Mining Incidents

Bigler Prep Plant: 114 MSHA citations Coal

Controlled by J Clifford Forrest III
Bigler, Clearfield County, PA  ·  Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 3609051

Bigler Prep Plant has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $2K outstanding across 11 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
6
Years on record
2011–2013
Latest incident
Apr 2013
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
114
citations
59
significant & substantial
$24,912
proposed penalties
$20,959
paid to date
84% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $3,954 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2001
76
inspections on record
1,725
inspection hours
6.6
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.
114 citations across 1,725 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Bigler Prep Plant has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $2K outstanding across 11 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.
$25K
proposed penalties
$23K
current assessed
$21K
paid to date
$2K
outstanding
110 assessments are final orders; 11 contested dockets.
Of $7K in penalties contested before the Commission, $4K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-03-26.
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.
53.2%
significant & substantial
4.5%
high negligence or reckless
53.2%
reasonably likely or greater
47.7%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 27.0% low, 68.5% moderate, 3.6% high, 0.9% reckless.
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.
20 citations taken to the federal commission · 18% of citations on record
  • Settled 16 · 80%
  • Stood as issued 3 · 15%
  • Vacated or withdrawn 1 · 5%
70%
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 20 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
40%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$7K proposed, $4K 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 2013-05-16.
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.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
PENN 2010-491 Settlement Harner 2012 $2K → $1K
PENN 2010-604 Settlement Harner 2012 $807 → $162
PENN 2013-56 Settlement Harner 2013 $743 → $481
PENN 2011-150 Settlement Harner 2012 $665 → $417
PENN 2013-237 Settlement Harner 2013 $585 → $468
PENN 2009-242 Settlement Lewis 2011 $540 → $100
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Bigler Prep Plant shows 97% of 125 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: 2026-03-11
97%
within 1.5 mg/m3
125
samples
2.28
dust max (mg/m3)
0
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.
76 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 49 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR47
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH24
  • CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR18

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2026-02-25
0.9
silica avg (%)
10
samples
2.1
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR4
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH4
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR2

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.

Last sampled: 2026-02-19
9%
over PEL
47
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR11
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH10
  • HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER9
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.
Year within 1.5 mg/m3 samples
2026 100% 2
2025 100% 5
2024 100% 6
2023 100% 6
2022 100% 6
2021 100% 5
2020 100% 7
2019 100% 6
2014 100% 9
2013 71% 14
2012 100% 5
2011 100% 14
2010 100% 25
2009 100% 7
2008 100% 2
2005 100% 2
2004 100% 4
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2026 1.1 1
2020 1.6 1
2014 0.8 1
2013 0.3 4
2012 0.7 1
2010 1.6 2
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2026 0% 1
2024 0% 2
2023 0% 1
2022 0% 1
2021 0% 1
2020 0% 2
2019 0% 2
2014 0% 1
2013 0% 6
2011 0% 10
2010 31% 13
2009 0% 5
2004 0% 2
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Bigler Prep Plant recorded 4.93 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2013.

Injury rate, 2013
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.
4.93
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.94 and the all-US-mining average was 2.99 cases per 100 workers.
In Pennsylvania, coal mining averaged 4.76 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
2013 * 4.93 0.00 0.000
2012 * 8.95 0.00 0.000
2011 * 4.04 4.04 0.000
2010 * 0.00 0.00 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.
Ownership history
  1. Energy Resources Inc 2001 to 2008
  2. Rosebud Mining Company 2008 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 0
2022 0
2021 0
2020 0
2019 0
2018 1
2017 0
2016 0
2015 0
2014 8
2013 16
2012 16
2011 17
2010 18
2009 6
2008 3
2007 1
2006 2
2005 3
2004 5
2003 1
2002 2
2001 3
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Bigler Prep Plant sits in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, where the Census mining category is 1.3% 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.
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania · Population 78,902
1.3%
Mining share of county employment
$60,181
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 Q2 0 0 0
2026 Q1 0 0 0
2025 Q4 0 0 0
2025 Q3 0 0 0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
Show 89 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 1 0
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 0 0 0
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q3 0 0 0
2022 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 0 0 0
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 0 0 0
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 558 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 512 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 641 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 0 0 0
2017 Q2 0 0 0
2017 Q1 0 0 0
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2016 Q3 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 0 0
2015 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 0 0 0
2015 Q1 0 0 0
2014 Q4 0 0 0
2014 Q3 539 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 7,304 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 8,380 2 0 238.7
2013 Q4 7,842 2 1 255.0
2013 Q3 9,620 2 2 207.9
2013 Q2 10,588 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 12,483 2 1 160.2
2012 Q4 9,570 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 10,969 5 2 455.8
2012 Q2 11,978 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 12,161 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 10,804 4 1 370.2
2011 Q3 12,271 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 12,575 7 3 556.7
2011 Q1 13,892 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 11,684 4 2 342.3
2010 Q3 11,932 3 1 251.4
2010 Q2 10,175 5 1 491.4
2010 Q1 4,965 10 6 2014.1
2009 Q4 4,670 7 3 1498.9
2009 Q3 2,802 7 4 2498.2
2009 Q2 1,619 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 3,117 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 2,950 6 1 2033.9
2008 Q3 310 1 1 3225.8
2008 Q1 80 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 0 0 0
2007 Q3 220 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 0 0 0
2007 Q1 149 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 95 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 331 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 520 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 1,028 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 857 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 1,616 1 1 618.8
2005 Q2 1,200 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 1,432 1 0 698.3
2004 Q4 1,290 2 2 1550.4
2004 Q3 1,882 6 2 3188.1
2004 Q2 183 2 0 10929.0
2004 Q1 173 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 210 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 195 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 0 0 0
2003 Q1 0 0 0
2002 Q4 454 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 780 1 0 1282.1
2002 Q2 1,456 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 2,265 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 502 3 1 5976.1
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

6 on file

2013 · 1 incident

April 4, 2013 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Taking off a bolt when a 4" x 4" plate that was attached spun causing a cut which required stitches.

2012 · 2 incidents

August 3, 2012 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Grinding over head wearing full face shield and prescription glasses. A piece of rust got into eye.

April 20, 2012 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting 1/8" thick stainless steel with grinder. Grinder kicked out of his hand causing him to cut his left forearm.

2011 · 3 incidents

August 22, 2011 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck against a moving object

Moving a manbasket, unit hit a bump, resulting in loss of balance and causing him to fall in basket. He was using a safety belt at the time.

August 22, 2011 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck against a moving object

Moving a man basket, unit hit a bump, resulting in loss of balance and causing him to fall in the basket. He was using a safety belt at the time.

May 3, 2011 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rosebud Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

A 9" x 7" x 77"long cribbing block was standing on end, ee went to remove block when it tipped over pulling him down with it. His thumb got smashed between the block and concrete floor also with his body weight.