Mining Incidents

LibertyCoal

Controlled by Vistra Energy
Tatum, Rusk County, TX · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4104964
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
35
Years on record
2014–2021
Latest incident
Jan 2021
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

35 on file

2021 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Mechanic removed a hydraulic hose from a haul truck. Left shoulder started hurting after the task was complete. The pain worsened overnight and they requested medical evaluation the next morning.

2020 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Mechanic was installing a hydraulic hose on a dozer. EE experienced pain in EE's right shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a utility knife to shave the face of a 12 volt plastic charger to allow the plug to insert fully. The knife slipped and struck EE's left index finger, resulting in a laceration that required sutures.

Struck by flying object

Employee was working on a barge pump releasing pressure from the pump line. The hose blew off, pushing EE into a handrail on the barge pump. This resulted in a fracture to EE's left #10 rib.

2019 · 6 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was moving rigging employee had unhooked from a boom truck headache ball. Employee signaled the operator to hoist up to pull the strap from under the load. When the strap came out, the operator stopped hoisting and the headache ball swung back and struck the employee on the left shoulder, resulting in a contusion to the shoulder.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was using a 5' prybar to remove a dump rope can from a dragline. During this task they felt their right shoulder pop.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Installing center pin in D33 dragline. Pin is packed in dry ice before installation. When the dry ice was released from freeze box, dry ice dumped, creating a cloud of CO2. Employee became disoriented as result of CO2 exposure. Employee did not lose consciousness. Employee was transported via ambulance for medical evaluation and taken off work until fully recovered.

Accident type, without injuries

Manual metal arc gouging was being performed inside of D33 dragline tub compartment. Grease residue ignited in adjoining compartment to arc gouging operations due to heat transfer.

Struck by falling object

A contractor employee dropped a 1"" impact approximately 2' to 3' and struck a Luminant employee on the lower left side of EE's back, just under the bottom rib. Physician performed x-ray with negative results. Employee was released to work with restrictions.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

An electrician was assisting with a drag rope change out on D32 Dragline when EE collapsed suddenly. The crew EE was working with immediately called for EMS, began CPR, and used an AED to shock the patient. The patient was transported by air to the hospital where EE was pronounced dead after continuing resuscitation efforts failed.

2018 · 4 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was on the office porch. As ee walked to the door, ee fell injuring left ankle. The injury was evaluated by a doctor and initially diagnosed as a strain sprain. An MRI was performed to confirm and showed a fracture to the talus bone. The results from the MRI were reviewed with doctor on 12-13-2018 and resulted in classifying this injury as an MSHA Recordable.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a notch in a belt. Employee was not positioned properly to avoid the line of fire of the blade. The force of the blade came in contact with the left thumb, creating a 1cm laceration that required 2 stitches.

Struck against a moving object

Hauler was being loaded. The loader struck the side of the hauler, causing motion in the hauler resulting in lower back pain to the hauler operator. Initial doctor visit resulted in no restrictions. Injury became recordable when employee was prescribed and received physical therapy on 10-08-2018. 7 sessions prescribed. No restrictions or lost days.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing a welding strap approx. (2""x8"" & 3/8"" thick) piece of metal from cable crossing skid. EE used a 4 pound hammer to try and remove the strap that was tack welded and it broke loose and contacted right index finger. This caused a cut which required stitches.

2017 · 9 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was coming down a set of steps just outside. As EE took last step with EE's right foot to the ground, EE heard and felt a pop just above the knee. EE fell to the right side on the ground. An ambulance was notified and employee was taken to Longview Regional Medical Center where the mechanic was diagnosed of having EE's right quadricep tendon ruptured.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee exited the cab of dozer while parked over the underspray at washbay. The underspray came on and employee slipped trying to get back in cab quickly. Their arm came in contact with exhaust pipe causing burn to left arm. Double wall exhaust had cracked allowing outside heat shield to become hot. Exhaust was replaced.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee reported on 6/25/17 that EE injured arm 6/16/17. EE was removing a seat from a Euclid hauler using a wrench and the back right bolt was very tight. The DR did not give any restrictions on initial visit. EE eventually required physical therapy on 8/22/17 which makes this a recordable injury.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Empl hurt back pulling on a strap connected to a poly pipe water line. EE was taken to the ER May 20 and released with no restrictions. June 8 ee was taken to Dr.released with no restrictions. June 10 ee informed supervisor ee could not perform work duties. EE was taken to Dr. June 12 and ee changed June 8 paperwork to show restrictions that made a recordable injury

Accident type, without injuries

A crack in the spoil area was noticed and the mining operation was pulled out of the pit. Later on the spoil slide into the pit but all employees were out of the area before this happened. MSHA was notified and inspector came out to the site. Mitigation plan was put in place. No injuries.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic was trying to cut a 3"" rod bolt off that was stuck. Was using a portable saw and had made two cuts. The saw blade caught and kicked the saw back cutting thru the glove cut left ring finger at the first joint. 3 stitches were applied. No restrictions. All PPE was properly being used-Face Shield, Gloves and hearing protection. Saw had all safety devices in place.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE strained their shoulder 4/20/2017 while replacing rigging pins (75#) on the bucket of D33 dragline. EE continued to work and did not report the incident until 5/10/2017 and did not seek medical attention until the next day. EE was taken to the doctor and received no restrictions but EE was scheduled 6 therapy sessions that started on 6/5/2017 making this a recordable injury.

Struck by flying object

Carrier retainer bolts on 8750 dragline were being removed with a 1"" air impact and a 2"" socket. 2 or 3 bolts had been removed and on the next bolt the socket broke into 2 pieces. Part of the socket contacted left wrist, EE didn't release the impact and it torqued EE's right elbow. Restrictions were issued by Dr. and this became recordable and lost time.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While pulling on oil refill hoses the employee slipped on some oil on the PM bay floor. After slipping employee felt a twinge in knee. Employee was taken to the doctor on 1/30/17 and released full duty. On 3/1/17 employee was not able to return to work because of knee causing this to become recordable. Employee was scheduled to start physical therapy and see an Orthopedic surgeon.

2016 · 6 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a plastic strap holding a 2"" choker together with a pocket knife. The employee was cutting away from body but had other hand in close proximity to the cutting action. The knife slipped and cut the back side of left thumb close to the joint. EE received 3 stitches to close the wound.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A mechanic was trying to remove an engine oil filter from a CAT D9T Dozer. While struggling to loosen the oil filter, the mechanic felt an immediate pain in lower back. The employee was taken to a local medical center where diagnosed with a lower back strain.

Contact with heat

During power washing project on the boom of Marion Drag Line, employee became over heated and allegedly passed out

Struck by powered moving object

Injury occurred when two employees attempted to pull a F-150 truck out of the muddy pit. EE was removing the tow strap from the truck when the dozer went into motion. EE was knocked down by the truck and then drug about 75'. EE was then taken to the hospital for care.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Mobile Equipment Specialist called into work on the morning of 3/12 and informed EE's supervisor that EE's back was too sore to come into work. EE said EE's back was hurting from performing pumping activities the day prior. EE was taken to the medical clinic on Mar. 14th where EE was diagnosed with a lower back strain. Restrictions and medications made this a recordable injury.

Accident type, without injuries

The rover guard spotted a grass fire off old FM 2658 located in a remote P Area. The local fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. The fire burned approximately 36 min. Investigation was unable to determine the origin of the fire. No personnel were in the area of the fire when it was noticed by the guard. A fire watch was put in place to watch for any flare ups.

2015 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

A articulating Volvo A40F water truck with a full load of water was traveling on a haul road. The truck was not meeting any traffic at the time he allowed the trucks right front tire to veer off the edge of the road. The operator tried to overcorrect to bring it back on the road. This caused the water truck to roll on it's side. The operator sustained a broken collarbone.

Accident type, without injuries

A Tractor with brush hog attachment was mowing a gas well pad when the operator backed into a ""Christmas Tree"" breaking off a 2"" cut off valve, causing a gas leak. The valve was closed and repaired within 25 minutes.

2014 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee arrived for work and was entering the shift change building. He did not raise his foot high enough for the next step and stumbled but did not fall. He was using the handrails while ascending the steps and caught himself from falling. When he caught himself from falling his lower back began to hurt.

Accident type, without injuries

A D9 Caterpillar dozer was establishing drainage on the spoil bench when a section of bench approximately 200' long and 30' wide sloughed off into the pit. The slough caused the dozer to become stuck and leaning over on its side. The operator was able to exit the dozer, but the event caused mining to be disrupted for more than 1 hour.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to connect a pull chain from a skid mounted light plant to a D9T Dozer hitch. The employee was trying to move the fuel quick connect to access the hitch pin area. While trying to move the quick connect out of the way, the bracket slipped from his right hand and contacted his left hand causing a laceration to his left ring finger.

Contact with heat

The mechanic was performing maintenance work in the field when he began to experience dizziness and severe cramping in his abdomen, back, and legs. First aid for heat illness was started at the site and an ambulance was called. He was transported to a local hospital where IV fluids were given to treat the dehydration. He was released later that evening.