hernia.
Employee was pulling miner cable, when pulling the cable his back muscle went into a spasm.
Roof bolter helper (injured employee) was pulling slack cable off the roof bolter cable reel. The roof bolter operator accidentally started to wind the cable reel while the bolter helper was pulling it, causing the cable to jerk the bolter helper and strain his back.
Employee was advancing discharge line for a face pump. While pulling it he twisted wrong and pulled his back out of place. Employee continued to work until 7/25/12 when he reported the accident and sought medical attention.
Victim and scoop operator were moving a bucket liner of bolter supplies. Bucket liner started to come out of bucket, so victim flagged scoop operator and got in bucket liner to hook up a chain. The scoop operator started to travel inby and as he went over a roll in the bottom, the scoop bucket raised up and crushed the victim against the mine roof.
While building overcasts underground, employee lifted a steel beam and pulled two tendons in his shoulder. Employee has had bursitis in his shoulder for a long time and the lifting caused it to become inflamed. Employee continued to work until 5/2/12 when he went to the doctor.
Employee was loading belt structure onto a skid on the surface. While holding a top roller, the employee turned and slipped on some ice and twisted his left knee. The employee continued to work until 1/30/2011 when he went to the doctor.