Blue Knob Surface Mine Coal

Victim was operating assigned loader. It had been raining a substantial amount. A rock fell from the highwall and struck the windshield of the loader causing dust, dirt & glass to get in EE's eyes. EMT's flushed and bandaged EE's eyes. At the hospital no foreign material was found in EE's eyes but there was minor scratches. Ointment was applied and EE was released.

The 2nd shift foreman, victim and another person were unhooking and draining the lines from the 8' water pump which had frozen. The water which came out of the water lines froze due to the -5 degree temperatures. Victim was holding onto the bed of the foreman's pickup when EE's feet slipped and EE fell on the ice. EE sustained a fractured left radius.

Victim was parking assigned dozer at the end of shift. EE stated to mine superintendent that EE was dismounting the dozer facing forward instead of backward and foot slipped off the push arm and went between the push arm and the track frame. EE suffered a fractured tibia just below the right knee. Surgery was done the next day to repair the damage.

We were notified on 04/13/2016 that employee had been ruled compensable for a black lung claim. Employee's employment at this mine ended due to a lack of work on 05/05/2015.