Beech Creek Surface Mine #2 has $1.3M in proposed MSHA penalties and $233K outstanding across 31 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
Watch this mine
Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Beech Creek Surface Mine #2.
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
16
Years on record
2011–2022
Latest incident
Nov 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2010
343
citations
173
significant & substantial
$1,319,845
proposed penalties
$648,915
paid to date
49% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $670,930 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.
343 citations across 3,816 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘA Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2010-09-20.
On record since 2010.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Beech Creek Surface Mine #2 has $1.3M in proposed MSHA penalties and $233K outstanding across 31 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.
$1.3M
proposed penalties
$882K
current assessed
$649K
paid to date
$233K
outstanding
331 assessments are final orders; 31 contested dockets.
Of $1.1M in penalties contested before the Commission, $631K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-02-03.
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.
121citations taken to the federal commission · 35% of citations on record
Settled
118 · 98%
Vacated or withdrawn
3 · 2%
90%
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 80 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
43%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$1.1M proposed, $631K 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 2017-10-02.
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 Beech Creek Surface Mine #2 shows 100% of 132 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: 2023-09-28
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
132
samples
1.45
dust max (mg/m3)
1
over MSHA ECV
ⓘThe excessive concentration value (ECV) is MSHA's own per-sample enforcement threshold, which builds in measurement uncertainty; a sample over its ECV can trigger a citation. The count covers only samples MSHA assigned an ECV.
96 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 36 by the operator.
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.
Beech Creek Surface Mine #2 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023.
Injury rate, 2023
ⓘ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 3.17 and the all-US-mining average was 2.10 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.32 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
2023 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2022 *
3.92
3.92
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2016 *
5.48
5.48
0.000
2015 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
4.80
4.80
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
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2026
3
2025
3
2024
3
2023
11
10,548
2022
21
50,913
2021
14
36,856
2020
20
81,656
2019
7
18,281
2018
3
2017
24
35,123
2016
22
14,928
2015
17
29,096
2014
42
148,741
2013
34
114,647
2012
31
103,029
2011
36
161,014
2010
25
169,360
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Beech Creek Surface Mine #2 sits in Pike County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 5.1% 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.
Pike County, Kentucky · Population 57,466
5.1%
Mining share of county employment
$42,179
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
2026 Q1
2,115
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
1,863
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
2,153
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
2,149
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
2,053
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
2,214
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
2,228
0
0
0.0
2024 Q2
2,185
0
0
0.0
Show 56 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q1
2,016
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
1,910
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
4,513
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
3,120
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
11,426
4
2
350.1
2022 Q4
15,547
6
2
385.9
2022 Q3
15,072
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
9,176
7
2
762.9
2022 Q1
11,220
2
0
178.3
2021 Q4
8,160
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
1,440
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
9,600
1
1
104.2
2021 Q1
12,600
3
2
238.1
2020 Q4
10,400
10
4
961.5
2020 Q3
10,460
4
3
382.4
2020 Q2
14,480
3
1
207.2
2020 Q1
8,140
2
1
245.7
2019 Q4
9,240
4
0
432.9
2019 Q3
1,580
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
1,940
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
0
0
0
2018 Q4
1,826
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
1,460
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
1,512
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
26,885
4
1
148.8
2017 Q3
12,315
10
8
812.0
2017 Q2
8,130
9
5
1107.0
2017 Q1
4,707
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
8,062
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
9,623
1
0
103.9
2016 Q2
5,585
2
0
358.1
2016 Q1
13,254
26
16
1961.7
2015 Q4
11,875
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
4,954
5
2
1009.3
2015 Q2
4,917
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
4,582
12
5
2618.9
2014 Q4
20,214
41
9
2028.3
2014 Q3
21,080
10
2
474.4
2014 Q2
24,362
7
4
287.3
2014 Q1
17,640
18
10
1020.4
2013 Q4
16,905
9
7
532.4
2013 Q3
29,261
34
23
1162.0
2013 Q2
22,138
17
8
767.9
2013 Q1
4,074
2
0
490.9
2012 Q4
2,776
1
0
360.2
2012 Q3
13,839
1
1
72.3
2012 Q2
23,134
9
5
389.0
2012 Q1
15,744
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
26,323
14
6
531.9
2011 Q3
18,880
7
6
370.8
2011 Q2
25,778
25
15
969.8
2011 Q1
26,553
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
26,238
11
6
419.2
2010 Q3
23,824
9
6
377.8
2010 Q2
6,765
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
0
0
0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
16 on file
2022 · 1 incident
November 7, 2022KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE left work on 02/02/2016 without reporting an accident. EE reported to the hospital the following afternoon and was treated and released for a back sprain. Dr excuse said to return to work the following day 02/04/2016. EE has not yet returned to work. EE did call on 02/15/2016 and said EE would return next day. Has not returned to work as of 02/21/2016.
2015 · 1 incident
November 17, 2015KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
Hauling load in 777C and went from wet to dry conditions while coming down embankment. Appears tires caught while getting ready to dump and truck tipped over onto passenger side. EE was sent to hospital with abrasions and released 11/09/2011.
March 28, 2011KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
Victim was hauling shot rock with a 777 Caterpillar truck. He hit a depression and it bottomed out the seat and his back started hurting. He went to Pikeville Medical Center ER later that day. Employee still off work.
February 18, 2011KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
Victim was pushing shot rock with a 475 Komatsu dozer. He backed over a rock and his right hip started hurting. Bruised right hip. He went to_Pikeville Medical Center ER on Feb. 22nd. Employee returned to work on February 24, 2011
February 2, 2011KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Victim was changing the cutting edge on a 475 Komatsu dozer. The cutting edge slipped and he caught it to prevent it from falling. His lower back started hurting later. He went to Pikeville Medical Center ER on Feb. 4th. Employee still off work as of this date.