Absaloka Mine Coal

While installing rebuilt brake for drag rope on Dragline EE pinched left middle finger resulting in fracture to end of finger.

EE reported that they had tripped on suction line on pump. EE said EE caught self with left hand and was injured. EE was taken to medical. Results were inconclusive at ER and EE was referred to an Orthopedic specialist. After Ortho evaluation EE was given work restrictions and is now off work pending further tests. First day of lost time was 6/22/22

On 5-17-22 EE reported that while retracting the fuel hose after fueling equipment EE did not notice a twist in the hose. When the twist contacted EE's hand it caused EE's elbow to bend, EE felt a pop in EE's elbow. EE reported incident and has tried to work thru it. On 6-10-22 EE was seen by medical (Ortho MT) and was not released back to next scheduled shift (6-13-22)

EE was working at Dragline during a scheduled down day. EE leaned against a handrail for a better view. The weld holding the handrail failed resulting in EE falling forward about 2'. EE struck head on stairway railing resulting in two staples to close laceration. EE returned to work with no restrictions. Handrail was immediately repaired.

EE was taking a step backwards from EE's hauler. The ground was muddy and EE tripped on uneven muddy ground falling backwards. EE reported a stiffness in back and was taken in for medical evaluation. EE was released to work. EE returned to Dr. the next morning and was advised to take time off due to stiffness in back and did not report for next scheduled shift

While dismounting Cat End Dump, EE turned ankle as they stepped from one stair to the next. EE was evaluated at ER and not released to work next scheduled shift 4/4/2022.

EE lifted a 5 Gal pail of ATF and felt a pop in neck. Employee was seen at medical and was not released for next shift.

Employee started down a 4' ladder into trough of Dragline. On second step down EE did not maintain three points of contact when one hand slipped from ladder. EE fell from ladder and cracked 4 ribs on contact lifting eye in floor of trough.

When returning to pit empty a haul truck slid into ditch on snow packed haul road. Operator was taken to town for medical evaluation and had bruised ribs and was held out of service for 2 days

3/5/2020 EE went to ER stating they had been injured on 2/18/2020 while operating haul truck. Employer questioned claim due to time between incident and medical treatment. Asked for 3rd party determination. On 4/9/2020 Montana State Fund accepted claim as work related making it MSHA reportable.

Employee reported twisted knee from stepping out of service truck on frozen ground on 1/29/2020. Did not seek medical attention at that time. Knee did not heal and medical evaluation was performed and employee was held out of service on 10/30/2020 due to medical restrictions on knee.

Teammate is unable to remember what took place. After investigating our opinion is EE was installing tire liquid into the tire improperly when the tire slipped out of the tire hand pinning EE's arm between the tire and the rim.

Employee was accessing a track excavator when ee slipped and lost footing. Employee was seen at medical the next day and released for next scheduled shift.(3/21/2019) with no restrictions. Employee went back to medical on 3/21/19 and was released with restrictions making this a reportable injury. We are reporting within the 10 day requirement from 3/21/19

Welder #2 was cutting a strip of steel loose from the rear of the girder cutout. The strip of steel was cut loose & allowed to free fall uncontrolled, approx. 7'-8' to the ground, where it fell over and struck the work platform & broke it loose from the girder. It caused the ladder that Welder #1 was standing on to topple over, and fall approximately 8'-9' to the ground.

EE reported they were lifting the end of the trough roller shaft to move it sideway about 4 inches. The shaft was greasy and started sliding out of their hands and they tried to set it down but had the middle finger of right hand under it and smashed the finger hard enough to bruise it.

EE was helping at the dragline, while removing the sheave ee's hand was caught in a pinch point and the hand was cut and ee received stitches.

Employee was removing an oil cooler hose on a D10 Dozer. While in process of removing the hose employee bumped a steel plate that was leaning against track. The plate contacted employee's finger resulting in a fracture.

Employee reported a late injury on 10/16/17 that while changing out an oxygen bottle at weld shop ee felt back pop and pain in lower back. EE lifted and twisted at the same time. EE had help available but did not ask for help. Possible herniated disc.

Mechanic was dismounting a D10 Dozer and as employee turned to face the machine and climb down employee lost employee's footing and fell.

Employee was performing daily maintenance on site boiler. The discharge auger was either plugged or not working. EE shut down blowers & opened boiler inspection door. EE hit the discharge trip lever to dump ash & that action caused hot ash to come up out of the door & hit EE in front torso & right side of face causing 1st degree burn to side of face & 2nd degree burn lip.

Two employees were working on DL5001 putting safety retainer pin back in. As they were moving the pin back and forth one side fell off causing the pin to swing up smashing finger in between the load and catwalk.

Employee had head down and was hurrying to get back in drill due to the heavy rain when EE ran into the mirror on the side of drill with hard hat and jammed neck. Employee was not able to report to next scheduled shift and is awaiting results of MRI.

Employee was climbing boarding ladder on 16G Motor Grader when EE felt a pain in lower back. Injury was not reported to the mine until 3 days later. Incident was referred to 3rd party Workmans Comp carrier to evaluate claim. Work Comp has accepted the claim as of 3/20/2016. Employee missed next scheduled shift after injury so it is reportable.

EE was cleaning coal with dozer when EE backed over some large rocks. Employee reported back and neck pain at the end of EE's shift. EE was evaluated at local medical and place on restricted duty.

Employee was shoveling coal from underneath #1 conveyor belt and dumping it on the belt for removal. Employee was twisting with full shovel when EE felt a pain in back. Employee was seen at medical facility and held out of service with a strained back muscles

Employee was removing belly pan from a D6 Caterpillar Dozer. In the process he got his hand between the belly pan and the support stand. This resulted in a fracture to his Left thumb

Employee first reported his back was sore from lifting weights at the gym the night before. He then changed his report that he hurt his back while shoveling and twisting at waist at beginning of shift. Details and statements were given to MT State Fund for investigation. On 4/20/15 case was accepted as a workplace injury.

While using a OEM breaker bar to loosen bolts on a push arm hyd cylinder, employee lost his balance when the bolt broke loose. The resulting release of energy caused the employee to stumble and sprain right ankle.

EE was doing a pre-shift on a blade and while dismounting from the OEM boarding ladder the EEs foot slipped when he stepped to the ground and he hyper-extended his right knee

Tossing chock blocks in the back of pickup. employee felt a pull in her right shoulder and arm. The employee continued to work the rest of her shift until 6:00 AM. As the shift progressed she started feeling more pain down her arm in into her elbow. Also note the employee reported injury 8 eight hours after the fact with no witnesses.

EE injured right ring finger during the removal of a cover on an explosive proof electrical box at coal plant. Cover weighted about 200 lbs. and EEs finger was pinched between frame and cover handle when the last bolt was removed resulting in a fracture and sutures to finger.

Employee was climbing down off coal drill when his left foot stepped onto a piece of coal resulting in a sprained ankle

Employee was shoveling coal while cleaning up in coal plant. He twisted with shovel full and felt his back pop. He did not report medical treatment to supervisor until 6/23/2014. No restrictions or time lost due to injury

Employee was operating the watering truck and said he might have slipped in the mud after he had exited the truck and was walking around. He went to the ER on the evening of 6/1/14. ER prescribed pain pills and told him he could not return to work for at least 4 days.

We were informed late of injury on 05/31/2014. Employee stated he jarred his back in scraper when he ran over a large rock. Due to late reporting we waited for MT ST Fund to review and they accepted the claim as valid on 06/16/2014. Employee missed 2 work days as result of injury

Employee stepped backwards off bottom rung of 3' stepladder injuring right knee. Event was not reported for 5 days and there were no witnesses. Medical evaluation was strain to knee. Report was given to Montana State fund and on 12/06/2013 Montana state fund determined it was a work related injury

While removing Hyd pump for repair employee pinched his left index finger resulting in a fracture and stitches.

Employee walking from parking lot to change room was struck by a light vehicle that was coming to change room to park. Employee was treated by Mine Rescue personnel and was transferred to County EMS personnel. EMS transported to hospital for evaluation and was admitted for observation. Employee is bruised and sore.

Mechanic was lifting a cylinder utilizing an overhead crane. While steadying the cylinder with the employee's left hand, the cylinder moved and the weight shifted caused a pinch point between the nylon lifting strap and the hose guard of the cylinder. Laceration to left little finger requiring 5 stitches

Fire was a spon-com event in the end of the coal barn where reject coal collects from the sample system. We had started to clean it out, hot coal was discovered. When more air was able to circulate around the hot coal open flames were detected. At this time a call was made to MSHA to report the condition. There was no damage or impairment resulting from the fire.

Employee was out checking monitoring wells. He could smell grass burning. He moved the vehicle to check for the smell. Grass was found to be smoldering between the skid plate and exhaust. The area was cleaned out. The employee got back into the vehicle and came around the stockpile and saw smoke and flames.

Incident was not report until 6/04/12. Employee was changing out grinder teeth with sledge hammer and 4 brackets. After changing the teeth the employee experienced pain in the right elbow. The employee did not seek medical attention until after reporting the incident on 6/4/12.

Employee was injured 12/15/11 when he fell off motor grader. He has been on medication to relieve the pain but has not found relief. His first shift missed was 3/17/12. On 4/9/12 after completion of a workers compensation investigation, Westmoreland Resources was informed that a herniated disc in employees back was the result of the on the job injury.

Injured employee lost control of a scraper on a thawing return haul road - laying the scraper onto the operators side of the machine.

A field oiler slipped getting off a D11R dozer & snagged a grab rail with his left arm. The oiler received shoulder treatment since the Jan injury date & had not missed a scheduled work shift. With lingering soreness the employee had an MRI on May 31 revealing a rotator cuff tear & surgery was scheduled for June 16th. The employees 1st scheduled missed shift was June 17th.

Injured employee felt a pronounced bite to his stomach region. The injured employee was transported to the local ER & was teated for a mild case of anaphalactic shock, sent home with a medical release for the following evening. The injured employee missed his first scheduled shift back to work.

While fueling a pickup at the main gas pump, the injured employee was nipped in the left index finger by a coyote pup that has been hanging around the main shop area. The employee was transported to the local ER, received a tetanus shot & was released to return to work. The treating physician recommended follow up rabies vaccination & that series was started on May 3rd.

Preparing to pump down a sump, the pump crew was draining one of the 6" hose connections in the hard line out of the sump. The flange end of one of the hard line sections slipped out of the employees hands as he was disconnecting the hose, landing on the metatarsal area of his right foot. X-rays reveiled a broken bone on the outside of his right foot.

While performing routine boiler maintenance on one of the mine's two coal fired steam boilers, the injured welder/mechanic had the unit shut down for cleaning bottom ash/clinker out of the fire box. The mechanic dropped the cleaning tool into the fire box, causing hot ash to blow through the service door onto his face. Resulting in 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face.

After staging truck at loading face the right rear trailer strut failed as the 1st bucket load of coal was dumped into truck. The resulting severe rocking motion slammed the driver into the operators door of the tractor.

Employee slipped on snow covered ice after climbing down from coal hauler.

While repairing rear strut - raising the strut into position with a come-along, employee was attempting to line up strut onto top pin eye with a pry bar. The pry bar slipped & employee pinched finger between pry bar & the differential housing of the truck.

In process of repairing upper hoist cylinder pin & bore,EE was preheating bore with a propane torch. Prior to final bushing placement,grease surrounding the bore sleave super heated & blew out of the bore onto the employees hands.EE had just removed his welding gloves to measure the bore temperature with a hand held heat gun.

Employee was trying to adjust an external cab light on a coal drill and slipped off of the drill boarding step, falling a distance of approximately 3 feet to the ground.

While operating scraper employee hit a soft spot in haulage way, causing the operator's seat to bottom out (seat belt loosely fastened) jarring the employee's lower extremities.

When pulling tag lines from hoist to deck winch, employee got his hand caught between the snatch block & deck winch. He had his hand on the snatch block cable when the gloves he had on caught up in the snatch blocks, catching his fingers between the deck winch and the blocks.

Employee was tightening bolts on a set of portable stairways when his socket wrench slipped & employee cut his right middle finger on the stairways metal edge. The resulting cut required 3 stitches to close the wound.

Employee shut his left hand in the passenger side door of a CAT 776D water truck, resulting in a broken finger tip.

While returning to pit with empty coal hauler, employee ran into back of a scraper that was waiting for a loaded coal hauler to pass before turning off main haul road. Due to adverse weather conditions (rain, mud) the scraper's tail and can lights were not visible.

When subject was kneeling to work on a piece of machinery, unknown debris on the ground punctured his right knee, creating a small puncture wound.

Employee stepped down from mechanic's truck onto main shop & severely sprained his left ankle.

Employee was operating a wheel scraper removing interburden from above the lower coal seam. It was snowing hard and a depression in the roadway was not readily observable. A scraper tire impacted the depression resulting in pain in the employees back. He was unable to return for his next shift.

Employee was operating FEL loading coal. When moving forward cleaning the floor the loader fantail was struck by the right drivers of a 150 ton coal truck that was positioning to load. The EE was employed by the former mine operator at the time and we received no medical record of inability to work until 4-17-07. First shift missed was 4-6-07.

Employee's foot slipped off ladder rung when dismounting the scraper he was operating.

Employee was driving a coal hauler. He turned on the cab heater, became drowsy, fell alseep, and allowed the truck to veer and strike the berm along the road.

EE slipped on deck of drill. The deck was wet from moisture. This injury was orginally reported as bruising only and EE did not complain of continuing discomfort until 1/24/07, at which time he was taken for examination & placed on restrictions.

Employee was attempting to attach a sling to the hook on a hoist. The end of the sling slipped from employee's hand, and he leaned forward and bent over attempting to catch it.

Employee was operating a scraper. The scraper bounced over a chunk of hard material while loading. Employee's upper torso was turned as he looked back at bowl and he twisted/sprained muscles in lower back.

Employee parked the haul truck he was operating to await loading of materials. Loading unit struck box of truck as it approached with the first bucket of material. The impact caused the truck to bounce & the driver was shaken causing a strained shoulder muscle.

Employee was walking around and servicing a coal hauler. He stepped on a rock and felt his foot start to turn. He then relaxed his leg and attempted to step off the rock; but continued to fall sideways and contacted the ground with the right side of his body.

Lower back strain, numbness leg and hip while moving heavy (200-300 lb.) lab equipment without sufficient assistance. Hoping to get well on own, injured person chose not to see a doctor until 7/26/06. She has missed no work; as of 7/26 restricted duty 12 days; she is facility manager so able to fully work with restrictions.

EE was striking the wedge in the socket of a dragline drag cable. The wedge came free unexpectedly and dropped on the employee's left foot, striking the very rear edge of the steel toe in his boot. The force of the falling object turned the toe of the shoe sharply upward forcing a toe against the end of the cap.

Loading coal sample bags into back of a pick-up truck

Employee alleges he slipped and wrenched his lower back when dismounting a blade. He had soreness in his lower back. The first shift missed was on 3-9-06. The employee has a past history (pre-existing condition) of serve degenerative disc disease. Recorded under #23 - 26 & 29 Occupational Illness - pre-existing condition. WGI disputes this as a work related injury.

WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS CARRYING A LUBE PUMP & ASSENDING A FLIGHT OF STAIRS, HE TRIPPED ON A STEP & FELL FORWARD. THE PUMP PINCHED HIS LEFT HAND, LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN THE PUMP & THE FLOOR. RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO THE LITTLE FINGER WHICH REQUIRED SUTURING.

EMPLOYEE WAS PULVERIZING COAL IN PREP ROOM, STEPPED BACK & TURNED HER BODY BUT NOT HER LEG, TWISTED HER KNEE.

While ee was attempting to lift an inspection door on the primary crusher at the plant, he experienced pain in his left arm. EE done light therapy for several months for a strained muscle then recently decided to have surgery to his left shoulder rotator cuff.

WHILE WORKING AS A MECHANIC, THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT EYE BECAME IRRITATED. UPON EXAMINATION, A SMALL PARTICLE WAS OBSERVED. HIS EYE WAS FLUSHED & HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION. DR. REMOVED A SMALL METAL PARTICLE WITH A Q-TIP. THE METAL PARTICLE LEFT A RUST RING THAT WAS REMOVED BY AN OPTOMITRIST ON 11/04/04.

While changing the spreader bar on a dragline bucket, the ee's right hand thumb was pinched between a chain link and the connecting eye on the spreader bar. Resulted in a laceration to the thumb that required suturing.

WHILE WORKING ON THE AIR VALVES TO THE SPRAY BARS LOCATED INSIDE THE CAB OF A WATER TRUCK, A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE CAB DOOR SHUT AND CRUSHED THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT HAND BETWEEN THE DOOR EDGE AND THE DOOR FRAME. RESULTED IN DISLOCATING HIS RIGHT HAND RING FINGER AND FRACTURING HIS RIGHT HAND LITTLE FINGER.

WHILE UNLOADING CUTTING EDGES (MOTOR GRADER) FROM VENDOR (DTS) TRAILER, THE VENDOR PUSHED ONE OF THE EDGES AND IT FELL FROM THE TRAILER STRIKING EE ON THE OUTER THIGH THEN ON THE TOP (BRIDGE) OF HIS LEFT FOOT. RESULTED IN BRUISING THE FOOT AND A FRACTURE OF THE BONE ABOVE THE SMALL TOE.

WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE THE VALUE CAP FROM THE AIR STEM FROM A 651 E SCRAPER TIRE. THE VALVE STEM BECAME LOOSE AND WAS EJECTED UNDER PRESSURE. SAND BLASTING HIS RIGHT PALM AND WRIST. EE WAS C HECKING THE AIR PRESSURE OF THE TIRES.

EE ALLEGES THAT WHITE EXISTING THE LOWER POWDER MAGAZING HE SLIPPED ON THE SNOW. IN FALLING HE ALLEGES THAT HE DID THE SPLITS AND IN THE PROCESS TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE.

WHILE ASSISTING WITH THE CHANGE OUT OF THE DUMP ROPES ON THE 2570 DRAGLINE, A TANGLE DEVELOPED ON THE CABLE. WHILE TRYING TO UNDO IT THE END CAME OUT OF THE TANGLE STRIKING HIS LEFT FOOT.

WHILE MOVING A HINGED GEAR COVER EE PUT HIS FINGERS IN THE HINGED OPENING. UPON LIFTING THE COVER IT CLOSED ON HIS FINGER

EMPLOYEE ALLEGEDLY COUGHED CAUSING A SEVERE BACK SPASM. (N0TE: ATTACHED LETTER QUESTIONED THE VALIDITY OF THIS CLAIM ALTHOUGH THE DOCTOR FELT THE INJURY WAS WORK-RELATED).

ON 7-5-02, EE ALLEGES A BACK INJURY OCCURRED DUE TO THE ALLEGED BOUNCING OF A COAL BELLY DUMP TRUCK THAT HE WAS OPERATING ON THAT SWING SHIFT. EE ALLEGES THAT AS THE SHIFT PROGRESSED THE PAIN IN HIS BACK INCREASED. EE WAS TAKEN OFF OF THE TRUCK AND TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. EE WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK THE NEXT SHIFT ON LIGHT DUTY. ON 7-15-02 EE WAS GIVEN FULL RELEASE, NO RESTRICT.

TWISTED RT. KNEE WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE OVERBURDEN POWDER TRUCK WHILE STOPPING TO FUEL THE TRUCK AT THE FUEL ISLAND.

A PIECE OF HARDENED STEEL STRUCK EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT CHEEK WHILE HE WAS DRIVING A WEDGE FROM DRAGLINE RIGGING. THEY WERE USING A HARDENED PIN AND A 16 LB. SLEDGE HAMMER TO DRIVE OUT THE WEDGE.

FELL DOWN STAIRS - SENT TO DOCTOR FOR CHECKUP.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT WHILE WELDING ON A FRONT END LOADING ARM A WELDING SPARK ENTERED HIS RIGHT EAR. HE ALLEGES THAT IT BURNED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN IT QUIT HURTING SO HE FORGOT ABOUT IT.

CONVEYER BELT 1 WAS NOT NOT RELEASED OF ALL OF THE TENSION BEFORE REMOVING THE BELT CLAMPS IN ORDER TO LOWER THE COUNTER WEIGHT.

EE WHILE CHANGING OUT A WIPER MOTOR WITH THE POWER ON, CUT THE TOP OF HIS RIGHT HAND WHILE TRYING TO MOVE HIS HEAD WHEN THE MOTOR STARTED TO ROTATE INTO THE PARK POSITION.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT WHILE MANEUVERING A 130LB.PORTABLE GENERATOR TO THE TAILGATE OF A PICK UP TRUCK, THE GENERATOR SLIPPED CAUSING MUSCLE STR.TO HIS BACK AND NECK. EMPLOYEES DUTIES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS MONITORING WATER ELEVA-TIONS AND VOLUMES IN PIEZOMETERS OUTSIDE ACTIVE MINING.

EE ALLEGES THAT WHILE OPERATING A GRINDER IN AN AREA WITH LIMITED WORKING SPACE, THE GRINDER KICKED BACK STRIKING HIM IN THE NOSE. INJURY REQUIRED STITICHES.

EE LOOSENED HOSE ON RIPPER LIFT CYLINDER UNAWARETHAT IT WAS UNDER PRESSURE. AIR & OIL SPRAYED OUT OF HOSE INTO HIS FACE. HIS EYES WERE FLUSHED; HE WAS TAKEN TO AREA DOCTOR TO BE CHECKED OUT. FLUSHED EYES. OBSERVED NO SCRATCHING. GAVE PRESCIPTION & RELEASED TO RETURN TO WORK.

EE ALLEGES THAT HE WAS IN A HURRY & SLIPPED WHILE CLIMBING DOWN THE LADDER OF THE SERVICE TRUCK. EE ALLEGES HE WAS CAUGHT BY HIS ARM THROUGH THE STAIRS RUNGS, WHICH STOPPED HIS FALL.

EE ALLEGES THAT ON HER 1ST LOAD ON 7-25-00, SHE HIT A HOLE IN THE 30 PIT CAUSING HER TO BOUNCE IN THE SEAT. EE ALLEGES THAT SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT AT THE TIME. EE DID NOT REPORT THIS INC IDENT ON HER TIME CARD NOR DID SHE ADVISE HER SUPERVISOR THAT SHE HAD SUSTAINED AN INJURY UNTIL 1200 NOON ON 7-26-00. EE RECIEVED A RESTRICTED DUTY RELEASE FOR 7-27-00 BUT ON 8-1-00 DR WOULD

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES WHILE LOWERING OVERHEAD POWER CABLE FROM POWER POLE THE SHEAVE BLOCK BROKE STRIKING HIS THUMB, THE POWER HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO THE WORK BEING PERFORMED. THE SHEAVE BL OCK APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION PRIOR TO BEING USED.