Mining Incidents

Coal Clean Prep PlantCoal

Dry Branch, Kanawha County, WV · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4608571
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
31
Years on record
2001–2025
Latest incident
Jul 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

31 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

Employee cut a piece of plastic pipe that was hanging vertically and was secured above by coupling. When they cut they moved to adjust their fall protection when the pipe came out of the coupling and fell onto their hand, amputating two of their fingers on their left hand. Doctors were unable to reattach.

2021 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had a Heart Attack sitting at the desk.

Struck against a moving object

The employee stated was driving the company # 4124 lizard truck when EE hit a hole in the roadway, causing EE's seat to bottom out, hurting EE's back. The employee sought medical attention, and it was determined EE has a fracture of the C7 vertebrae.

2020 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

Employee stepped off the push arm of a dozer and right foot slid in mud and hit a rock breaking a bone in right foot.

2019 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

The employee stated they were in the process of cleaning off the top of a spray box when their wrist got caught on a piece of expanded metal guarding, causing a laceration. The employee sought medical treatment where they received three sutures to the wrist. The incident is being reported as medical only.

2018 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was handing a piece of flat bar up over a screen side board and felt something pull in EE's back.

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

Employee stated that EE was attempting to tighten a huck bolt using a huck gun in the de-slime screen beam. When the employee pressed the trigger to tighten the bolt EE didn't have the gun all the way on the bolt so instead of the gun drawing up on the bolt, it shoved down smashing the fingers of EE's right hand between the gun and the 8"" I-beam below.

Contact with hot objects or substances

While attempting to free ice from a bottom roller on the refuse stacker belt, employee's left hand/arm came in contact with the bottom roller and became caught between the roller and bottom belt. Employee sustained burns to left forearm and required an incision to relieve swelling.

2015 · 5 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Driving his truck on mine property - truck over heated, employee got out to check radiator, hose burst, sprayed antifreeze in face.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Truck he was riding in overheated - he and another employee got out to check radiator. The other employee checked hose, hose burst & antifreeze sprayed in face.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing a worn out piece of metal liner from the raw coal feeder. The employee removed the metal from the feeder and went to throw the piece of metal out of the way. When the employee threw the metal it cut his left index finger.

Fall from machine

Stepped on step of fuel tank on truck, falling resulting in broken leg.

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

EE was attempting to repair the column feed pump that was located in the basement of the prep plant. Another EE pushed the large sprocket & belt while EE pulled the belt toward him. While doing this, he looked away from the belt & got his finger caught in between the cogged V belt & drive pulley. He immediately jerked his hand out when he felt his finger become pinched.

2014 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a 740 Caterpillar lizard truck on the refuse dump when he slid into a rut causing the operator to be thrown to the left then back to the right injuring his lower back and right thigh. Note: Employee did not start missing work until 9/26/2014.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While surveying on the refuse embankment, victim twisted ankle and fell. Victim missed work following day to go to Health Care Clinic. X-ray indicated no breaks or cracks. Dr applied ace bandage and prescribed soaking in ice and ibuprofen specific follow-up visits and no restrictions.

2012 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

Removing Equalizer end PIN (Left) on D9N. Piece of metal chipped off PIN or hammer & went into upper lip.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Using Sledge hammer to remove pin on a D8R Dozer & piece of pin chipped off & struck & lodged in Right Index Finger

2011 · 1 incident

Contact with hot objects or substances

While using cutting torch to remove rusted bolts, a piece of hot slag blew into left ear burning ear canal.

2010 · 2 incidents

Struck by powered moving object

EE was on the drivers side of the truck to unlock hub when another EE backed over him putting him approx. under back end of the truck between the wheel and the rear end. Shift was over at 5:00 p.m.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was using a torch to remove bolts from a piece of pipe. While doing so he burned his right arm causing him to miss two days of work. This accident did not become reportable until 1-28-10 due to scheduled days off.

2009 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was carring oil buckets on fueling platform when he slipped and fell striking his left side on the handrail.

2007 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

It was dark outside. He turned to come down the steps of the coal truck. He lost his footing and tried to grab the rail. As he fell his left leg hit the steps. He landed on his back and left shoulder.

Accident type, without injuries

There was a forrest fire that spread onto our property near the impoundment area.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING A TORCH TO BE USED AT ANOTHER LOCATION WHEN AN EMPLOYEE OF ANOTHER COMPANY (NATIONAL ELECTRIC) DROPPED A PIECE OF ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FROM OVERHEAD, HITTING HIM IN THE LOW BACK & TAIL BONE. DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AND CONTINUED TO WORK WITHOUT RESTRICTION TILL 10/7/05.

2004 · 1 incident

Fall from ladders

EE STEPPED OFF OF LOADDER ONTO A LOOSE PIPE. HE TURNED HIS L ANKLE AND FELL.

2003 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE STEPPED OUT OF DOZER CAB TO CLEAN WINDOW GLASS. WHILE CLEANING GLASS, HE SLIPPED AND FELL, HITTING TRACKS, THEN FELL TO GROUND AND ROLLED DOWN EMBANKMENT.

2002 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MANUALLY MOVING SLOW DOWN GATE TO INSPECT CERAMIC TILE. FELLOW EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND DROPPED GATE, CAUSING THIS EMPLOYEE TO STRAIN BACK.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HOLDING A PIECE OF 10"" PIPE WHILE A SECOND EE HIT IT WITH A 6 LB HAMMER TO LINE IT UP WITH A SECOND PIPE FOR WELDING. THE EE WAS TALKING TO A THIRD EE AND SLID HIS HAND UP ON THE PIPE JUST AS THE 2ND EE WAS GETTING READY TO HIT IT WITH A HAMMER, STRIKING INJURED'S PINKY FINGER.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE CLAIMED TO HAVE A 10""N PIPE FITTING THAT HE HAD RESTING ON THE TOP OF AN 8' STEP LADDER. HE LIFTED THE FITTING AND HIS LEFT ELBOW GAVE OUT. HE CONTINUED TO WORK TILL 11/6 AT WHIC H TIME IT GAVE OUT AGAIN. EE CLAIMS THAT ON 10/29 HE REPORTED IT INITIALLY TO THE SITE SUPERINTENDENT THOUGH HE CONTINUED TO WORK. DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UNTIL 11/7/02.

Fall from ladders

EE WAS GRINDING INSIDE A CELL; HE STEPPED UP TO THE THIRD STEP OF A LADDER AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF, CAUSING HIM TO FALL, STRIKING HIS HIP ON A PIPE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT & THE EE HAD ONLY WORKED 3 DAYS AT THE MINE.

2001 · 1 incident

Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING WITH A COMBINATION TORCH IT WASN'T TIGHT AND CAME APART AND CAUGHT FIRE, RESULTING IN EMPLOYEE HAVING FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND BURNED.