Mining Incidents

Putney Darby Mine #1 Coal

101 Coal Inc. · Underground
Harlan, Harlan County, KY  ·  Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 1519827

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
27
Years on record
2019–2024
Latest incident
Apr 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2018
547
citations
105
significant & substantial
$191,622
proposed penalties
$124,649
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 87 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 40 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 166 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 545 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,619 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 14,503 16 0 1103.2
2024 Q2 27,816 45 4 1617.8
2024 Q1 30,796 35 6 1136.5
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

27 on file

2024 · 1 incident

April 9, 2024 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
JRL Coal Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured was shoveling coal out of tail piece on main line (LW Mains) when EE felt a pain in the lower back.

2023 · 7 incidents

October 31, 2023 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Struck by falling object

Injured was drilling to install rib bolt and pulling drill steel from drill hole when a rock fell from top and struck EE and pinned EE against the head of the roof bolter. Injured suffered apparent fractured ribs and possible internal injures. EE was transported to local hospital.

January 6, 2023 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Area of roof unstable and working, was observed the area was dangered off with plans to re-bolts but before roof bolts machine could get to the area, a roof fall had occurred. MSHA notified and K order was issued.

2022 · 8 incidents

November 21, 2022 KY · Coal INUNDATION
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Section was pillar mining at the time with old works 140 feet above the section, and apparently there was a mountain break 140 ft up to the old mine workings and the mine was flooded releasing that water down and into our Putney Darby Mine # 1.

October 17, 2022 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
JRL Coal Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was servicing the miner setting bits when employee slipped on a muddy surface (incline) falling backwards onto right lower back. Employee stated back popped and pain started. The employee was transported to the local E.R.

July 18, 2022 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
JRL Coal Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE STATED THAT A ROCK WAS STUCK BETWEEN THE BLADE OF THE SCOOP AND BUCKET. EE WAS USING A 3 FEET LONG PRY BAR TO REMOVE THE ROCK. WHEN THE ROCK CAME LOOSE THE WEIGHT OF THE BLADE DROPPED ONTO THE BAR, CAUSING THE BAR TO PIN EE'S FINGER BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE SCOOP BUCKET AND THE BAR. EE RETURNED TO WORK ON LIGHT DUTY.

June 29, 2022 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
JRL Coal Inc · Struck against a moving object

EE STATED THAT EE WAS OPERATING THE SHUTTLE CAR, LEAVING THE MINER WHEN EE STRUCK EE'S HEAD ON THE CANOPY OF THE CAR CAUSING PAIN TO NECK AND BACK. EE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 6:30 PM WHEN EE CAME OUTSIDE. EE SAW THE DR. ON 6-30-22. X-RAYS AND CT ARE NEGATIVE. EE IS NOW OFF WORK AND WAITING ON AN MRI TO BE PERFORMED FOR AN EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS.

May 14, 2022 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
JRL Coal Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED: WAS TAKING A TIE OFF DOWN FOR THE SHUTTLE CAR CABLE WHEN THE TIE OFF DROPPED CAUSING A SUDDEN JERK TO EE'S ARM RESULTING IN PAIN AND BURNING IN THE RIGHT ELBOW AREA. EE WAS SEEN AT THE ER THEN HAD AN MRI ON 5-24-22.

March 21, 2022 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS DISCOVERED AT APPROXIMATELY 10:58 AM IN THE NUMBER 1 ENTRY INBY SPAD 1617 IN THE 3RD LEFT PANEL BLEEDER. NO PERSONS NOR VENTILATION WERE AFFECTED. THE FALL IS APPX. 150 FEET LONG X 20 FEET WIDE X 5 FEET HIGH. THE FALL WILL NOT BE CLEANED UP AND A PLAN TO RELOCATE THE BMP'S HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO MSHA.

March 7, 2022 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
JRL Coal Inc · Struck by falling object

EE STATED THAT A RIB ROLLED AND STRUCK EE'S BACK AND CAME TO REST ON EE'S ANKLE. EE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE XRAYS SHOWED A FRACTURE TO THE ANKLE.

February 8, 2022 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
JRL Coal Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EE stated was carrying metal roof straps to the front of the bolt machine when EE stumbled and fell. When EE fell, EE landed on the metal strap resulting in a laceration to the right forearm. EE was transported to Harlan ARH then transferred by air evac to Pikeville medical. A tourniquet was applied by air evac immediately prior to flight.

2021 · 1 incident

May 15, 2021 KY · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
JRL Coal Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS NEAR THE LOWER RIGHT RIB (CORNER) WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE RIB STRIKING EMPLOYEE IN THE LEFT LEG IN THE ANKLE AREA. EMPLOYEE WAS TRANSPORTED BY VEHICLE TO THE HOSPITAL. EMPLOYEE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN LEG.

2020 · 2 incidents

June 23, 2020 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

THE CONTINUOUS MINER WAS IN THE #13 RUN WHILE RETREAT MINING WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING THE MINER CABLE CAUSING A DELAY IN BACKING THE MINER OUT OF THE RUN. THE ROOF FELL IN THE #13 RUN CAUSING THE MINER TO BE HUNG AND NOT TRAM OUT OF THE CUT. MSHA WAS NOTIFIED AND AN ACTION PLAN SUBMITTED TO UTILIZE A RETRIEVER TO REMOVE THE MINER.

April 19, 2020 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
JRL Coal Inc · Struck by falling object

While attempting to install a track idler on the continuous miner EE was guiding the idler into place when the come along slipped and fell onto EE's left hand. EE was transported to Harlan ARH, where EE was x-rayed and 8 stitches were put in EE's pinky and ring finger.

2019 · 8 incidents

November 14, 2019 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

THE CONTINUOUS MINER BECAME STUCK IN SOFT MINE BOTTOM WHILE PULLING PILLARS IN THE #3 ENTRY. THE ROOF FELL ON THE CONTINUOUS MINER BEFORE IT COULD BE TRAMMED BACK OUT OF THE RUN. VENTILATION NOR PERSONS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FALL.

September 30, 2019 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS DISCOVERED OUTBY IN THE 6TH RIGHT PANEL. IT IS LOCATED IN THE #4 ENTRY JUST INBY SPAD #842. THE ROOF FALL IS APX 90'L X 20'W X 10' HIGH. THE FALL DID NOT HAVE ANY AFFECT ON MINERS, EQUIPMENT NOR VENTILATION. THE FALL WILL NOT BE CLEANED UP. THE FALL IS CRIBBED, TIMBERED AND DANGERED OFF.

September 5, 2019 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
JRL Coal Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE stated was installing a roof bolt and pushed against it to straighten it and install it in the hole when left shoulder popped. EE went to the Dr on 9-9-19 and has been off work pending an MRI.

August 10, 2019 KY · Coal scoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
JRL Coal Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated was loading roof straps into the scoop bucket when employee's foot slipped causing pain to right knee. Employee continued to work until 12-9-19 when employee had surgery.

May 10, 2019 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred outby 001 section in the #1 entry at x-cut 61. The fall was approximately 16 feet long x 20 feet wide x 6 feet in height. The fall did not have any effect on persons, equipment nor ventilation. An action plan was submitted and the area was re-supported.

April 30, 2019 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
JRL Coal Inc · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE WAS CHECKING THE SUCTION OF THE BOLT MACHINE AND HAD RIGHT HAND ON THE BOOM WHILE THE BOOM WAS BEING RAISED. EE INADVERTENTLY HAD RING FINGER IN THE SISSOR AREA RESULTING IN THE AMPUTATION OF THE FINGER BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND JOINT. EE WAS TREATED AT HOLSTON VALLEY HOSPITAL AND THEY RETURNED TO WORK ON LIGHT DUTY THE NEXT SHIFT.

February 26, 2019 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
JRL Coal Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON 002 SECTION FROM 4 RIGHT THRU THE MID POINT OF NUMBER 2 AND 3 HEADING. APROX. 170 FEET X 20 FEET WIDE X UNKNOWN HEIGHT ABOVE ANCHORAGE. THE AREA WAS DANGERED, CRIBBED AND MINING CEASED IN THAT AREA, WITH THE SECTION BEING MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION. THE AREA WILL BE SEALED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

January 31, 2019 KY · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
JRL Coal Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EXITING THE 544 LOADER THE EMPLOYEE SLIPPED. THE EMPLOYEE GRABBED THE HANDRAIL WITH LEFT HAND CAUSING A "JERK". THE EMPLOYEE FELT PAIN IN LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL MARCH 2ND, 2020 WHEN EMPLOYEE SAW A DR. AND WAS TAKEN OFF WORK UNTIL NEXT APPT.