An employee was crushed between a mobile bridge carrier (MBC) and the coal rib.
ACOSTA DEEP MINECoal
- Fatalities
- 2
- Total incidents
- 63
- Years on record
- 2017–2025
- Latest incident
- Jan 2025
Fatalities at this mine
2 recordedAn examiner was found unresponsive in an underground sump. As of this time the exact cause of the employee's death is still undetermined.
Reportable incidents
61 on file (excluding fatalities above)2024 · 9 incidents
An unplanned roof fall occurred outby in an intake air course of the B-Main. The fall occurred appx. 30'inby survey spad 788 in the #6 entry. Fall was appx. 20'long,19'wide with an unknown height. Exact cause is unknown however several geologic features are present in this mining area and have previously resulted in a roof fall in an adjacent submain .
Employee was throwing low belt structure and pinched EE's right pinky finger in between two belt rails, breaking their finger.
Employee was attempting to pull a coupler cover from in between the top and bottom belt. The employee lost footing and fell on back. Employee was seen by a doctor and performed employee's regular duties until MRI results came in on 9/27/2024 and was placed on restricted duty due to protruding disks.
Employee was pulling low structure stand to straighten the belt line and felt a pop in their back. Employee was diagnosed with several bulged discs and placed on restricted duty.
Employee was advancing canvas. While walking employee's left arm contacted a roof bolt plate causing a laceration resulting in four stitches.
The employee was struck in the bottom lip by a drill steel while attempting to remove steels from the roof. They received a laceration that required three stitches.
The employee was walking through #3 intersection when EE tripped and started to fall. The employee extended EE's left arm downward to help break EE's fall and suffered a separated shoulder.
The employee was stretching out carlon pipe. When trying to secure the end of the pipe it slipped out of employee's hand and struck the employee in the upper lip. The employee received four stitches to close the laceration.
The employee was a passenger on a Johnson cart that was hauling a demister from the section tool skid to the loading section. While in travel, the demister hit a roof bolt plate, pushing the demister into the employee's chest and arms.
2023 · 12 incidents
Employee was bending a 6' roof bolt when they felt a sharp pain in left shoulder. The employee has continued to work regular duties and treat conservatively until 1/10/24, at which time it was determined surgery would be required to repair a partially torn labrum. Surgery scheduled for 2/6/24.
Employee was shoveling a belt tail. As EE pushed EE's shovel, it stopped suddenly and the employee hit EE's hand on something causing pain to EE's right hand. The employee did not request medical treatment until 11/16/23 at which time EE was sent for an x-ray and diagnosed with a fracture.
Employee was loading T3 channels onto a skid when they felt a strain in their abdomen. The employee continued to work full duty until they were seen by a medical professional who diagnosed them with a hernia. Employee was given restrictions on 10/17/23.
Employee was carrying an oil can and pump can back to EE's ride when EE felt a pinch in EE's back.
The employee was making the second bend on a six foot bolt when EE felt a pop in the right shoulder.
Employee was looking for a sling in mud and water when EE lost EE's balance. EE's foot was suctioned in the mud causing EE's knee to twist.
An employee threw an unsupported roof sign to the miner operator and accidently struck them above the right eyebrow. This resulted in a laceration requiring 5 stitches.
The employee overextended EE's lower back while bending a six foot resin bolt.
The employee was trying to spin a roll of belt by self. After doing so, the employee stated something didn't feel right, a little while later EE noticed a lump in groin area.
The employee twisted body while kneeling and felt a pop in left knee. EE stated knee didn't feel right after the pop. EE continued to work EE's normal duties hoping it would get better over time. After a few weeks EE stated there was not much improvement. EE was scheduled for an appointment with an orthopedic clinic where EE received a cortisone shot.
Employee was putting a door into an existing wall. After removing the block where the door was to go, the employee began striking the bottom of the wall with a hammer to straighten the bottom row. While striking the wall a block from a remaining top layer worked loose and fell, striking the employee on the left hand.
Employee was driving a cart and ran over a concrete block. The steering wheel spun striking the employees right hand with the steering knob.
2022 · 9 incidents
A roof fall was found in the return of B rooms. The exact location was B8 room, 1 crosscut outby SS#6556. The fall was in entry #4 and extended into crosscut 4-5 and #5 entry. The fall was 20' wide, 90' long, and the height is unknown. Ventilation was not affected. The cause of the fall is unknown.
Employee was pushing a bolt up with the drill head and it sprang back striking EE in the face resulting in a laceration to EE's lip that required 3 stitches.
Employee was attempting to get into the MBC and knee locked up. Employee has been diagnosed to have Iliotibial band syndrome due to constant bending and flexing of the knee while working in low coal.
Employees knee has become inflamed and irritated due to crawling
The employee was putting cable slings on the dolly arm. The employee's left ring finger was caught in one of the straps when the sling tightened. The employee pulled hand back resulting in fingernail being torn off.
The employee was using a pry bar in a downward motion and the pry bar slipped out. This resulted in pain in the employee's right shoulder. Employee was seen by an orthopedic surgeon and given a cortisone shot.
Employee was getting off golf cart and felt a sharp pain in knee. Employee was seen by an orthopedic surgeon and diagnosed with bursitis from working and crawling in low conditions.
Employee dropped the tongue of a trailer, pinching EE's left middle finger between the trailer tongue and the bottom. This resulted in a laceration requiring 4 stitches.
The employee was bending a six foot torque tension bolt. While applying downward pressure on the bolt, it slipped out of EE's hands and sprung upward striking EE in the bottom lip causing a laceration.
2021 · 8 incidents
Employee was helping with a belt advancement. As they were throwing a bottom stand under the belt, they felt a ""pop"" in left bicep. Employee was diagnosed with a partially torn bicep and continued to work regular duties until surgery date on 2/9/2022.
Employee diagnosed with miner's knee from continuous crawling. EE continued to work normal duties until 12/22/2021 when EE was seen by Dr. and had some fluid drained from knee.
Employee was traveling outby in the 5 right travelway and attempted to turn into the crosscut 4-5. EE hit head on the corner of the crosscut, knocking the hard hat off and giving EE a laceration on the side of the head. The employee received ten staples to close the laceration.
EE was bending a 6' bolt. When EE was pushing on the bolt, the bolt shifted and the employee fell forward and strained right shoulder. EE was working regular duties until seeing doctor on 12/28/21 and being placed on light duty. Surgery scheduled for February 2022.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the b mains section MMU 001. The fall started in an unsupported cut in the crosscut 3-2, 1 crosscut outby SS 5338, and extended outby for approx. 30'. Width of the cave was approx. 18' and the height was undetermined. Exact cause of the fall is unknown but we assume that reduced cover and a stream channel contributed to the fall.
Employee was connecting the third steel to the second steel. Upon doing so, employee got glove stuck in between the connectors. Employee immediately tried to drop the drill head back down but accidently spun the heads instead, causing hand to wrap up around the drill steels. Employee received a laceration to the left ring finger requiring six stitches.
Employee was cleaning rock off of the miner. When EE was pushing rock off edge of the miner it pivoted up and caught EE's right middle finger between the rock and the roof causing a laceration to the tip of the finger. The employee received 5 stitches.
Roof bolter was being backed out of x-cut 2-1 into x-cut 3-2. Injured EE was sitting in #2 entry. As roof bolter was traveling outby, EE saw loop of cable was going to be hit by the machine, so they reached around corner to grab it. As soon as they did, the bolter slid on the muddy, side-pitched bottom and pushed EE into corner of coal rib with canopy.
2020 · 7 incidents
Employee was throwing out belt structure when EE felt a pain in right Bicep. Employee worked normal duty until 10-13-20 when EE seen a doctor and was placed on restricted duty work. Employee has a ruptured bicep.
Employee was crossing over the haulage unit when EE stepped down off EE stepped in a hole twisting knee. Employee continued working full duty until 10-05-2020 when the doctor placed EE on restricted duty. Employee is scheduled for surgery on 10-20-2020.
Employee was removing a rock from the MBC coal chain when the rock slipped it pinched employee's thumb between the rock and coal chain. Employee received 9 stitches to close the laceration.
the 4 right area had a roof fall approx. 20' wide X 100' long X unknown Height. #4 entry 1 cross cut inby SS 3751 fall continued inby for 100'. Fall was reported at 2:08PM. Area was bolted with 4' fully grouted bolts. ""No bed separation or visible defects in the roof in this area. Cause of the roof fall is unknow.""
Crib tower was being built. Employees were throwing cribs in a fire brigade manner. Injured employee was holding one crib when 2nd crib was thrown to employee. This smashed employee's right pinky finger and caused a crushing injury that made an open wound that required 4 stitches.
Roof Bolter has developed swelling (Bursitis) on the right knee. Is being treated with antibiotics for infection.
Employee was lifting a rail onto stinger when EE felt a pull in EE's left groin area. employee received a hernia. surgery is 3-10-20.
2019 · 3 incidents
Employee was riding on mantrip going to the section. Was bitten by a spider on the left forearm. Was given antibiotics on 12-27-19 for infection.
Fletcher Roof Bolter ATRS knocked down a rock from the roof. When the rock fell to the bottom it landed on another rock and broke apart. One of the smaller pieces flew up and struck the bolter helper in the chin. Employee was standing approx. 12' behind the last row of bolts. Employee received a cut on the lower lip/chin area which received 4 stitches.
B2-2 return area had a roof fall approx 350' long x 20' wide, unknown height. #2 entry from SS# 1688 to 100' inby SS# 1640. Roof Fall impeded travel in the return entries. Fall was reported at 8:35pm. Area was bolted with 6' fully grouted bolts. Area was laminated rock layers.
2018 · 11 incidents
Employee was straightening a 6' roof bolt to complete the installation. The bolt spun and employee twisted back.
Employee was operating a 2-person golf cart. EE did not notice a low spot in the roof and pushed head between the roof and golf cart. Employee continued to work until 02/08/2019 when surgery was performed to repair vertebrae.
Lifting low belt structure stand and swinging it with both arms to place it underneath the conveyor belt, the stand hit a ledge or mud and suddenly stopped movement. This caused a severe ""pop"" sound from employee's right inside elbow and lower bicep area.
7-25-18 - Pulling miner cable felt a pull in right shoulder. 9-28-18 - Received cortisone shot.
Roof fall was found near SS# 636, 7 entry, B-Mains old panel. Approx.19'W x 50'L x 6'-8' High. Intersection in 7 and into 6-7.
While throwing belt structure rail, employee pinched right middle finger between the rail and belt stand. Caused a laceration on palm side of finger.
Unknown incident time. Continuous crawling and use of knee, employee's knee developed swelling and an infection.
Draw rock through-out the section, being bolted with 6' fully grouted bolts and straps on a 4' x 3' pattern. Sharp slate rock 51"" long x 8"" wide x 4"" thick. Fell from roof and struck left middle finger.
Swelling of the left knee from continuous crawling and working on knees.
Employee was pushing a bent bolt to the roof with a bolter wrench in the head of the bolter on the operator side. While pushing bolt plate up, the wrench got kicked out of the bolter chuck fell and struck employee on the left cheek. This caused a laceration to the left cheek and required 6 stitches on the outside and 2 stitches on the inside of the wound.
Employee was pulling on a wrench to replace hydraulic hoses. Felt a pull in the right bicep.
2017 · 2 incidents
Employee was installing 6ft roof bolt in mining height of 52 inches. Bolt was bent in half, after installing the first half of bolt the employee was pushing bolt to straighten it out to finish the install. Employee felt a pop in shoulder.
Employee was pulling miner cable and felt a pop in lower back.