Mining Incidents

Birch Fork Coal

Marfork Coal Company Inc · Underground
Pettus, Raleigh County, WV  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4608493

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
27
Years on record
1995–2000
Latest incident
Apr 2000
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
9
citations
4
significant & substantial
$1,121
proposed penalties
$1,116
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date — a $5 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
9
inspections on record
311
inspection hours
n/a
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.
Rate withheld: 311 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
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
2000 Q3 8,762 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 19,629 6 3 305.7
2000 Q1 21,339 3 1 140.6
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

27 on file

2000 · 4 incidents

April 15, 2000 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS PULLING A CABLE FROM UNDER A ROCK WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING A M.R.S. UNIT. AS HE DID, A ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF STRIKING HIM IN THE BACK CAUSING STIFFNESS AND PAIN.

April 12, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BY THE POWER CENTER AND CLAIMS TO HAVE SLIPPED AND INJURED HIS BACK.

March 10, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS WALKING ACROSS SECTION TO FINISH STOPPING PASSED BETWEEN #3 & #4 ENTYR THE SHUTTLE CAR WAS LOADED. THE CAR TURNED DOWN #3 ENTRY TOWARD FEEDING THE LOADING END CAUGHT OTHER LEG AND KNOCKING HIM DOWN.

January 26, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE ALLEGES TO HAVE INJ HIS BACK WHILE LIFTING BELT STRUCTURE

1999 · 2 incidents

October 2, 1999 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by falling object

EE WAS MOVING THE CONTINUOUS MINER. HE STOPPED THE MACHINE AFTER TAILING UP #2 SO HE COULD TAKE OFF THE CABLE ROPES AS HE WAS WALK DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MACHINE A RIB ROLL 14' X 15 1/2" X 15 TO 25" RASHED OUT STRIKING HIM IN THE LOWER BACK AREA. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY FOUND HE HAD A BROKEN PELVIS.

August 30, 1999 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Marfork Coal Company Inc · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE FELT PAIN IN LOW BACK WHILE PERFORMING NORMAL DUTIES. NO SPECIFIC EVENTS OCCURRED TO WARRANT A MINE RELATED ACCIDENT. EMPLOYEE HAS HAD BACK PAIN IN THE PAST AND STATES HIS AILMENTS ARE FROM REPEATED TRAUMA OVER AN EXTENDED PERIODOF TIME.

1998 · 4 incidents

August 11, 1998 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS PULLING A CONTINUOUS MINER CATHEAD THROUGH A HOLE IN THE STOPPING LINE. THE CATHEAD SLIPPED FROM HIS HAND AND CAUGHT THE 4TH FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND BETWEEN THE STOPPING AND THE CATHEAD . THE RESULT WAS A PUNCTURE WOUND TO THE FINGER REQUIRING 2 SUTURES. MEDICAL ATTENTION ONLY, NO DAYS LOST.

April 14, 1998 WV · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT WHILE PLACING TOP STRUCTURE IN PLACE HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. EMPLOYEE WENT EMERGENCY ROOM ON 4.14.98 AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO SEE A SPECIALIST ON 4.20.98. HE WAS DI AGNOSED ON THIS DATE WITH 2 PULLED MUSCLES.

April 1, 1998 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT AS HE WAS INSTALLING A ROOF BOLT (PUSHING IT INTO PLACE) HE FELT SOMETHING PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE CONTINUED WORKING UNTIL 4/24/98. THE EMPLOYEE HAD HIS BACK EXAMINED A GAIN DUE TO PAIN. IT WAS FOUND AT THIS TIME 4/24/98 THAT HE HAD A SLIPPED DISC. THE EMPLOYEE STARTED MISSING WORK ON 4/24/98. AT THIS TIME THE OCCURENCE BECAME REPORTABLE.

February 11, 1998 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner POWERED HAULAGE
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS STANDING NEXT TO A SHUTTLE CAR CABLE, THE REEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED. HE DID NOT THINK THE CABLE WOULD BE PICKED UP ON THE REEL. WHEN THE SHUTTLE CAR WAS STALTED TO REMOVE IT FOR REPAIR, TH E CABLE REEL INGAGED CAUSING THE CABLE TO STRIKE THE EE KNOCKING HIM TO THE MINE FLOOR. THE RESULT WAS TORN LAGIMENTS IN HIS LEFT KNEE. THE EE HAS NOT MISSED ANY DAYS WORK, BUT HAS BEEN TRANS

1997 · 4 incidents

November 15, 1997 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) ELECTRICAL
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE HANGING A SHUTTLE CAR CABLE, THE INJURED RECEIVED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. DURING THE DAYS FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT, THE INJRED EXPERIENCED PAIN IN HIS CHEST AREA. [INJURED DID NOT SEEK TREAT MENT FOR THIS CONDITION UNTIL 11/20/97].

August 14, 1997 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

GPF-REPEATED TRAUMA ROOF BOLTING OVER PERIOD OF TIME.

January 7, 1997 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

GPF-REPEATED TRAUMA OVER APERIOD OF TIME PERFORMING NORMAL WORK ACTIVITIES AROUND CONVEYOR BELT LINES.

January 6, 1997 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

INJURED HAD GOTTEN OUT OF MANTRIP AND WAS WALKING UP THE BELTLINE. HE STEPPED ON SOME WET BOTTOM & SLIPPED STRAINING/TWISTING HIS RIGHT KNEE. EE DID NOT MISS ANY DAYS WORKED. HAD ORTHOSCOPIC S URGERY ON 2-10-97-OCCURRENCH BECAME REPORTABLE AT THIS TIME. EE HAS NOT MISSED ANY DAYS WORKED.

1996 · 4 incidents

November 4, 1996 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INJURED WAS LOADING MINE BELT ON CAR WHEN HE TWISTED HIS BACK, CAUSING IT TO STRAIN & HURT.

August 13, 1996 WV · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator MACHINERY
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by powered moving object

EE WAS WATCHING THE BOLTER CABLE WHILE IT WAS BACKING FROM THE FACE OF #3 ENTRY. HE WAS ON THE OFF SIDE AND THE OPERATOR DID NOT OBSERVE HIM. HIS LEG WAS STRUCK BY THE MACHINE. THE RESULT WAS A FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT ANKLE.

April 9, 1996 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator POWERED HAULAGE
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by flying object

MEDICAL REPORT ONLY NO DAYS LOST CONTINUOUS MIENR WAS HUNG UP. A CHAIN WAS HOOKED TO THE MINER & SHUTTLE CAR. THE CHAIN BROKE OFF CAUSING ROCK TO FLY A STRIK THE EMPLOYEE (MR. HARPER) ON THE LEFT SIDE OF FACE, CAUSING A LACERATIONG TO THE LIP AND CHIN. THE LACERATION REQUIRED SUTURES SWITCHES ONLY.

February 28, 1996 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND STRUCK WRIST (LEFT) ON ROOF BOLTING MACHINE. THE RESULT WAS HAIRLINE FRACTURE. EMPLOYEE DID NOT MISS ANY DAYS WORKED. MEDICAL REPORT ONLY.

1995 · 9 incidents

December 19, 1995 WV · Coal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURED WAS UNLOADING H BEAMS OFF OF TRACK SUPPLY CAR WHEN A BEAM WAS TURNED OVER CATCHING HIS HAND BETWEEN THE BEAM AND THE SUPPLY CAR.

September 28, 1995 WV · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator POWERED HAULAGE
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

HOOKING BELT CAR TO SCOOP, NEEDED SCOOP TO BACK UP SO HE COULD LATCH CAR, SCOOP JUMPED BACKWARD CATCHING ARM BETWEEN SCOOP & BELT CAR.

September 25, 1995 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE HAD JUST PUT UP HIS INSIDE BOLT AND WHILE WAITING FOR THE BOLT TO SET, HE BEGAN CHANGING THE BIT ON HIS DRILL STEEL. AFTER CHANGING THE BIT, EMPLOYEE PLACED HIS LEFT HAND ON THE JOY S TICK AND WHILE HOLDING THE DRILL STEEL IN HIS RIGHT HAND OPERATED THE FAST FEED. AS THE HEAD WASLOWERED THE DRILL STEEL WAS PUSHED DOWN CAUSING HIS THUMB TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN THE STEEL & TRAY

August 31, 1995 WV · Coal electrician, lineman STRIKING OR BUMPING
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

THE EMPLOYEE STATED THAT AS HE WAS WALKING UP NUMBER 3 ENTRY GOING TOWARD THE FACE, HE WALKED INTO A ROOF BOLT THAT WAS HANGING DOWN.

August 15, 1995 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by flying object

THE EE STATED THAT HE WAS CUTTING A METAL BANK ON A ROLL OF BELT WHEN THE BANK CAME LOOSE AND STRUCK THE EE ON HIS ARM.

August 10, 1995 WV · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

WHILE LOADING STRUCTURE IN SCOOP, FELT PULL ON RIGHT SIDE OF ABDOMEN.

August 6, 1995 WV · Coal electrician helper FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING A MANTRIP WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL OUT FROM BETWEEN TWO BOLTS AND HIT HIMON THE HEAD. HE RECEIVED 6 STITCHES IN THE CHIN.

July 16, 1995 WV · Coal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING TO RAISE A CONVEOR STRUCTURE INTO POSITION, WHEN THE STRUCTURE ROTATED. THE EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A LACERATION TO THE LOWER RIGHT FOREARM WHICH REQUIRED SUTURES.

July 13, 1995 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Marfork Coal Company Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

PULLIGN SLACK ON MINER CABLE & WATER LINE. THE ROPE WIH WHICH THEY WERE PULLING THE SLACK WITH BROKE AND CAUSED THE WATER INE TO WHIP AROUND AND KNOCK HIS FEET OUT FROM UNDER HIM CAUSIG HIM T O FALL ON HAND.