Mining Incidents

Birch River Energy Plant No 1Coal

Cowen, Webster County, WV · Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 4606045
Fatalities
1
Total incidents
54
Years on record
2000–2023
Latest incident
Apr 2023

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS ARE THAT A PORTION OF THE STOCKPILE SLID, COVERING AN EMPLOYEE WHILE HE WAS DIRECTING A LOADER OPERATING DURING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE MAINTENANCE ON AN UNDERGROUND RECLAIM FEEDER. THE EE WAS COVERED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE HOSPITAL.

Reportable incidents

53 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2023 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

Employee was adding hydraulic fluid to the loader when they fell, striking the tire with their right arm.

2019 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

Employee was replacing conveyor chain in a truck dump feeder. The chain was being pulled out by a hoist truck. The flight keepers were unknowingly wore out and 1 flight fell out of the chain and struck the employee on the left hand and knocked 2 more flights out of the chain as it was being pulled out.

2016 · 5 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The operator was notified 7/8/16 of a claim for occupational pneumoconiosis for the affected employee. The employee was terminated doe to a reduction in work force on April 15, 2014.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was moving scrap metal, one end slipped pinching thumb between 2 pieces of metal.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The operator was notified on 2/1/2016 that the employee has been diagnosed with Occupational Pneumoconiosis.

Accident type, without injuries

A fire occurred in a stockpile where high sulfur coal had been stored. The fire occurred due to air pockets existing within the stock pile due to loose compaction of coal which caused the coal to spontaneously ignite. No personal injuries were inflected, or equipment damages occurred from the fire. No persons were endangered from the fire.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Attempting to clean torch tip, employee burnt left hand with a lit torch.

2015 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee struck his head against a water valve while shutting off the drain water valve on water truck. Employee stated his hard hat was knocked off. Wounded required staples for closure.

2014 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee tripped on railroad cross tie, fell and fractured his wrist.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Driver complained he was sick. Thought he was having heart attach.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on the Gizmo engine in the refuse area. The wind was blowing which caused dirt/dust to enter into his left eye. He was wearing Rx safety glasses. The employee sought medical treatment at SRMC ER for irritation. The eye was irrigated and the employee was given an antibiotic ointment.

Struck against a moving object

EE was going back to the mine to get loaded. Came upon a soft pushed up spot in the Rd caused by winter thawing. Driver did not slow down and make adjustments for Rd. conditions causing himself to be bounced in the ceiling of the truck he was operating. EE was driving to fast for Rd conditions

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

Employee received a laceration to the right thumb when the thumb was caught between a crescent wrench used to hold a nut and the frame of a separation screen. Torque applied to the bolt by a co-worker caused the nut to twist and pinch the thumb between the handle of the crescent wrench and separator frame.

2013 · 5 incidents

Fall from machine

EE was getting ready to weld a stop of for an overhead crane. EE fell 20 feet to the steel floor below landing on his left wrist and knee. EE was transported to CMAC General and was treated for a broken wrist and knee. EE was released on 12/19/13 and is now home.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

On 10/03/2013, the mine operator was notified that this former employee had received a diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis, category p/p, 1/0. This former employee's last date of employment was on 06/24/2013. He did not miss any scheduled work due to this diagnosis.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

On 10/03/2013 the mine operator received notification that this former employee had received a diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis, category s/s, 1/0. This former employee's last date of employment with this operator was 06/12/2013.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pushed clutch down heard a pop in left knee. When he could stop he got out of the truck and could not put weight on left leg.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

An employee attempted to lift a full sample bag of coal into the basket of the electric hoist with his left hand. He felt a burning sensation and pain betweeen his shoulder and neck. On Friday, June 21st; this said employee received medical treatment as he was given prescriptions for pain medication and a muscle relaxer for a strained trapezoid muscle.

2012 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE evening shift EE reported to work at 15:35p.m. at the Gate 2 Guard shack. While attempting to enter guard shack a strong gust of wind blew the door into EE knocking him to the ground. EEG received a laceration to his left elbow requiring stitches.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and co-workers were changing an impeller on a pump. The employee was Pulling on the motor belt when the ring finger left hand was pinched in the motors pulley. Power was locked and tagged out to the pump.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was using oxyacetylene torch to cut a metal pipe when spark blew back in his right ear. Employee sought additional medical treatment on Sept. 22, 2012 and began missing days from work on 09/23/2012.

2011 · 4 incidents

Fall down stairs

Employee's knee gave out on him, he slipped and fell 2 steps to a lower landing on the steps at the load out. No defects were noted on the steps and employee stated there was no defects to the step.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and co-worker performing maintenance on Plant Re-circulatory pump co worker was using impact wrench to tighten T-bolt and affected employee was holding T-bolt in saddle with finger. While tightening bolt pressure caused it to slip and strike finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee started missing days from work on 4/4/11 from a previous injury. Employee stated he was using a hydraulic wrench to remove 2.5 inch bolts which attaches the vibrating box to a feeder. Employee states that the hydraulic wrench slipped from a bolt and he strained the left shoulder while attempting to catch the wrench.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped on ice and snow and twisted right knee.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking up steps in plant and struck the back of his hand against the hand rail causing a metacarpal fracture to the 4th digit left hand.

2009 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

The employee received a laceration to the right hand requiring sutures for closure while removing ice from return belt rollers on the raw coal belt. Employee returned to normal duties on his next scheduled shift.

2008 · 1 incident

Struck against a moving object

Driver was going down tipple hill in 2nd gear, saw a T.C. transport truck on straddle berm and stopped truck, set park brake. Felt truck move a little before park brake set up, pushed park brake button back in releasing brake and truck ran away. He had truck out of gear resulting in truck overturning on side.

2006 · 1 incident

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Contractor complained of burning sensation on his left shoulder and arm while changing a screen panel plant. Upon observation, his shirt was wet along with the seat of his pants. He removed his shirt and a small area on the left shoulder appeared to be scraped with redness to his elbow. He was taken to a shower to wash chemicals from his body and then transported to the local E.R.

2004 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

Employee reporting of twisting his ankle while stepping off of the dozer. Employee stated that his right foot twisted on frozen mud while stepping.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT ON 1-16-04 AFTER AN INCIDENT OCCURRING ON 1-9-04. ON THAT DAY THE EE NOTICED PAIN IN THE LOW BACK AFTER WORKING IN A SUMP AT THE PREPARTION PLANT. THE EE REPORTED T HAT HE NOTICED PAIN IN THE LOW BACK AFTER STANDINING UP, NO OTHER INCIDENTS WERE DESCRIBED. ON FEB 11, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE EE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM CHIRO. PRIOR T MGT HAD CLASSIFI

2003 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

NOTIFIED ON 1/5/04 THAT INJURED MINER SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM A CHIROPRACTOR ON 11/13/03. THE MINER STATED THAT HE NOTICED PAIN IN LOW BACK AFTER TURNING SIEVE BOX FROM THE PLANT TO ALIG N IT IN A TRUCK. THE SIEVE BOX WAS ATTACHED TO AN OVERHEAD HOIST. EE MISSED NO TIME FROM THE INJURY & RETURNED TO NORMAL JOB DUTIES.

Struck against a moving object

DRIVER WAS ON THE STOCKPILE, TRUCK FACING DOWN HILL. TRUCK BED WAS FULLY RAISED. DRIVER PULLED FORWARD AND STOPPED. BED STARTED ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THEN FELL OVER. CAB STAYED UPRIGHT. B ED WAS ON THE (DRIVERS SIDE) GROUND, ON ITS SIDE. STOCK PILE WAS LEANING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ON 3/5/04 OPERATOR WAS PROVIDED ADDL INFO ON THE ACCIDENT FROM 1ST AID TO MEDICAL. ON 6/19/03 EE WAS BLOWING OUT A TOOL BOX IN THE PLANT SHOP & A PIECE OF RUST WAS EMBEDDED IN EYE. INITIALLY THE REPORTED MED TREATMENT WAS WASHING OUT THE EYE. HOWEVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A MED TREATMENT WAS GIVEN USING SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS TO REMOVE THE RUST IN EYE

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE IS SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER COMPLAINING OF PAIN IN THE LOW BACK. EE STATED THAT ON 5/14/03 AFTER CARRYING 4 PARTIAL BUCKETS OF COAL FOR SAMPLING PURPOSES THAT HE FELT PAIN IN THE LOW BACK.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS REMOVING THE SCREEN FROM THE DECANT DRYERIN THE PLANT AND CUT THE RING FINGER LEFT HAND WHEN HE CONTACTED A SHARP EDGE ON THE DRYER. THE WOUND REQUIRED SUTURES

Flash burns (electric)

EE WAS TRYING TO SET UP POWER IN SUB-STATION AFTER RECENT POWER OUTAGE DUE TO ICE STORM. EE STATED THAT HE OPERATED THE MAIN POWER TRIP BUTTON TO DE-ENERGIZE THE SUBSTATION & WITH HIGH VOLTAGE GLOVES & A SAFETY GROUND CABLE TESTED THE MAIN CIRCUIT TO ENSURE POWER WAS DISCONNECTED. AN ELECTRIC ARCH OCCURRED DURING THIS TASK CAUSING 1ST & 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO THE FACE.

2002 · 3 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. IT'S BELEIVED EXPLOSION BLEW OIL FILTER BASE INTO STARTER WITH A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURRING.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE FELL WHILE CLEANING COAL CHUTE AND CUT HIS LEFT KNEE. WOUND REQUIRED SUTURES. MEDICAL REPORT.

Fall down stairs

THE INJURED FELL DOWN WHILE DESCENDING THE STEPSTO THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CLEAN, COAL TOWER. THERE HAS BEEN AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION- THE INJURY BECAME REPORTABLE ON 2/01/02- WHEN THE INJURED MISSED HIS FIRST SCHEDULED WORK DAY. IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION WAS MADE ON 1/25/02 BY PHONE.

2001 · 7 incidents

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

INJURED WAS HELPING TURN A DRIVE PULLEY BY HAND IN ORDER TO POSITION A PUMP SHAFT, SO AN IMPELLOR COULD BE REMOVED. HE GOT HIS GLOVED LEFT THUMBCAUGHT BETWEEN THE DRIVE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELTS. THE PRESSURE OF THE DRIVE BELTS CUT OFF THE TIP OF HIS THUMB.

Fall from machine

FELL TO THE GROUND WHILE MOUNTING A BULLDOZER. STRUCK HIS LEFT ELBOW ON THE DOZER TRACK. COMPLAINS OF SOME NECK PAIN.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS HELPING MOVE A PIECE OF SHAKER SCREEN ACROSS THE BOTTOM FLOOR OF THE PLANT. THEY WERE USING CHAIN HOISTS & PRYBAR. HE SAID HE PRIED FROM AN AWKWARD POSITION AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. FINISHED THE SHIFT COULD NOT GET OUT THE NEXT DAY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE WORKING IN SHIP USING A SLATE BAR, THE BAR SLIPPED AND RIGHT ELBOW WAS BENT BACK.

Struck against a moving object

DRIVING A TRUCK - HIT A POTHOLE. BACK STARTED TOHURT REAL BAD.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE CLAIMED CARPAL TUNNEL DAMAGE TO BOTH HANDS DUE TO WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES. HE HAD CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY ON 1-11-01 ON ONE HAND AND SAYS HE W ILL HAVE SURGERY ON THE OTHER BEFORE HE RETURNS TO WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

2000 · 6 incidents

Fall from machine

WAS CLIMBING DOWN STEPS TO THE GROUND FROM THE OPERATOR'S COMPARTMENT. HE SAID HE SLIPPED ON THE 3RD STEP DOWN, FELL TO THE GROUND, CATCHING HIMSELF ON HIS RIGHT HAND, BENDING HIS THUMB BACK, LOADER WAS NOT IN MOTION.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS CARRYING ONE END OF PIECE OF A C CHANNEL WALKING BACKWARDS AS HE PROCEEDED ACROSS THE PLANT FLOOR HE STEPPED INTO A HOLE IN THE PLANT FLOOR CAUSING HIM TO FALL & THE C CHANNEL TO MASH I S FINGERS AGAINST THE FLOOR

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS MAKING REPAIRS TO A SCREEN AND STRAINED HIS BACK WEHN HE LIFTED THE BAFFEL. THEACCIDENT OCCURED ON MAY 17,1999 AT WHICH TIME HEDID SEE A DOCTOR BUT DID NOT MISS WORK OR GET MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING OUT OF THE LUNCH ROOM AND TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE. THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 31, 2000 BUT THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT MISS WORK UNTIL JANUARY 3, 2001.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS WALKING FROM BATHHOUSE TO WORK AREA. WAS LOOKING ACROSS THE ROAD AT ANOTHER LOCATION. HE STEPPED IN A DEPRESSION ABOUT 14"" X 14"" X 1 1/2 DEEP. THIS CAUSED HIM TO TURN HIS LEFT ANKLE.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

HE HAD BEEN WORKING OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER. SNOW AND ICE BUILT UP ON THE SOLES AND TREAD OF HIS BOOTS. HE STEPPED OFF THE NON-SKID RUG ONTO A TILE FLOOR. AT THAT POINT HE FELL TO THE FLOOR.