Mining Incidents

Mine No 5Coal

Cowen, Webster County, WV · Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4608218
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
72
Years on record
2000–2009
Latest incident
Jul 2009
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

72 on file

2009 · 5 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall measuring 75' long, 20'wide and 4' thick was found in the return entry near spad 23874 near EP 24. It occurred due to layers of slate, 48"" glue bolts had been used. The area was mined 12/2/1997. Ventilation and the passaage of men was not affected

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred on the 001 section in the face of # 5 entry inby survey spad 61814. The fall measured 18' long, 6' high, and 18' wide. 5' torque tension roof bolts was the support in use. The fall occurred due to layers of coal and rock above the permanet supports. No injuries occurred as a result of the fall, equipment operations was affected

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found in a neutral entry along the # 8 belt 700' outby the working section at survey spad 61614. The fall was 80' long, 19' wide and 10' high. 5' torque tension roof bolts were in use. No injuries or operation of equipment was affected

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall 30' long, 20' wide, 5.5' thick was discovered in the return from the abandoned 8 mains. The fall was 4800' from the working section. It occurred due to laminated coal and rock above the 5' torque tension roof bolts. It did not impead travel or ventilation, no injuries resulted. Supplemental support was installed at Fall entraces and barricaded.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Operator received notice on 01/13/09 that MIIN M28231706 participated in a medical exam and has a sufficient degree of pneumoconiosis to be eligible for Part 90 rights. According to records EE has worked 30 plus years in various face and outby occupations underground.

2008 · 1 incident

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Management was notified on 07/14/08 that employee had participated in a medical examination authorized by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. His medical examination indicated a sufficent degree of pneumoconiosis to be eligible for rights under 30 CFR Part 90.

2007 · 5 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee received a laceration to the middle finger, left hand, while changing scoop batteries. As he raised the battery lid to remove the metal brace to support the lid, the battery lid fell striking the finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped into a culvert at the surface area of the mine and twisted his left knee. Employee suffered a torn ligament and started missing time from the accident on 05/29/07.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee reported to mine management on 04/02/07 that he re-injured his back while placing an oxygen cylinder in an outside rack. Employee has a history of bulging discs from a previous injury in 1997.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee, an electrician on a non-producing shift, was recently diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis.

Struck against stationary object

Employee received a laceration requiring sutures when he struck a bit bucket. Employee was operating a 2 man ride and bent sideways to go under a shuttle car cable.

2006 · 11 incidents

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee reported pain in back after performing normal duties with no significant reported event to cause an injury.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While performing normal duties of operating a continuous miner the employee complained of pain in the back when he lost his footing.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall measuring 60' long 18' wide 6' thick was discovered in the return entry spad 21542. Fall was 11,800' from the active section in an area developed 02/97 with 5' resin bolts. Neither ventilation nor the passage of men was affected, no injuries or equipment damage occurred from the fall. The perimeter of the fall was re supported with timbers and barricaded.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found in the intake entry 5,200' from the active section. The fall measured 65' long 18' wide 4' thick. 4' resin roof bolts were in place. Ventilation and the passage of men were not affected, no injuries or equipment damages occurred as a result. Perimeter of the fall was resupported with timbers and barricaded

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall measuring 70' long 18' wide 6' thick was found in the return air course 11,000' from the active section. The area developed March 97 with 4' resin roof bolts. Laminated coal/rock streaks above the anchorage zone caused the fall. It did not impede travel, disrupt ventilation, and no injuries occurred. Entrances to the fall was barricaded and resupported with jacks.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Electrician received an electrical shock while inspecting a trailing cable for a shuttle car at a splice. Employee complained only of pain in the right shoulder. Employee did not lose consciousness, was not burned, and did not show signs or symptoms of cardiac or respiratory distress. Was diagnosed with a fracture to the right scapula.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was observing the belt haulage at the belt drive when the pressurized hydraulic coupling for the accumulator blew off of the hydraulic take up striking EE on the right thumb. EE received fractures to the right thumb

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall measuring 19' wide x 120' long x 5' thick was found in the neutral entry 7800' from the working section at spad 38368. The fall occurred due to intermixed coal streaks and rock above 4' resin roof bolts. No injuries occurred as a result of the fall, ventilation was not affected nor the passage of men. Area was developed March 2001, fall was dangered off.

Accident type, without injuries

An area of the mine was timbered due to bad top November of 2005. Some more rock fell during an unknown time. There is still some bolts hanging down where the rock had not fallen completely above anchoring zone. The fall is located in a primary escapeway and did not exclude the passage of men or ventilation and was outby the working section. The travelway was moved up one break.

Struck against a moving object

Employee received fractured ribs when the shuttle car he was operating struck a hole in the haulage way. Sudden bounce caused him to be jarred in the seat.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that as he was on knees installing belt structure he felt his left knee lock up and pop as he stood up. Employee's work location at time of injury was on a belt haulage way. Employee started missing time for this injury on 01/26/06.

2005 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee is being treated for carpal tunnel syndrome, an occupational disease caused from repeated trauma over an extended period of time

Fall onto or against objects

On March 3, 2006 employee started missing time from an accident occurring on 5/19/2005. On that day he slipped and fell against the tail of the continuous miner while working on the trailing cable. He underwent surgery on March 3rd to repair a damaged rotator cuff. Management was informed that ee was missing time on March 24, 2006.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to straighten belt structure, when he picked up the structure by hand the middle finger right hand was pinched between the two pieces of structure. The employee suffered an amputation of the tip of the middle finger right hand.

2004 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE, a miner operator, was helping install a buggy anchor. After the anchor was installed, EE bent down to pick up a piece of key steel from the roof bolter drill boom. The center shuttle car took up slack on the cable one break inby, causing the anchor to strike EE in the chest. EE sustained a cracked sternum and is currently Lost Time.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was installing a roof bolt which contained the metal tag and wire containing ASTM information. As he was rotating the bolt to seat it into the chuck, the wire caught the little finger right hand, severing the finger. The remainder of the finger was later amputated at a local hospital.

2003 · 1 incident

Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS OBSERVED BY MSHA INSPECTORS DURING A REGULAR INSPECTION . THE FALL MEASURED 20' WIDE BY 100' LONG BY 7'HIGH. THE FALL OVER RODE TEMPORARY SUPPORTS IN A PREVIOUS FALL AND INTO T HE TRAVELWAY TO MPL#2. VENTILATION WAS NOT AFFECTED. PASSAGE TO MPL#2 WAS AFFECTED UNTIL ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS WERE ADDED. NO PERSONS WERE INJUREDAS A RESULT OF THE FALL.

2002 · 10 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

EE REPORTED THAT WHILE TRAMMING THE ROOF BOLTER HE BUMPED HIS RIGHT ELBOW ON THE CANOPY JACK IN THE DECK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE REPROTED THAT ON 11-23-02 HE FELT PAIN IN HISLEFT ARM AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE ON COME ALONG.EE WERE MAKING A BELT MOVE AT THE TIME. EE NOW REPORTS THAT A MEDICAL PHYSICIAN DIAGNOSED THE PA IN AS A HAIR LINE FRACTURE. EE STATES THAT THE ON SET OF THE PAIN OCCURRED AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE ON A COME ALONG WORKED UNTIL 1-6-03

Struck by falling object

A PIECE OF ROCK FELL BETWEEN BOLTS, HITTING EMPLOYEE ON SHOULDER AND LOWER BACK (RT SIDE).

Accident type, without injuries

AN UNINTENTIONAL ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE NO. 4 ENTRY (BELT 150' OUTBY SURVEY STATION NO. 43083. THE FALL MEASURED APPROX. 40' LONG X 20' WIDE X 6' HIGH. THE FALL AREA WAS EXPERIENCING ADVERS E CONDITIONS. THE FALL WAS CLEANED UP AND RESUPPORTED.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THIS EE PICKED UP A CONVEYOR BELT SCRAPER WITH ATTACHED FRAME WORK AND LOADED ONTO A BATTERY POWERED PERSONNEL CARRIER THAT HE WAS USING TO TRAVEL ALONG BELTS. AFTER LIFTING THE SCRAPER HE ALL EGED HE HAD PAIN TO LOWER BACK. THIS WAS THE LAST SHIFT TO BE WORKED AT THIS MINE, EE WAS TRANSFERRED TO NEW MINE.

Accident type, without injuries

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED INT HE #4 ENTRY BELT THE FALL MEASURED APPROX. 55' LONG, 20' WIDE X 5' HIGH IN ENTRY AND APPROX. 15' LONG, 20' WIDE X 5' HIGH. FROM INTERSECTION INTO CROSSENT F ROM #4 TO #5 ENTRY. THIS AREA IS EXPERIENCING ADVERSE GEOLGICAL CONTITIONS. FALL IN BEING CLEANED UP.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS DIRECTED TO MOVE A BATTERY STAND IN THE CHARGING STATION (ABOUT 4""). HE USED A SLATEBAR 48"" TO PRY THE STAND OVER. HE FELT LOWER BACK PAIN WHILE DOING THIS. HE STARTED MISSING WORK ON 5-29-02, DUE TO THIS.

Struck by falling object

HE WAS HELPING INSTALL A NEW BELT DRIVE. HE WAS WORKING ON THE LOWER BOOM FRAME. A CO-WORKER DROPPED A BELT STAND FROM THE UPPER BOOM FRAME. IT MASHED HIS LEFT THUMB.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE MASHED HIS THUMB WHEN INSTALLING A ROOF BOLT. A ROOF BOLT UNDER TENSION SPRANG BACK WHEN RELEASED AND MASHED HIS THUMB AGAINST THE ROOF BOLTER DRILL HEAD. HE WORKED NORMALLY UNTIL 2/3/02- THEN CALLED IN AND SAID HIS DR. WOULDN'T LET HIMWORK-??

Struck by falling object

THE INJURED WAS DRILLING A HOLE IN THE MINE ROOF TO PUT A ROOF BOLT IN FOR REASONS UNKNOWN THE DRILL STEEL HE WAS USING BROKE-A PIECE OF THE BROKEN STEEL HIT HIM ON THE NOSE.

2001 · 13 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME- BOTH HANDS. EMPLOYEE HAD CORRECTIVE SURGERY, 12/1/01 ON HIS RIGHT HAND. THE LEFT HAND WILL BE CORRECTED IN 6 WEEKS. OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS. HE IS A SUPERVISOR AND WILL PERFORM AT FULL JOB CAPACITY.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS OPERATING A R-BOLTER. HE HAD FINISHED INSTALLING THE BOLT ON HIS SIDE AND WAS WAITING FOR HIS BUDDY TO FINISH HIS BOLT. AS HE WAS WAITING A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE TOP, BETWEEN THE RIB AND A ROW OF BOLTS HITTING HIM ON THE BACK AND ARM CAUSING THE INJURY.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS UNLOADING CRIBS FROM A SCOOP BUCKET AND HELPING BUILD CRIBS. WHILE DOING SO HE FELT A SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS BACK, HE COULDN'T WORK BUT HE STAYED FOR THE REST OF THE SHIFT. HE WAS SCH EDULED TO RETURN 9-30-01 BUT DIDN'T.

Accident type, without injuries

ROOF FALL UNPLANNED, WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE EXAMNATION OF MINE FALL STARTS 25 FEET OUTBY SPAD 34251 IN #6 ENTRY ALONG 2 WEST BELT EXTENDS OUTBY FOR ABOUT 80 FT X 18 FT WIDE. THE STRATA THAT FAILED IS 6-8 FEET HIGH MADE UP MOSTLY OF SHALE SUPPORTED WITH 4 FT BOLTS AND CRIBS UNDER A RUNNER IN THIS AREA. AREA WAS DANGERED OFF. NO CLEAN UP PLANS.

Accident type, without injuries

THE FALL WAS DISCOVERED DURING WEEKLY EXAMS. LOCATED ONE CROSSCUT OUTBY SPAD 33459-3 CROSSCUTS INBY 1 WEST BELT DRIVE IN NO 1 HEADING. STRATA THAT FELL WAS 18"" ROCK - 36"" COAL / BONE 12"" ROCK. MEASURED 20' X 14'. SUPPORT BEING USED WAS 4 FT RESIN BOLTS WITH ADDITIONAL CRIBS SET. THE CRIBS ARE STILL INTACT.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

MINER DEVELOPED PNEUMOCONIOSIS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, NOT EXACTLY KNOW TO ANYONE. WE ACKNOWLEDGE HIS RIGHTS UNDER PART OP, EFFECTIVE 8-27-01. HE IS SCHEDULED FOR PART 90 SAMPLING THE WEEKS OF SEPTEMBER 13-28.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED OUTBY SPAD #37126 IN THE #5 ENTRY OR THE 002 SECTION. THE FALL MEASURED 60'LONG X 9' WIDE X 6' THICK. THE SECONDARY ESCAPEWAY HAD TO BE CHANGED DUE TO THIS FALL.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS HELPING MAKE A BELT SPLICE & GOT HIS LEFTTHUMB CAUGHT IN THE COME-A-LONG RATCHET BEING USED TO PULL THE TWO ENDS OF THE BELT TOGETHER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS PULLING SLACK FOR THE CONTINUOUS MINER CABLE. HE WAS PULLING THE SLACK MANUALLY AND SLIPPED ON THE MINE FLOOR TWISTING HIS LEFT KNEE. FIRST DAY MISSED WAS 3/22/01.

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

HE WAS RIDING IN A 2 PASSENGER PERSONNEL CARRIER, WHEN HE SLIPPED OR FELL OFF CAUSING THE PERSONNEL CARRIER TO RUN OVER HIS RIGHT FOOT.

Fall onto or against objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A ROCK OUT OF THE FEEDER AND FELL BACKWARDS AND HURT HIS BACK.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

SHOVLING SPILLED COAL AND MUD ONTO THE BELT WHEN HE FELT A PAIN INH HIS BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

REMOVING DRAW ROCK FROM THE MINER BY HAND WHEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS BACK.

2000 · 21 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

THE CREW KNEW THIS AREA TO BE BAD TOP BY USUAL EXAMINATION. ALL ENTRANCES WERE DANGERED OFF. FALL WAS 20-30' WIDE, 30' LONG, 4' HIGH. THIS AREA WAS TIMBERED OFF & ABANDONED.

Flash burns (electric)

WAS PUTTING SUPPLY SCOOP ON CHARGE. HE SAID HE THOUGHT ONE OF THE 5 PRONGS ON THE PLUG WAS BENT. WAS USING KNIFE BLADE TO STRAIGHTEN AN(ALLEGED)BENT PRONG. BLADE CONTACTED FRAME OF COUPLER, CA USED AN ARC. BURNT RT. HAND & FLASH BURN TO BOTHEYES.

Accident type, without injuries

FALL WAS FOUND ON 10-11-00 DURING WEEKLY EXAMS. MEASURED 20'X20'6' HIGH ONE CROSS CUT OUTBY SPAD 34025. FALL WILL NOT BE CLEANED UP. WAS CRIBBED OFF AND DANGERED OFF AT ALL ENTRANCES.

Accident type, without injuries

FALL WAS FOUND ON 10-11-00 DURING WEEKLY EXAM OF AIRWAYS-LOCATED ONE CROSSCUT OUTBY SPAD #25443. MEASURED 20'X20'X6 FT HIGH. AREA WAS BOLTED WITH 5 FT BOLTS. FALL WAS CRIBBED OFF AND DANGERED OFF AT ALL ENTRANCES WILL NOT CLEAN IT UP.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT ON THE DUST BOX FOR THE ROOF BOLTER. HIS FINGER GOT CAUGHT ON THE DOOR LATCH. THIS CAUSED A FRACTURE TO THE LITTLE FINGER RIGHT HAND HAND WHEN HE SLAMMED THE DOOR .

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

HE WAS WATERING BATTERIES FOR A MANTRIP. THE BATTERY TRAY LID WAS UP, BUT NOT PROPPED OR SECURED. THE TRAY LID FELL, STRUCK HIM ON THE HARD HAT, PUSHED HIS HEAD DOWN AGAINST THE TRAY CAUSING A CUT ON HIS LOWER LIP.

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

THE EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A ROCK OFF THE CONTINUOUS MINER. HE HAD BOTH HAND SON THE ROCK AND THE ROCK BROKE CAUSING THE LOAD TO BECOME UNBALANCED. THE EMPLOYEE THEN HAD MOST OF THE ROCK IN ON EHAND AN DCOULD NOT MAINTAIN HIS GRIP SO THE ROCK AND MASHED HIS LITTLE FINGER AGAINST THE MINER. THE ROCK WAS SHARP CAUSING A SERIOUS CUT TO THE LITTLE FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS BACK AND NECK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, AND AS OF 8/29/00 IS NOT ABLE TO WORK. AT THIS TIME, HE IS UNDER DOCTOR'S CARE.

Struck by falling object

A ROCK LOCATED BETWEEN THE RIB AND THE BOLTS FELL AND HIT THE EMPLOYEE IN THE BACK. THE EMPLOYEE FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE ROCK LANDED ON THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT FOOT, CAUSING A SPRAIN AND BRUIS E.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE WAS LIFTING A PANEL FROM A TEMPORARY STOPPING AND TWISTED HIS KNEE. THE TEMPORARY STOPPING WE USE AT THIS MINE ATE KENNEDY STEEL STOPPINGS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE HAD SURGERY FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME ON MAY 31, 2000.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE STRAINED HIS BACK LIFTING A FIRST AID BOX ON 5-17. EE CAME TO WORK HIS NEXT SCHEDULED SHIFT ON 5-18 AND LEFT EARLY DUE TO HIS BACK HURTING. HE THEN MISSED HIS NEXT SCHEDULED FOUR WORKDAYS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE PICKED UP A BAG OF ROCKDUST FROM THE SCOOP AND THEN SLIPPED DUE TO SLICK BOTTOM AND TWISTED HIS BACK.

Accident type, without injuries

ROOF FELL ON CONTINUOUS MINER WHILE PILLARING 2ND LIFT OUT OF BLOCK AT SPAD #31858. THE ROCK COVERED THE HEADS OF THE MINER. APPROX 11' X 4' X 2'). THIS OCCURRED IN 002 SECTION. THE VIOLATIONS OF PILLAR PLAN WERE OBSERVED.

Struck by flying object

WHILE PULLING MINER WITH HYDRAULIC MINER PULLER, A SHACKLE PIN BROKE AND HIT MAN IN LOWER LEFT STOMACH AREA. (MAN WAS APPROX. 50' AWAY). NO VISIBLE EXTERNAL INJURIES/TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL.

Struck by falling object

MAN WAS PUTTING UP CENTER LINE ON 001 SECTION, #7 ENTRY (50' INBY SPAD #32253) 10' FROM BOLTED FACE (2 ROWS OF ROOF BOLTS) A PIECE OF ROCK (INBETWEEN ROWS OF ROOF BOLTS) FELL FROM THE ROOF. (A PPROX 30"" X 40"" X 1 1/2"") THE ROCK STRUCK HIM - CUT AND BROKE LEFT INDEX FINGER AND STOVED NECK / UPPER BACK AREA.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAD SURGERY FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME ON MARCH 31, EMPLOYEE THINKS THIS WAS CAUSED BY SHOVELING COAL AND IS RECEIVING COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

Accident type, without injuries

DISCOVERED ROOF FALL DURING WEEKLY EXAMINATION. ROOF FALL DID NOT INTERFERE WITH VENTILATION OR TRAVEL. ALL APPROACHES TIMBERED OFF. WILL NOT BE CLEANED. OCCURRED IN OLD NORTH MAINS INBY SPAD #23017. 6'H, 19'W, 100'L. 4' RESIN BOLTS USED IN THIS AREA.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

ON 1/28/00 THE EE WAS WALKING AROUND A ROOF BOLTER AND FELL WHEN HE STEPPED ON SOME SLICK BOTTOM. THE EE TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE WHEN HE FELL. THE EE DID NOT MISS WORK BUT HAD KNEE SURGERY ON MA RCH 14, 2000.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS CHANGING BATTERIES ON A UNIHAULER AND WAS HANGING HIS JUMPER CABLES WHEN HE STEPPED ON A CRIB BLOCK CAUSING HIM TO TWIST HIS KNEE. EE DID NOT MISS WORK UNTIL 1-24-2000.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS WALKING IN 7 ENTRY. HE STEPPED IN A HOLE, SAID HE TWISTED HIS UPPER BACK AND NECK BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 1-10-2000.