Mining Incidents

Black Butte And Leucite Hills MinesCoal

Point Of Rocks, Sweetwater County, WY · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4801180
Fatalities
1
Total incidents
80
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
Struck against stationary object

EE CRESTED PIT 10-RAMP 2 DIVIDE, HEADING SOUTH DOWN-GRADE TO THE COAL PLANT. WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE TRUCK VEERED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFTAT AT THE RAMP JUNCTION. THE TRUCK RAN THRU THE BERM, ABOVE THE OLD PIT 10 READY LINE, WHERE THEOPERATOR WAS EJECTED FROM THE TRUCK

Reportable incidents

79 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2024 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Maintenance mechanic pinched left pinky finger between the driveshaft yoke and the transmission driveshaft retainer cover while trying to reinstall the driveshaft on a D11 dozer in the shop. Pinch caused lacerations to left pinky finger that required sutures.

Struck against stationary object

The coal plant oil was cleaning coal out of a plugged chute at the coal plant. While reaching into the chute to remove a large chunk, EE drug EE's right index finger across a jagged pieced of wear liner. This cut through EE's gloves and caused a laceration on that finger. The laceration required 3 sutures.

2023 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While Dismounting the tire handler and progressing down the ladder, EE stepped down to the last rung on the ladder, felt pain in right ankle and could not put any weight on right ankle/foot.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE pinched finger causing a laceration requiring 9 sutures.

2022 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee fell in parking lot and injured wrist attempting to brace themselves from fall.

2021 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

Mechanic was struck in lower lip with an impact socket when it disconnected from an impact gun while in use. Laceration injury; required 4 sutures from physician to close.

Struck against stationary object

Changing inner dual on mechanics truck, wheel was stuck and EE tried kicking the tire and wheel assembly to break it loose from the hub and strained lower back.

2020 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Environmental engineer suffered lacerated pinky finger (right hand) while operating a cordless drill in order to retrieve water samples from a well.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received laceration to lip when a wooden cribbing block struck EE in the face. Company physician administered two stitches to the laceration.

Fall from machine

Employee fell backwards from a height of approx. 4' off of a lowboy trailer deck to ground level, causing a non-separation fracture to left hip and L-1 vertebra compression fracture.

2019 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee stepped on small rock while stepping out of a Ford F-150 pick-up truck. This caused EE to lose EE's balance and fall after rolling EE's ankle. X-rays showed that EE broke EE's lower right fibula in three places.

2018 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Mechanic suffered a contusion to right shin that required stitches. EE was assisting in the removal of a final drive on a CAT D-11 track dozer at the time of the incident.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee strained a muscle in back while lifting a dump rope into place on the dragline bucket. Employee was taken to the company physician for evaluation. The Physician issued the employee prescription medication.

2017 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee suffered a laceration to the middle finger of the left hand when their finger was caught between the dragline bucket tooth and the truck bed they were transferring the tooth to. Stitches were required to repair the wound.

Fall onto or against objects

While descending, Employee fell from the lower rung of the access ladder on a 16H motor grader and landed on the moboard resulting in fractured ribs and a minor laceration to employee's liver and spleen.

2016 · 3 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

The Bulk Explosive Truck (Unit 5556) had just been washed & parked on ready line with the engine shut down when a fire broke out in the engine compartment. The Engine compartment and cab were completely destroyed. The truck was not loaded at the time. Fire spread to a second Bulk Explosive truck (Unit 5555) parked adjacent to it destroying it also .

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was installing a bushing on the boom foot with 3 other employees. The employees that were setting the bushing were on one side and EE was on the other to tell them when to stop. The bushing was becoming hung up on something and the employee reached in without communicating it. The other employees pushed on the bushing catching injured's finger and crushing the tip.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Black Butte Coal Company was informed on 6/2/16 that a former employee had been diagnosed with Black Lung. Conditions contributing to the illness are unknown. Employee was employed by Black Butte Coal from 6/11/1079 through 6/27/2002. Date of employee's diagnosis was 4/19/2012.

2015 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped on uneven ground and rolled his left ankle resulting in a small fracture to a bone in his foot.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee injured tendons in his right shoulder when he lost his balance on his work platform and used his right arm to catch himself. Employee was prescribed pain medication.

Struck against stationary object

Employee received laceration on his right middle finger while attempting to remove a hydraulic filter from its housing on a D11 Dozer. The laceration required sutures.

2014 · 4 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The tip of the employee's right middle finger was severed when caught between the cable and pulley of a retractable boarding ladder. Surgery was required to close the wound.

Accident type, without injuries

The mine lost power from what was later discovered to be a downed powerline. The cause of the damage is unclear but believed to be a lightning strike or the failure of an insulator which allowed the powerline to burn through the pole. The top of the power pole could not immediately be reached due to the electrical hazard and smoldered for over 30 minutes after discovery.

Fall from machine

Employee fell from the back of a D-10-T dozer to the ground, resulting in an abrasion to his face, contusion to his right thigh and a fracture to his left index finger.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was removing rock from a crusher and lost his grip, causing him to fall and land on a rock that was on the floor. This resulted in pain to his ribs. After evaluation at the local hospital it was found that his left lung was collapsed.

2013 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was lifting the drill bit to clear cuttings with his left hand, while wearing welding gloves. He received a laceration to his left index finger, requiring two stitches to close the wound.

Struck by falling object

Employee was removing wear plates from the tub of dragline. The plate fell from approximately 30"" and struck the employee's right leg, causing lacerations to his leg. He received sutures to close the wounds, prescription medication and he is scheduled with an Orthopaedic Surgeon to follow up on the internal lacerations to the knee.

Accident type, without injuries

Haul truck was operated too close to berm and ended up on it's right side. Operator had no injuries. We do not believe this report is required in this case as there is no injury to report. We were issued a citation for not immediately reporting this even though an immediate report is not required. We were told by MSHA that this report was required to terminate the citation.

2012 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee ruptured a tendon in his right shoulder while using a wrench to loosen a plug in the differential of a CAT 834 RTD.

2011 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee strained his back when he attempted to lift a CAT D11 ripper tooth into the back of a maintenance truck. He was taken to the company physician and was given a light duty return to work release with a 10lb lifting restriction. He was placed on light duty for 3 working shifts.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee pulled muscle in shoulder while pushing a wacker pump onto the tailgate of a pick-up. Employee reported the incident and was taken to the company physician. Employee was released to return to work. After experience more pain, the employee was taken back in on 09/8/2011 and was discovered to have a torn tendon in rotator cuff which will require surgery to repair.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was repairing metal on a truck using a hammer and a punch. In the process of swinging the hammer, the employee missed the punch and struck his left index finger resulting in a fracture to the finger.

Struck by flying object

Employee was changing the teeth on a track hoe bucket. He missed his punch and struck the tooth with his hammer resulting in a steel sliver coming off the tooth and embedding in the skin of his right leg. The company physician removed the steel sliver and prescribed him an antibiotic for prevention of infection.

Accident type, without injuries

A CAT 16H Blade caught fire on the Pit 14 haul Road. The cause is believed to have been electrical but not determined at this time. The fire burned for more than 30 minutes but was extinguished by a water truck. No one was injured in the incident.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee suffered a laceration and a fracture to his left thumb when he struck it with a hammer while performing maintenance on an overburden drill.

2010 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee dislocated his right shoulder when the CAT 777 haul truck he was operating encountered a muddy section of road, slid until it hit a dry section of road, and ended up tipping over onto it's right side.

Fall onto or against objects

At end of shift employee was exiting confined work space-his tool bucket got hung up, he lost his balance and hit his face on a gussett

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stated she lifted out riffle pan to riffle samples, when she felt sharp pain travel down from left elbow to fingers. Under doctors care for tendonitis in her elbow and has been working. She has been getting steroid shots in her elbow for the last few months but she ended up needing surgery on 08-30-10.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee caught right index finger between a hammer handle and a metal tail light cover resulting in a laceration requiring 5 stitches. Employee was seen at ER and released to return to work with no restrictions.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Per the employee, first noticed symptoms back in Oct of 2009. She did not report to the Company until January 5, 2010. Employee was diagnosed on January 25, 2010. Scheduled for surgery on February 19, 2010. Employee continued to work with no restrictions through last scheduled shift before surgery.

2009 · 1 incident

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reached to push a button while seated in a chair, resulting in pain in his back. Extent of impairment is unknown at this time.

2008 · 3 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee had an allergic reaction. No cause for the allergic reaction was found.

Accident type, without injuries

A loaded blast hole was ignited when struck by lightning.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

An employee was installing a mechanical link into a dragline hoist chain when the link slipped and pinched the employee's right middle finger. The employee received medical attention and the xrays were negative.

2007 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Contractor employee was cutting cardboard template to install into a boom chord. The knife would not cut through. Contractor employee turned knife around, cutting towards him. The knife cut contractor employee's left thumb.

2006 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

10/07/06, while working with another employee, they were loading half full 30 gallon coal reject barrels from ? ton pick up, employee wrenched her right shoulder. 10/12/06, employee reported to supervisors that her shoulder was still sore. 11/13/06, reported to superv. shoulder still hurting, wanted to see a doctor.

Fall onto or against objects

An employee was ascending a truck ladder when his right foot slipped. This resulted in a fat lip and he chipped a previously broken and decayed bicuspid. The employee's dentist had recommended extraction before the incident. The incident didn't cause damage to a tooth that was to be extracted. BBCC will conference this reportable.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking on loose coal surface and twisted his right ankle. He suffered a hairline fracture to his ankle

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

An employee fell from an elevated platform.The employee received first aid and has not missed work. MRI results have all been negative involving traumatic injury.The results did reveal disk space degeneration due to age and patients with migraine headaches. The employee elected surgery 12/11/06. BBCC will conference this illness.

2005 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee bent down to pick up a bucket weighing approximately 10 pounds and felt a pop and experienced pain in his right groin area. Medical examination revealed a small hernia.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injury occurred as employee was doing repairs on the bed of a CAT 777 truck. To access the area of the bed needing repairs he was required to use a manlift. Exiting the lift required him to step down about 2 feet. After exiting the lift the first few times he began experiencing a sharp pain in his lower back.The pain worsened over the three days it took to do the job.

Struck against a moving object

Driver of haul truck failed to maintain control of unit on freshly watered haulroad and tipped the truck onto its side.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee lost his balance on uneven ground, when he caught himself he felt a pull in his back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping to change hoist ropes on a dragline. A 1/2"" cable was attached to the damaged hoist rope. A loop had been tied in the cable to secure it to a dozer to pull the hoist rope. The 1/2"" cable failed at the tied in loop. The rope was pulled down the dragline boom, striking the employee on his right arm, knocking him onto the boom walkway.

Struck by flying object

Employee tapped the end of a loader bucket pin with a pin hammer. He felt an object strike his finger. When he removed his gloves he saw a small cut. He treated the cut with a band-aid. A month later the wound wasn't healing properly, and An X-ray by the company physician revealed a small metal object embedded in his finger. Surgery on 05/20/05 removed a small metal object.

2004 · 4 incidents

Struck by falling object

Working on dozer, and dropped belly pan on his right hand, cutting it, requiring 12 stitches.

Struck against a moving object

A haul truck was returning from the dump, when he saw a loaded truck approaching on a curve. He saw that the loaded unit was in his lane, and tried to move out of his way. As the loaded truck went by the empty unit, the headache racks touched, causing slight damage to both trucks. The driver of the empty unit was jarred, and expirienced neck pain, the other driver was uninjured.

Fall from machine

Employee was attempting to fill the hydraulic tank on a D11RCD. As the tank cap was too tight to remove by hand, employee attempted to remove the cap with a 12"" crescent wrench via the cap prongs. While pushing on the cap prongs with the wrench, the prongs broke, causing emplyee to loose balance and fall to the ground, approximately 11'.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

While performing routine maintenance on an Ingersol Rand DMM3 overburden drill, employee lost his balance & fell from a 36"" work platform to the shop floor. Employee put out both arms to brace his fall. His left arm took the majority of the force and hyper-extended. X-ray exam indicated a slight break on the end of the lrft arm radial bone.

2003 · 3 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LABELING BARRELS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE FOR OFF-SITE DISPOSAL. SHE SLIPPED ON FROST-COVERED CONCRETE PAD AT THE WASTE STORAGE BUNKER, STRIKING HER CHIN ON THE BOLT O F A BARREL CLAMP RESULTING IN A CUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER JAW-LINE REQUIRING 8 STITCHES TO CLOSE. THE FIRST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON HAD COME THROUGH THE PREVIOUS EVENING, LEAVING ICE/SNOW.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While prying dragline cable d-rings from frozen ground, employee strained his lower back.

Struck against a moving object

AS EMPLOYEES TRUCK WAS BEING LOADED BY THE 5130 EXCAVATOR. THE EXCAVATOR SLIPPED ON THE ICY BENCH AS THE OPERATOR WAS SWINGING A LOAD INTO THE TRUCK, CAUSING THE BUCKET OF THE EXCAVATOR TO STR IKE THE HEADACHE RACK OF THE TRUCK. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT EMPLOYEE COMPLAINED OF SORENESS IN HER NECK AND UPPER BACK.

2002 · 7 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MINSERCO EMPLOYEE HAD HIS HAND CAUGHT BETWEEN A JACK LUG & THE TUB OF THE MACHINE, RESULTING IN SMALL CUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT POINTING FINGER. THE CUT REQUIRED 3 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS UNLOCKING THE DOOR FROM THE OPEN POSITION TO CLOSE IT ON THE IT-28 LOADER, WHEN THE CAUGHT IT AND BLEW IT SHUT ON HIS FINGER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OFF OF #14 LUBE TRUCK WHEN THE HOLDING STRAP FOR THE BOARDING STEP CAME UNDONE. THE STEP FOLDED OUT & HE LANDED FLAT ON HIS FEET, JARRING HIS LOWER BACK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURY TO UPPER RIGHT ARM ELBOW REGION DUE TO QUICK BACKWARD MOTION OF ARM WHILE TRYING TO ARM REST STATIONARY.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS CLIMBING ONTO THE DRAGLINE (RIGHT SHOE) USING THE REAR INSIDE BOARDING LADDER. AS HE WAS CLIMBING UP HE USED THE CATWALK ABOVE THE LADDER TO PULL HIMSELF UP & FELT A TWISTING SENSATION IN HIS LOWER BACK. EE BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AS THE SHIFT PROGRESSED & HAD TROUBLE WALKING BY THE END OF HIS SHIFT.

Fall onto or against objects

WHILE GETTING OFF OF #10 BLADE EMPLOYEE LOST HIS GRIP ON THE LEFT GRAB RAIL & FELL FROM THE TOP BOARDING STEP, LANDING ON THE MOLDBOARD OF THE BLADE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE HAD TWO SEPARATE INJURIES THAT OCCURRED ON HIS BACK IN MARCH. THE FIRST OCCURRED ON MARCH 3RD AFTER DRIVING A COAL HAULER. SECOND OCCURRED ON MARCH 12 AS HE STEPPED OFF A WATER TRUCK. EE FELT SOMETHING POP IN HIS LOWER BACK RESULTING IN PAIN.

2001 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

EE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND YEILD RIGHT OF WAY TO THE COAL HAULER AT THE MAIN MINEINTERSECTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, WINDOWS ON EE'S VEHICLE WERE ICED (FOGGED) UP. EE'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED

Struck by flying object

DEBRIS FROM GRINDING & DIRT BLEW INTO EYE.

Struck against a moving object

EE RAN OVER A LARGE ROCK WITH D10R DOZER & SUFFERED A NECK STRAIN

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE CTELAB BUYS DISTILLED WATER IN 5 GAL. BOTTLES AND WATER IS RUN THROUGH A COUNTERTOP DISPENSER THROUGH A FILTER BEFORE USED IN THE LAB. WHILE EE WAS CHANGING THE 5 GAL BOTTLE, A FULL BOTTLE SLIPPED FROM HER GRASP AND EE TRIED TO CATCH ITFROM FALLING. WHILE CATCHING IT SHE TWISTED HER RIGHT WRIST AND IT STRUCK THE COUNTERTOP. EE WORKED THE FOLLOWING DAY BEFORE NOTIFYING EMPLOYER

2000 · 5 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

TEMP SERVICE EE (MANPOWER) SLIPPED ON PICKUP BUMPER & BRUISED UPPER BACK. HE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN FOR CHECKUP BY DOCTOR.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WELDERS WERE POSITIONING A DRAGLINE SHOE WEAR BAR (WEIGHT APPROX 1300 LBS) WITH THE WELDING TRUCK HYDRAULIC CRANE. THE WEAR BAR HUNG UP AND EMPLOYEE GRABBED THE END OF THE WEAR BAR TO HELP F REE IT. THE WEAR BAR MOVED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CRUSHED HIS LEFT HAND BETWEEN A GUSSET AND THE END OF THE WEAR BAR.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE LOADING A PIPE WELDING MACHINE ON TO A MECHANIC'S TRUCK, THE EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A LACERATION ON THE MEATY PART OF HIS LEFT HAND. THE LACERATION WAS CAUSED BY THE UNTRIMMED CABLE AND LOCAT ED AT THE LIFTING HOOK ON THE IMT MECHANIC'S HOIST. LACERATION REQUIRED 4 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

Fall from machine

SPAD EE BAR SLIPPED OUT OF RAIL CAR DOOR LATCDH CAUSING EE TO FALL BACKWARDS LANDING WITH HIS FULL BODY WEIGHT ON HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG. COKING COAL BRIQUETTES THAT HAD SPILLED OUT OF THE CAR MA DE FOOTING LESS THEN DESIRATE.

Struck against a moving object

992-6 LOADER FELL INTO A SOFT HOLE (LEFT FRONT WHEEL) WHILE BACKING AWAY FROM TRUCK. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LOADER BUCKET HIT THE LEFT CORNER OF THE TRUCK BED.