Mining Incidents

UsibelliCoal

Controlled by Joseph E Usibelli
Healy, Denali County, AK · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 5000030
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
67
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Sep 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

67 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

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

While manually moving a piece of grip strut floor grating, employee's glove got caught on metal and smashed the tip of EE's RH middle finger. Employee received two stitches at clinic, and was released to work the next shift.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Truck driver slipped on ice at ground level; landing on EE's RH shoulder. EE did not miss any shifts, but a recent medical evaluation (2/17) has indicated the need for surgery. Surgery is scheduled for 2/26. Unknown at this time when employee will receive return to work clearance.

2024 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Dozer operator dismounting dozer slipped on last step on push beam. When RH foot slipped LH foot remained on upper step, causing LH knee to be bent to EE's chest and EE felt a pop. Operator did not miss a shift while seeking medical evaluation. Arthroscopic surgery commenced on 10/18/24, with return to work release given for 10/21/24.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ground crew had hooked an old drag rope to a dozer to be pulled out of the dragline pit. As dozer pulled the drag rope at an angle it got closer to ground crew and then suddenly changed predicted path and struck two miners in the lower leg. One miner was given X-Rays the next day and left tibia was broken.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator stepped from ladder on dragline shoe and EE's knee buckled to the left underneath EE's body weight. Operator did not miss a shift while seeking medical evaluation and second opinion. Surgery was recommended and employee missed EE's first shift yesterday (4/8/24) for pre-op. Surgery taking place today 4/9/24. Return to work to be determined by surgeon.

Struck by flying object

Operator was ripping a frozen road surface with a Caterpillar D10 to gain access for drillers. While ripping the road surface, a rock deflected off the ripper tooth and entered the rear window of the dozer, striking the operator. Operator sustained a laceration on the head.

2023 · 2 incidents

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

Welder smashed a finger between two metal pieces of metal. The went to local clinic two days later because the blood was beginning to displace their fingernail. Provider at local clinic drained the blood and employee returned to work on their next regularly scheduled shift.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The miner was using a 4-1/2"" grinder. The grinder bound in a crack and kicked back toward miner's face. When it came in contact with the faceshield miner was wearing, the grinder ""walked"" its way down the front of the shield and then up and under to contact the miner's chin. This caused a cut that required stitches at a local clinic. The miner returned to work for next shift.

2020 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Driver of haul truck was bumped by loader and strained EE's back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While stepping off dragline onto uneven ground employee felt a pop in left hip area. Hip became sore over time and employee was sent to the doctors office to get checked out.

2019 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

Mechanic was rebuilding drill auger when unbolting coupler auger shifted and struck mechanic on top of foot.

2017 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped on ice and sprained knee

2016 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was team lifting a locking ring for a 785 haul truck tire into the back of a service truck and felt a pop in right arm. The employee went to the doctor and it was confirmed that EE partially ruptured right bicep.

2014 · 3 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Uncoupling and moving a diesel powered 4"" water pump from the pit to shoot coal.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Using an air hammer to remove a stuck bearing, a piece broke off and struck the side of his head.

Struck against a moving object

Icy, snow covered road going to substation. Electrician was going to substation to see why power was not being supplied to idle dragline. Lost control of vehicle, slid through snow berm and struck solid berm coming to abrupt stop. Neck strain, has been treated by chiropractor and released for work. Damaged front drive system of vehicle.

2013 · 5 incidents

Struck by flying object

While repairing drag line boom a grinding filing was blown into left eye.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Fuel hose hung up in reel on lube truck. Operator pulled aggressively on hose and felt what he thought was a muscle pull in lower left stomach area.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee struck left index finger with back side of a brush tool while driving a surveyor's stake.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

During the welding process, a piece of debris got into the welders eye. The employee had all the proper PPE on, and it was not noticed until later that night that he had an issue.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While stepping off the loader, the operator slipped on slick ladder rung and pulled his left arm and neck muscles as he gripped firmer on the handrails.

2012 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had a plugged chute in the coal handling facility. He went to inspect the chute. He pulled the cover off the screen deck. When lifting the screen, he gave an extra hard pull. When he pulled, it over travelled and he hit himself below the right eye and high on the cheek.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The temperature was about -35 below and the roads/pits were icy. The employee stepped out of his service vehicle to look at a haul truck and slipped on the ice, striking his chest on the ground.

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

Employee smashed left hand open when inserting a wheel lug torque tool on a Caterpiller 994 front end loader. Employees hand was pinched when the tool was inadvertently started.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee had an allergic reaction while at work. Saw a physician and received a shot, with no time lost

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped and fell in parking lot. worked regular shift that day, elected light duty on the second day.

2011 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee slipped when he missed a rung on a ladder initially refused treatment that night. did not return to work after days off on the evening of the 21st.

Fall from machine

Was onloading roll of geocloth from a flatbed trailer when one end of the roll snagged and it spun around knocking the employee off his feet and off the trailer

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee pinched elbow between fuel tank and cradle... no lost time but was on restricted duty

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee claimed he was repairing a hydraulic leak on Cat 62 heard a pop in his knee and awoke the next day with a swollen knee. Time cards indicate he worked a full 12 hour shift the day after he worked on C62. He never reported any incident or injury until he failed to report for work 2 days later

Struck against a moving object

Employee was not sure what happened felt very stiff in the back t the end of the day. Employee did not initially miss time until July 14

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Injured back while cranking on a trailer jack.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was stepping down stairs when he rolled his right ankle.

Struck against a moving object

Employee called in sick originally, later said he had lower back pain due to operating a dozer.

2010 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee was told of possible lay off at 6:00pm reported that the bed of a 785 cat haul truck slammed down and hurt her back at 10:00pm

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee hit a pin with a hammer, hammer glanced off pin hitting him in the finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE slipped and twisted right ankle when getting out of truck.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling on a chain felt pain in bicep shoulder area.

Fall from machine

Employee fell off ladder while climbing onto 785 haul truck

2009 · 2 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Worker was fueling backhoe, slipped on walkway and cut his thumb. Received stitches. Worked on April 8 but missed the 9th. Returned to work April 10.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee reported on January 19 that he had neck pain not bad, sometime in December and again on January 14. He did not miss work. then On February 9 he called to say he was off due to his neck injury.

2007 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

The boom on a boom truck failed mechanically and telescoped in on itself with two men in the basket. One of the two suffered a cut to his left elbow.

Struck against a moving object

Truck hit with loader bucket, driver was jolted and suffered whiplash to the neck.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee failed to report for work on the evening of May 15th. Phoned in on the 16th to say he had hurt his back during his 1st shift.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee first reported happening sometime on the 8th with no details as to how it happened. The incident was reported as such on March 13th. He now claims it happened on the 6th while moving cutting edges and will miss his sceduled shift tonight

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employe was removing a section of 3 inch pipe it fell struck him on the left wrist causing a sprain

2006 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Two employees were welding on top of tub when wind blew barrier over that was between them. EE raised hood & apparently was flashed and received a foreign body in his eye. Much eye discomfort the following morning. Embedded metallic foreign body removed by doctor. Returned to regular duty.

Struck by flying object

Left eye had piece of slag entered behind welding hood.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Strained back while shoveling coal.

2005 · 4 incidents

Struck by flying object

Cleaning seal small piece of metal or rust entered eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Holding a piece of tin while a co-worker tried to use a drill press, the bit caught the tin, spun it and cut the employee's finger.

Fall down stairs

He slipped on stairs while carrying a box - jarred his knee. Never saw a doctor.

Struck by falling object

Employee was grinding on the dragline. When he was removing his gear a metal shaving fell from his forehead and entered his left eye.

2004 · 3 incidents

Struck against a moving object

OPERATOR WAS BUILDING AN EXPLORATION TRAIL USING A D9 CAT. IT WAS RAINING AND THE BANK SLUMPED CAUSING THE CAT TO ROLL 1 AND A 1/2 TIMES.

No Value Found

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OUT OF HIS PICKUP WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON HIS BACK.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS PLACING CHOCK WHEN HE SLIPPED ON ICE AND LANDED ON HIS BACK.

2003 · 4 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

VOLATILE CLEANERS WERE USED TO CLEAN GREASE IN THE VEHICLE SWING SHAFT BORE WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MODIFICATIONS HAD TO BE MADE TO THE LIP TO PLACE THE RETAINER. TARP WAS PLACED IN THE BO RE TO PREVENT DEBRIS FROM GRINDING ENTERING. IT TRAPPED GASES FROM THE EVAPORATING CLEANING FLUIDS WHICH WERE IGNITED BY THE GRINDER.

Struck by falling object

EE BUMPED UNSECURED LIFTING BRACKET ON A DOZER IN THE SHOP. BRACKET FELL ON HIS RT. LEG AND KNEE.

Struck against stationary object

OPERATING A LOADER DOWN GRADE - LOST CONTROL AND HIT DITCH - THROWING OPERATOR FROM CAB.

2002 · 4 incidents

Struck by flying object

FOREIGN BODY FLEW IN EYE, LEFT EYE. METAL PART PROBABLY LEFT OVER FROM GRINDING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STRAINED A RIB.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WALKING & TWISTED HIS KNEE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CARRYING A TIPPLE CONVEYOR BELT - TWISTED BACK.

2001 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE LIFTING A PART, PULLED A HIP MUSCLE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING AND TURNING.

2000 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

DUST/DIRT FROM EXCAVATOR. FELL IN HIS FACE AND INTO HIS LEFT EYE.