Mining Incidents

Pittston Company: 27 recorded fatalities controller

MSHA controller ID: C00230

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Fatalities
27
Total incidents
6,875
Mines on record
187
Years on record
1983–2003
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
1,335
citations
608
significant & substantial
$171,039
proposed penalties
$166,709
paid to date
97% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $4,330 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
1,869
inspections on record
36,163
inspection hours
3.7
citations per 100 inspection hours
This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
1,335 citations across 36,163 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Penalty disposition
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$171K
proposed penalties
$167K
current assessed
$167K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
1,306 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $11K in penalties contested before the Commission, $7K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2004-08-04.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
Shares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
46.3%
significant & substantial
0.9%
high negligence or reckless
46.6%
reasonably likely or greater
11.0%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.2% none, 14.2% low, 84.7% moderate, 0.9% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
Injury rate, 2014
This rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 3.96 and the all-US-mining average was 2.93 cases per 100 workers.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year total case rate days-away fatal
2014 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2013 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2012 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2005 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2004 0.00 0.00 0.000
2003 0.82 0.00 0.000
2002 6.30 3.58 0.000
2001 6.18 2.71 0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Health sampling
A sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.

Respirable coal dust
Respirable coal dust and silica figures cover coal facilities. Dust compliance is measured against the current 1.5 mg/m3 standard; samples predating the 2014 standard are included, so compliance rates are a coarse historical signal.

Last sampled: 2019-08-20, 7 years ago
92%
within 1.5 mg/m3
4,627
samples
11.08
dust max (mg/m3)
0
over MSHA ECV
The excessive concentration value (ECV) is MSHA's own per-sample enforcement threshold, which builds in measurement uncertainty; a sample over its ECV can trigger a citation. The count covers only samples MSHA assigned an ECV.
2,280 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 2,347 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR1,835
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)325
  • SCOOP CAR OPERATOR244

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2019-08-29, 6 years ago
8.1
silica avg (%)
581
samples
58.1
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR180
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR25
  • HIGHWALL DRILL OPERATOR18

Noise
The share counts noise samples whose measured dose exceeded the 90 dBA permissible exposure limit. It describes the sampled workplace, not what reached the miner's ear: hearing conservation programs and the hearing protection worn during the shift are recorded separately and are not reflected here.

Last sampled: 2019-08-21, 7 years ago
20%
over PEL
535
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR61
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR58
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)51
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Contested penalties
A reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this controller contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
VA 20030011 Settlement Weisberger 2003 $6K → $3K
KENT20010072 Settlement Schroeder 2001 $2K → $2K
WEVA20030033 Prevail Melick 2003 $2K → $2K
VA 20010007 Settlement Melick 2001 $750 → $400
VA 20020025 Withdrawal 2002 $55 → $0
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

Top causes

Incident timeline

2003
4
2002
98
2001
126
2000
145 (1f)
1999
160 (1f)
1998
225
1997
211 (4f)
1996
213
1995
212 (3f)
1994
327 (2f)
1993
338
1992
457
1991
455 (2f)
1990
535
1989
529 (1f)
1988
668 (1f)
1987
647
1986
462 (1f)
1985
299 (1f)
1984
389 (2f)
1983
375 (8f)

Operators under this controller

Mines on record

Fatalities under this controller

27 recorded
June 2, 2000 VA · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Motivation Coal Company · Struck by powered moving object

FOREMAN WAS FATALLY INJURED WHEN HE WAS CRUSHED WITH THE REAR WHEELS OF A LOADED FORD 9000 COAL TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VICTIM BENT OVER TO MOVE A WATER HOSE AND WAS CRUSHED BY T HE REAR WHEELS OF THE COAL TRUCK MOVING IN REVERSE TOWARD THE RAW COAL BINS.

September 18, 1999 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Copperas Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

EE WAS STANDING BY THE CONTROLS ON THE R-SIDE OF THE MACHINE WHILE THE OPERATOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS SETTING THE ATRS. AS THE ATRS WAS PRESSURIZED AGAINST THE TOP. A PIECE OF ROCK 3 1/2 FT. X 5 FT. X 6 IN. FELL FRON THE ATRS BACK TOWARDS THE MACHINE BETWEEN THE R-RIB AND THE BOLTS ON THE R-SIDE STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON THE BACK.

October 1, 1997 VA · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sea B Mining Company · Struck by falling object

A LARGE ROCK FELL FROM THE MINE ROOF IN THE FACE AREA OF #4 ENTRY, WHERE THE CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE WAS LOCATED STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE CAUSING FATAL CRUSHING INJURIES.

July 15, 1997 VA · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sea B Mining Company · Struck by falling object

A LARGE ROCK FELL FROM THE MINE ROOF IN THE INTERSECTION OUTBY THE CONTINOUS MINING MACHINE STRIKING 2 EMPLOYEES.

July 15, 1997 VA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sea B Mining Company · Struck by falling object

A LARGE ROCK FELL FROM THE MINE ROOF IN THE INTERSECTION OUTBY THE CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE STRIKING 2 EES.

April 23, 1997 WV · Coal electrician, lineman Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Meadow River Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE VICTIM RECEIVED FATAL CRUSHING INJURIES WHILE WORKING ON A STAMLER COAL FEEDER BREAKER. THE EMPLOYEE FAILED TO LOCK AND TAG OUT THE CIRCUIT. HE WAS A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN AND WAS WELL AWA RE OF THE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING LOCK OUT/TAG OUT PROCEDURES.

May 12, 1995 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Meadow River Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE, SHUTTLE CAR OPR, WAS FATALLY INJURED WHEN HE WAS STRUCK FROM THE INBY SIDE OF THE NO. 2 SHUTTLE CAR IN AN INTERSECTION USED FOR HAULAGE EQUIPMENT. HE WAS SEATED IN THE DECK OF THE SHUTTLE CAR & WAS NOT SEEN BY THE NO. 2 S. CAR OPERATOR, AS THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED.

May 11, 1995 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Holston Mining Inc · Struck against a moving object

THE VICTIM WAS HAULING A LOAD OF OVERBURDEN MATERIAL ALONG THE STONE ACCESS ROAD WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ROCK TRUCK HE WAS OPERATING. THE TRUCK ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET OVER AN EMBANK MENT RESULTING IN FATAL INJURIES.

March 28, 1995 VA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Paramont Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE NOT RESPECTING HIGHWALL RESULTING IN HIS DEATH.

May 31, 1994 VA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Clinchfield Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRISLING HAULER DOWN THE ROCK HAULAGE ROAD WHEN FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AT THIS TIME EE LOST CONTROL OF THE HAULER. THE HAULER ROLLED UP AN EMBANKMENT, THEN TURNED OVER ON ITS SIDE, PINNING THE EE INSIDE THE CAB.

May 9, 1994 OH · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer Fatality · MACHINERY
Addington Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

MATERIAL WAS BEING PUSHED FROM A SHOT WITH A DOZER, OVER THE HIGHWALL. THE HIGWALL BROKE AND THE DOZER FELL APPROX 150 FT TO THE LOWER PIT. THIS RESULT IN FATAL INJURIES TO THE DOZER OPERATOR.

September 25, 1991 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Elkay Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A 12-CM11 JOY MINER IN THE REMOTE MODE AND WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MINER BOOM AND A COAL RIB.THE EMPLOYEE HAD POSITIONED HIMSELF WITH HIS BACK TOWARD THE MINER WALKIN G AWAY FROM THE MACHINE.

August 8, 1991 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger Fatality · MACHINERY
Elkay Mining Company · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A D7G BULLDOZER ON AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS FOUND NEAR THE DOZER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMBANKMENT WITH FATAL INJURIES SUSTAINED.

August 28, 1989 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · MACHINERY
Clinchfield Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE VICTIM WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DRILLING A ROOF BOLT HOLE WHEN HIS HEAD WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE STATIONARY CANOPY AND THE MOVING DRILL HEAD BOOM OF THE BOTLING MACHINE. THE VICTIM SUSTAINED FA TAL MULTIPLE-TRAUMA HEAD INJURIES.

June 22, 1988 VA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss Fatality · MACHINERY
Clinchfield Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

VICTIM SUSTAINED SEVERE FATAL CRUSHING INJURIES TO HIS CHEST WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN A LONGWALL ROOF SUPPORT SHIELD & A HORIZONTAL BLOCK ANCHOR JACK

March 7, 1986 VA · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Clinchfield Coal Company · Struck by falling object

THE MINER CREW 4AS IN THE PROCESS OF MINING THE LAST LIFT OF THE C-WING NEXT TO THE LEAVE STUMP WHEN WITHOUT WARNING A PILLAR FALL OCCURRED WHICH RODE OUT BREAKER TIMBERS AND WING TIMBERS FAT ALY INJURING TH9 MINER HELPER

March 18, 1985 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler Fatality · ELECTRICAL
Vantage Mining Company · Contact with electrical current

INDIVIDUAL CONTACTED ELECTRICAL CURRENT WHEN HE REMOVED A COVER FROM A LINE SPLITTER SPREADER HE WAS FOUND WITH HIS HANDS INSIDE THE BOX APPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO TURN A FUSE

October 26, 1984 VA · Coal roof bolter helper, rock bolter helper, pinner helper Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Sea B Mining Company · Struck by powered moving object

NO KNOWN REASON VICTIM WAS RUN OVER BY SHUTTLE CAR (FATALITY)

August 10, 1984 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · MACHINERY
Clinchfield Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WENT UP BESIDE THE BOLTER TO FREE BOLTER CABLE AND BOLTER OPERATOR MOVED MACHINE CATCHING THE EMPLOYEE BETWEEN OPERATOR CAB AND RIB.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

HELPING HAND VENTILATION TUBING WHEN CH4 -METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.AS A RESULT,DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

HELPING HANG VENT TUBING WHEN CH4 EXPLOSION OCCURRED. AS RESULT,DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISON.,.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPL ON WAY TO SUPPLY HOUSE WHEN CH4-METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED CAUSING MULTIPLE BURNS CAUSING DEATH.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPL HELPING HANG VENTILATION TUBING WHEN CH4-METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED AS RESULT OF EXPLOSEION,DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Unclassified, insufficient data

ON WAY TO SUPPLY HOUSE WHEN CH4-METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.DIED OF MULTIPLE INJURIES.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

SUPERVISING HANGING OF VENT TUBING WHEN CH4-METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.AS RESULT,DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISON.

June 21, 1983 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Clinchfield Coal Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

HELPING HANG VENT TUBING WHEN CH4-METHANE EXPLOSION OCCURRED. AS RESULT DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISON.

February 23, 1983 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Clinchfield Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPL INSTALLING 2ND BOLT IN 2ND ROW OF BOLTS.OPERATOR HAD MOVED TO SIDE OF ROOF BOLTER WHEN RIB CAME OUT AND STRUCK HIM IN BACK CAUSING FATAL INJURIES.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

Where Pittston Company stands on silica, penalties, and injury rate

MSHA's standard limits respirable silica to 50 micrograms per cubic metre, but MSHA publishes dust and quartz as separate files and never the silica figure itself. We derive it per sample, score it against the limit, and set the operator's injury rate against a benchmark built from the full MSHA operator record. With the 26-year penalty trail, contest posture, and fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.

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