Employee was standing on 172 shield and advancing 173 shield towards the face. The employee was found with an injury to the back of the head at 171 shield.
LEER MINECoal
- Fatalities
- 3
- Total incidents
- 127
- Years on record
- 2011–2026
- Latest incident
- Apr 2026
Fatalities at this mine
3 recordedEmployee received head injuries while attempting to re-rail a Longwall electrical power car using air lifting bags in the 10 Headgate-16 block spur.
Diesel Motor operator was found on the motor unresponsive, the exact cause of death is unknown at this time.
Reportable incidents
124 on file (excluding fatalities above)2026 · 4 incidents
While extending the slider from the tube, the employees arm was drawn into the tube, resulting in the employees left forearm striking the tube.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the intersection of 40 crosscut on 1TG in the #2 entry. The dimensions were 19' x 20' x 14' (approximate). No injuries occurred from this incident.
Employee was working on the longwall face when the gob behind the shields fell. The pressure from the fall pushed EE over causing EE to strike the back of EE's head.
IE felt pop and pain in shoulder/neck area while using a sledge hammer to bust up a rock. Injury was occurred on 1/23/26, but IE worked unrestricted until they sought medical attention on 2/25/26.
2025 · 16 incidents
Employee was walking to the bolt machine when EE tripped over rock and loose material on the ramp area for an overcast. Employee fell on left shoulder. Employee finished EE's shift that day and continued to work. On 2/4/26 employee went for further medical evaluation and was put off work.
Employee was getting out of shuttle car at the feeder. EE stepped out with EE's right foot first as doing so, it slipped causing left foot to go under the pedals resulting in a burning sensation in left thigh and knee. Employee seen specialist on 11/14/2025 and started missing work on 11/17/2025.
Employee was bolting in the #2 entry and just finished installing a bolt. Employee had a drill steel in right hand while dropping the head of the machine towards the mine floor. The drill steel that was resting on the employee's right foot became stuck under the pot of the machine and pushed the drill steel in through the top of the right foot.
Employee was carrying pie-pans on longwall teardown. EE tripped on the relay bar and fell. Employee struck EE's chin on the pie-pans resulting in a laceration on EE's chin. Employee received 4 sutures as a result of the injury.
Employee was tightening chains on the tires for the section scoop. While cleaning up from the job, EE moved the fairlead from the scoop and placed it on the toolbox. The fairlead slid off the toolbox and employee tried to catch it, smashing EE's right ring finger between the fairlead and the mine floor resulting in a laceration at EE's last knuckle.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the 2 Right track entry, at 4 block, in an outby intersection. The dimensions of the fall were 35'x45'x13.5' (approx.) No injuries occurred from this incident.
EE was carrying V-Deck and stepped over a beam on the ground. As EE stepped over, EE twisted EE's ankle. Injury was not the result of a training or compliance issue.
Employee was standing on overcast steps while adjusting a bottom roller. EE's left leg slipped on the step, causing EE to twist EE's left knee and fall down the steps. The results from the MRI revealed a torn meniscus.
While installing bolt in the #2 entry on the 2 Right Section, Employee was starting a bolt into the hole, whenever their body contacted the lever and pushed the bolt in the mast of the roof bolter. This pushed the employee's left hand into the mast, causing a laceration/tuft fracture to the middle finger. This resulted in 4 sutures to the injured finger.
The mine experienced a disruption in ventilation in the District 8 bleeder system due to dealing with water.
Employee attempted to pull slider out of ventilation tubing and the slider did not move, employee was reaching over EE's head facing the coal face. Employee pulled harder with both hands and felt a sharp pain in EE's stomach. Employee noticed lump above belly button and has been diagnosed with a herniation of the Umbilicus.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the #2 entry, at 64 block on the 3Rt section. The dimensions of the fall were 20'x70'x8' (Approx.) No injuries occurred from this accident.
Employee was roof bolting on the 14 headgate section, while spinning the roof bolt, employee retrieved a can of paint to paint the spinning plate and looked back at the other bolter operator, when the spinning plate hit the paint can causing it to rupture causing a laceration to EE's right arm.
Employee was walking up the number two entry on the 3 right section, checking supplies, when stepping in a hole and rolling their right ankle.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the #4 entry on the headgate 2 right section at #4 crosscut (outby) The dimensions of the fall were 18ft X 18ft in the intersection. This fall was found by an examiner and no injuries occurred from this incident.
Employee turned on a wash down hose on the longwall face and the hose struck EE in the chin.
2024 · 9 incidents
Employee was walking across the track rail when they stepped into a rut in the ballast. This caused the EE to roll their right ankle.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the #2 entry of the East 5 Mains, just outby #23 cross cut. The dimensions of the fall were 15' long x 12' wide x 10' high. The fall was found by an examiner and no injuries occurred from this incident.
EE was unhooking a winch rope from a power center when EE slipped in the scoop bucket. The EE caught self with left hand placed on the top of the ram. The ram was then pulled to the back of the bucket, smashing the tip of the finger.
Employee picked up a water bottle that had been left on a bench and took a drink. The bottle had a small amount of water and aerosol cleaner in it.
Employee was walking an airway course on 8-Left 2 Block whenever EE twisted EE's right knee.
While screen that was being pulled with a forklift around an intersection corner, caught/went over top of employees foot and knocked employee down.
Received report at 1:11pm that the main elevator was down with 2 persons on it due to a blown fuse. Elevator was down more than 30 minutes with 2 persons still on it. Maintenance replaced the fuse to make elevator fully functionable.
The conditions contributing to the roof fall on the 9-Left LW section in the #1 entry between 39xc and 40xc that was approximately 55 feet in length by 19 feet in width by 8 to 10 feet in height, comprised of entering a transition area of a rider seam coming down into the mine bench and a sandstone transition coming in above the area.
While assisting in loading continuous miner cable into the boom of the machine, via the use of a scoop, using a steel sheave wheel and nylon cable. The employee placed their left hand onto the cable and pulled fingers into the sheave wheel, resulting in injury to three of the fingers on left hand.
2023 · 5 incidents
Roof Fall at 1C Head Gate, outby #18 seal measures approximately 30ft long by 16ft wide by 6ft high. Area as supported by 6ft resin grouted bolts and 10ft cable bolts.
Employee was hanging the feeder cable whenever EE bumped into a 72"" bottom belt roller that was leaning against the rib. The roller fell over and struck employee on the top of the left foot.
ROOF FALL IN #2 INTERSECTION OF BLOCK 2 TO BLOCK 4. CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO FALL- LOW COVER AREA, STACK ROCK, AND HORIZONTAL STRESS.
Employee was examining the belt line when EE stopped to sign a date board. As EE went to step away, EE felt a pop in the left knee. Employee continued to work until EE received surgery on 10/9/2023.
Employee felt pain in shoulder after shoveling rock. Injury was not the result of a training or compliance issue.
2022 · 3 incidents
Roof Fall at East 2 - 28 to 29 block - #1 entry. Measures approximately 40 feet long by 16 feet wide by 5 feet high. This was a transition area that consisted of laminated strata.
Employee was installing a 10ft. cable bolt when it became stuck in the drill hole. The employee was attempting to shove the bolt up manually whenever employee felt discomfort in right shoulder. The employee started missing work on 5-3-22.
Employee was handed a block while constructing a stopping behind the belt power center. As the employee turned around, EE lost footing, causing EE to fall into the rib striking their left shoulder.
2021 · 6 incidents
Employee had a piece of drill steel stuck in the chuck. The employee bent the drill steel in an attempt to assist in the removal of the steel. Employee accidentally hit rotation instead of down pressure, the steel spun around and struck the employee on left arm just above the wrist.
During a power move on the longwall, an employee started dropping highline at 49 BLK and the employee injured walked out of 45 BLK crosscut. Injured employee was struck on the right shoulder and back with the highline resulting in multiple fractures.
While reinstalling the water line manifold on the end of the pipe, the manifold fell approximately 4 ft. from the end of the pipe. The employees left ring finger was caught between the manifold and the belt rail, resulting in a laceration requiring sutures to close.
Employee was changing a planetary on a C/M. While the planetary and arm were being worked back and forth in an effort to remove it from beside the machine: the employee's thumb was smashed between the frame and planetary. This resulted in a laceration and a fracture to the thumb.
Outby active longwall section 6 Right, 18 block, 2 to 3 entry. The employee was reconstructing a stopping using block that was stacked beside the work area. Employee picked a block up off of the ground and a block from the stack fell; striking EE's right hand. On 6/1/2021, it was determined through examination that EE had a fracture of the first metacarpal of the right thumb.
While troubleshooting a communication cable on the belt line, employee slipped and fell against the coal rib. Resulting in the dislocation of the employee's left shoulder joint which required medical treatment to correct. The employee did not miss any work days as a result of this incident.
2020 · 11 incidents
Employee was attempting to remove a pin from a clevis that was attached to a continuous miner rub rail that was removed from the machine and lying on the concrete floor. When the pin was removed, the rub rail shifted, smashing the employee's left middle finger between the rub rail and floor. This resulted in an avulsion of the fingertip and a tuft fracture.
Employee was attempting to re-install a horizontal pin on the Longwall Face Conveyor. The ram advanced pushing the face conveyor out while the employee was installing the pin. The pan line caught the employee's right hand resulting in amputation of the first joint of the little finger and received a crushing injury to the ring finger that required surgery.
Employee was helping tram a mobile feeder from the 5 Right section to outby. The other employees were getting ready to pull cable slack when the employee stepped back to get out of the way. The employee felt discomfort in the back of the right knee. Employee continued to work until 10/2/20 when surgery was needed to correct the injury.
Employee was currently receiving physical therapy for a degenerative disk disorder. While working on a shuttle car on 4/23/20, employee felt pain in lower back. Employee continued to work until 4/25/20 when EE elected to seek further medical treatment.
Employee was working on a broken face chain at #4 shield on the Longwall. A piece of rock approx 11'x3'x2.5' thick fell between the face and shield tips. The rock fell straight down and rolled into the pan line, pinning employee against the rack bar. Incident resulted in the employee having two broken femurs and lower leg break.
Employee was working on a broken face chain at #4 shield on the Longwall. A piece of rock approx. 11'x3'x2.5' in size fell between the face and shield tips. The rock fell straight down and rolled into the pan line, striking employee in the left leg causing a puncture wound.
Employee was dropping miner cable out of a roller hanger and felt pain in EE's back. The employee started missing work on 4-4-20 and is awaiting a further examination.
Employee was helping to apply B-Bond to a stopping and lost their balance while standing on the ground. The employee fell on the ground on their right side and felt pain in the left hip area. After being professionally examined, it was diagnosed as an acute displaced left femoral neck fracture and surgery was required to correct.
Employee was replacing the center driveshaft on the #15 Sandvic scoop outby the Longwall face at 60BLK. While attempting to lift the driveshaft off the top of the scoop to proceed in replacing it, employee felt pain in left arm. Employee continued to work until 2/16/2020 when medical diagnosed a tear in the left bicep.
Employee was in the process of dropping shields and hanging mesh to the mesh hanger on the end of the shield. When the shield was lowered, a rock rolled off the side of the shield and struck employee on the left side of the left foot. The employee continued to work until 2/8/2020, when medical treatment revealed a fracture in the lower left tibia.
While dangering off an area outby with wooden supports, employee stepped on a crib block and rolled right ankle. The employee finished the shift and started missing work on 1-13-20.
2019 · 3 incidents
Roof fall approximately 94 feet inby spad #12854 on our abandoned North Mains C/M section. Measures approximately 20 feet long by 15 feet wide by 4 1/2 feet high. Area was supported with 5 foot resin grouted bolts and 10 foot cable bolts. Strata is laminated sandy shale.
Building seal and dropped cement block on right hand middle finger.
Face area inby #12954. Entry showed cutters running down both rib lines. Cutters started flaking off and dribbling. Face area fell first then fall continued back through the entry until it stopped approximately 20 feet inby intersection of spad #12954. Distance of fall approximately 140 feet.
2018 · 6 incidents
Very localized occurrence. Crosscuts showed roof degradation, screened entry did not. Additional monitoring of fall area and installation of roof to floor support in #1 entry recommended. Fall blocked our track entry/primary escapeway until early 10/2/2018.
Employee was putting conveyor chain back together on the #16 shuttle car. EE was using a 1 1/2 ton chain ratchet to pull it back together when the hook slipped out of the link. EE was struck on the left ear requiring sutures to close.
The mine experienced a roof fall in the North Mains Return, #1 Entry, at 10 BLK. The fall occurred in the intersection and the dimensions were 18ft. by 18ft. The fall was found by a supervisor and no injuries occurred from this incident.
The mine experienced a roof fall outby the 3 North Section. The fall was located in the #3 entry (belt line), between 24-25BLK. The dimensions of the fall were 90ft x 17'9"" x 8ft. There were no injuries from this incident.
Employee was helping to load rock dust in the scoop bucket with the use of a diesel forklift. The forklift had a bulk bag of rock dust on the forks & EE was cutting the bag to allow the dust to fall into scoop bucket. Employee positioned EE's right leg between the scoop bucket & the forklift tire. The forklift then pulled forward catching right leg between the two machines.
An electrician was investigating why the right side canopy on roof bolter would not lower; when the canopy dropped rapidly without warning. The canopy mast assembly did not drop when the hydraulic cylinder was lowered; it became stuck and then dropped. The canopy struck employee on the head causing laceration that required 3 sutures to close.
2017 · 10 incidents
The mine experienced a roof fall on the 3C Headgate, 18BLK, in the #1 entry. The fall occurred in an intersection and measured approx. 452 sq. ft. A pumper found the condition. There were no injuries from this incident.
The mine experienced a roof fall on the 2 North Mains Section. The fall was located in the #1 entry, Last Open break intersection, at 23 Block. It carried approx. 6ft towards the #1 face and approx. 30ft into the 1-2 crosscut. The fall was found on an idle shift by an examiner. There were no injuries from this incident.
Employee exited shuttle car to move some cable out of the roadway and felt something pop in left shoulder. The employee continued to work until it was determined that the injured arm would need surgery to correct. The employee received surgery on left bicep on 01/26/2018 and is currently off from work. Beginning on the date of surgery (1/26/18)
The mine experienced a roof fall in the East Mains Rooms Area, in the #3 Entry. (22ft inby Spad 8962). The fall was located during an airway examination. There were no injuries from this incident.
Employee was standing at #12 shield, when the jack setter advanced #12 shield from #13 shield, the employee's left foot was caught between the relay bar and the pontoon. This resulted in two fractured metatarsals and laceration to left foot.
The mine experienced a roof fall over the long-wall stage loader. The fall occurred in the #24 block intersection and measured approximately 12 feet wide by 20 feet in length by 6 feet in thickness.
Employee was packing crib blocks when foot got stuck in the mud causing ee to fall resulting in a fracture to right ankle.
Employee was using a small disc grinder and accidentally allowed the grinder to come in to contact with leg resulting in a cut that required six stitches to close.
Employee was hanging a high voltage cable when employee fell from the ladder employee was using striking the mine floor. This resulted in an injury consisting of 3 cracked ribs.
Employee was lowering the battery cover on a scoop when they caught their thumb between the battery cover and the battery resulting a laceration requiring stitches.
2016 · 9 incidents
Employee was operating shuttle car when EE bumped head against the canopy causing stiffness in neck. The employee continued to work until 1/19/2017 at which time EE began missing work.
Employee was hanging a Ventilation tube when EE slipped twisting ankle. The ankle was sprained and EE was not able to return to normal job the following shift.
Employee was hanging a piece of Ventilation Tubing when felt pain in back.
Employee was operating a continuous miner when ee strained back when lifting the cable. The incident has been under investigation awaiting the results of an MRI, the results received on 09/21/2016 show a herniated disc. The employee is missing time due to the incident reported on 09/05/2016
Employee stepped out of the shuttle car that EE was operating. EE slipped and felt pain in lower back.
Employee was operating a battery powered rail vehicle when collided with a rail motor. The employee continued to work until 08/22/16. This incident has been and continues to be under investigation.
Employee was loading a metal track idler for a continuous miner when it slipped pinching left hand causing an amputation of approximately one-half of middle finger.
The employee picked up a piece of siding to install on a fan building. The employee was not wearing the gloves. The siding had a sharp edge which cut right middle finger. The injury resulted in laceration to right middle finger, including tendon. The repair required multiple stitches at least 10).
Employee was reaching across the rock duster and placed left hand on the duster for balance as EE was opening the bleed off valve. The pressure bleed off lid, causing it to fall and the flat bar hinge caught the middle finger on left hand. This resulted in a laceration and partial amputation of the finger.
2015 · 9 incidents
Employee was walking when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his right ankle area. There was no slip or any incident that would contribute to the injury. After the results of an MRI it appears that the employee has a tear in his tendon. After our investigation that concluded on 12/07/2015 we are reporting this as a Reportable Injury.
Employee was assisting in moving the ventilation tube forward when he slipped; as he was falling he reached out to catch himself. He strained his right arm catching himself. He was diagnosed with a torn rotator on 10/21/2015 and began losing time.
A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry of the West Mains at the #12 block near survey station 371. The fall measures approximately 16 feet by 16 feet and 4 to 6 feet in thickness. The area was bolted with 6 feet resin bolts and 10 feet cable bolts.
Employee was traveling through a personnel door when he slipped twisting his knee. The employee continued to work until 09/14/2015 at which time he began missing work.
Employee was pulling a bag of rock dust through a man-door when the door slammed closed mashing his thumb. This resulted in stitches to his hand
The continuous miner was cutting coal and rock in the # 8 entry when the operator reported a gas/dust ignition in the face. There were no injuries.
Employee was walking when he stepped on a rock causing him to slip twisting his right foot. This resulted in a small fracture in his foot
Employee was assisting others in building a wall for an overcast when he was struck by a cement block. He received 5 stitches
Employee was packing a metal box and as he passed by the power center he mashed his finger between the box and the power center resulting in a laceration to his finger.
2014 · 12 incidents
Employee was assisting fellow employees in the process of hanging the High Voltage cable when the cable pulled loose striking the employee on the left wrist. This resulted in a fracture to his wrist.
Employee was operating a shuttle car when he hit a bump in the road which caused his body to fly striking his head on the bottom of the Canopy of the Car.
employee was carrying a belt roller around the front of the scoop bucket when he tripped over the edge of the bucket, as he fell he dropped the roller and it pinched his right leg against the side of the bucket. he received a laceration on his front right thigh requiring stitches.
Employee was walking on section when he stepped in an uneven spot twisting his ankle enough to fracture his foot,
The fall occurred between blocks 36-37, inby the block 36 intersection. The fall was about 8 to 10 feet in height, 18 feet in width, and covered the entry in its entirety. It went from the shield tip to a point about forty feet outby. One of the contributing factors was that the #1 and #2 shields of the Longwall had not been pulled. The roof has remained up for 40-50 ft.
Employee was working on the Longwall face when a hydraulic hose broke striking his left leg, resulting in a bad bruise to his upper left leg.
Employee was building a stopping when he was struck on the hand with a cement block resulting in a fracture to his finger.
Employee was using a slate bar to remove a piece of rock from the continuous miner when he cut his right hand, the cut required 3 stitches.
Employee was operating a roof bolter, adjusting roof screen when he fell resulting in a fracture to his cervical spine that required surgery.
Employee was driving a shuttle car from the continuous miner toward the feeder and as he rounded a tight corner a piece of rock came off of the rib and into the operator's deck mashing his left middle causing a laceration. The Laceration required ten sutures to close.
Employee was operating the tailgate drum cutting toward the headgate when he stumbled over the 335 shield relay bar causing him to fall striking his left knee. He continued working until May 7, 2014 at which he time he had his knee scoped and began losing time.
Employee was on a ladder against elevated belt structure hooking come-a-long to lower structure. He uncoiled the chain slack off of the structure when the chain slipped through the structure allowing him to fall forward striking his forehead on the structure. Employee received 3 stitches.
2013 · 9 incidents
Employee was opening a mandoor when the sudden rush of air pulled his left arm and shoulder. The injury occurred on 11-22-13, but it wasn't until further medical evaluation that it was deemed that surgery was needed on 12-13-13. The employee has missed no work days as a result of this injury.
Employee was removing safety cables from a rail car, when the cable twisted and the clevis on the end of the cable turned, striking the employee's right hand. Resulting in a hairline fracture. The employee was wearing gloves at the time of the incident.
Employee was dropping ventilation tubing.The employee had hand placed through the D ring on the side of the tube to help support the weight. When the tube became dislodged, the weight of the tube bent employee's fingers back. This resulted in a laceration/ break to the right ring finger. The laceration required 5 sutures to close.
The employee was bolting on the Tailgate section, in the 2 to 3 crosscut when the incident occurred. The operators set a metal strap up on their steels. Then a rock fell on the right side of the ATRS, striking employee on the top of the left foot. The size of the rock was approximately 32""x 5""x 18"". The laceration required 5 sutures to close.
Employee was bolting on the South Mains section, in the number 4 entry. Once the employee drilled the hole; he pushed the bolt to the top but the glue had already set up. The operator rotated the bolt, to try to mix resin, but the bolt snapped off and the 8""x8"" plate fell and struck the operator in the right forearm. The laceration took three sutures to close.
On 6/21/2013, the Brakeman Car (Bonny Car), in the slope needed charged. The call was made out of miscommunication and there was no physical damage to the equipment. This form is being filled out to give notification of the actual event information.
during a belt move, was lifting a roller up to move the bed rail when a post fell out and struck his left arm (fracture)
Employee was positioned between the back of the roof bolter and a piece of ventilation tubing that was laying on the ground. The scoop operator proceeded to pull up towards the back of the roof bolter.The scoop then hit the piece of tubing. The piece of tubing knocked the employee down and shoved him under the roof bolter for approximately 28 inches.
Employee was using grinding wheel to grind the corner off of a piece of metal. the metal slipped off grinding wheel, employee fell toward it and cut his left thumb. Employee was wearing gloves. Laceration of thumb required 4 stitches.
2012 · 6 incidents
Employee was moving lumber. Splinter in Right index finger caused infection which required surgery.
Employee was unloading bucket of supplies, picked up chain and strained his back.
Employee was moving scaffolding to weld hanger for belt line. Strained groin.
While trying to remove a piece of slate rock from the top of the continuous miner, the operator suffered a laceration to his left forearm. The employee was shoving the rock with his hands whenever a piece of the rock fragmented, allowing his one hand to slip free, exposing his arm to the sharp rock. The laceration required 3 sutures to close.
Elevator over traveled causing manual reset of the elevator.
While removing the center section pin from the 001 scoop, the principle injured was lying on his back assisting in removing pin, when he inadvertently lost his grip allowing the pin to fall striking him above the right eye. The laceration required 5 sutures to close.
2011 · 6 incidents
Employee was cutting crib blocks. Slipped on muddy slope floor. Causing lower back strain
Employee was dumping a muck bucket and caught finger in locking ear.
Employee was struck in the mouth with a steel wedge.
Employees were installing steel set arch, beam jumped, striking employee in head. Minor bruising. Returned to work same date
Employee was bolting top, while changing drill steel, rock fell from roof striking employee's left arm, causing bruising.
Employee was struck by a muck bucket and injured hand.