Mining Incidents

#4: 137 MSHA citations Coal

South Akers Mining LLC · Underground
Jamboree, Pike County, KY  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 1513906

#4 has $23K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
49
Years on record
1991–2002
Latest incident
Aug 2002
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
137
citations
70
significant & substantial
$22,719
proposed penalties
$22,199
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $520 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
49
inspections on record
1,574
inspection hours
8.7
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.
137 citations across 1,574 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

#4 has $23K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets.

Penalty disposition
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$23K
proposed penalties
$22K
current assessed
$22K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
135 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $1K in penalties contested before the Commission, $960 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2003-01-15.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
Shares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
51.9%
significant & substantial
5.9%
high negligence or reckless
52.6%
reasonably likely or greater
4.4%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 7.4% low, 86.7% moderate, 5.9% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
Contested penalties
A reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
KENT20000227 Settlement Barbour 2000 $1K → $960
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at #4 shows 96% of 249 respirable coal dust samples met the 1.5 mg/m3 standard.

Health sampling
A sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.

Respirable coal dust
Respirable coal dust and silica figures cover coal facilities. Dust compliance is measured against the current 1.5 mg/m3 standard; samples predating the 2014 standard are included, so compliance rates are a coarse historical signal.

Last sampled: 2003-01-23, 23 years ago
96%
within 1.5 mg/m3
249
samples
3.40
dust max (mg/m3)
130 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 119 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR119
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)37
  • SCOOP CAR OPERATOR17

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2003-01-29, 23 years ago
6.5
silica avg (%)
22
samples
13.6
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR12

Noise
The share counts noise samples whose measured dose exceeded the 90 dBA permissible exposure limit. It describes the sampled workplace, not what reached the miner's ear: hearing conservation programs and the hearing protection worn during the shift are recorded separately and are not reflected here.

Last sampled: 2002-12-18, 23 years ago
7%
over PEL
15
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)4
  • BELT MAN/CONVEYOR MAN3
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR2
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Health sampling trend
A sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.
Respirable coal dust by year
Respirable coal dust and silica figures cover coal facilities. Dust compliance is measured against the current 1.5 mg/m3 standard; samples predating the 2014 standard are included, so compliance rates are a coarse historical signal.
Year within 1.5 mg/m3 samples
2003 100% 13
2002 97% 75
2001 98% 83
2000 92% 78
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2003 3.0 1
2002 4.2 5
2001 7.7 7
2000 7.4 9
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2002 0% 7
2001 13% 8
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

#4 recorded 1.91 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2002.

Injury rate, 2002
This rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
1.91
total case rate
1.91
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 6.89 and the all-US-mining average was 5.05 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 8.22 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year total case rate days-away fatal
2002 1.91 1.91 0.000
2001 5.37 5.37 0.000
2000 10.69 8.91 0.000
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Ownership history
  1. Kentland-Elkhorn Corp 1983 to 1990
  2. Black Dragon Mining Company 1990 to 1993
  3. South Akers Mining LLC 1993 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Coal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year Employees Coal produced (tons)
2003 23 59,293
2002 57 403,800
2001 56 340,485
2000 55 446,194
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

#4 sits in Pike County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 5.1% of county employment.

Local economic context
County figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Pike County, Kentucky · Population 57,466
5.1%
Mining share of county employment
$42,179
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
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
2003 Q4 0 0 0
2003 Q2 4,010 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 19,936 5 4 250.8
2002 Q4 23,930 6 4 250.7
2002 Q3 24,507 15 10 612.1
2002 Q2 27,124 8 2 294.9
2002 Q1 29,227 20 7 684.3
2001 Q4 28,663 2 2 69.8
Show 7 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2001 Q3 25,282 15 11 593.3
2001 Q2 30,536 7 5 229.2
2001 Q1 27,167 5 4 184.0
2000 Q4 29,591 8 2 270.4
2000 Q3 26,315 10 4 380.0
2000 Q2 31,842 22 5 690.9
2000 Q1 24,496 13 9 530.7
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

49 on file

2002 · 1 incident

August 20, 2002 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE PIN BACK IN MAT CHAIN, A PIECE OF HAMMER CHIPPED, STRIKING EE ON LEFT ARM ABOVE GLOVE, PENETRATING THE SKIN AND CAUSING A CUT.

2001 · 3 incidents

May 12, 2001 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

DRAW ROCK FELL, STRIKING ON EE BACK.

March 20, 2001 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

DRAW ROCK HIT RIGHT RING FINGER.

2000 · 6 incidents

August 1, 2000 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

ROCK FELL, STRIKING EE ON HEAD & SHOULDERS WHILE BOLTING TOP.

June 8, 2000 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
South Akers Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

RAN OVER HIS LEFT FOOT

March 29, 2000 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck against stationary object

WHILE STRAIGHTENING UP MINE YARD FINGERS (1ST AND 4TH ON RIGHT HAND) ON MINING BARRELL EDGES.

February 2, 2000 KY · Coal trackman, track worker, track gang POWERED HAULAGE
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HAULING LOAD OF TIMBER, TIMBER CAUGHT ON WATER LINE AND JERKED LOOSE FROM TOP, WRAPPED AROUND NECK.

January 4, 2000 KY · Coal scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

SPRAINED BACK LOADING TIMBERS ONTO SCOOP.

1999 · 5 incidents

April 27, 1999 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LOWERING GUARD DOWN ON BELT LINE INJURED FINGER TIPS AND WRIST WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY INJURED OFF THE JOB.

March 30, 1999 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

WHILE SHOVELING BELT, ROCK FLEW OFF STRIKING ARM.

March 5, 1999 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

WHILE EXITING THE MINE IN 3 WHEEL VEHICLE, ROCK FELL AND HIT EAR.

1998 · 2 incidents

August 7, 1998 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

RED DEVIL SLIPPED AND CUT THUMB.

February 4, 1998 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator OTHER
South Akers Mining LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

UNKNOWN, FELL ILL OVER WEEKEND WORKING WENT TO DR HAD COLLAPSED LUNG.

1997 · 1 incident

October 13, 1997 KY · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE LOADING BOLTS ON PINNER FELT ARMS & NECK START TO BURN. DID NOT REPORT TO ANYONE UNTIL 10/27/97 WHEN PAIN BECAME TO BAD TO KEEP ON WOOKING. OWNER WAS INFORMED OF INJURY BUT NO LOSS TIME & NO IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED.

1996 · 4 incidents

July 19, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman POWERED HAULAGE
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

EMP WAS RUNNING SCOOP AND SCOOP TIRE RAN OVER A PIECE OF WATER LINE AND IT FLIPPED BACK AND HIT EMP IN FACE.

April 17, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
South Akers Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

MINER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PLACE AND A PIECE OF ROCK RAISED UP FROM BOTTOM HIS FOOT WAS UNDER ROCK AS THE MINER TURNED OVER ROCK.

April 16, 1996 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

4 RIGHT BREAK PINNING TOP AND LET HEAD OF PINNER DOWN ONTO LEFT LEG.

February 22, 1996 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS TRAMMING BRIDGE CARRIER FORWARD AND ROCK FELL FROM TOP AND CAUGHT HIS HAND.

1995 · 5 incidents

November 21, 1995 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REMOVING ROCK FROM FROM BELTLINE CUT FINGER.

October 14, 1995 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck against stationary object

WHILE RIDING FROM ONE BELT HEAD TO ANOTHER RAN OVER ROCK WHICH THREW HIM UP AGAINST THE TOP.

February 22, 1995 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Akers Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE MOVING CABLE OUT OF ROADWAY AND PULLED MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK.

February 10, 1995 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE HAD HAND ON DRILL POT WHILE BOLTING KETTLE BOTTOM FELL AND MASHED THUMB.

1994 · 1 incident

November 17, 1994 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
South Akers Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A RED DEVIL TO TIGHTEN THE BELT. THE RED DEVIL SLIPPED AND CAUGHT ON EMPLOYEE'S LIP SPLITTING UPPER LIP OPEN.

1993 · 15 incidents

November 26, 1993 KY · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by flying object

MAN WAS RAISING BELT STRUCTURE WITH A RAIL ROAD JACK. THE BAR HE WAS USING FLEW OUT STRIKING THE MAN'S LEFT EAR CUTTING IT. MAN WAS PRESSING THE BAR DOWN WITH HIS KNEE WHEN IT FLEW OUT.

November 22, 1993 KY · Coal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Black Dragon Mining Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TRAMMING SCOOP DOWN #1 ENTRY, HE SAW A OIL CAN, LAYING ON THE RIB. HE SLOWED DOWN TO PICK UP THE CAN AND WHEN HE GRABBED IT, THE CAN CAUGHT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCOOP AND PULLED HIS ARM BACK.

November 18, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS OPER. A BOLT MACHINE HIS DRILL STEEL WAS STUCK IN THE TOP. HIS GLOVE GOT BETWEEN HIS WRENCH & HEAD OF ROOF BOLTER TWISTING HIS HAND.

November 2, 1993 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck against stationary object

TAKING PUMP OFF FEEDER AND DROPPED PUMP AGAINST DODGE COUPLING AND FRAM OF FEEDER. BROKE TWO FINGERS AND CUT TENDONS ON RIGHT HAND.

September 13, 1993 KY · Coal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck against a moving object

MAN WAS TRAMMING SCOOP TO OUTSIDE. HE RAN OVER A ROCK BOUNCING HIM UP & WHEN HE CAME DOWN HE STRUCK HIS BACK.

September 9, 1993 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PULLING HYDRAULIC HOSE THROUGH FRAME OF CONTINUOUS MINER WITH 3 SHEEL PERSONNEL CARRIER. HOSE STRETCHED TIGHT, WHEN FREED UP, METAL PART OF HOSE STRUCK HIM ON WRIST. FRACTURED LEFT WRIST.

May 31, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

GOT GLOVE CAUGHT BETWEEN BOLT WRENCH AND BOLT HEAD.

May 27, 1993 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Dragon Mining Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INCIDENT COULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE EMPLOYEE COULD NOT SAY WHERE IT HAPPENED.

May 19, 1993 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by falling object

SHUTTLE CAR TIRE FELL AGAINST HIS LEFT KNEE AND PINNED LEG AGAINST SCOOP BUCKET.

May 14, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by falling object

BOLT HANGING FROM TOP, HIT EMPLOYEE IN THE BACK OF NECK.

April 14, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WIRE WAS HANGING FROM ROOF BOLT PLATE, WHEN HE TURNED AROUND AND WIRE STRUCK INJURED IN LEFT EYE.

March 31, 1993 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS BOLTING TOP WHEN HE SWUNG THE HEAD OVER AND THE WEIGHT FROM HIS BODY PUSHED HIS RIGHT FOOT IN A BACKWARD POSITION.

1992 · 1 incident

January 17, 1992 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) POWERED HAULAGE
Black Dragon Mining Company · Struck by powered moving object

ROOF BOLTER OPERATOR WAS IN FRONT OF MACHINE WHEN FOREMAN BACKED INTO HIM WITH PERSONNEL CARRIER

1991 · 5 incidents

November 21, 1991 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

BENDING ROOF BOLT AND HAND SLIPPED OFF AND TWISTED BACK.

September 25, 1991 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Black Dragon Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS HIRED TO TRY OUT AS ROOF BOLTER OPERATOR THIS WAS HIS FIRST SHIFT, HE RODE MANTRIP TO SECTION AND UP TO BOLT MACHINE. HE DIRLLED 1 10 IN. HOLE AND BENT 8 ROOF BOLTS AND CLAIMED HI S BACK WAS HURT AND WANTED TO LEAVE.

August 25, 1991 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Black Dragon Mining Company · Fall from machine

SHUTTLE CAR OPT. WAS REUTRNING TO MINER AND WHERE BUGGY HAD HIT TO ROOF BOLT FELL OUT, CAUGHT LEG.

August 2, 1991 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Black Dragon Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

BUGGY MAN WENT TO CHANGE SEAT AND TWISTED KNEE.