Mining Incidents

Cucumber MineCoal

Controlled by Edward A Asbury
Cucumber, Mcdowell County, WV · Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 4609066
Fatalities
2
Total incidents
71
Years on record
2006–2016
Latest incident
Apr 2016

Fatalities at this mine

2 recorded
Struck by falling object

Two MRS operators were in No. 3 entry approximately 35 feet inby survey station 1037, when a piece of rock approximately 8 feet by 8 feet fell without warning out of the middle of the entry causing fatal crushing injuries to these employees. 3 roof bolts broke.

Struck by falling object

Two MRS operators were in No. 3 entry approximately 35 feet inby survey station 1037, when a piece of rock approximately 8 feet by 8 feet fell without warning out of the middle of the entry causing fatal crushing injuries to these employees. 3 roof bolts broke.

Reportable incidents

69 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2016 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee has been diagnosed with Occupational Hearing Loss. Brooks Run South Safety Department was notified on April 20th, 2016. Employee was terminated on 11-10-14.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employer was notified on 2/8/16 by the compensation administrator that the employee was diagnosed with hearing loss on 1/28/16. EE's employment was terminated from the mine on 11/10/14.

2015 · 7 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employer was notified on 1/8/16 that the employee was diagnosed with hearing loss on 12/17/15. His employment terminated on 12/30/14.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer was notified on 11/20/2015 that the employee was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis on 9/2/2015. The mine was closed in March of 2015.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received a diagnosis of hearing loss on 11/3/15. The mine closed in March 2015.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer was notified by the compensation administrator that the employee had a diagnosis or pneumoconiosis on 7/10/15. He is no longer employed at the mine and the mine is no longer operating.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employer was notified 7/9/15 that the former employee was diagnosed with hearing loss on 6/30/15. The mine is shut down and the employee was terminated on 3/20/15.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employer was notified on 5/26/15 of an occupational hearing loss claim by the employee as a result of a test conducted on 10/10/14

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was checking the batteries on a small mantrip. When he lifted the lid he felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder. This caused the employee to drop the lid down quickly.

2014 · 6 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall found during weekly examination of the return airway on the 1 Right A Panel. Spad location 8113. The fall is approximately 100 feet long including the intersection of spad 8113 and extending inby a few feet and outby toward spad 8104. No equipment or employees were involved. The roof fall did not affect ventilation at this mine. This area has been timbered and cribs set.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employer received a notification on 12/10/14 of a pneumoconiosis diagnosis for the employee of 11/12/14. Employee was terminated from the mine on 11/10/14.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof Fall in inactive area of the mine between spad location 3766 and 3563 next to a barrier block and regulator.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer was informed on 4/7/2014 of employee's pneumoconiosis diagnosis that was made on 10/13/2013. He was terminated from the mine on 1/7/08.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer was notified 4/1/14 of employee's pneumoconiosis claim and a diagnosis made on 11/23/13. Employee was terminated from the mine on 9/12/07.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Sub zero weather: An employee was boosting a welder/generator from a truck to get it started. After the unit started he reached down to the battery to detach the booster cable when one of the leads struck the fan blade causing it to disintegrate.

2013 · 7 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer received notification 8/26/13 that the employee was diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis on 7/31/13.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

A settlement for a 5% workers compensation award to the employee for hearing loss was made on 5/30/13.

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

Operator was attempting to retrieve a roof drill bit out of the mud with his foot while lowering operator side canopy. His left arm was resting on the bolt tray fully loaded with bolts when the canopy pinched his arm between the canopy and the stack of bolts.

Accident type, without injuries

Around 2 pm on 4/17/2013, Roof Fall was discovered in out by return air course. In the # 7 entry between spad # 930, and #1248. The entrance to the area was supported with timbers and dangered off. This doesn't impede ventilation. Does not effect airway examination.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was taking down hung miner cable when cable came loose it bent EE's back over suddenly causing a pull in lower back.

Accident type, without injuries

During examination of the out by area of the mine that is return air course, a roof fall was discovered. No injuries to anyone, no damage to equipment, and does not conflict with air course. All three entry's to fall area was dangered off and timbers where set. The mine will continue to follow roof control plan.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

A diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis was confirmed on 1-10-13. The employer was notified of this diagnosis on 2-12-13.

2012 · 3 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employer was notified by the compensation administrator that the employee received a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. His employment was terminated on 11/10/14

Struck against a moving object

Employee stated he was riding on the passenger side of a small personnel ride, on his way outside, and hurt his lower back

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting the belt in preparation for making a belt splice. The Knife slipped striking the employee's leg.

2011 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was Roof bolting, and drill steel hit left hand and fingers.

Accident type, without injuries

A possible ignition of methane gas was observed in the No.4 face near the left side of the ripper head. It was immediately extinguished. There were no injuries and no damage to equipment.

Accident type, without injuries

A alleged ignition of methane gas was described to have occurred in the face of the No. 7 entry. A flame was witnessed by the continuous miner operator while loading the third shuttle car in the cut. No injuries or damage to equipment resulted from this occurrence.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking down a snow/ice covered road and fell backwards onto the hard surface on his back. His back was injured. However, he finished his work/shift and did not realize he was injured until Saturday 01-09-2011.

Accident type, without injuries

An ignition of methane gas may have occurred in the No. 4 face. The continuous miner operator began cutting down coal in the middle of the face when a yellow flame occurred across and in front of the ripper head. The flame was extinguished with water and rock dust. There were no injuries or damage to equipment.

2010 · 2 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A suspected methane ignition occurred in the #6 entry face on the 2 left off North Main section. The miner operator described seeing a orange flash as he was attempting to cut cap coal from the roof.

Struck by falling object

Employee was place changing the continuous miner. He was standing in an intersection, when a piece of roof rock fell from between the bolts and struck him, a glancing blow to the shoulder. He fell to the mine floor and the rock flipped onto his lower left leg.

2009 · 3 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee was pushing a roof bolt up into the hole using the drill head and wrench when a piece of roof rock fell and struck his right thumb.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee tripped as he was exiting the scoop. His hat fell off as he stumbled against the rib. The top of his head hit the rib causing a small laceration.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and two coworkers were maneuvering a 4'x8'x1/4"" piece of sheet metal into place to form the back of a chute at a belt head. Employee slipped on a turnbuckle, anchored to the tailpiece and lost control of the metal, allowing it to strike his right forearm.

2008 · 7 incidents

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

Employee and coworker were trying to take the rub rail off the continuous miner. It broke free suddenly and swung open catching employee's little finger between the rub rail and rib.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A scoop was being used to pull several loops of continuous mining machine cable. One of the ropes attaching a loop of cable broke and the cable recoiled against the employee's left knee.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee bent drill steel while drilling hole and it became stuck. He was going to drop the drill head when he accidentally engaged the rotation. The bent steel struck him on the left forearm.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was hanging curtain in the #5 entry and hit his right index finger with the hammer.

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

Employee got his index finger on left hand caught between canopy of scoop & rib causing the finger to be amputated to second knuckle.

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

Employee was putting a bolt plate against the roof during installation of the bolt and got his right index finger caught between the plate and the mine roof while he applied up pressure on the bolt. Employee was wearing meta-carpal gloves.

Flash burns (electric)

Employee had locked out the power to the hauler charger so that he could cut the cables off the unit. He removed the power cable from the unit and then proceeded to cut the charging cables. He failed to notice that the charging cables were connected to a spare set of batteries. When he cut into one of the cables, an electrical arc occurred, causing burns to his right hand.

2007 · 17 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A possible ignition of methane gas may have occurred in the No. 3 face of the MMU-001 on the North Mains section. According to witnesses, a short orange flash occurred near the center of the cutter head while the continuous miner operator was loading cleanup coal on the left side of the working place. There were no injuries and no damage to equipment. MSHA investigated this event.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating a battery powered vehicle when it struck a piece rock in the roadway. This caused the steering wheel to rotate quickly and the steering knob struck the employee on the right hand.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was plastering a stopping when some of the plaster got inside of his protective rubber glove causing irritation to the top of his right hand.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was plastering a stopping. He threw some plaster into the upper corner of the stopping and some got into his right eye.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking in entry when he stepped in a hole in the mine floor causing him to fall and twist his right knee.

Struck by falling object

Employee had taken an air reading and was walking from behind the line curtain when a piece of roof rock fell from between the bolts and pushed him to the mine floor.

Struck by falling object

Employee was under the canopy at the left drill head. He pushed the extendable canopy in with his left hand. As he did this, a piece of roof rock fell and caught his fingers between the rock and canopy.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a slate bar to raise a new tire into position on a roof bolter when the lifting jack under the machine frame slipped and the tire fell onto the bar, pushing the bar against his right knee.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee plastered a stopping with block bond and allowed this material to stay in contact with his bare forearm. He later experienced irritation and blistering of his forearm.

Accident type, without injuries

Cont Mining machine was loading the 2nd shuttle car. A crack in the coal face began producing water. Water flow increased, pump & discharge line installed. Water built up over approx 2 crosscuts in 2 entries. Source of flow of water determined to be old exploration hole had been severed. Water buildup occurred over a span of approx. 14 hrs. This was not indunation.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking from power when he slipped on wet mine floor and twisted his right knee.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting rubber off of roof bolter cable to make a splice. The utility knife slipped, cutting the tip of his left ring finger.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was riding in a diesel rubber tired mantrip. As the mantrip made a right hand turn the end of his right foot was momentarily caught between the rib and the canopy support post.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was usning a utility knife to cut a rope-type cable hanger. The knife slipped and he cut his left thigh.

Accident type, without injuries

On March 24, 2007, on the west mains section, the continuous miner,while cutting sandstone and shale top, generated frictional heat allowing a piece of cap coal to start burning in the no. 9 entry. It was extinguished in less than five minutes. The miner cutting coal was an Eimco 2810-0. There was no pop, no charring, no visible signs of ignition, only fire.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

This employee alleges that he is suffering from emotional trauma from running from an accident scene as well as repetitive motion trauma from running. He reported this condition to management on 1-18-07 after an event on 1-13-07.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was prying on a piece of bent metal on top of the contiuous miner. The slate bar he was using slipped and his hand struck the machine frame.

2006 · 10 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Roof material fell on the continuous miner while mining a push out. The material that fell was not caused by a coal or rock outburst. The 7000-1 is submitted for the sole purpose of abating citation 7259198 issued on 4/18/07. You should not construe our submission of the 7000-1 as an admission of a violation of 30 CFR 50.10. Company intends to challenge MSHA's findings in citation.

Struck by falling object

The employee was standing on the operator's side of the roof bolting machine near the inch tram controls when a piece of roof rock approx. 28""x38""x4""to a feather edge fell from between the bolts and struck him on the right shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting the conveyor belt in preparation for a splice. The knife slipped and cut his left hand between the thumb and forefinger (two stitches).

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was drilling a roof bolt hole. The hole was drilling crooked so he stopped drilling and was lowering the drill pot. The drill steel came out of the drill chuck under tension and sprang against the employee's right hand injuring his little finger.

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

Employee was tramming a roof bolting machine towards the face and turning into a right crosscut. He had his right hand outside of the deck area and when the machine turned his hand was caught between frame and the coal rib, mashing his right hand.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to retrieve a piece of drill steel that had become lodged in the drill pot of the roof bolting machine. When he pulled up on the steel with both hands, the steel suddenly came loose and the momentum of the pulling action cause the end of the steel to hit him above his right eye.

Struck against a moving object

Employee experienced pain in his back while operating his shuttle car. He jarred against the seat and canopy as he traversed over rough bottom (i.e. holes, ledge, etc.). This is a recurring pain for this employee caused by the repeated trauma of operating in adverse roadway conditions. This is being reported as an occupational illness. (8/29/06) represents the 10th working day.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was holding onto drill steel with his right hand as he attempted to start a hole in the roof. He ""bumped"" the rotation and his glove was caught on the rotating steel. This caused his hand to be pulled around the drill steel. He became a restricted duty case on 6/9/06.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a cutting torch to remove a primary scraper from an old 42"" belt drive. He cut one side loose, and while cutting the other side, the scraper swung back and struck his left knee.

Fall from ladders

Employee was on a step ladder hanging a cable when the ladder became unstable and fell over. He fell on top of the ladder.