Air Quality South Wash Plant has $7K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
14
Years on record
1996–2011
Latest incident
Jun 2011
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
48
citations
11
significant & substantial
$7,179
proposed penalties
$7,079
paid to date
99% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $100 gap.
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: 466 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Air Quality South Wash Plant has $7K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 2 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.
$7K
proposed penalties
$7K
current assessed
$7K
paid to date
$100
outstanding
48 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $3K in penalties contested before the Commission, $3K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2011-09-12.
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.
11citations taken to the federal commission · 23% of citations on record
Settled
11 · 100%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 4 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$3K proposed, $3K 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 2010-05-14.
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 Air Quality South Wash Plant shows 97% of 37 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: 2012-08-14, 14 years ago
97%
within 1.5 mg/m3
37
samples
1.83
dust max (mg/m3)
37 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 0 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR10
UTILITY MAN6
REFUSE TRUCK DRIVER/BACKFILL TRUCK DRIVE4
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.
Air Quality South Wash Plant recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2012.
Injury rate, 2012
ⓘ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.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 3.74 and the all-US-mining average was 2.96 cases per 100 workers.
In Indiana, coal mining averaged 2.68 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2012 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011 *
3.08
0.00
0.000
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
6.11
0.00
0.000
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2004 *
24.98
16.65
0.000
2003 *
24.98
6.25
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
Year
Employees
2013
0
2012
19
2011
27
2010
29
2009
46
2008
24
2007
18
2006
8
2005
2
2004
13
2003
15
2002
12
2001
10
2000
10
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Air Quality South Wash Plant sits in Knox County, Indiana, where the Census mining category is 2.0% 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.
Knox County, Indiana · Population 36,108
2.0%
Mining share of county employment
$58,863
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
2013 Q1
0
0
0
2012 Q4
4,038
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
15,737
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
17,631
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
18,085
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
16,338
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
15,893
1
0
62.9
2011 Q2
15,738
0
0
0.0
Show 44 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2011 Q1
16,920
1
0
59.1
2010 Q4
14,724
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
16,909
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
14,798
3
1
202.7
2010 Q1
19,056
2
1
105.0
2009 Q4
21,624
5
0
231.2
2009 Q3
17,193
12
3
698.0
2009 Q2
13,984
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
9,023
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
9,270
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
7,637
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
7,661
1
0
130.5
2008 Q1
8,172
1
0
122.4
2007 Q4
11,123
2
2
179.8
2007 Q3
11,281
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
17,490
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
11,076
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
9,779
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
7,995
4
0
500.3
2006 Q2
0
1
0
2005 Q4
0
0
0
2005 Q3
0
0
0
2005 Q2
1,335
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
4,005
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
4,800
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
5,602
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
7,530
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
6,090
5
1
821.0
2003 Q4
7,450
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
8,212
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
8,110
1
0
123.3
2003 Q1
8,250
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
8,450
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
7,100
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
7,210
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
6,600
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
6,325
2
1
316.2
2001 Q3
6,250
3
2
480.0
2001 Q2
6,390
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
6,410
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
6,750
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
6,500
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
6,210
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
6,280
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
14 on file
2011 · 1 incident
June 29, 2011IN · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
On 2/23/2011 EE reported having continued pain with his left shoulder. EE sought medical treatment an MRI on 5/28/2011 revealed the following, left shoulder impingement, left AC joint pain/OA, and left bicep tendonitis. Dr. note statement "I believe with a certain degree of medical certainty that the patients work activities represent a contributing factor".
A plant electrician was in the process of cutting a hole in a piece of belting being used as a splash guard on magnetic separators. His utility knife slipped out of the belting and struck him on the forearm causing a laceration in it requiring stitches to repair.
2004 · 3 incidents
September 26, 2004IN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE was working in the wash plant assisting other workers with the removal of a steel coal chute. The chute was being lowered down with a chain hoist and became lodged on the flange support beam. The main load bearing chain became unhooked and allowed chute to fall to floor. Miner was struck on right leg/ knee and strained lower back.
August 13, 2004IN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
ON 8/13/04, A WASH PLANT MAINTENANCE WORKER WAS ASSISTING WITH REMOVING AND REPLACING THE GUIDE RAILS FOR THE DRAG CHAIN CONVEYOR IN THE VESSEL LOCATED ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE WASH PLANT. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE A PIECE OF GUIDE RAIL HE SMASHED HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE GUIDE RAIL AND A CHAIN CONVEYOR FLIGHT.
June 10, 2004IN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE WAS TRIMMING A PIECE OF WIRE USING A RAZOR KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND LACERATED EE'S LEFT INDEX FINGER. REQUIRED 5 SUTURES TO CLOSE. EE WAS TREATED AND RETURNED BACK TO WORK.
2003 · 4 incidents
October 15, 2003IN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
ON 10/15/03, EE WAS LOADING A PIECE OF EXPANDED METAL TO BE USED AS GUARDING ONTO THE HOIST CAGE. AS HE & HIS CO-WORKER WERE POSITIONING THE EXPANDED METAL ONTO THE CAGE TO HOIST IT UP THE EXP ANDED METAL SLIPPED & CAUGHT HIM ON THE LT. RING FINGER CAUSING A LACERATION REQUIRING 6 SUTURES TO CLOSE.
July 23, 2003IN · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
ON 07/25/03, EE WAS CHANGING A GRINDING WHEEL ON AN ANGLE GRINDER THAT REMAINED PLUGGED INTO A POWER SOURCE WHEN A CO-WORKER ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST HIM IN CHANGING THE GRINDING WHEEL INADVERTENT LY DEPRESSED THE TRIGGER & STARTED THE GRINDER CAUSING THE GRINDING WHEEL TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EE'S FINGER WHICH RESULTED IN A LACERATION REQUIRING FOUR (4) SUTURES TO REPAIR. HE WAS T
March 26, 2003IN · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
ON 3/26/03, EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING ON AN EXTENSION LADDER TO WELD ON A SHOOT THAT WAS LEAKING, AS HE CLIMBED TO APPROX 6' OR 7' THE LADDER SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO FALL TO THE FLOOR. DUE TO THE R ESULTING FALL HE RECEIVED A FRACTURE TO HIS LEFT HAND, CONCUSSION AND A LACERATION ABOVE HIS LEFT EYE REQUIRING FOUR SUTURES TO CLOSE.
January 11, 2003IN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
EE WAS ASSISTING IN CHANGING A LARGE PUMP IN THE WASH PLANT, AS HE WAS ALIGNING FLANGE AND BOLT HOLES HE PLACED HIS RIGHT LITTLE FINGER INTO A BOLT HOLE, THE FLANGE MOVE AND CAUGHT HIS FINGER CAUSING A LACERATION TO THE TIP OF THE FINGER.
2001 · 3 incidents
April 25, 2001IN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Solar Sources Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
TAKING AIR PUMP APART HAD LEFT HAND ON BOTTOM OF PUMP WHEN THE AIR WAS ACCIDENTLY TURNED ON CAUSING THE PUMP TUBE TO PINCH HIS LEFT THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. HE RECEIVED 11 SUTURES.
April 10, 2001IN · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS WORKING ON A PUMP AND AS HE PULLED ONT HE DRIVE BELT. THE SHEAVE ON THE PUMP TURNED WHEN THE IMPELLER BROKE LOOSE. THIS CAUSED HIM TO SMASH HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE BELTS AND S HEAVE.
March 4, 2001IN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE WAS USING A 4 LB. HAMMER TO DRIVE NAILS INTO A BELT SPLICE WHEN THE HAMMER GLANCED OFF A BELT COVER CAUSING HIM TO STRIKE HIS LEFT HAND WITH THE HAMMER.
2000 · 1 incident
May 30, 2000IN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS CLIMBING INTO A UNILOADER AND AS HE TURNED AND TWISTED HIS BODY TO SIT DOWN IN THE OPERATORS COMPARTMENT, HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BCK. THIS RESULTED INA STRAINED LOWER BACK.
1996 · 1 incident
October 2, 1996IN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanMACHINERY