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.
Birch River Plant Coal
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
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This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.Birch River Plant has $10K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 contested dockets.
ⓘ
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.MSHA sampling at Birch River Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.26 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 107 samples.
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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 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.ⓘ
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.| 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 Hide 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 |
Reportable incidents
28 on file2011 · 1 incident
2010 · 1 incident
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
EE JUMPED ON ROOF TO GET WELDING HELMER & FELL THROUGH ROOF, FALLING APPROX. 8'.
2000 · 4 incidents
EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.
EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A WORKER'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
EE RECEIVED A WORKEMAN'S COMPENSATION AWARD FOR HEARING LOSS.
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.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING STAKES AND INJURED HIS RIGHT THUMB.
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.
SLIPPED ON ICE AND FELL.
1996 · 1 incident
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
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.
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.
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
TORCH HOSE BLEW UP AND ARM WAS BURNED.
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.