Mining Incidents

Porter Tunnel Coal

Kocher Coal Company · Underground
Controlled by RCL Capital LTD
Tower City, Schuylkill County, PA  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 3601892

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
90
Years on record
1983–2000
Latest incident
May 2000
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2003
18
citations
6
significant & substantial
$1,845
proposed penalties
$952
paid to date
52% of proposed penalties paid to date — a $893 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2003
11
inspections on record
244
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: 244 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
2006 Q1 0 0 0
2005 Q4 0 0 0
2005 Q3 0 0 0
2005 Q2 0 0 0
2005 Q1 0 1 0
2004 Q4 0 0 0
2004 Q3 0 0 0
2004 Q2 0 2 0
Show 6 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2003 Q4 0 7 3
2003 Q3 0 0 0
2000 Q4 0 0 0
2000 Q3 0 0 0
2000 Q2 187 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

90 on file

2000 · 1 incident

May 31, 2000 PA · Coal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE PRYING ROTTEN WOOD FROM OUTSIDE OF MINE PORTAL, EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK ON LEG WITH A PIECE OF FALLING WOOD.

1994 · 1 incident

May 31, 1994 PA · Coal security guard, watchman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A BAT ENCOUNTERED WHILE USING WEED-EATER, EMPLOYEE FELL BACKWARDS AND HIT HIS BACK ON A BATTERY.

1992 · 4 incidents

November 16, 1992 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE FELL FROM PLATFORM AND HIT LEFT SIDE OF BODY AGAINST MUCKING MACHINE.

October 9, 1992 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A ROCK HIT THE SPRAG EMPLOYEE WAS PUTTING IN,CAUSING THE SPRAG TO HIT THE EMPLOYEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS FACE.

September 25, 1992 PA · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK WHILE PULLING A PIECE OF TIMBER OUT OF COAL

February 18, 1992 PA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HIT ON INSIDE OF KNEE WITH A BOARD BEING HANDED UP BY ANOTHER EE.

1991 · 2 incidents

March 27, 1991 PA · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE PUTTING SCRAP METAL INTO DUMPSTER THE SKID EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON BROKE CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO TWIST BACK

February 25, 1991 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by flying object

DIRT ENTERED EYE WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING COAL

1989 · 9 incidents

August 27, 1989 PA · Coal driller operator MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CUT ON RIGHT HAND WITH HOSE CLAMP WHILE DRILLING IN SKIDMORE GANGWAY.

July 19, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE TWISTED BACK WHILE WORKING IN NO.43 BREAST-E SKIDMORE GANGWAY.

July 10, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS HIT BY A COAL LUMP WHILE LOADING AT #58 CHUTE, E.SKIDMORE GANGWAY.

May 8, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

COAL FELL AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON NECK AND SHOULDER AREA WHILE DRESSING OFF CHUTE.

May 8, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

COAL FELL AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON NECK AND SHOULDER AREA, WHILE DRESSING OFF CHUTE.

May 5, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

COAL FELL AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON BACK WHILE DRESSING OFF CHUTE.

February 13, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

EMPL BUMPED HEAD WHILE TIMBERING HEADING.

February 9, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

TIMBERING IN MAIN TUNNEL FELT PAIN N BACK WHILE LIFTING TIMBER.

January 4, 1989 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TIMBERING ON MAIN TUNNEL,PIECE OF TIMBER HIT EMPL ON ELBOW.

1988 · 6 incidents

December 28, 1988 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

A PROP SLIPPED OUT OF A STACK OF TIMBER AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON RIGHT FOOT.

June 22, 1988 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Kocher Coal Company · Fall from machine

JUMPED FROM BEHICLE AFTER LOSING CONTROL.

May 11, 1988 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE DRESSING OFF FACE IN 53 104 CHUTE, EAST SKIDMORE GANGWAY, COAL LUMP HIT EMPLOYEE ON LOWER LEFT LEG.

March 1, 1988 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

WHILE DRESSING OFF CHUTE EMPLOYEE PULLED ROCK STRAINING HIS BACK.

January 6, 1988 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE DRESSING 2FF FACE IN SKIDMORE NO 49 CHUTE EMPLOYEE WAS HIT ON LEG WITH A PIECE OF COAL

1987 · 6 incidents

March 10, 1987 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMP WAS RETIMBE9ING IN PRIMROSE #3 WHEN HE WAS ACCIDENTLY HIT ON RT SHOULDER WITH FALLING COAL

February 4, 1987 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS IN PROCE8S OF CARRYING POWDER TO TOP SPLIT WHEN HE ACCIDENTLY FELL & TWISTED KNEE.

January 13, 1987 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS PR9PARING TO DRILL IN FACE OF GANGWAY WHEN DRILL HOSE ACCIDENTLY BLEW APART AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE BEHIND RT KNEE CAP CAUSING BRUISED

January 8, 1987 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS IN3PROCESS OF CLIMBING LADDER INCHUTE WHEN RUNG OF LADDER ACCIDENTLY BROKE EMPLOYEE LOST BALANCE AND FELL STRIKING RT HAND AGAINST RAIL

January 6, 1987 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS DR9SSING OFF AT FACE WHEN RIB ACCIDNETLY FELL AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE ON SIDE OF TRUNK AND BACK CRACKED RIBS ON LEFT SIDE AND BRUISED BACK MUSCLES

January 6, 1987 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS RE7IMBEWRING IN MIDDLE SPLIT, WHEN HE WAS ACCIDENTELY STRUCK ON RIGHT SHOULDER WITH S PRAG WHICH HAD SLIPPED. BRUISED RIGHT SHOULDER. EMPLOYEE WAS SEEN BY PHYSICIAN AT THAT TIME. HE WAS TREATED3AND RELEASED AND ALLOWED TO RESUME WORK FULL TIME. ON 3-17-87 EMPLOYEE AGAIN BEGAN COMPLAINING OF SHOULDER DISCOMFORT AND CAUSED WORK ON THE DATE.

1986 · 12 incidents

October 24, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS IN3PROCESS OF NOTCHING WOODEN COLLAR IN SEVEN FOOT GANGWAY, WHEN HATCHET ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE ON LEFT THUMB.

September 9, 1986 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss POWERED HAULAGE
Kocher Coal Company · Fall from machine

SMALL MOTOR ON 4HICH EE WAS RIDING DE-RAILED.

June 9, 1986 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS BA9RING ROCK IN CHUTE, WHEN HE ACCIDENTELY PULLED MUSCLE IN RIGHT ARM.

May 7, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS DR9SSING OFF FACE IN MIDDLE SPLIT 108 HAD BEEN BARRING ROCK WHICH WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN EMPLOYEE TURNED BACK ROCK SLIPPED LOOSE, FELL AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK.

March 31, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DR3LLING ROCK IN MIDDLE SPLIT CROSS CUT, WHILE LIFTING JACK, EMPLOYEE ACCIDENTLY STRUCK JACKLEG AGAINST LEFT KNEE.

March 14, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRESSING OFF F5CE OF #114 BREAST,HIT ON RIGHT ANKLE WITH LUMP OF COAL.

February 24, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS RU3NING MUCKER IN SKIDMORE GANGWAY, WHEN EMPLOYEE ACCIDENTELY BUMPED LEG WITH MUCKER, CAUSING PLANKS TO FALL AND STRIKE LOWER LEFT HIP.

January 31, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS DR3LLING IN FACE OF SKIDMORE #108 BREAST DRILL ACCIDENTLY SLIPPED & FELL ON EMPLOYEES FOOT

January 30, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPL IN PROCESS3OF LOADING RAILS ONTO FLAT CAR WHEN HE ACCIDENTLY DROPPED RAIL ON LEFT FOOT CAUSING FX OF SAME.

January 17, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS DR3LLING IN FACE OF SEVEN FOOT GANGWAY NORTH DIP WHEN HE LIFTED A JACK LEG THIS CAUSED A STRAIN TO EMLOYEES LOWER BACK

January 7, 1986 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPL INSTALLING3PROP WHEN PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM VEIN STRIKING RIGHT FOOT-INSTEP.

1985 · 15 incidents

October 10, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS IN PROCESS OF PLACING PIECE OF SHEET IRON IN COAL CHUTE, STUMBLED AND FELL, SAID PIECE OF SHEET IRON STRUCK EMPLOYEE ON LEFT INDEX FINGER CAUSING FRACTURE AND LACERATION OF SAME.

September 10, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS TIMBERING IN FACE OF 84 BREAST, TOP SPLIT WHEN COAL FELL FROM FACE, CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO LOSE BALANCE AND FALL ON GOB.

August 30, 1985 PA · Coal motorman, motor person, swamper, switchman, locomotive operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BACK TO MOTOR FROM COAL CAR, LOST BALENCE AND STRUCK RIGHT HAND AGAINST SIDE OF COAL CAR.

August 28, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS DISMANTLING LASH PLANKS FROM DOUBLE TIMBER. PLANK CONTAINING NAIL ACCIDENTLY FELL & STRUCK LEFT FOOT CAUSING 2 PUNCTURE WOUNDS.

August 19, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING AT LOADING CHUTE ROCK BECAME LODGED IN CHUTE AND EMPLOYEE WAS IN PROCESS OF LOOSENING SAID ROCK

July 16, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS SETTING TIMBER, SLIPPED AND FELL AGAINST RIB AND INJURED LEFT HIP.

March 11, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HANDLING AND USING AIR DRILL

January 2, 1985 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WORKING WITH REPAIRMAN ON TRACK. HURT BACK WHILE SECURING TIEBAR.

1984 · 20 incidents

December 20, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

GETTING BRATTICE CLOTH READY TO CUT

December 4, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRILLING HOLES

October 9, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRILLING AT FACE.

September 11, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

GETTING READY TO TIMBER.

June 5, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kocher Coal Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WALKING IN GANGWAY TO WORK PLACE.

January 12, 1984 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

DUMPING COAL CARS AT HOPPER

1983 · 14 incidents

September 22, 1983 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Kocher Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

SCOTCHING CARS AT STUMP

August 29, 1983 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

DRILLING COAL

April 21, 1983 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kocher Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PULLING TIMBER WITH COME-ALONG.

March 28, 1983 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Kocher Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AIR DRILL STUCK WHILE DRILLING HOLE AND EMPLOY HURT LEFT ARM

January 24, 1983 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kocher Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

LOADING CARS

January 10, 1983 PA · Coal brakeman, roperider, car runner, spotterman, snapper, trip rider, car rider, flagman POWERED HAULAGE
Kocher Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

RIDING BACK OF LOCOMOTIVE AS A PATCHER.