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.
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.
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.
MSHA sampling at Birch River Plant shows 100% of 107 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: 2014-01-06, 12 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
107
samples
1.13
dust max (mg/m3)
99 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 8 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
UTILITY MAN26
CLEANING PLANT OPERATOR18
BULLDOZER OPERATOR15
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.
Birch River Plant recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2012.
Injury rate, 2012
ⓘ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 3.74 and the all-US-mining average was 2.96 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.13 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
2012 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011 *
3.58
0.00
0.000
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2006 *
5.14
0.00
0.000
2005 *
2.56
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.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2018
0
2017
1
2016
2
2015
2
2014
2
2013
2
2012
11
2011
25
2010
33
2009
42
2008
34
2007
36
2006
34
2005
34
2004
34
2003
34
2002
30
2001
25
2000
22
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Birch River Plant sits in Webster County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 7.2% 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.
Webster County, West Virginia · Population 8,253
7.2%
Mining share of county employment
$42,061
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
2018 Q2
0
0
0
2018 Q1
0
0
0
2017 Q4
0
0
0
2017 Q3
0
0
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 quartersHide 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
0
0
0.0
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
5
2
274.0
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
5
1
200.4
2008 Q4
18,857
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
20,626
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
19,853
5
1
251.9
2008 Q1
20,393
5
1
245.2
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
3
0
151.1
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
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
14,762
3
0
203.2
2000 Q4
12,554
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
12,575
1
0
79.5
2000 Q2
13,018
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
13,454
2
1
148.7
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
28 on file
2011 · 1 incident
March 11, 2011WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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.
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.
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, 2006WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 2006WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
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, 2005WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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, 2003WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
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, 2002WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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, 2002WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
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, 2000WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
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.
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, 1998WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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, 1998WV · CoalRESPIRATORY CONDITIONS (TOXIC AGENTS)
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, 1997WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
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, 1997WV · Coalquality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistantDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
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 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.
January 9, 1997WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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, 1995WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 1995WV · Coalquality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistantDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
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