Mining Incidents

Birch River PlantCoal

Cowen, Webster County, WV · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4608390
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
14
Years on record
2000–2011
Latest incident
Mar 2011
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

14 on file

2011 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured and a co-worker were in process of removing plugged coal from the No.7 tail section chute which is part of the raw coal system. While prying with the slate bar to remove the coal, the bar slipped, came up and subsequently struck him on the ear causing a laceration.

2010 · 1 incident

Accident type, without injuries

Approximately at 9:08 am, while the dozer operator was pushing coal at the raw coal stockpile, he observed a signifcant amout of smoke coming from underneath the coal pile. No fire was observed, just 'smoldering' coal.

2007 · 1 incident

Accident type, without injuries

At approximately 6:30 pm a fire was discovered at the shop/coal lab building. No injuries or close calls were reported, however, the shop sustained substantial damage to the structure and some of the contents. The fire was extinguished by the Cowen VFD at approximately 7:15 pm.

2006 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

EE was loading a train at the loadout and during the process traveled to the silo to turn the water on. While walking to the silo, he had to cross the track and over a rail car and while stepping up on the rail car step, his hard hat fell off. After bending over to pick up his hard hat, he rose up and struck his head on the bottom of the step, which caused a laceration.

Fall from machine

While washing down the raw coal tunnel, employee walked back to the sump area to engage the pump. After stepping up on the tailpiece and engaging the pump switch, the force of the water coming out of the discharge line struck him on the side of the head, knocking him to the floor. He sustained a twisted ankle (fracture) and abrasions to his back and knee.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Employee was cleaning out panel seat on coarse refuse screen with a screw driver when his hand slipped and struck a jagged edge on the sub frame. As a result, he lacerated his index finger on his left hand which required four (4) stitches. He was wearing gloves at the time.

2003 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

EE HAD BEEN GRINDING AND WELDING DURING SHIFT. DURING LATTER PART OF SHIFT, HE NOTICED IRRITATION IN EYE. HE DOES NOT RECALL HOW OR WHEN HE GOT SOMETHING IN EYE. AN EMT WASHED EYE OUT BUT STIL L FELT SOMETHING IN EYE. AFTER COMPLETING HIS SHIFT, HE WENT TO EYE PHYSICIAN WERE A RUST PARTICLE WAS REMOVED. HE WAS GIVEN PRESCRIPTION EYE DROPS WHICH MADE THIS INJURY REPORTABLE.

2002 · 2 incidents

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

EMPLOYEE AND CO-WORKER WERE USING A SET OF COME-ALONGS TO INSTALL A MOTOR FOR THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE REFUSE BUILDING. AS THE EMPLOYEE WAS MANEUVERING THE MOTOR IN PLACE, HIS LITTLE FINGER GOT CAUGHT INBETWEEN THE MOTOR AND FRAME CAUSING A LACERATION.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS CLIMBING OUT OF COUTER WEIGHT BY PULLING HISSELF UP BY HIS ARMS AND NOTICED WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE COUNTER WEIGHT HIS RIGHT SIDE OF HIS CHEST WAS NOT FEELING THE SAME HAD A SHORTNESS OF BR EATHE.

2001 · 1 incident

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE JUMPED ON ROOF TO GET WELDING HELMER & FELL THROUGH ROOF, FALLING APPROX. 8'.

2000 · 4 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

Accident type, without injuries

ON SATURDAY JUNE 10, 2000 APPROX 11:20 AM A FIRE OCCURRED ON EVERGREEN'S OVETAND CONVEYOR BELT. THE FIRE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED 1400 FEET OF BELT STRUCTURE, STANDS AND WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMP ONENTS. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THIS BELT IS LOCATED ON THE SURFACE AND THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT A TAKE UP ROLLER BEARING.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS WORKING ON A 777 TRUCK. THE ROCK KICKER HAD GOTTEN BENT AND WAS FOULED IN PLACE. HE PROCEEDED TO CUT OUT THE ROCK KICKER BY USING TORCHES AND WHEN IT CUT IN TWO, IT SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT WITH A LOT OF FORCE, STRIKING THE TORCH AND IN TURN, THE TORCH STRUCK HIM ON CHIN. HE SUSTAINED A CUT AND BRUISED CHIN AND JAW AS A RESULT.