Mining Incidents

Bishop Branch Mine No 1 Coal

Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Underground
Controlled by James River Coal Company
Shelbiana, Pike County, KY  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 1516223

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
52
Years on record
1988–1999
Latest incident
Apr 1999
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
7
inspections on record
52
inspection hours
n/a
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.
Rate withheld: 52 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2000 Q3 0 0 0
2000 Q2 0 0 0
2000 Q1 7,873 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
December 27, 1993 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE VICTIM WAS TRAMING A REMOTE CONTROL CONTINUOUS MINER INTO THE FACE AND WAS WALKING ALONG THE SIDE OF IT. THE BOOM CRUSHED HIM INTO THE RIB OF COAL CAUSING DEATH.

Reportable incidents

51 on file (excluding fatalities above)

1999 · 3 incidents

April 22, 1999 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL STRIKING INJURED CAUSING FRACTURED LEFT ARM AND FRACTURED VERTIBRAE.

January 31, 1999 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE WAS CLEANING THE BATH HOUSE AT MINE LOCATION, SPLASHED CLEANING SOLUTION IN RT EYE, AND RECEIVED CHEMICAL BURN OF CORNEA. EE QUICKLY WASHED HIS EYE WITH WATER, HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOS PITAL BY EE'S FATHER.

January 13, 1999 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING ON MINER CABLE & EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN ON 1-13-99. EMPLOYEE WORKED UNTIL 2-21-99 AT THIS TIME INJURY BECAME REPORTABLE DUE TO LOST TIME.

1998 · 1 incident

1996 · 13 incidents

October 25, 1996 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMP WAS SHOVELING MUD FROM UNDER BELT AND FELT APAIN IN LOWER BACK ON 10-25-96. EMP DID NOT MISSWORK OR RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT UNTIL 12-26-96AT WHICH TIME ACCIDENT BECAME REPORTABLE TO MSHA

October 11, 1996 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A PIECE OF CURTAIN, SLIPPED AND FELL CAUSING PAIN IN BACK. EMPLOYEE DID NOT MISS WORK OR RETRIEVE MEDICAL TREATMENT UNTIL 10-21-96 AT WHICH TIME ACCIDENT BECAME REPORTABLE TO MSHA.

September 17, 1996 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

THE FOREMAN, WHILE MAKING WEEKLY CHECK OF AIRCOURSES DISCOVERED A FALL OF ROOF, LOCATED IN THE 002 RETURN IN THE CROSSCUT ADJACENT TO INTERSECTION WHERE SPAD #1863 IS LOCATED, BETWEEN #6 & #7 ENTRIES.

August 14, 1996 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS TAKING DOWN FLY PADS AND WHILE JERKING ON ONE FELT PAIN IN GROIN AREA.

August 7, 1996 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

EMP WAS PINNING ROOF. A SMALL PIECE OF DRAW ROCK, 10" ROUND, FELL STRIKING HIS LEFT KNEE CAUSINGA LACERATION. EMP WAS TREATED IN ER, THE LACERATION STITCHED AND THEN RELEASED.

July 25, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING BACKWARDS AND TRIPPED AND FELL, CAUSING BACK PAIN AND TINGLING IN HIS LEGS.

June 19, 1996 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EE WAS SITTING ON SHUTTLE CAR WAITING FOR THE OTHER CAR TO CLEAR THE HAULWAY WHEN THE RIB ROLLED OFF STRIKING HIM IN THE LEFT SHOULDER & HEAD--EE WAS TREATED & RELEASED AT HOSPITAL ER.

April 11, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING BUILD A CRIB & DROPPED A CRIB BLOCK ON HIS FOOT. EE FINISHED SHIFT & WORKEDTHE NEXT DAY, WHICH WAS FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY 4/14 HAD IT X-RAYED & FOUND TO BE BROKEN. EE WORKED 4- 15-96 & 4-16-96 RESTRICTED, RETURNED FULL 4-17-9

March 26, 1996 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

WHILE MAKING WEEKLY CHECK OF RETURN AIR COURSES THE MINE FOREMAN DISCOVERED A FALL OF ROOF IN THE #2 ENTRY MEASSURING 22 X 26 X 4. FALL WAS DISCOVERED ON 3-26-96 AND WAS NOT PRESENT ON PREVIOU S EXAMINATION DONE ON 3-19-96. LOCATION WAS #2 ENTRY 1 BREAK OUTBY SURVEY STATION #1975.

March 25, 1996 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

WHILE MAKING WEEKLY EXAMINATION OF AIRWAYS ON 3-25-96 THE FOREMAN DISCOVERED AN UNINTENTIONAL FALL OF ROOF THAT WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN EXAMINATIONS WERE MADE ON 3-18-96. FALL WAS IN #4 ENTRY 2 BREAKS INBY SPAD NO. 1449, FALL MEASURED 18'X20'UX3-5" THICK.

March 6, 1996 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE STRAINED BACK HELPING TO MOVE MINER CABLE.

February 5, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE FIRST MISSED WORK 2-5-96 WITH BACK PAIN NO ACCIDENT REPORT FILLED OUT NO ALLIGATION OF THIS BEING WORK RELATED ON 3-4-96 MET WITH EE WHO NEW SAYS ACCIDENT IS WORK RELATED.

February 5, 1996 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING TO BATH HOUSE TO GET SOME HAND TOOLS HE SLIPPED ON SOME ICE & FELL STRIKING HIS RIGHT SHOULDER & HEAD.

1995 · 10 incidents

October 28, 1995 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

FALL OF ROOF OCCURRED IN THE #4 ENTYR AT SPAD #1885. THE FALL WAS PLUS OR MINUS 20' WIDE, PLUS OR MINUS 16' LONG, PLUS OR MINUS 6' THICK.

October 9, 1995 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

WHILE OPERATING MINER, INJURED FAILED TO NOTICE A LOOSE PIECE OF RIB THAT DEVELOPED. A PIECE OF THE RIB ROLLED OFF STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON THE LEFT CALF MUSCLE.

September 14, 1995 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURED WAS CHANGING SIDES OF PLACE WITH MINER & BACKED IT UP AGAINST HIMSELF FOULING HIMSELF BETWEEN THE RIB & THECABLE RESTRAINING CLAMP OF THE MINER

August 27, 1995 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING MIENR CABLE & FELL BACK & TWISTED HIS RIGHT KNEE. INJURY HAPPENED ON 8-27-95 EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEE DR OR MISS WORK UNTIL 9-25-95.

July 25, 1995 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

EE AND INSPECTOR FOUND THE FALL WHILE CHEKCING THE RETURN AIRCOURSE. FALL WAS 4' THICK, 20' WIDE, 40' LONG IN #1 ENTRY, 1190' INBY RETURN OVERCAST FOR 002-0 MMU. FALL WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN AIRW AY WAS CHECKED 7-18-95 & WAS FOUND DURING CHECK ON 7-25-95.

May 10, 1995 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STEPPED OVER A PILE OF PINNER CABLE CAME DOWN ON LEG WRONG AND TWISTED HIS KNEE.

April 10, 1995 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING SLEDGE HAMMER TO BUST A ROCK ON BELTLINE WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN NAVEL GROIN AREA

March 20, 1995 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS TRAVELING THROUGH A SET OF FLY PADS ON A 4 WHEELED MINE CART WHEN HE CAUGHT ON THEM AND WAS PULLED BACK ONTO THE CART STRAINING OR HURTING HIS BACK.

1994 · 18 incidents

October 21, 1994 KY · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator POWERED HAULAGE
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck against a moving object

INJURED & 2 OTHERS MEN WERE RIDING IN THE FRONT END OF A RAIL TPE MANTRIP WHEN IT DE-RAILE D& STRUCK A CONVEYOR BELT.

October 21, 1994 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) POWERED HAULAGE
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck against a moving object

INJURED & 2 OTHER MEN WERE RIDING IN FRONT END OF A RAIL TYPE MANTRIP WHEN IT DERAILED & STRUCK THE CONVEYOR BELT.

October 21, 1994 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) POWERED HAULAGE
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck against a moving object

INJURED AND 2 OTHER MEN WERE RIDING THE FRONT END OF A RAIL TYPE MANTRIP WHEN IT DERAILED & STRUCK CONVEYOR BELT.

September 7, 1994 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS HANGING MINER CABLE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK

September 5, 1994 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

BUILDING BRATTICE, STRAINED BACK LIFTING BLOCKS.

September 1, 1994 KY · Coal stopping builder, ventilation man, mason man, overcast HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INJURED STRAINED HIS BACK WHEN LIFTING A BUCKET OF BRATTICE SEALANT

August 15, 1994 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INJURED WAS LOADING BELT STRUCTURE INTO A SCOOP WHEN HE SAID HE FELT SOMETHING PULL IN HIS BACK INJURY HAPPENED ON 9-15=94. INJURED DID NOT MISSWORK TO SEE A DR. UNTIL 8-29-94.

July 27, 1994 KY · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mc Coy Elkhorn Coal Corp · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS USING HIS POCKET KNIF ETO CUT A FIBER CHUTE LINE WHEN HE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS RIGHT THUMB.

July 20, 1994 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS INSTALLING 6' BENDABLE ROOF BOLTS & STRAINE DHIS SHOULDER AS HE WAS STRAIGHTENING ONE. INJURY WAS REPORTED ON 7-20-94 EMPLOYEE DID NOT GO TO DR ON MISS OWRK UNTIL 7-26-94.

July 19, 1994 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

THE 004 SECTION WAS ADVANCING UNDER SHALLOW COVER.THE TOP WAS BEING CLOSELY WATCHED BY MANAGEMENT.MEN WHERE PULLED OUT AND PLANS BEING MADE TO CUT IT DOWN WHEN IT FELL IN 60' INBY SPAD#S 1855 AND 1857R# 5 AND 6 INTERSECTION AND CROSSCUT.THE FALL WAS 70' LONG 20'WIDE AND 6' HIGH.

June 23, 1994 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Struck against a moving object

THE ROADWAY HAD SOME HOLES. EE WAS OPERATING A RAM CAR WHEN HE HIT A HOLE IN THE ROADWAY.

June 3, 1994 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WALKING TOWARD THE FACE OF 004 SECTION WHEN HE SAW A BOX OF GLUE LAYING IN THE MUD HE BENT OVER PICKED IT UP & PUT IT BACK ON THE STACK OF GLUE HE LATER COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN CHEST LEFT SIDE & UPPER BACK

May 20, 1994 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS SUPPLYING THE ROOF DRILL WITH SUPPLIES, WHILE CARRYING A BOX OF RESIN GLUE TO THE MACHINE HE STEPPED ON A SLICK ROCK LOOSING HIS BLANACE CAUSING HIM TO JERK HIS BACK.

March 3, 1994 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE AND IHS FOREMAN WERE HANGING A MINER CABLE IN #3 ENTRY. THE EMPLOYEE WAS IN AN IMPROPER POSITION TO HANG CABLE.

March 3, 1994 KY · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THIS PERSON STOPPED WORKING FOR KINNEY BRANCH MINING INC. 3-3-94, DUE TO HEART ATTACK HE SUFFERED AT HOME. HE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH BLACK LUNG. HE IS PRESENTLY WORKING FOR SCANT BRANCH COAL CO WHERE HE STARTED 10-14-94 AND IS A SECTION SUPERVISOR. HE WORKED AT DUKES BRANCH COAL CO FROM 8-94 TO 10-14-94.

March 2, 1994 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS TURNING ROCK OVER TO HOLD VENTILATION CURTAIN AGAINST BOTTOM. WHEN HE MASHED THE END OF HIS LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN 2 PIECES OF ROCK.

1993 · 4 incidents

October 29, 1993 KY · Coal INUNDATION
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

OUR APS ARE ACCURATE. THE OLD MINE THAT WAS ABANDON AND SEALED WAS NOT ACCURATE AND NO ONE CAN GET INTO CHECK IT. OUR MAP SHOW WE HAD OVER 250 FEET BEFORE TEST HOLES WERE TO BE DRILLED.

June 16, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Fall onto or against objects

WHEN HE RAISED HIS CANOPY A PIECE OF LOOSE ROCK FELL & IT ROLLED OFF THE CANOPY HIT HIM ON THE LEG CAUSING HIM TO FALL INTO THE DRILL CONTROLS THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE HEAD INJURY

January 8, 1993 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS USING PLASTER MACHINE HE LIFTED A 5 GAL BUCK OF PLASTER TO POUR IN THE MACHINE THIS IS WHEN HE SAID HE HURT HIS BACK

1992 · 1 incident

May 7, 1992 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Kinney Branch Mining Inc · Struck by falling object

HE WAS BOLTING ROOF ON 002 SECTION AND A PIECE OF ROCK 4'X16' X4" FELL FROM BETWEEN THE BOLTS ONTO THE FLOOR ROLLED OVER ON THE PERSONS FOOT.

1988 · 1 incident

November 21, 1988 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Oakwood Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE ROOF DRILL HAD SET THE FIRST BOLT WHENTHE PRESSURE WAS RELIEVED FRONT THE ATRS SYTEM THE CANOPY COVERING THE OPERATOR HAD BROKEN A ROCK THE ROCK HAD BEEN TRIED TO BE PULLED.