Mining Incidents

Birch River Plant Coal

Cowen, Webster County, WV  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4608390

Birch River Plant has $10K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
28
Years on record
1994–2011
Latest incident
Mar 2011
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
101
citations
25
significant & substantial
$10,192
proposed penalties
$10,192
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
61
inspections on record
2,193
inspection hours
4.6
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.
101 citations across 2,193 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Birch River Plant has $10K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 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.
$10K
proposed penalties
$10K
current assessed
$10K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
97 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2017-12-07.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Birch River Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.26 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 107 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.
0.26
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.13
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
107
samples
Most recent sample: 2014-01-06.
Noise
10%
over PEL
52
samples
Most recent sample: 2012-10-10.
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
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 0 0 0
2017 Q4 0 4 2
2017 Q3 0 1 0
2017 Q2 0 0 0
2017 Q1 680 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 547 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 891 0 0 0.0
Show 66 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2016 Q2 801 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 810 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 690 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 990 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 975 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 910 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 620 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 915 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 1,100 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 1,090 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 730 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 925 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 1,110 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 1,160 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 1,274 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 3,761 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 9,618 1 0 104.0
2012 Q1 13,362 1 0 74.8
2011 Q4 12,181 1 1 82.1
2011 Q3 13,705 1 0 73.0
2011 Q2 14,417 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 15,516 2 0 128.9
2010 Q4 15,841 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 18,251 8 3 438.3
2010 Q2 19,015 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 20,289 1 0 49.3
2009 Q4 16,123 2 0 124.0
2009 Q3 21,908 2 0 91.3
2009 Q2 24,159 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 24,947 7 2 280.6
2008 Q4 18,857 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 20,626 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 19,853 9 2 453.3
2008 Q1 20,393 7 3 343.3
2007 Q4 17,289 1 0 57.8
2007 Q3 18,832 5 0 265.5
2007 Q2 18,997 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 20,081 5 2 249.0
2006 Q4 17,995 2 0 111.1
2006 Q3 19,740 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 19,775 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 20,335 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 18,251 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 19,479 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 19,664 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 20,711 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 17,794 5 1 281.0
2004 Q3 20,282 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 19,815 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 20,759 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 18,733 6 2 320.3
2003 Q3 19,110 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 19,852 11 3 554.1
2003 Q1 19,390 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 16,329 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 18,053 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 18,157 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 17,572 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 13,384 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 12,299 1 0 81.3
2001 Q2 14,826 6 1 404.7
2001 Q1 14,762 7 2 474.2
2000 Q4 12,554 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 12,575 1 0 79.5
2000 Q2 13,018 2 0 153.6
2000 Q1 13,454 2 1 148.7
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

28 on file

2011 · 1 incident

March 11, 2011 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
ICG Eastern LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured and a co-worker were in process of removing plugged coal from the No.7 tail section chute which is part of the raw coal system. While prying with the slate bar to remove the coal, the bar slipped, came up and subsequently struck him on the ear causing a laceration.

2010 · 1 incident

February 24, 2010 WV · Coal FIRE
ICG Eastern LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Approximately at 9:08 am, while the dozer operator was pushing coal at the raw coal stockpile, he observed a signifcant amout of smoke coming from underneath the coal pile. No fire was observed, just 'smoldering' coal.

2007 · 1 incident

October 5, 2007 WV · Coal FIRE
ICG Eastern LLC · Accident type, without injuries

At approximately 6:30 pm a fire was discovered at the shop/coal lab building. No injuries or close calls were reported, however, the shop sustained substantial damage to the structure and some of the contents. The fire was extinguished by the Cowen VFD at approximately 7:15 pm.

2006 · 2 incidents

June 7, 2006 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
ICG Eastern LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE was loading a train at the loadout and during the process traveled to the silo to turn the water on. While walking to the silo, he had to cross the track and over a rail car and while stepping up on the rail car step, his hard hat fell off. After bending over to pick up his hard hat, he rose up and struck his head on the bottom of the step, which caused a laceration.

May 15, 2006 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
ICG Eastern LLC · Fall from machine

While washing down the raw coal tunnel, employee walked back to the sump area to engage the pump. After stepping up on the tailpiece and engaging the pump switch, the force of the water coming out of the discharge line struck him on the side of the head, knocking him to the floor. He sustained a twisted ankle (fracture) and abrasions to his back and knee.

2005 · 1 incident

February 21, 2005 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
ICG Eastern LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was cleaning out panel seat on coarse refuse screen with a screw driver when his hand slipped and struck a jagged edge on the sub frame. As a result, he lacerated his index finger on his left hand which required four (4) stitches. He was wearing gloves at the time.

2003 · 1 incident

December 2, 2003 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by flying object

EE HAD BEEN GRINDING AND WELDING DURING SHIFT. DURING LATTER PART OF SHIFT, HE NOTICED IRRITATION IN EYE. HE DOES NOT RECALL HOW OR WHEN HE GOT SOMETHING IN EYE. AN EMT WASHED EYE OUT BUT STIL L FELT SOMETHING IN EYE. AFTER COMPLETING HIS SHIFT, HE WENT TO EYE PHYSICIAN WERE A RUST PARTICLE WAS REMOVED. HE WAS GIVEN PRESCRIPTION EYE DROPS WHICH MADE THIS INJURY REPORTABLE.

2002 · 2 incidents

June 29, 2002 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Evergreen Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE AND CO-WORKER WERE USING A SET OF COME-ALONGS TO INSTALL A MOTOR FOR THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE REFUSE BUILDING. AS THE EMPLOYEE WAS MANEUVERING THE MOTOR IN PLACE, HIS LITTLE FINGER GOT CAUGHT INBETWEEN THE MOTOR AND FRAME CAUSING A LACERATION.

June 9, 2002 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Evergreen Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS CLIMBING OUT OF COUTER WEIGHT BY PULLING HISSELF UP BY HIS ARMS AND NOTICED WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE COUNTER WEIGHT HIS RIGHT SIDE OF HIS CHEST WAS NOT FEELING THE SAME HAD A SHORTNESS OF BR EATHE.

2001 · 1 incident

2000 · 4 incidents

November 9, 2000 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Evergreen Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

June 15, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Evergreen Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

June 10, 2000 WV · Coal FIRE
Evergreen Mining Company · Accident type, without injuries

ON SATURDAY JUNE 10, 2000 APPROX 11:20 AM A FIRE OCCURRED ON EVERGREEN'S OVETAND CONVEYOR BELT. THE FIRE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED 1400 FEET OF BELT STRUCTURE, STANDS AND WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMP ONENTS. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THIS BELT IS LOCATED ON THE SURFACE AND THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT A TAKE UP ROLLER BEARING.

January 13, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS WORKING ON A 777 TRUCK. THE ROCK KICKER HAD GOTTEN BENT AND WAS FOULED IN PLACE. HE PROCEEDED TO CUT OUT THE ROCK KICKER BY USING TORCHES AND WHEN IT CUT IN TWO, IT SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT WITH A LOT OF FORCE, STRIKING THE TORCH AND IN TURN, THE TORCH STRUCK HIM ON CHIN. HE SUSTAINED A CUT AND BRUISED CHIN AND JAW AS A RESULT.

1999 · 1 incident

June 25, 1999 WV · Coal POWERED HAULAGE
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by falling object

THE EE AND COWORKER WERE FINISHING UP WORK ON A TAKE UP ROLLER FOR THE OVERLAND CONVEYOR BELT. AFTER THE CONVEYOR BELT WAS STARTED THEEE PLACED HIS BARE HAND ON THE ROLLER TO DETERMINE IF IT W AS RUNNING COOL. AS HIS HAND WAS ON THE ROLLER SOMETHING FELL DOWN FROM THE BELT STRIKING & CUTTING HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER

1998 · 2 incidents

October 24, 1998 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Evergreen Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE & CO-WORKERS WERE WORKING THE DECK OF THE CLEAN COAL SCREEN IN THE PREP PLANT. THE ENTER THE WORK AREA, THE EE REMOVED A SIDE RAIL AND SLID THROUGH A SMALL OPENING BETWEEN THE SCREEN AND FL OOR. AS HE WAS STANDING ON THE BELLY PAN, REMOVING URETHANE PANELS WITH A SCREWDRIVER, HE FELT HIS BACK TIGHTEN UP. HE WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE SHIFT BUT HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. MUSCLE

February 6, 1998 WV · Coal RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS (TOXIC AGENTS)
Evergreen Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

HE HAD BEEN SPRAY PAINTING FOR APPROX. 4 HOURS. HE SAID HE DID NOT FEEL GOOD. HE WENT TO THE MINE OFFICE AND STATED HIS CHEST HURT. THEY TOLD JOB FOREMAN TO GIVE HIM SOME MILK. THE SAFETY MAN AT THE MINE PUT EMPLOYEE ON SOME OXYGEN AND TOLDFOREMAN TO TAKE INJURED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

1997 · 6 incidents

November 23, 1997 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS IN PROCESS OF BLEEDING AIR FROM THE FUEL INJUECTORS ON THE TOYOTA SKID LOADER(BOBCAT). AS HE WAS PERFORMING THE TASK THE SMALL CRESENT WRENCH HE WAS USING STRUCK THE ENGINE BLADE WHICH CAUSED THE WRENCH TO SUDDENLY GLANCE BACK STRIKING HIS HAND. APPARENTLY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE JAW END OF THE WRENCH CAUSED THE LACERATIONS.

September 15, 1997 WV · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Evergreen Mining Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE RECEIVED A WORKEMAN'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR HEARING LOSS.

August 29, 1997 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS IN PROCESS BUTTING OUT A BAD PIECE OF SKIRT RUBBER FROM THE CLEAN COAL BELT IN THE PREP PLANT. AS HE WAS CUTTING DOWN AND THROUGH THE SKIRTING THE KNIFE SLIPPED OUT OF THE RUBBER AND CO ME ACROSS HIS HAND, CAUSING A LACERATION.

August 27, 1997 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Evergreen Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING STAKES AND INJURED HIS RIGHT THUMB.

February 11, 1997 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Evergreen Mining Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS PUTTING IN WALL SPREADERS ON A CONCRETE STACKING TUBE. THE STACKING TUBE IS BEING BUILT ON TOP OF A CONCRETE TUNNEL. WHILE INSTALLING THE WALL SPREADER HE STEPPED OFF OF TUNNEL RO OF AND FELL 9+- FEET.

1996 · 1 incident

June 30, 1996 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Evergreen Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING AT THE LOADOUT. HE HAD MADE 3 TRIPS UP AND DOWNSTAIRS CHECKING PROBLEMS AND CARRYING TOOLS AND SMALL PARTS. AT ONE POINT HE SAID HE WAS IN PROCESS OF REMOVING HOSES FROM T HE #1 GATE JACK AND AS HE STOOD UP, HIS BACK BEGAN TO HURT. AS THE SHIFT PROGRESSED HIS BACK CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, REACHING THE POINT WHERE HE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION THAT EVENING.

1995 · 3 incidents

June 16, 1995 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Evergreen Mining Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ASSISTING 4 OTHERS WITH THE INSTALLATION OF PLASTIC PIPE. PIPE ROTATED SENDING EMPLOYEE OF BALANCE. FINGER GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN EDGE OF PIPE ANDGUARD ON DRIVE UNIT OF PRESS.

May 8, 1995 WV · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Evergreen Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS SPENDING DAY PREFABING FOR PLANT. HAD EXPERIENCED PAIN IN RIGHT SHOULDER ARA ON NUMBEROUS OCASSIONS BUT THIS TIME PAIN WAS WORSE. DR'S FINDINGS INDICATE TENDONITIS IN AREA OF ARM/SHOULDE R AND AROUND BALL JOINT. PROBLEM CAUSED BY REPEATED LIFTING & JERKING OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS. EE WORKED CONSTRUCTION FOR 25 YRS.

January 5, 1995 WV · Coal weighman, scale person HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Evergreen Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAD WORKED MAINTENANCE SINCE 4:00PM AFTER EATING LUNCH HE HAD GONE BACK TO WORK IN PLANT REMOVING SCREEN SPRINGS & OTHER JUNKED ITEMS IN BENDING DOWN FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK REST OF S HIFT OK NEXT DAY WAS UNSCHEDULED AT WORK WOKE UPWITH MUSCLES THAT WERE STRESSED WENT TO DOC 9TH & 10TH

1994 · 1 incident

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Birch River Plant

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.