Mining Incidents

Workman Creek SurfaceCoal

Clear Creek, Raleigh County, WV · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4609475
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
83
Years on record
2013–2025
Latest incident
Oct 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

83 on file

2025 · 13 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Drill operator had assisted another drill operator and was returning/walking to their drill when they twisted an ankle due to uneven ground.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee has recurring pain in their right elbow. On 10/14/2025 EE was diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow. Treatment is physical therapy, starting 10/22/2025. The employee continues to work at full capacity.

Struck by flying object

9/19/25, EE was straightening metal pipe framework on a drill rig using a chain come-a-long. One of the anchor hooks came loose, striking EE's left hand and thumb. EE was wearing gloves and safety glasses. First aid was administered, and EE returned to work that day. On 10/02/25, EE reported worsening pain in EE's thumb, which was later diagnosed as fractured at Urgent Care.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was removing a block plate on a stick cylinder after a hose had ruptured. As they loosened the plate, hydraulic fluid exited from behind the plate, striking the employee in the face.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was assisting a small truck mechanic and trying to connect two A/C hoses. Surgery to repair the bicep was on June 19, 2025

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The Operator was notified on 5/12/2025 that the employee has been diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting tape with a knife. The knife slipped resulting in a laceration requiring sutures.

Fall from machine

Employee fell from D 10 dozer after losing balance

Struck by flying object

The employee, an equipment operator, felt like something was in eye and the eye became irritated. The employee flushed the eye and continued to work till end of shift. On 4/1/2025 the employee returned to work but continued to feel discomfort. The employee went to medical facility and it was found that the eye had a scratch. Meds were prescribed.

Struck by falling object

Tire Tech was moving wheel parts around. Linked the flange ring and the bead seat band together in the hands of the manipulator. Turned around to lay the remote control down. The bead seat band slipped off of the flange ring and landed on Tire Tech's foot.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

At 11:50 AM EE was assisting a Lube Tech whose airline was frozen. EE provided an air source to the lube tech to complete the job. As EE was unhooking the airline, EE fell on the ice and landed on left shoulder. EE was transported to the hospital by the Safety Representative at the Workman Creek Mine.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The Operator was notified on 1/23/2025 that the employee has been diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis.

Flash burns (welding)

The employee was welding on a CAT 993K Endloader bucket 1/8/2025 on the evening shift. On 1/10/2025 employee felt discomfort in eyes and was diagnosed with welding flash burns to the eyes.

2024 · 12 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was descending an engine ladder on a 730 rock truck when EE slipped resulting in hurting the left knee. Employee was scheduled off on 12/31 and 1/1 making 1/2/2025 the first shift missed. Employee had a ACL and meniscus repair 3 years ago on the same knee.

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

Employee was placing a brake drum on the rear diff. The employee lifted the drum from the inside of the drum and pinched two fingers when placing it into place.

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

Employee was tasked to remove a driveline from a Cat D-11 dozer. The input shift slid out suddenly pinching the right hand between the input shaft and the connection point.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was getting out of coal truck at south side stockpile at Workmans Creek in near creek. IW using 3-point contact, employee stepped down on the ground. The ground was unlevel and EE fell. When falling, EE caught self on EE's right wrist.

Struck against stationary object

Employee reached into an overhead area to retrieve a drink and made contact with a metal item resulting in a laceration requiring 6 sutures. EE returned to work on EE's next scheduled shift on May 21, 2024.

Fall from machine

Exiting bulk truck and foot slipped causing employee to fall to the ground. In bracing for the fall the employee strained EE's right wrist resulting in restricted duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Kneeling under PC3000 to put engine oil filter on and twisted to EE's left resulting a ""pop of the knee. Incident occurred on 4/27/2024 but EE remained on duty at full capacity until being placed off on May 12 and missing EE's first shift on May 13, 2024.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing a drill bit on RD 4103. Employee was striking a chisel with a hammer missing the chisel and hitting left thumb.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured employee was removing a hoist cylinder from a CAT 785 Truck, The bottom of the cylinder moved unexpectedly, striking them in the chest.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured employee was dismounting a CAT D10R Dozer and stepped in a hole, spraining left ankle.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a zip tie off of a flag and lacerated their left finger. 4 sutures required, no lost workdays.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was stemming holes when EE turned to walk from one hole to the next and EE stepped on a rock, losing balance, falling to the ground and dislocating left knee.

2023 · 11 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Notified on 12/19/2023 that employee has Complicated Pneumoconiosis.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on a bent engine door when the door struck the thumb resulting in a laceration. 3 sutures were needed to close wound.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was mounting drill RD 4004. As they placed left foot on the ladder rung, they felt a pop in the left foot. Employee has been placed off work.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was sitting on a dozer track welding on an engine door. EE simply reached up to the grabrail to pull self up when EE felt pain in the shoulder. EE continued to work since the incident. First day of missed work was Monday, Nov 27, 2023.

Fall from machine

Fueler/greaser was servicing a CAT D10T dozer. It appears the employee fell from the right side to the ground.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was swatting at a bee that had entered the cab of a drill. As EE did, EE's right hand made contact with a brass fitting that is part of the fire suppression system.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting heater hose with a knife. The knife slipped and created a laceration on the top of the right middle finger.

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

EE stopped at break check at Workman's Creek after dumping. Walked around and noticed tailgate wwasn't latched. Went to pick up on latch & tailgate fell in, pinching finger between latch & pin. Went to a medical clinic, got 15 stitches in right middle finger.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across pattern when EE tripped over bore hole causing EE to fall to ground straining right shoulder. Initially, the medical evaluation allowed a return to work with no restrictions. Follow-up with physician on 03-22-2023 resulted in restrictions and prescription medication. Therefore what was once a non-recordable on March 9 became a recordable on March 22.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee found laying on the ground beside work truck, unresponsive. 2nd employee went to the nearest truck with a CB radio, got a hold of the guard shack to get EMT and ambulance. Ambulance transported employee to hospital.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

On Jan 26, 2023 employee was lifting one end of a drill leading cylinder to place a strap underneath. When EE did this, EE felt a pop in the left shoulder. Employee continued to work until date of surgery, April 11, 2023.

2022 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee has been diagnosed with multi-level degenerative changes of the lumbar spine from L1 through L5. This information was determined by MRI on 11/10/2022. Employee has no lost days to date.

Struck by flying object

While trying to remove a metal pin by striking with a hammer, a piece of metal from the pin sheared off and entered the emplyee's hand. It was not until Tuesday Aug 9, 2022 that the metal was removed making the incident reportable. Additionally the employee received 4 sutures on this same date resulting from the metal removal.

2021 · 10 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

We were notified on Nov 2, 2021 that this employee has a Pneumoconiosis category s/p 1/0. No work missed. No work restricted.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was dismounting a loader. As they reached the bottom rung of the ladder, right knee gave out. Operator tried to hold on with hands but lost grip and fell to the ground.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Blaster was stemming holes with a hand shovel and experienced a sudden pain in the left wrist.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee reported an unwitnessed incident on 8/17/2021. When removing the right front wheel chock, the employee felt a pain in right shoulder. EE completed shift and went to the Emergency Room on 8/29/2021 and was placed off work. The company investigated due to the time elapsed from the incident to diagnosis and received medical information 9/8/2021.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee has a x-ray diagnosis of 1/0 for Occupational Pneumoconiosis.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was stepping down from the cab of a service truck. As employee was doing so, employee stepped into loose gravel resulting in a twisted ankle. Employee completed and didn't seek medical evaluation until April 8, 2021. Employee was placed off for April 9 and return on next scheduled shift on April 12, 2021.

Accident type, without injuries

An unplanned fire occurred on an excavator. Attempts were made to extinguish the fire. Fire was reported to MSHA hotline within the legal time limits.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was cleaning glass as part of pre-shift exam of equipment. Employee had cleaned the glass on the passenger door and started walking to the passenger side mirror. The walkway leading to the mirror is 45 inches in width, but employee tripped on a handle at the edge of the walkway used to lift the small hood for the radiator. We are still investigating this incident.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was filling a loader with fuel at start of shift. As the employee was removing hose from wiggins, employee slipped and fell on ice.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking back to service truck at Marker #5 of the Workman South haul road. Employee fell because of snow/ice and landed on left shoulder. Employee continued to work till date of surgery on March 9, 2021. Employee is now placed off work.

2020 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assigned to remove a ball stud on 785C rock truck. Employee was using a 20lb hammer to remove a pin. The employee struck self with the hammer.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking from drive shaft cover to 9 spool valve cover when they slipped and fell. There was heavy dew this morning.

Struck by falling object

Employee was searching for a leak. Was attempting to lower the crankcase guard when it fell, striking the top of the hand. The employee continued to work and worked each scheduled day until a doctor visit on Sept 8, 2020. At this visit the doctor placed the employee off. First shift missed was Sept 9, 2020

Struck against a moving object

Employee was traveling on surface in a lube truck. Employee hit a bump in the road and claims to have hurt EE's back.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was experiencing recurring pain in the right shoulder. After two MRI's and further medical exams, it was determined to be Osteoarthritis. This is a Occupational Illness.

2019 · 7 incidents

Struck by falling object

While changing fittings from a failed hyd. pump to another pump, the pump began to fall from the bumper of a service truck. The employee tried to catch the falling pump.

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

Employee was removing a failed PTO from a service truck. After removing the last hose, the pump shifted, pinching the small finger of the left hand between the PTO and a crossmember.

Struck against a moving object

While driving a top of stock pile hit a hole with rear tandems. When hit hole, seat bottomed out and started having pain. Drove to a road market and called truck boss.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee claims that while dismounting a rock truck, when the first foot was on the ground, the right knee twisted funny while bringing the second foot down. Ground was dry and surface was flat. After seeking further medical attention, medical professional prescribed physical therapy with the first session being on 04/15/2019.

Struck against a moving object

Ran in ditch, hurt left hand

Fall from machine

Employee was strapping material to the flat bed portion of a truck. There was a small patch of ice on the bed and the employee either step one the ice or tripped and fell to the ground. The employee believes there was a brief period of being dazed or unconsious. The employee saw a specialist on the 14th and reported for work on the 15th.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

As EE was stepping over a tree branch, left foot had cleared and as right foot was going over a gust of wind mixed with snow, sand and dust hit ee in the face right foot hit the branch causing ee to fall. EE caught self with right hand resulting in a fractured wrist

2018 · 11 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was traveling in snow conditions, the engine of the fuel truck ee was driving stopped running. After stopping the truck, the employee exited the truck to survey conditions when ee fell in slippery conditions and landed on the right shoulder. The employee continued to work until placed off, missing the first shift on Dec 6, 2018

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was applying the seat belt of the equipment EE was operating. As EE pulled the seatbelt it locked up and caused the employee to strike self in the mouth with the metal portion of the belt, chipping a tooth.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee is a surface drill operator. Employee decided to move a spare drill bit by self and has a strain in the low back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a utility knife to prepare a conveyor belt splice. The knife slipped and struck thigh resulting in a laceration to left thigh.

Struck against a moving object

Started shift with backache. While driving truck, hit pot hole, made pain worse.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was using the boom of a service truck to place a piece of sheet metal. As employee positioned the metal to be placed back into a storage rack. Employee reached over with one hand to move the metal and felt a ""pop at the left bicep. The employee continued to work at full duty till Oct 3, 2018 when employee was placed of work for scheduled surgery

Struck by falling object

EE was removing a drive line out of truck 045 at the time of the accident. When EE was removing the drive line out of the yoke, the drive line slipped out of EE's hands and caught the left side of EE's arm. This caused a laceration to the left side arm, resulting in (10) stitches to EE's left arm.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was standing on the track of a D-11. working inside of an engine compartment. The employee slipped, EE's left wrist struck a hose clamp. The resulting injury was a laceration requiring three sutures.

Struck against stationary object

While removing a bolt on the ""lip saver"" of a 993 K model loader, a bolt with a rough edge cut the glove the employee was wearing causing a laceration to the outside edge of the right palm.

Struck against a moving object

Driver hit a pot hole on haul road. Impact caused the driver lower back pain.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had placed a hydraulic hose on the track of a dozer. Employee then climbed onto the track and reached for the hose. At this time employee felt pain in low back.

2017 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing a filter when the wrench slipped allowing the employee to strike themselves in the mouth. Two sutures were required to close the laceration.

2016 · 4 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing an OEM engine equipment ladder. There was no twisting and the employee was not caring any tools or additional items. The employee maintained three points of contact. While on the ladder, the employee noticed pain in the area of the lower back. We asked the in incident be considered for occupational illness.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking around a steep slope, lost footing and fell on the chainsaw ee was to cut trees.

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

Employee was cutting 1 inch steel plate on the bumper of a service truck. As employee completed the cut, the plate shifted. The small finger on the left hand was pinched. A fracture and laceration resulted. The first shift missed was on March 7, 2016.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Notified on Feb 1, 2016 that the employee was diagnosed with Simple Pneumoconiosis.

2014 · 6 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee was using an excavator to clean wall of any loose material. As he pulled down on a rock, the rock fell suddenly to the ground. The sudden release of the rock jarred the operator. The employee continued to work his normal job until September 10, 2014.

Struck by falling object

Dropped a drive line on (r) knee

Struck against a moving object

On the above date and time an employee overturned a rock drill. The employee was taken to medical facility and given a full release to return to work. The employee missed no work. However, we have just learned that the employee did receive physical therapy fat a later date.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

taking an Auger bearing off when something went into right eye.

Accident type, without injuries

A Security Officer noticed smoke coming from an unknown origin. Upon further investigation the officer found an active brush fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. No equipment was running as this was a Sunday.

Accident type, without injuries

Employee was moving a pickup truck on an old mine bench. Rocks came off highwall damaging the truck. Employee escaped without injury.

2013 · 1 incident

Contact with hot objects or substances

Mechanic received second degree burns to his left palm when he touched an air arc rod that he was utilizing to remove a bushing from a Komatsu PC 3000