Mining Incidents

Tatum Strip MineCoal

Controlled by Vistra Energy
Tatum, Panola County, TX · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4103659
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
73
Years on record
2000–2018
Latest incident
Apr 2018
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

73 on file

2018 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

EE was drilling holes in a dragline swing case seal so it could be removed. In the process,felt something in left eye and tried to wash it out. EE was transported to the ER. Next day EE was seen by a eye specialist to remove a small piece of metal from the eye, a prescription was given for pain/eye drops and EE was instructed not to return to work for at least 24 hrs.

2017 · 7 incidents

Struck by flying object

Fans were turned on inside the D-35 dragline machinery house after a 4 day outage. The fans caused dirt/debris to enter the right eye of a mechanic who was working near the #1 swing. EE did have safety glasses on. EE didn't report the event until 11/6/2017 as eye continued to worsen. EE received prescription eye drops from the injury.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pulling a 6"" poly pipe line (for pumping water) with a nylon strap. The strap slipped (slack) and allowed employee to stumble backwards. Employee felt pain in lower back as a result. The pain got better but then worsened. On 11-8-17 employee was placed on restrictions which Luminant cannot accommodate. 11-9-17 was first lost time day.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Electrician was pulling trail cable to put back on the cable shoe and slipped in the mud and fell face forward landing on hands and knees. The electrician felt pain in lower back. The electrician continued to work to get job done. The electrician decided to report the injury on 03/16/2017 as the pain worsened and was very sore. Rain and mud were a contributing factor.

Struck against a moving object

An operator was operating a Cat 992G Front End Loader feeding coal into the hopper. The operator ran over a chunk of coal that contained petrified wood in it jarring their lower back. The operator started physical therapy on 4/26/17 and will have 6 sessions making this injury reportable to MSHA.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A mechanic was in the process of fueling the Komatsu Trackhoe from the lube truck. EE placed the fuel nozzle and hose on top the trackhoe handrail. EE climbed up on the trackhoe, squatted down to get the nozzle, and stood up. When the mechanic stood up, EE felt pain in EE's lower back.

Struck against a moving object

On 02/03/2017, a dozer operator reported that on 01/24/2017 while ee was operating a front end loader in the pit down #5 ramp ee hurt lower back causing pain as ee hit some bumps. The operator does not know when exactly ee hurt back. The doctor gave the operator restrictions which did not allow ee to operate heavy equipment.

Struck by falling object

Employee was in the process of putting a shim and plate back on at the end of the lower boom pin on a Cat 992G loader bucket. The bolt slipped and the shim and plate fell down smashing/cutting the employees right ring finger requiring 5 sutures. The employee was wearing gloves.

2016 · 2 incidents

Struck by powered moving object

End Dump operator exited cab to reset master switch. End dump started rolling downwards. Employee hurried back to the cab to stop the truck from rolling. 20 Minutes later employee stated lower back was hurting. 10/31/16 employee started physical therapy making this injury reportable to MSHA.

Accident type, without injuries

Two employees were servicing pumps at #1 & #3 ramp. A very large rain event took place while they were in the pit. Rain & surrounding water drained into the pit. The employees were not able to exit the pit due to water blocking the access road. Both employees were safely removed by boat.

2014 · 7 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

An end of the pit wedge failed on the East end of pit 170. The coal hauling was disrupted for more than an hour.

Fall from ladders

Carrying a fire extinguisher up ladder and not using three points of contact while going down ladder. Resulting in fall and sustaining severe lower back injury.

Struck by falling object

A mechanic was moving a piece of 1/2 inch plate from the metal rack to a welding table in the shop. He leaned the plate up aginst the table and when he let go of the plate it slid and fell on his right foot. The plate weight was 125 LB

Struck against a moving object

The injured employee was riding in the passenger seat of a tractor. The tractor operator, travelling at an unsuitable speed for the conditions, attempted to cut a corner, crossing uneven ground, causing both riders to be jolted around. At this point the injured employee's elbow struck some metal switches on the nearby armrest, breaking the switches and lacerating his right elbow.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on D35 dragline # 3 swing case. When he put on a welding hood a foreign body got in his right eye. He was given a description medication for his eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was cutting 6"" dragline cable with a cutting torch into sections to be loaded in a truck. When the cut was completed the cable sprung apart at the cut, slapping him in his right leg injuring his knee.

Accident type, without injuries

During the night operations, a hauler operator noticed movement in the spoil near the loading area.He contacted the loader operator over the CB. The supervisor overheard the conversation and removed the hauler operator and the loader operator from the pit. The slough was contained by the safety beam at the toe of the slop with only minimul pit encroachment.

2013 · 5 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Employee jumped into dragline swing case, shaft was removed, onto an OSB board in place to prevent tools from falling below. Board broke, employee fell into revolving frame, bruising his side.

Fall from machine

Fuel mechanic was going to do a bucket and boom inspection on 36005 drag line. He was bending over to place his lock on the lock box that was located on the right shoe and his foot slipped due to mud on the shoe. He fell forward off the shoe about 7 feet to the ground fracturing his right wrist when hitting the ground.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An electrician was going in the tub of a 2570 dragline to check the trial cable and strained his right Achilles tendon. On June 30, 2014 he was put in a soft case boot.

Accident type, without injuries

At 5:25pm a grass fire was spotted by a railroad employee at Tatum interchange near the new construction site. the fire was extinguished by the Beckville fire debarment It burned approximately one hour.A bird was found on a electric line and is believed to be the cause of the fire. Dry conditions enhanced the fire.No miners were involved in extinguishing the fire.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Dragline operator was dismounting dragline to go out and look at the tooth adapter on the bucket. As he was getting off the stop he rolled his right ankle fracturing the fibula bone just above the ankle. The operator will not be able to perform his work duties making this injury a lost time.

2012 · 6 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee was working on a pickup truck replacing the front hubs. The truck was on an automotive rack and the employee was under it. While working on the truck an object got into his left eye. He was taken to the doctor and small object was removed with the help of a swab. An antibiotic prescription was given to the employee.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The employee was removing the winch assembly from a D9R Cat dozer. As the employee pick up on the winch with the overhead crane, the winch assembly did not move. The employee used a 5 foot bar to try and pry the winch off. As he was prying up he strained his lower back. On July 18 2012 the employee started treatment with a Chiropractor making this injury a recordable.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was assigned to secure a T-post using a 2' manufactured post driver to drive a 36"" T-post further into the soil. The employee struck the T-post once, upon the second attempt he lifted the driver away from the T-post misaligning. This misjudgement caused the employee to be off by 1/4"", which caused the contact between the T-post and his left hand, cut finger.

Struck against stationary object

The employee bumped his right knee while washing down at Loading Station #4. The employee's knee started swelling and hurting. On April 23,2012 he was put on restricted duty. (No operating equipment). The employee was not scheduled to report back to work until April 26,2012. Because of the restriction this became a MSHA recordable on April 26,2012.

Accident type, without injuries

At 8:30am a small fire was notice on the coal pile south of the shop at the Tatum mine. The MSHA hot line was called. The fire was put out in 30 minutes, the rest of the hot coal was loaded and sent to the power plant.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was opening the bellypan of a CAT D6 Dozer to gain access to, and replace, a blown hydraulic line. The employee was wearing gloves. The pan was not blocked against fall. The pan, loaded with dirt, fell open unexpectedly and caught the employees finger between itself and the ground, severing the end of the left index finger.

2011 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had taken a shower after finishing his shift. He was exiting the shower room into the change room. As the employee stepped into the doorway he slipped. To keep from falling he grabbed the door frame with his left hand, straining his left shoulder. The employee started Physical Therapy on MAy 2, 2012. This will make this injury a MSHA recordable.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE's right hand became caught between a chain and sprocket resulting in loss of three fingers.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Diagnosed with Repetitive Motion Illness

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Carpal tunnel

Fall from machine

Employee was geting in the cab of a Cat 113c water wagon as he reached the cab and started to enter in the cab, he hit the steering wheel causing the machine to move, he lost his balance and fell back to the ground. The employee sprained his left ankle and wrist as a result of the fall.

Fall from machine

Employee fell from truck.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was installing a piece of trail cable in the tub of D35 dragline. As he was going into the room where the trail cable comes through the wall he hit his knee on a piece of angle iron. He started physical therapy on July 20, 2011. He had surgery on November 3, 2011.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was removing a guard from a swing generator on D35 dragline. He bent down to grip the guard, and as he began to lift the guard assembly he felt a pop in his left elbow. On February 16th he had a MRI that showed he has a tear in the Biceps Tendon. At this time he has no restrictions.

2010 · 3 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was replacing the fan belts on a dozer. The employee was kneeling on the track, when he stood up he felt a pain in his left knee. He was taken to Good Sheperd hospital's ER. where he was dagnosis with a MCL strain and put in an Immobilizer.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was in process of removing a high pressure grease hose from a grease cert. During the process of removing the hose, the hose ruptured near the end where Employee had a hold of it. Due to the extreme amount of pressure that had built up on the hose, the grease was forced into the right thumb of ee through a small hole caused from the rupture of the grease hose.

Fall onto or against objects

On February 12th EE was washing 35716 boom truck and the washrack was covered in snow. He started around the truck stepped in a hole that he could not see due to the snow. A piece of rebar had broken loose from the concrete, he tripped on the rebar & fell & bruised his left knee. He wasn't getting better so then he started therapy on March 16th and it became a reportable.

2009 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping another empployee roll a piece of channel iron over when his right foot slipped causing pain in his knee. The doctor has put his knee in an immobilizing knee brace which made this injury recordable.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was repairing dozer 10/12/09 in the field during a rain, EE slipped in the mud and felt burning sensation in his right knee. 10/13/09 knee was swollen and stiff requested to see a Dr. Diagnosed with knee strain. Follow-up visit with Dr. MRI was ordered showed a moderate partial thickness tear to the PCL. Physical Therapy was ordered 3 times a week for three weeks.

Fall onto or against objects

While pulling the rear doors on a dragline shut the rope broke & he fell back landing on his right elbow causing pain in his right shoulder. The doctor diagnosed it as a shoulder strain & allowed him back to work w/o restrictions. Because the shoulder pops now during certain movements, the Dr. prescribed therapy starting October 6 which makes this injury recordable.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was relocating a tent away from a welding operation and stepped into an open manway bruising right knee and spraining left knee.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was lancing and a hot slag fell into the glove burning the back of right hand. At the time of incident the injury was considered a First Aid. On 07/08/2009 the employee was treated for an infection resulting from the injury which made it reportable.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a pry bar to help push a pin from the becket of pendant lines, when the pin cleared the becket and the becket moved causing the pry bar to move and pinched his finger, causing a laceration.

2008 · 5 incidents

Fall from machine

A mechanic was stepping off the track of a D10 dozer onto some roll around steps placed next to the dozer when his foot slipped. He fell about 5' to the shop floor & extended his right arm to catch himself. This resulted in a right wrist sprain. He was taken to a doctor who put the wrist in a brace & allowed him to return to work. The brace made it MSHA reportable.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While the EE was walking in the revolving frame of a dragline, she rolled her ankle. Because of swelling, she was taken to the ER where she was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and put in a splint, making this injury reportable.

Accident type, without injuries

Coal that was spilled while loading a train was piled at the end of the load out tunnel. The pile of cola developed a hot spot and caught a near by grass hill on fire. The fire was put out using a water wagon and the local fire department,, In all the fire burned less than an 1/2 arce and took about 45min to put out.

Accident type, without injuries

A fire was reported by a nearby land owner on some mine land that was reclaimed years ago and now is leased to an individual who raises cattle on it. This is not near the active mining area. Members of Luminant management were notified about the fire about 5:00pm and by 5:30pm it had been put out by the local fire department. In all it burned the under brush on about 6 acres.

Struck by falling object

While lifting a 300 lb. shaft with the shop overhead crane the rope used to rig the shaft to the hook of the crane broke and the shaft fell striking the employee on top of his right foot, fracturing the little toe and the one next to it. No restrictions were given and the employee returned to work.

2007 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was working on the rear engine of a scraper on the night of 11/16/07. He made repeated trips up and down the scraper ladder and felt a pop in his right knee. On 2/5/08 an MRI revealed EE's right knee medial meniscus is torn and there is a tear in his posterior cruciate ligament. Arthroscopic out patient surgery to repair torn meniscus is schedule for 2/14/08.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An EE was in the process of returning his pocket knife to his side after cutting a discharge line. During this process, injured EE walked up behind the EE without EE knowing, EE accidentlly cut injured EE on the lower left arm while in motion of returning his knife to his side.

2006 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting plastic banding material with a razor knife when he accidentally cut his left arm. He was taken to the emergency room where he received four stitches and a tetnus shot. No restrictions were issued.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was grinding in the A-Leg of a dragline and got some metal in his left eye.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was diagnosed with tendonitis in his left elbow.

2005 · 6 incidents

Flash burns (electric)

2 EMPLOYEES RECEIVED BURN INJURIES TO THEIR PERSONS WHEN A SUBSTATION EXPLODED. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE ELECTRICIAN FORGOT TO REMOVE THE GROUND STRAPS FROM AN AIR SWITCH & A PHASE CONDITION OCCURRED WHEN THE OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS CLOSED. THE OCB OPENED BUT FAILED TO EXTINGUSH THE ARC ON TWO PHASES WHICH CAUSED AN EXPLOSION.

Flash burns (electric)

2 EMPLOYEES RECEIVED BURN INJURIES TO THEIR PERSONS WHEN A SUBSTATION EXPLODED. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE ELECTRICIAN FORGOT TO REMOVE THE GROUND STRAPS FROM AN AIR SWITCH & A PHASE CONDITION OCCURRED WHEN THE OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS CLOSED. THE OCB OPENED BUT FAILED TO EXTINGUSH THE ARC ON TWO PHASES WHICH CAUSED AN EXPLOSION.

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

Employee was assisting in removing sheaves from the deflection tower and put his left hand on the sheave to attempt to control the sheave and his left ring finger was caught between the sheave and the tower fracturing the tip of the left ring finger.

Accident type, without injuries

APPROX 5:30PM SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE C5 RECLAMATION TREE PLOT. LIGHTENING HAD STARTED A FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION, THE FIREMAN COULDN'T GET TO THE FIRE SO THE FOREST SERVICE WAS CALLED. A DOZER WAS BROUGHT IN AND ONE FROM THE CONTRACTOR TO MAKE FIRE LANES. FIRE BURNT ITSELF OUT BY 9:30PM, AND 25 ACRES WERE BURNED

Flash burns (welding)

Employee was assisting another employee to install ribs on bucket and in the process his eyes were burnt.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

SPIDER BITE RIGHT LOWER ABDOMEN

2004 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING ON FRONT END LOADER AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS SHIFT AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.

Fall from machine

EE WAS ON A TRAILER, POSITIONING EMPTY BARRELS, WHEN THE PALLET HE WAS STANDING ON BROKE. EE LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL APPROX. 4 FEET TO THE GROUND. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN A FRACTURED LEFT ELBOW AND A FRACTURED LEFT WRIST.

Struck by flying object

Employee was grinding; dust got in behind shield and glasses into left eye.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ee was running a clam shell pipe prep machine and reached to shut off feed mechanism and tool holder hit hand and pinched finger feed handle and tool holder.

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS DISMOUNTING DRAGLINE AND SLIPPED, HITTING HIS LEFT ELBOW ON STAIR. IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND THE STEPS WERE WET.

Struck against a moving object

EE ACCIDENTALLY DROVE A EUCLID HAULER OFF 8' TALL COAL EDGE, JARRING EE AND LEAVING HIM WITH BRUISES ON HIS BODY AND A LACERATION ON HIS HEAD AND LEG THAT REQUIRED STAPLES TO CLOSE. THE EE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT.

Accident type, without injuries

DRAGLINE WAS IN PROCESS OF DIGGING OFF BENCH WHEN THE BUCKET CONTACTED AND SEVERED AN ABANDONED GAS LINE. FRICTION IGNITED SOME RESIDUAL GAS TAPPED IN THE LINE. THE LINE WAS DRAINED OF ITS REMAINING SUBSTANCE (MOSTLY WATER) AND THEN REMOVED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

2000 · 5 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT THE OPERATION OF MINE EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAS DEVELOPED INTO CAUSING HIS RECENT BACK PAIN. EMPLOYEE HAS A HISTORY OF BACK PROBLEMS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE BEGAN TO HAVE NUMBNESS IN HIS HANDS WITH PAIN IN BOTH WRISTS. DOCTOR VISIT ON THIS DATE DIAGNOSED EMPLOYEE WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN BOTH WRISTS.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HELPING TO REMOVING SOME BRASS FROM SCAFFOLD USING A CRANE. EYE-BOLT BROKE ON THE BRASS CAUSING THE BRASS TO HIT HIM. HE HAS A FRACTURED RIGHT RING FINGER AND LACERATIONS ON RIGHT RING FINGER AND RIGHT PINKY FINGER BOTH NEEDING STITCHES.

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

EE WAS ASSISTING IN REMOVING BULL GEAR BOLTS. HE WAS HOLDING BACK UP WRENCH AND GOT LEFT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN WRENCH AND ANOTHER NUT. HE MASHED LEFT INDEX FINGER; FRACTURING THE LEFT INDEX FIN GER.

Accident type, without injuries

TRUCK BACKFIRED IN HAY FIELD WHEREAS A SPARK FROM MUFFLER IGNITED GRASS ON FIR UNDERNEATH TRUCK. CONSEQUENTLY TRUCK WAS LOADED DOWN WITH EIGHT LARGE ROUND ROLLS OF HAY WHICH IGNITED ON FIRE. C ONTRIBUTING CONDITIONS: 1. NO SUBSTANTIAL RAIN FOR 8 WEEKS CAUSING HAY TO BE VERY DRY AND UNCONTAINABLE. 2. WINDS GUSTING AT 20 MPH.