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.
667 citations across 3,717 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
#4 has $204K in proposed MSHA penalties and $84K outstanding across 8 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.
$204K
proposed penalties
$185K
current assessed
$101K
paid to date
$84K
outstanding
623 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
Of $80K in penalties contested before the Commission, $61K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2009-06-02.
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.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
70citations taken to the federal commission · 10% of citations on record
Settled
37 · 53%
Stood as issued
33 · 47%
100%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 42 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
24%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$80K proposed, $61K after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2009-01-26.
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.
MSHA sampling at #4 shows 96% of 349 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: 2008-12-02, 17 years ago
96%
within 1.5 mg/m3
349
samples
6.69
dust max (mg/m3)
206 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 143 by the operator.
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.
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.
#4 recorded 16.72 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2005.
Injury rate, 2005
ⓘ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.
16.72
total case rate
11.15
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 5.11 and the all-US-mining average was 4.21 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 5.46 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2005
16.72
11.15
0.000
2003 *
9.53
9.53
0.000
2002 *
10.50
10.50
0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
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.
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)
2009
2
2008
14
3,968
2006
33
57,202
2005
41
219,536
2004
12
2,071
2003
40
148,701
2002
29
123,372
2001
2
1,117
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
#4 sits in Clay County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 0.9% 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.
Clay County, Kentucky · Population 20,105
0.9%
Mining share of county employment
$39,607
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
2009 Q1
648
6
1
9259.3
2008 Q4
14,098
44
16
3121.0
2008 Q3
7,795
32
11
4105.2
2008 Q2
1,390
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
4,762
56
14
11759.8
2006 Q2
19,290
42
25
2177.3
2006 Q1
28,715
43
22
1497.5
2005 Q4
35,217
89
63
2527.2
Show 17 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2005 Q3
27,455
28
19
1019.9
2005 Q2
28,767
46
24
1599.1
2005 Q1
16,205
72
37
4443.1
2004 Q4
2,720
8
5
2941.2
2004 Q3
0
3
2
2004 Q2
1,680
2
1
1190.5
2004 Q1
3,000
7
7
2333.3
2003 Q4
19,567
31
27
1584.3
2003 Q3
25,604
9
3
351.5
2003 Q2
18,150
32
15
1763.1
2003 Q1
20,653
11
6
532.6
2002 Q4
3,867
11
5
2844.6
2002 Q3
14,218
6
4
422.0
2002 Q2
18,813
3
0
159.5
2002 Q1
20,252
29
12
1432.0
2001 Q4
10
16
7
1600000.0
2001 Q3
240
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
26 on file
2008 · 3 incidents
October 23, 2008KY · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Injury said that he was trying to exit the scoop & his foot got stuck under the starting box. He twisted his knee trying to get out. He said if the foreman would take it easy on him, he wouldn't go outside and fill out an acc. rpt or go home and seek medical attention. There were two witness besides the foreman to this statement.
July 21, 2008KY · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
A roof fall occurred in the 11th crosscut in the track entry along the no. 4 belt measuring 20'x30'x3' thick. The area had been developed approx 2 years ago.
Roof fall found in the abandoned area of the 004 section. Fall was in the 50th crosscut in the no. 7 entry of the previous no. 7 belt, measuring 20'x 20'x 8' thick. This area will be cleaned and re-supported.
Roof fall found in the abandoned area of the 004 section in the 50th x-cut, no. 6 entry, measuring 20' x 20' x 8' thick. This area will be cleaned and re-supported.
Roof fall found in the abandoned area of the 004 section, in the no. 4 entry, measuring 20' x 20' x 7' thick. This area will be cleaned and re-supported.
2005 · 11 incidents
December 27, 2005KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
A roof fall measuring approx. 30' long, 20' wide and aprox. 4.5 thick occurred in the no. 6 entry of the submains. The fall did not impair ventilation or emtrap equipment.
A roof fall measuring approx. 38' long, 20' wide and approx. 8' thick occurred in the neutal entry just outby the no. 6 belt drive at the second panel left off of the submains.
September 2, 2005KY · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)POWERED HAULAGE
EE WAS RIDING IN A MANTRIP THAT WAS DEAD. IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE UNIT TO THE CHARGING STATION, HE HAD A SCOOP PUSH THE UNIT. IT THEN WEDGED AND CAUSED THE EE TO HIT THE MINE ROOF.
July 28, 2005KY · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorELECTRICAL
EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING IN A SCOOP WHEN IT HIT A HOLE, CAUSING HIM TO STRIKE HIS BACK AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE MACHINE. EE BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 6/8/05 & RETURNED TO WORK ON 6/26/05.
May 11, 2005KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS ASSISTING WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A BELT RAIL WHEN HE GOT HIS LEFT MIDDLE FINGER PINCHED BETWEEN THE RAIL AND THE STAND. THE LACERATION REQUIRED SUTURES.
THE EE HAD A CHAIN HOOKED TO THE LOW STRUCTURE AND TO THE CONTINOUS MINER. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE LOW STRUCTURE BACK WITH THE MINER. THE PULL CHAIN BROKE, FLEW BACK AND STRUCK HIM IN TH E RIGHT EYE.
June 8, 2003KY · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler
EE WAS SWINGING THE BOOM OUT TO INSTALL THE OUTSIDE BOLT. HE SAID THAT HE FELT POWER ON THE BOLTER, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO SWING THE BOOM AGAINST THE RIB, HURTING HIS NECK. HOWEVER THE ELECTRICIA N CHECKED THE FRAME OF THE MACHINE FOR STRAY VOLTAGE AND FOUND NONE.
March 10, 2003KY · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EE WAS SETTING MINING TIMBERS, HE WAS ON HISKNEES . HE PICKED UP A TIMBER, TURNED AROUND ON HIS KNEE TO THROW IT. TWISTED HIS KNEE. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 3-10-03. HOWEVER THE EE DIDN'T LOOSE ANY TIME UNTIL 3-26-03
2002 · 3 incidents
November 15, 2002KY · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
EE WAS OPERATING A SHUTTLE CAR AND BECAME STUCK ON THE FEEDER (PUMPING POINT). HIS COWORKER #2 CAR DRIVE WAS ALSO STUCK ON THE FEEDER. THE #1 CAR DRIVER GOT ON THE SCOOP AND BEGAN TO CLEAN UP THE DUMP, NOT REALIZING THERE WERE OXYGEN & ACETYLENE TANKS IN THE SCOOP BUCKET. HE PUSHED THE TANKS INTO THE FEEDER AND THEY EXPLODED.
November 15, 2002KY · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
EE (#2 CAR DRIVER) WAS OPERATING A SHUTTLE CAR. THE CAR BECAME STUCK ON THE FEEDER. HIS COWORKER #1 CAR DRIVER WAS ALSO STUCK. THE #1 CAR DRIVER GOT ON THE 488 SCOOP AND BEGAN TO CLEAN THE LOO SE COAL FROM THE DUMPING POINT. NOT REALIZING THAT THERE WERE AN OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE TANK IN THE SCOOP BUCKET, HE PUSHED THEM INTO THE FEEDER. THE ACETYLENE TANK EXPLODED.
January 24, 2002KY · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerMACHINERY
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING ON A ROOF BOLTER, HE WAS STANDING ON THE OFF SIDE FROM THE OPERATOR, WHEN THE OPERATOR ADVANCED THE ROOF BOLTER, THE BOLT MACHINE RAN OVER EMPLOYEE'S FOOT.
2001 · 1 incident
November 24, 2001KY · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE CAR DRIVER, HE WAS PULLING COAL FROM # 1 HEADING HE CAME AROUND TOO CLOSE AND HE WAS LEANING OUT OF CAR AND GOT BETWEEN CAR AND RIB, BROKE 3 RIBS AND CUT RIGHT ARM.