Mining Incidents

Big Creek No 2 Surface Mine Coal

Gauley Bridge, Fayette County, WV  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4607934

Big Creek No 2 Surface Mine has $118K in proposed MSHA penalties and $2K outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
16
Years on record
2000–2012
Latest incident
Apr 2012
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
211
citations
145
significant & substantial
$118,244
proposed penalties
$74,780
paid to date
63% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $43,464 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
53
inspections on record
1,508
inspection hours
14.0
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.
211 citations across 1,508 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Big Creek No 2 Surface Mine has $118K in proposed MSHA penalties and $2K outstanding across 5 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.
$118K
proposed penalties
$77K
current assessed
$75K
paid to date
$2K
outstanding
209 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2013-11-20.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Big Creek No 2 Surface Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.15 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 71 samples.

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.
0.15
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.41
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
71
samples
Most recent sample: 2013-11-19.
Silica (quartz)
16.3
silica avg (%)
16.3
silica max (%)
1
samples
Most recent sample: 2005-08-03.
Noise
27%
over PEL
15
samples
Most recent sample: 2013-11-19.
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, 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
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 0 0 0
2015 Q1 0 0 0
2014 Q4 0 0 0
2014 Q3 0 0 0
2014 Q2 0 0 0
2014 Q1 0 0 0
2013 Q4 0 2 0
Show 55 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2013 Q3 0 0 0
2013 Q2 0 0 0
2013 Q1 0 0 0
2012 Q4 0 0 0
2012 Q3 0 0 0
2012 Q2 0 1 1
2012 Q1 0 0 0
2011 Q4 0 1 0
2011 Q3 178 1 0 5618.0
2011 Q2 1,596 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 0 0 0
2010 Q4 1,161 1 0 861.3
2010 Q3 1,876 9 2 4797.4
2010 Q2 835 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 556 1 0 1798.6
2009 Q4 1,025 5 0 4878.0
2009 Q3 1,872 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 3,492 2 1 572.7
2009 Q1 2,661 5 2 1879.0
2008 Q4 4,577 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 4,724 3 2 635.1
2008 Q2 5,541 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 5,715 6 2 1049.9
2007 Q4 22,661 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 23,329 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 27,121 33 8 1216.8
2007 Q1 21,992 16 16 727.5
2006 Q4 29,700 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 29,650 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 37,699 24 17 636.6
2006 Q1 30,435 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 33,076 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 38,418 22 19 572.6
2005 Q2 35,008 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 36,758 1 1 27.2
2004 Q4 27,842 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 7,101 1 1 140.8
2004 Q2 24,563 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 25,439 2 2 78.6
2003 Q4 739 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 759 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 2,275 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 0 0 0
2002 Q4 1,263 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 0 0 0
2002 Q2 1,429 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 48,463 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 45,371 17 16 374.7
2001 Q3 46,962 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 59,070 7 6 118.5
2001 Q1 59,915 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 53,124 27 26 508.2
2000 Q3 51,331 5 5 97.4
2000 Q2 43,745 19 18 434.3
2000 Q1 21,233 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

16 on file

2012 · 1 incident

April 2, 2012 WV · Coal FIRE
Mammoth Coal Co · Accident type, without injuries

A Caterpillar 321 excavator caught fire and burned. Accident was called in and inspected. Inspector determined that a hydraulic line burst causing the fire.

2006 · 3 incidents

July 31, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck against a moving object

While operating a dozer the Employee experienced chest pains, checked by E.M.T and transported to the emergency room. At the emergency room the employee was treated for a pulled muscle.

May 24, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Original accident occured on 4/29/2006, sought medical care 5/23/2006. The medical provider placed him off work beginning 5/24/2006. The employee was operating a Caterpillar Rock Truck when a broke ball stud caused a break in the hydraulic line causing the engine to catch on fire. Employee jumped from the bumper of the truck causing him to strain/twist his knee.

May 20, 2006 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was cleaning off the side door and window of the Rock Truck he was operating when the wind blew the door shut on his right hand injuring his middle finger.

2005 · 4 incidents

October 12, 2005 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was servicing truck and the truck had broken down, employee came around the truck and caught right ear on lunch bucket rope hook, hook caught on earing and lacerated right ear lobe, requiring a few stiches

May 7, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Victim was tightening bottom roller caps when the impact wrench kicked back off the bolt. Pulled muscle or strain to shoulder. Missed one days work.

February 19, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck by flying object

A rock knocker was bent on the right rear tires. EE was attempting to cut it loose. When the final cut was made the rock knocker sprang out and struck the torch EE was using. The torch struck EE on the left cheek and forehead. Laceration to the forehead that required four stitches to close. EE is still off work due to a slight headache, awaiting doctors release to return.

February 4, 2005 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck against stationary object

Exiting a truck, slipped on the fuel tank step, hurt left knee

2004 · 3 incidents

September 14, 2004 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck against a moving object

Three employees were in a Chevy Tahoe traveling the haul road between Big Ck #2 and Fourmile Fork on the wrong side of the road. Conditions were dusty and they struck a Jeep Cherokee traveling the opposite direction. Victim was a passenger in the Chevy Tahoe, being operated by a fellow employee. He suffered a broken left shoulder.

September 14, 2004 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Struck against a moving object

Three employees were in a Chevy Tahoe traveling the haul road between Big Ck #2 and Fourmile Fork on the wrong side of the road. Conditions were dusty and they struck a Jeep Cherokee traveling the opposite direction. Victim was going to work in his Jeep Cherokee. He suffered bruised and sore right chest and shoulder.

April 17, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Appalachian Fuels LLC · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Victim was under a dozer knocking out a pin, when something popped in his neck.

2001 · 1 incident

February 14, 2001 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vandalia Resources Inc · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS ON TOP OF FUEL TRUCK, REFUELING DOZER. HE SLIPPED ON LADDER RUNG WHILE DESCENDING AND FELL.

2000 · 4 incidents

November 3, 2000 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vandalia Resources Inc · Fall down stairs

EMPLOYEE WAS COMING DOWN STEPS AND STUMBLED CAUSING A LEFT KNEE SPRAIN. ON 11-8 HE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION TO HAVE FLUID DRAINED FROM HIS KNEE. HE WORKS A 4 ON 4 OFF SCHEDULE AND IS NOT MISSI NG ANY WORK. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR ON HIS OFF CYCLE.

October 27, 2000 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Vandalia Resources Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A 992 G LOADER AND WHEN HE WENT INTO SHOT MATERIAL TO GET A BUCKET HE FELT PAIN IN HIS NECK.

July 26, 2000 WV · Coal FIRE
Vandalia Resources Inc · Accident type, without injuries

AFTER SERVICING EQUIPMENT THE OPERATOR WAS RETURNING TO REFUEL SERVICE TRUCK. THE OPERATOR STOPPED AND NOTICED SPARKS OUT THE RIGHT SIDE MINER. AFTER PARKING TO INVESTIGATE THE OPERATOR DISCOV ERED A FIRE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHES WERE TO ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER THIS WAY UNSUCESSFUL THE SUPERVISOR ELECTED TO WITHDRAW PERSONS TO PREVENT INJURY AND L

May 15, 2000 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vandalia Resources Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT HIS BACK STARTED HURTING DUE TO EITHER CARRYING 50 LBS WET BAGS FOR STEM-MING OR SHOVELING STEMMING. THE EMPLOYEE BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 5/17/00; HE DID NOT REPORT ANY EVENT ON THE DAY HE ALLEGES AN EVENT HAPPENED. THIS EMPLOYEE HAD BACK SURGERY FOR AN OFF-THE- JOB INJURY IN NOVEMBER 1998.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Big Creek No 2 Surface Mine

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.