Mining Incidents

Hamilton ShopCoal

Hamilton, Jefferson County, PA · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 3608704
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
94
Years on record
2002–2012
Latest incident
Jul 2012
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

94 on file

2012 · 7 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a rock bar to scale down a piece of sand rock when the rock shifted allowing the bar to suddenly rise up and strike the employee in the mouth causing a laceration of the lower lip requiring 3 sutures.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof Fall on #3 Entry of 2-Southwest Section. Roof supported with 6-foot FG Resin Bolts and various lengths of cable bolts (10' - 12' - 16'). Ventilation was not disrupted. Slicken-sided roof was noted in the stack rock produced during the fall.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Unloading airlock doors off of a skid when the doors slid pinching his finger causing a fracture that required surgery to repair. Employee was wearing metacarpal gloves.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was discovered by an examiner in the #2 entry of 6-Butt LT in the #2 Entry 800 feet outby the active 2-Southwest section. The fall measured 50-feet x 18-20 feet x 8-10 feet high. The roof was supported with 4-foot FG Resin Bolts on 4-Foot Centers.

Accident type, without injuries

A 40-foot long x 18-feet wide x 10-foot high roof fall occurred in the #3 Belt Entry of the 7-Butt Section outby the working section. The area had been supported with 4-foot FG Roof resin Bolts. A contributing factor may have been slicken-sided roof rock.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While removing the outer rubber cable jacket, the razor knife slipped cutting the top of his left hand.

Struck against a moving object

Injured was driving a battery mantrip down the road toward the mine entrance when his brakes failed and the mantrip struck a utility pole.

2011 · 17 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Injured claims that, while setting cribs, he strained his lower back while moving a rock lying on the bottom.

Accident type, without injuries

A 30-foot long x 18-20-foot wide x approximately 6-foot high roof fall occurred in the # 5 entry of 7-Butt Section at the face and last intersection. The area was supported with both 4-foot and 6-foot fully-grouted resin bolts. The section was experiencing roof water. The cave will not be cleaned up. No equipment or ventilation affected.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While installing a 6-foot resin bolt and spon straightening out the second bend in the bolt, employee states that he felt pain and heard a pop in his right arm. Employee worked his regular job until 12/14/2011 when he went to the doctor for a follow-up visit and was restricted from working. First day missed was 12/14/2011.

Struck by falling object

Employee was roof bolting when a rock fell from between bolts and struck him on the left lower leg.

Rubbed or abraded

Employee developed patella bursitis and superficial cellulites of the left knee from repetitive motion of crawling. He was first seen by a doctor on 11/21/2011 and placed on restricted duty.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was discovered by an examiner in an outby intersection if the #5 entry in the 4 left section. The size of the fall were approx. 25' l. X 18' w. X6-8' h. The roof was supported with 6' fully grouted resin bolts. There were no visible defects in the area. All accesses to the fall were cribbed off.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured was using a hacksaw to cut off an improperly installed roof bolt, when the hacksaw blade broke striking him on the upper lip causing a laceration requiring 6 stitches. Released to regular duty.

Struck by falling object

Injured was backing continuous miner out of a cut when he was struck by a piece of roof rock that had dislodged from between the bolts in the intersection resulting in fractured bones in his right foot.

Rubbed or abraded

Employee stated he was working and his left knee started to feel tender.

Rubbed or abraded

Employees right knee started to bother him from the many years of crawling on his knees. Employee first reported sore knee on 04/25/2011, but continued working. On 06/22/11 he went to the doctor and had his knee drained and a cortisone injection.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in the 7-Butt Section outby in the #4 entry of the section (30' long x 18' wide x 10 - 12' high). The roof had been supported with 6' FG Resin Bolts and 8' Cable Bolts. Ventilation was not affected. No personnel or equipment was affected. Area comprised of sandstone channel/slicken-sided roof rock.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in the 6-Left section outby in the #2 common entry (80' L x 18' W x 4 1/2' H). The roof had been supported with 4 1/2 foot tension-grouted bolts on 4' x 4' centers. Ventilation was not affected. No personnel or equipment was affected. Area comprised of sandstone channel/slicken-sided roof rock.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in the 6A Section. The roof fall was 15' long x 16' wide x 12' high. The roof in that area included sandstone channeling features and slickensided rock.The area was bolted on 4' x 3'centers with 6.5' resin-assisted torque-tension bolts

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee was holding a belt splicing machine and the machine shifted, causing his left thumb to be caught in the machine, resulting in a laceration requiring 5 stitches.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated he was backing drill steels out of a finished hole when the steels came apart and one of them flew back and struck him under the left eye causing a laceration.

Struck by flying object

Employee was operating continuous miner when something flew off the rotating cutting drums and struck him on the upper lip causing a laceration.

Accident type, without injuries

Examiner on weekly examination of worked out area discovered area had heaved and caved since last examination. The area inby cannot be safely examined. The roof in this area had been supported with FG 4-foot resin bolts with 8"" x 8"" plates. Cable bolts (12' long)also installed in this area. Cave = 500' x 18' x unknown height). Area outby cave cribbed to prevent extension.

2010 · 6 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee while roof bolting was pushing a bolt into the roof when the bolt sprung out of the wrench and struck him on this left wrist and hand. The employee was originally diagnosed as a wrist sprain. The employee continued to work his regular job until 02/23/2011 when he had an MRI diagnosing tendon damage. Employee had surgery on 02/24/2011 and is now off work.

Struck by falling object

While drilling to install a roof bolt a piece of roof rock 1-foot x 2-feet x 6 to 8 inches broke off striking him on the left side of his face and left forearm and right foot.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that he was in the outside parts trailer putting away a splice kit when he turned to leave the trailer, he stepped on a screw jack assembly causing it to come back striking his left knee. Employee felt a ""pop"" when it happened. Employee continued working regular job until 2/15/11.

Struck by falling object

Employee was in the process of starting a new hole for the installation of a 4-foot resin bolt. As the employee placed the starter drill steel into the drill chuck and raised the steel up against the roof line, a piece of draw rock fell striking his right hand requiring sutures to close the wound.

Struck against stationary object

Injured and co-worker were roof bolting a cut in the #3 entry when a piece of roof rock 39"" long x 4"" to 10"" thick x 0"" to 7"" wide broke out between the ATRS and the Safety Post Jack hitting him on the back of the head pushing him face first into the bolting machine causing facial fractures.

Struck by falling object

Injured was drilling hole when a piece of roof rock broke off around the steel and fell striking his right wrist and dislocating a bone.

2009 · 4 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured was placing rollers into dolly in MBC, he was putting the pin and washer together when the dolly moved pinching his fingers between the dolly roller and frame causing a fracture to the first joint in his middle finger and a fracture and removal of the nail on his ring finger - EE did not miss any work and is still doing his regular job.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall approximately 50' x 18' wide x 6' high was found by the section foreman in the L-2 entry of the L-6 Rooms off of 2-Right at about 00:50 AM while making his rounds of the section. The area had been supported with 4-foot FG resin bolts. No equipment, personnel, or ventilation affected.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was driving a battery powered mantrip, backing up to turn around and struck his head on a low brow in the crosscut. The crosscut had been mined lower than the entry.

Struck by falling object

Employee was drilling a hole with the roof bolter, when a rock fell and struck his left upper thigh, causing a contusion.

2008 · 12 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee states that he was knocking coal off stacker with sledge hammer when he hit his finger on crossrail and frozen coal. Employee reported accident to management on 11/27/08 but did not seek medical attention until 12/10/08. Initially thought to be a bruise, was diagnosed as a simple fracture.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Was using hydraulic drill off of scoop, drill spun, caught finger between drill steel and jack.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hand slipped of a pump crank while cranking. Handle came back and hit R wrist. Pump was attached to the end of the line.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was riding out of the mine in the back of a rubber tired mantrip with his left arm up behind his head. When the operator turned into a x-cut to let an approaching scoop pass, he got too close to the rib and the injured mans elbow was caught by a low brow dragging his arm between the rib and the mantrip.

Struck by flying object

Continuous miner was cleaning up the left side of a 30 foot cut through x-cut 4 to 5. Spinning miner heads threw an unknown object toward the operator, who was located to the right side of the continuous miner, back along the first pig. The operator saw an object flying toward him, tried to get out of the way, but the object struck just below his right eye and his nose.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was working with another man roof bolting on a twin boom bolter. The co worker moved the machine over without warning and caught the injured man's left leg between the bolter head and rib.

Rubbed or abraded

Employees left knee became irritated from repetitive crawling.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured was kneeling down preparing to hook a cable sling from the miner cable to the scoop tractor. As the scoop tractor was backing up, the battery box ran over the injured's right foot causing a fracture.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall occurred in worked-out 2-Left off 3-South beltline just inby spad 3511. The approximate fall dimensions are 650' x 20' x unknown height. The roof in this area was shale with no visible defects. Cable bolts were installed in every test hole. Fall was a possible result of valley/stream influence.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was lifting and throwing bags of rock dust onto a scoop tractor, when he felt a pain in his lower back.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall discovered by section foreman in worked out area adjacent to active mining section. The cave measured 1000'long by 19'wide by unknown height. There were no visible defects when originally mined. Test hole (8'deep) were drilled in every cut and in every intersection. The area was bolted with 4' FG resin bolts & 8' cable bolts placed in the test holes.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee stated that he was pulling cable when he felt a pain in his right shoulder. Employee continued to work his regular job until 09/15/2008 when he had surgery on the shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff.

2007 · 6 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was tightening a roof bolt and had his hand between the roof bolt plate and the roof.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall (200-ft long x 19-ft wide x unknown high) found by mine examiner in worked out area R2 off 3 Right. No noticable defects when area mined initially. Pressure cutter now in area.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was tramming the MBC forward. He ran over a 4"" x 4"" post 36"" long causing the operator compartment to move suddenly upward. Injured hit his hard hat against the roof compressing his neck. He was hospitalized for observation and found to have a chipped bone in his neck.

Accident type, without injuries

During an examination of the E-4 worked out area multiple roof falls were found. Mining was completed in the area over one year ago and the area is not normally traveled or examined.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall found in the beltline of the worked-out E-8 section. Area had been supported using 4-foot fully grouted resin bolts or 6-foot Install II bolts (6 bolts per row) using 6 x 16-inch plates. Immediate roof consisted of shale with sandstone laminations at 8 to 10 feet. Mine ventilation was not affected.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof Fall worked out Area of E-7. Cutter in area bolted with 6-foot Install II Bolts & 18"" T-5 channels on reduced bolt spacing also 2 8-foot cable bolts every other row. Entry width 16 to 18 foot.

2006 · 3 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A 20 foot x 20 foot x 7 foot high roof fall was discovered during the preshift in a crosscut #4 to #5 330 feet outby the E-7 working face. The accesses to the crosscut had been cribbed off and the crosscut abandoned. A pressure break was evident in the crosscut and extended into the #5 entry

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee lost his balance while crawling and fell forward hyperextending the little finger on his right hand causing a simple fracture. Employee did not go to doctor until 9/20/06

Rubbed or abraded

Employee has to crawl on his hands and knees in order to perform his job and has developed an infection in his right knee.

2005 · 6 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was crawling over the front bridge, in E-2 Section. When he got over the bridge, his left foot was on the mine floor and he twisted his body to get the other foot over. He twisted his left knee.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a pump over the belt in #3 Entry, in Main A, beside #2 Head. While lifting the pump, he was swinging it over the belt, his feet became stuck in the mud - just under his knees. As a result of lifting and swinging pump over the belt and having his feet stuck in the mud, he had severe lower back pain that increased as the day went on.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was travelling through the air lock doors in Main E. While travelling through doors his left shoulder struck the piece of steel on top of the door. When this happened it crushed him down onto the floor of jeep. His right shoulder took the force of the impact.

Struck by falling object

EE was bolting the roof, when he started a hole with a starter bit a rock chip came out of the roof and struck his left arm right above his elbow. The rock had sharp edges and weighed approximately 3 lbs.

Rubbed or abraded

Employee's knees became sore from repetitive motion of crawling.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE was pulling the bolter cable, as a result of pulling the bolter cable He strained the muscles in his neck and shoulder.

2004 · 11 incidents

Struck by falling object

EE was bolting, when a piece of rock came down. EE was trying to get away from it when it struck him on the left ankle. The piece of rock was 2' wide and 3' feet long and 0-4"" thick. It fell between the rib and the bolter.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was crawling on his hands and knees when his right elbow gave out and he fell onto his chest and head. Immediately employee had sharp pains in his right elbow.

Struck against stationary object

EE was scooping #3 - #2 entry when his scoop bucket hit a ridge on the bottom. The ridge threw him against the roof, striking his head off of the roof compressing his neck.

Struck against a moving object

While riding on a Personnel Carrier victim was bounced up off of passenger compartment.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was hauling belt structure on a Personel Carrier when the structure caught a vent pipe causing structure to turn hitting him on the right cheek requiring five stitches.

Accident type, without injuries

A rock fall mearsuring approximately 35' Long 20' Wide and 5' High occurred at SS 583 in the Main A #3 Entry blocking the secondary escapeway.

Accident type, without injuries

WHILE INVESTIGATING ROOF FALL IN C-4 ROOMS A FALL WAS FOUND IN C-3 ROOMS. FALL IS CONTINUATION OF FALL REPORTED ON 3/20/04: ORIGINAL FALL WAS IN #4 & X4-5, IT CONTINUED THROUGH #5 & XCUT 5-6 MEASURING APPROX 60'L X 20'W X 7'H CUTTERS LAMINATED SHALE & SLICKENSIDE WERE OBSERVED. FALL DOESN'T AFFECT VENTILATION OR ESCAPEWAYS.

Accident type, without injuries

DURING WEEKLY EXAM A ROCK FALL WAS FOUND IN WORKED-OUT C-4 ROOM LOCATED 1 X-CUT INBY SS889 IN #4 ROOM & XCUT 3-4. FALL MEASURED APPROX 30'L X 20'W X 7'H. CUTTERS OBSERVED IN THIS AREA. FALL HAS LAMINATED SHALE & SLICKENSIDES NO WATER. AREA BOLTED WITH 4' FULL GROUNDED REBAR. DOES NOT AFFECT VENTILATION OR ESCAPEWAYS.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROCK FALL WAS FOUND ON 03/16/04 IN THE C-3 #4 ROOM APPROX. 40' INBY SS871, MEASURING APPROX. 100' W LENGTH, 5-20' WIDE, AND 4' HIGH. A CUTTER WAS OBSERVED IN THE #3 AND #5 ROOM ADJACENT. FALL DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH VENTILATION OR ESCAPEWAYS. ALL ACCESSES ARE DANGERED OFF.

Accident type, without injuries

A ROCK FALL MEASURING 25' X 15' X 5' OCCURRED AT THE FACE OF THE #3 ROOM & X-CUT 3-2 OR C-3 ROOMS. FALL DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH VENTILATION OR ESCAPEWAYS.

2003 · 14 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

A ROCK FALL OCCURRED IN THE WORKED OUT B-5 ROOMS MEASURING 250' LONG 20'WIDE AND FROM 3' TO 8' HIGH. FALL DOES NOT AFFECT VENTILATION OR ANY ESCAPEWAYS.

No Value Found

EE WAS OPERATING A MBC WHEN HIS HARD HAT HIT THE ROOF.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START A DRILL STEEL INTO THE ROOF WHEN A ROCK BECAME DISLODGED. THE ROCK FELL STRIKING HIS RIGHT UPPER THIGH.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS RESUPPLYING POSTS ON A SUPPLY TRAILER, WHILE TURNING HIS RIGHT HAND WAS PINCHED BETWEENTHE POST AND THE TRAILER.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ON A ROOF BOLTER REMOVING A MOTOR. A COME-ALONG WAS INSTALLED AT THE ROOF TO PICK UP THE MOTOR. THE COME-ALONG BECAME DISLODGED, FALLING AND STRIKING HIS RIGHT HAND.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS MOVING ON A DAMASCUS LIL MAC IN REVERSE WHEN HIS RIGHT EAR CAME IN CONTACT WITH AN ESCAPEWAY SIGN HANGING FROM THE ROOF, CUTTING HIS RIGHT EAR WHERE IT ATTACHES TO HIS HEAD REQUIRING TW O SUTURES.

Rubbed or abraded

MR FISHER WAS CRAWLING LOW COAL AND IRATATED BOTH KNEES. NOTE: RE-OCCURANCE FROM 3-03-3-03 NO LOST TIME) (RIGHT KNEE ONLY)

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS HANDLING ROCKDUST BAGS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ROOF BOLTING WHEN HE DEVELOPED A PULLED RIGHT GROIN MUSCLE.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS CRAWLING IN LOW COAL AND BUMPED HIS HEAD ON AN OFFSET IN THE ROOF.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE DEVELOPED A HERNIA TO THE DIAPHRAGM AND DOES NOT KNOW HOW OR WHEN IT HAPPENED. TREATING DR. STATES THAT IS WAS WORK RELATED.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING A 5.5 HP MOTOR AND INJURED A HERNIA THAT WAS REPAIRED WHEN HE WAS 9 YEARS OLD.

Rubbed or abraded

EE STRAINED HIS RIGHT KNEE WHILE CRAWLING IN THE MINE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS HANDLING ROCKDUST BAGS & STRAINED HIS RIGHT ELBOW

2002 · 8 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BACKING UP A LONG AIRDOX 3B WHICH CAME IN CONTACT WITH A SPARE BELT TAIL. AS HE BACKED UP, HIS RIGHT ANKLE GOT BETWEEN THE 3B AND THE TAIL.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

WHILE INSTALLING A ROOF BOLT VICTIM'S GLOVE GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN ROOF BOLT AND DRILL HEAD WHILE ROTATING ROOF BOLT CAUSING A SPRAIN TO HIS LEFT HAND.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WALKING AND SLIPPED ON A PIECE OF BELT WHICH WAS LAYING ON THE MINE FLOOR.

Struck against stationary object

WHILE BELTING UP A RAIL COVERED WITH MUD SLIPPED OUT OF VICTIM'S HAND HITTING HIS RIGHT HAND ON BOTTOM STRUCTURE.

Rubbed or abraded

CRAWLING IN LOW COAL SEAM & PUTTING PRESSURE ON KNEES WHILE ROOF BOLTING.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE CUTTING THE TOP OFF OF A PLASTIC CONTAINER HE CUT HIS LEFT PALM WITH A UTILITY KNIFE REQUIRING TWO STITCHES.

Accident type, without injuries

ROCK FALL MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 40' LONG, 5' - 20' WIDE & UP TO 6' HIGH WITH A SLICK SIDE, MUD & LITTLE ROOF WATER.

Struck by flying object

EE WAS AIRING A TIRE ON A RADIAL STACKER WHEN THE TIRE BLEW UP THROWING STONES AND DEBRIS HITTING VICTIM IN GROIN AND RT. SHIN.