San Miguel Lignite MineCoal

On the morning of October 23, 2025, a dragline supervisor was loosening a 3-1/8-inch bolt on an 8050-dragline swing brake. The wrench slipped from the nut. As a result, the left little finger was caught between the wrench and a handrail.

A P.M. Technician was using a pressure washer and stepped backward, tripping over a shovel handle. As a result, the P.M. Technician fell and hit head on the handrail causing a laceration requiring sutures.

While pulling a rope to open the rear door of the 8200 dragline, the employee fell to the ground. As a result, the employee suffered a right knee sprain.

A Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) fell from a Komatsu D475A Dozer while mounting. As a result, the HEO suffered a fractured ankle.

While making shift change in the pit, a Heavy Equipment Operator stated they felt ill and fell to the ground unconscious. CPR and AED was administered unsuccessfully.

A Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) was dismounting a dozer, lost footing, and fell to the ground. The HEO reached with the right hand to catch the fall to the ground. As a result, the HEO suffered a radial fracture of the right wrist.

While operating a Caterpillar 777 water truck at ~18-20 mph, the brakes engaged causing a rapid stop. As a result, the operator was jolted against the seatbelt. The operator reported neck and upper back discomfort the following day. The discomfort has not significantly improved. As a result, the water truck driver missed the first work shift December 15, 2023.

Employee was removing a guard on 8200 Dragline, SG #4 to change brushes. The employee miss-stepped causing right foot to slip off walkway. The walkway was around 8"" higher than walkway employee miss-stepped down onto. Employee stepped down to the right and backwards, causing employee's right upper back to contact with something on #5 Hoist Motor causing bruise on upper back.

While wrapping hoist drum with cable, the tugger cable failed and the backlash struck employee who was operating the tugger on the right thumb causing immediate swelling. Ice was administered immediately. Employee was transferred by site safety to ER as a precautionary measure.

Employee was installing right rear outside tire on Articulating Tractor while using a 5 Spline Air Impact to tighten the bolts. While using the impact to tighten the bolts, the impact socket broke causing the impact to hit employee in the left upper chest area. The broken impact socket caused a small laceration on the employees chest requiring 4 stitches.

Coal Train 325 Komatsu 330M Caught Fire and it took longer than 30min to put it out

Employee's foot slipped in the truck cab door way while exiting a 6x6 water truck. EE landed on the ground with weight on ee left foot, resulting in a fracture to left heel.

Employee felt discomfort in EE's left shoulder

EE was installing inspection cover plates on a propel case. EE was tightening bolts with a socket/ratchet wrench and the socket slipped off of the bolt as they were tightening. Felt pain in right shoulder. EE was instructed to report the incident to supervisor but did not do that. The incident was not reported until 08/27/2018 when treatment was sought.

The employee went to the roof with other workers to set a piece of tin roofing in place. The roofing is notched out so that it fits in a certain spot on the roof. The employee grabbed the tin in the middle section where it was previously cut by a saw and had bur marks. EE's glove caught the burs and cut through it cutting four fingers on the right hand.

EE was welding handrails on a walkway and was using a 6"" grinder to grind the weld and debris got into right eye.

A mechanic was removing a pin when it pivoted and caught middle finger between the pin and a door. The mechanic sustained a small break and required stitches to close the wound.

Employee strained shoulder while pulling on an alignment bar. *The incident occurred 6/23/16 but did not become a recordable until 7/18/16.

While climbing a boarding ladder to gain access, the employee placed his foot on the curved edge of the hood to make the transition from the boarding ladder. When the employee put pressure on his left foot he heard a slight ""pop"" in his left calf muscle. He was taken to a Medical Clinic where a muscle pull was diagnosed and restrictions put in place.

The employee thought he had the forks of his Komatsu WA200 securely pinned but the fork attachment fell off. The loader ran over the forks and then came to a very abrupt stop. The operator struck his head on the edge of the sun visor, which was still partially down. The laceration required 6 stitches.

A 65lb pin backed out of a bore and fell on the injured employee's right foot. The foot was put in an immobilizing boot and was restricted from his normal duties for 2 weeks. The boot and restrictions were prescribed on 6/15/2015. 1 week after the incident.

Operator was dismounting a loader. While holding the grab irons on the left side of the cab and on the inside of the latched open door, the operator stepped from the cab to the first step. When doing so, his left arm moved in a manner that caused the elbow to contact the side view convex mirror. The mirror broke, and his upper arm was lacerated requiring 8 stitches.

On 08/27/2013, during a repair of the dragline shoe area, an employee was cleaning and a sliver of metal penetrated his gloves and punctured the left hand. The sliver was removed and the punctured area was cleaned. On 10/29/2013 the injured employee visited a DR to remove imbedded grease and received a suture.

A Haul Truck Operator was attempting to free a rock from between the dual tires of the haul truck and when the rock dis-lodged, it hit the operator in the mouth. The operator had 6 teeth loosened.

A belt repair was taking place on an Easi-miner. The remnants of the belt were removed. While attempting to back off the adjuster on the short conveyor so the new belt could be fastened together a piece of parting, approximately 30 lbs, fell off of the adjustment guide and struck the mechanic above the left eye causing a laceration.

The operator of a Komatsu End Dump was exiting the pit due to weather conditions when he hit a pot hole and then felt a pull in his back. The truck that hit the hole was the 3rd of 4 empty haul trucks through the area. He was taken to the Emergency room where he was diagnosed with a pulled muscle in his back and received medication and was ordered to take 3 days off.

A Mobile Equipment Operator was driving a Komatsu 785 when he experienced a Muscle Spasm in his lower back. The operator was training new truck drivers the three previous days before the incident. The Trainer seat in the Komatsu 785 has no suspension. A medical doctor said the operator was out of shape.

Injured worker was installing a generator on a dragline. As he was rolling the bearing into the bearing pedestal, his right pinky finger between the generator babbitt bearing and the pedestal.

A team of three employees were attempting to clean the cutting area of an Easi-miner that was clogged with built-up dirt. One of the team members had their hand in a crush point and his right ring finger was caught between the tooth of the cutter head and the tub of the machine causing a severe laceration that required 10 stitches.

An employee slipped in the change-house causing a laceration to his hand requiring 3 stitches

The injured employee was assisting another employee to re-install a tire on a lube truck. The injured employee was lifting on the dolly to help position the tire when he felt a pain in his lower back. A Doctor diagnosed Lumbar Spine pain.

The employee slipped on a step while he was descending the ladder of a haul truck. When he slipped, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. The Dr. found nothing and told the employee to take otc Tylenol. The employee missed 1 shift.

An operator stepped out of the pickup and rolled his ankle. He felt pain immediately and his ankle started to swell. He was taken to the hospital for x-rays which were negative. - This is an update on an earlier Medical First Aid case. The injured person saw a specialist today (08/10/2012) who determined that there was a break in an ankle bone that was not detected earlier.

The operator of a loader was attempting to lift an engine compartment door when his finger was caught in the latch and the door got away from him and lacerated the tip of his middle index finger on his right hand.

On August 12th, the injured employee was getting out of a boat. The employees foot caught the lip of the boat and he fell. He hit the concrete spillway and jammed his shoulder. His shoulder continued to hurt and was taken to the Med Clinic for x-rays on August 22nd and was given a prescription for the pain.

The injured person was assisting a maintenance employee to change a tire. The injured person reached to pick up lug nuts. His foot slipped. He was seen by the mine's Emergency Response Team and then taken to the Emergency room for x-rays where it was determined that there was a broken bone in his ankle.

Moving a 200 pound hydraulic ram, ram shifted and fell onto little finger, right hand causing a laceration that required sutures to close.

Employee was grinding inside drag line wearing welding hood and safety glasses. When finished, removed hood and felt something in his eye. Employee was treated at Texas Med Clinic and had particle removed by a doctor.

The employee jumped from a burning water truck. The landing that he jumped from was approx. 10'. The employee suffered mild 2nd degree burns to both forearms and a severe sprain to his right leg.

Mechanic was knocking out a bearing race from a hub on the ground using a brass drift and a hammer. The brass drift edge slipped off the surface of the race as he hit the drift. This caused his left hand to be smashed against a stud on the hub.

Operator was running tractor pulling 3 scraper pans. Tractor ran off the side of the haul road striking a root pile. Impact broke out right and left side glass. Operator received laceration to left index finger and back of head requiring treatment at local clinic. Operator refused to take post incident drug test and was terminated per company substance abuse policy.

EE was opening pump valve @ Area A pond 1 when the valve would not open. EE used 2 hands to open the valve when the valve broke, EE fell back on left side of back. EE landed on a polypipe on his left back side. EE could not move off the polypipe.

Operator was performing pre-shift inspection on a motor grader in the maintenance shop. When closing the engine compartment door, the operator lost his balance and fell backward onto the shop concrete floor. The operator sustained a laceration to the back of his head when he fell. He was treated by mine site first responders and taken to the hospital where he recieved four staples.

Employee was doing general clean up of work area. Employee picked up grinder. Grinder started causing a l inch laceration to his right thigh.

EE was removing the transmission pump which was tied up by a rope. When he went to remove the rope it slipped causing a laceration to his left finger when the pump slipped down

Diagnosed Staph Infection possibly stemming from cut on wrist.

Employees's shoulder was strained when a choker he was hooking up was pulled tight.

Operator tripped on the top step of the ladder while mounting a 992 wheel loader. He fell forward against the cab, causing pain in his right arm.

EE was using a pry bar when it slipped and smashed his finger

Employee was preparing to service a dragline cable tractor that was approaching the area where his service truck was parked. When the tractor parked, the three point hitch-mounted cable handling implement (D-Ring) was lowered onto the employee's right foot, hitting between his steel toe cap and his ankle. The employee sustained bruising and minor swelling.

While stepping out of vehicle employee felt pop in his knee and could not put weight on it. Injury appears to be a continuation of a previous work injury from 2005. Accident occurred on 5/25 and employee was able to return to work on next scheduled shift and continued to work assigned shift until 6/3/2009. At this time he sought medical attention.

Mechanic was performing maintenance on front end loader when he became light headed. He indicated this to his co-worker and they came back to the office to get checked out. While he was being treated by mine site first responders, medical assistance was summoned to the mine site. He was taken via ambulance to the hosipital and diagnosed with having heat exhaustion.

Infection (Bursitis) in left elbow possibly stemming from unknown insect bite.

Casing was stuck on catwalk. Employee was helping to free the pipe, when it fell off catwalk and smashed his ankle.

While drilling a water well, the injured floor hand was making a drillpipe connection. The injured employee did not wait for the other floor hand to get tongs completely around the pipe, he put his hand in a pinch point, the tongs were then latched. Injured employee had the tip of his left ring finger amputated.

Employee was milling on rack pad (Windy Conditions, Milling, & Sandblasting). Felt discomfort on Saturday 3/21, still feeling discomfort on Sunday 3/22, employee was taken to the ER. The ER treated him for a scratched cornea, referred to an optometrist for a followup visit on Wednesday 3/25. Optometrist discovered an embedded particle, removed with a surgical drill.

Individual was walking through the Maintenance Shop. When he looked up at a piece of equipment a gust of wind blew through the shop causing some dust to get into his eye.

Swelling due to infection on left foot.

The assistant tied a rope to both of the drag ropes to line them back into their lagging, the ropes shifted into place in a sudden motion and he lost his balance. He didn't fall but did slip, because he was standing on top of a plastic sheet that was lying on a mound of dirt and covered by a thin layer of dirt.

Two emloyes were manually rotating a light mast in the dark. While rotating the mast one employee had his left hand on the handle and his right hand on the mast in the pinch point, the rotation of the mast severed the tips of his middle and ring fingers on his right hand between the rotating mast and mast support.

As the operator was returning from the ash pit in a Komatsu 330M end dump, he met a fuel truck and slid off the road. The roads were wet from rain, and the road way is narrow. The operator called the supervisor on shift to assist in bringing a cable choker to pull the truck out with. As the operator was pulling the choker into place to hook up to the truck, he strained his back.

Mechanics were attempting to remove a seized travel brake assembly on a continuous surface miner. When the brake was removed, the track moved suddenly, striking the victim on the left arm. The resulting wound required three staple type sutures.(ee was unable to report for duty as a result of the injury beginning 10/6/07)

Employee was using a 7"" right angle grinder and the grinder kicked and cut left thumb.

Employee partially fell through a section of grating on the rear deck of unit 325 belly-dump coal hauler tractor resulting in a laceration injury to the lower right leg/shin. The resulting laceration required 5 staple type sutures.

Employee was walking thru a muddy area and stepped on a piece of steel. The steel missed the employee's boot sole but entered the instep of the boot penetrating approximately 1/2 inch into the foot. Puncture was cleaned at hospital and sutures were not required. Antibotics were prescribed.

Employee was struck by 10"" Polypropylene pipe being dragged by a tractor, knocking him to the ground. His left ankle was broken. The injured employee directed the tractor driver to pull the pipe, when the pipe moved it shifted striking the employee. All employees have been instructed to stand well clear of pipe and machinery when it is being moved.

Employee experienced pain in left arm / shoulder. A physical evaluation revealed a degenerative condition of the left shoulder rotator cuff.

Employee was using a chain come-along to secure the moldboard on a motorgrader. When hydraulic force was applied to the moldboard, the come-along's chain broke and struck the employee.

The employee was bitten by an unidentified, nonvenomous insect on the left forearm. The employee received initial medical treatment for swelling and discomfort on 06/14/2006.

A pat eye was being pulled with an overhead crane when pat eye broke loose and the chocker used to pull struck employee in (R) face/cheek area resulting in a fracture and laceration requiring hospitalization.

(2ND OF 2 FIRES - 1ST FIRE ON 2/4/06.) Contractor baling hay in reclaimed area E. Apparent mechanical failure on hay baler 567 resulted in an overheating condition which ignited grass. Fire consumed 7.35 acres of reclaimed vegetation with total burn time of 1.5 hours. Extinguished by mine fire brigade and SMEC power plant fire brigade.

2/4/06 Bearing in baler went out grass was ex- ceptionally dry grass caught fire. 2/5/06 pickup assembly on baler picked up rock which logged against metal sparked and caught hay on fire.

(1ST OF 2 FIRES - 2ND FIRE ON 2/7/06.) Contractor baling hay in reclaimed area E. Bearing failed on hay baler & overheated, causing grass to ignite. Recent drought contributed to increased fire danger. 68.73 acres of reclaimed vegetation were consumed, with total burn time of approx. 3 hrs. Extinguished by local vol. fire dept. & San Miguel fire brigade.

Employee was going to change a quick connection off a welding cable. The screw driver he had would not fit in the hole. He started cutting it wih a knife, the knife slipped and cut through his glove. It cut his left hand.

Employee was removing drag rope from drag drum. The bottom loop slid from drag drum and the cable hit his heel. As a result, the employee fell back and twisted his knee.

While adjusting brake on Marion 8050 dragline, employee directed assistant to open brake. While he was removing his hands from Brake wheel, he passed by the pinch point. The Brake assembly opened and caught his index finger.

Employee was using a hammer to loosen a tooth point on Loader when the hammer struck the hardened surface of the4 tooth, a piece of the tooth flew off and lodge in his leg.

While trying to dislodge the hold down pin on boom, hand slipped and hit the bracket for the pin. Pin was bent and would not slide out of bracket, Using just hand force.

Employee was opening hood on service truck and felt left groin strain. Employee reported incident at 2:00 am 5/21 and was transported to Hospital for examination and returned to work to completed his shift. Employee returned to work until June 24th when he complained of pain and could not perform his normal duties. He was sent home on that date.

Railroad Commission Inspector was driving out in the tall grass at the corner of 3B haulroad and main haulroad. The exhaust on his truck started the grass on fire. We had a water truck to wet the roadside and powerline pols to prevent fire from jumping across the haulroad. It took approximately 45 minutes to extinguish the fire.

Employee was working on installing plastic into the trailer of a coal train truck. He was attempting to move the plastic when he tripped over a lifting cable. He fell into the sheet of plastic on the left side of his chest, resulting in two broken ribs. EE had assistance and was utilizing a tagline.

Employee was cleaning off a part in the warehouse. When he brushed off the dust, by using his hand, he caught a piece of the tyband label and sliced his hand.

WHILE PUTTING PERMIT STAKES IN ARE 3E FOR FINALY PERMIT RELEASE, DRIVER SAW FLAMES IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR. DRIVER GOT AWAY FROM FIRE AND CONTACT FIRE BRIGADE PERSONNEL. THE GRASS WAS SET BY H EAT FROM THE CADILITIC CONVERTOR ON THE PICK UP TRUCK. THE PICK UP TRUCK WAS A 1999 F250 FORD TRUCK, AND THE FIRE BURNED APPROX. 40 ACRES.

REMOVING FILTER FROM DIRT MOVING EQUIPMENT. WAS STANDING ON TIRE WHEN WRENCH SLIPPED. FELL BREAKING HER COLLARBONE.

THE EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING PAD EYES ON DRAG ROPES FOR THE MARION AND NEEDED MORE WELDING RODS. WHEN WALKING AROUND THE WELDING TRUCK HE HAD TO STEP OVER A RUT AND WELDING LEADS. HIS FOOT CAUGHT ON THE WELDING LEADS CAUSING HIM TO FALL TWISTING HIS RIGHT KNEE. THE EMPLOYEE TORE THE MENISCUS CARTILAGE REQUIRING ORTHOSCOPIC SURGERY.

WHILE TIGHTENING A BOLT WITH A WRENCH, THE WRENCH SLIPPED CAUSING HIS SHOULDER TO POP. THE EMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH SOME REOCCURRING PAIN. THE EMPLOYEE HAD AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN MRI ON 5/29/03 AND WAS TAKEN OFF WORK ON 6/2/03.

WHILE WORKING IN THE WELDING SHOP, ANOTHER EE DROPPED A PIECE OF METAL ON HIS FOOT CAUSING A HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO THE FOURTH PHALANGE OF THE LEFT FOOT.

WHILE HAMMERING ON A HARDENED SURFACE WITH A HAMMER A SLIVER OF METAL STRUCK HIM IN THE ABDOMIN.THE SLIVER WAS REMOVED AND REQUIRED 1 STITCH.

WHILE CHECKING COOLANT LEVEL IN THE RADIATOR OF THE D-8 CAT DOZER, THE CAP BLEW OFF AND ANTIFREEZE CONTACTED THE EE'S LEFT FOREARM.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE AROUND THE HITCH AREA OF A 330M KOMATSU BELLY DUMP TRUCK THE EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND FELL ON THE REAR DECK CAUSING A LACERATION TO HIS LEFT SHIN WHICH REQUIR ED 3 STITCHES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED ON THE TRUCK WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF DISCOVERY.

LIGHTINING STRUCK AND CAUGHT THE GRASS ON FIRE IN AREA E NEAR 6E RAMP AND POND/15E JOURDATION, OFIRE DEPT RESPONDED AS WELL AS FIRE TRUCK AND BROUGHT THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AROUND 1:00 AM THUR SDAY.

A FIRE WAS STARTED BY LIGHTNING IN A RECLAIMED AREA OF THE MINE. THE FIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES FROM THE SHOP AND 16 MILES AWAY FROM WHEREMINING ACTIVITIES WERE TAKING PLACE.

WHILE WELDING ON THE LONG CONVEYOR SUPPORT ON 221 EASI-MINER, EE LOST HIS FOOTING WHILE CLIMBINGDOWN & FELL 4 TO 5 FEET HURTING HIS RIGHT WRIST.

EE WAS USING 1"" IMPACT WRENCH TO SERVICE SAMPAC PAN. AS THE WRENCH WAS BEING USED, IT SLIPPED OFF OF THE BOLT CATCHING (STRIKING) THE EE'S LEFT HAND.

EE WAS REMOVING CHOKER FROM COME-A-LONG WHEN IT SPRAN BACK AND HIT HIM IN THE MOUTH.

THE EE WAS RAISING A SECTION OF 6"" DRISCOE PIPE WITH A HAND CRANK WINCH. THE HANDLE DID NOT KITCH ALLOWING IT TO SPIN BACKWARDS STRIKING HIS HAND.

THE EE WAS STRUCK IN RIGHT HAND BY A 4""X20' NYLON CHOKER THAT WAS USED TO PULL POWER CABLE AS THE MARION DRAGLINE WAS WALKING. THE CHOKER BROKE & SNAPPED BACK& STRUCK THE EE

WHILE TIGHTENING LUGNUTS ON THE REAR TIRES OF A 100 TON END DUMP TRUCK, THE EE'S RIGHT HAND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TORQUE ARM OF THE TORQUE WRENCH AND THE TIRE RIM.

WHILE INSTALLING BOLTS ON THE DRUM END OF THE DRAG DRUM WITH A SLAP WRENCH, THE WRENCH SLIPPED AND PINCHED THE END OF THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT INDEX FINGER REQUIRING STITCHES.