Mining Incidents

Blue Creek Prep Plant Coal

Tad, Kanawha County, WV  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4609226

Blue Creek Prep Plant has $30K in proposed MSHA penalties and $2K outstanding across 11 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
18
Years on record
2009–2025
Latest incident
Mar 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2008
110
citations
12
significant & substantial
$29,962
proposed penalties
$24,773
paid to date
83% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $5,189 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2008
77
inspections on record
4,335
inspection hours
2.5
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.
110 citations across 4,335 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Blue Creek Prep Plant has $30K 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.
$30K
proposed penalties
$27K
current assessed
$25K
paid to date
$2K
outstanding
104 assessments are final orders; 11 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-16.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Blue Creek Prep Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.17 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 210 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.
0.17
dust avg (mg/m3)
5.89
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
210
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-18.
Silica (quartz)
1.4
silica avg (%)
2.3
silica max (%)
6
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-07-23.
Noise
5%
over PEL
85
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-01-06.
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
2025 Q4 9,743 2 0 205.3
2025 Q3 10,747 2 0 186.1
2025 Q2 11,521 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 12,377 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 8,340 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 11,323 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 8,901 1 0 112.3
2024 Q1 12,129 0 0 0.0
Show 65 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 10,390 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 11,638 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 12,054 1 0 83.0
2023 Q1 12,129 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 9,722 2 0 205.7
2022 Q2 11,413 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 9,809 2 0 203.9
2021 Q4 6,983 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 7,972 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 8,550 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 8,750 1 0 114.3
2020 Q4 9,072 1 0 110.2
2020 Q3 11,878 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 10,630 2 0 188.1
2020 Q1 10,519 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 14,500 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 16,614 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 16,606 2 0 120.4
2019 Q1 17,271 3 0 173.7
2018 Q4 15,836 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 17,604 1 0 56.8
2018 Q2 16,947 1 0 59.0
2018 Q1 16,135 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 14,895 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 16,360 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 18,107 4 0 220.9
2017 Q1 16,054 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 14,218 3 0 211.0
2016 Q3 9,629 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 5,329 2 0 375.3
2016 Q1 14,460 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 18,739 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 22,934 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 21,495 8 2 372.2
2015 Q1 22,232 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 18,223 16 0 878.0
2014 Q3 19,583 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 19,321 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 24,562 1 1 40.7
2013 Q4 19,769 15 2 758.8
2013 Q3 18,096 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 16,127 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 16,902 1 0 59.2
2012 Q4 13,889 1 1 72.0
2012 Q3 15,385 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 9,878 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 10,300 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 6,191 3 3 484.6
2011 Q3 4,327 2 1 462.2
2011 Q2 4,091 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 5,030 6 0 1192.8
2010 Q4 157 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 100 13 0 130000.0
2010 Q2 0 0 0
2010 Q1 932 4 0 4291.8
2009 Q4 160 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 160 1 0 6250.0
2009 Q2 80 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 40 3 1 75000.0
2008 Q4 40 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 5,434 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 24 4 1 166666.7
2008 Q1 24 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 24 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 24 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
February 6, 2013 WV · Coal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was fatally struck by a hydraulic cylinder. An investigation is on-going. The causes are unknown.

Reportable incidents

17 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2025 · 2 incidents

March 24, 2025 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After notching a tree to be cut, EE started boring into the tree and the saw kicked back and ran through EE's chaps and into EE's leg.

January 21, 2025 WV · Coal superintendent HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Teammate was attempting to open a door at the Blue Creek Loadout. When the employee pulled on the door with EE's left hand EE felt a pop in EE's left arm. During treatment the employee was diagnosed with a full tear of EE's left bicep.

2022 · 1 incident

March 28, 2022 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was turning drive sheave to set the thrust on heavy media pump when EE's glove got caught between the sheave and the drive belts resulting in a fracture of EE's right ring finger and 11 sutures and 3 sutures on EE's left pinky finger.

2020 · 2 incidents

June 19, 2020 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee stated that while in the process of removing bolts from the scalping screen in the crusher building. EE was using a pick hammer to knock the bolts out of it so they could be removed. In the process of striking the pick hammer, a small splinter of metal flew off of it, and punctured the employees left middle finger.

February 24, 2020 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee came out of the restroom and stepped the wrong way and slipped and fell hurting a hand.

2018 · 1 incident

October 15, 2018 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee stated that ee was operating the 30 ton crane on the top floor of the prep plant that was hooked to the metal bin. In the process of operating the crane to empty the metal bin, it swung and caught arm between the separator and the bin.

2017 · 2 incidents

September 19, 2017 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee stated their right eye turned red and they found a small particle in the eye. Employee tried to wash it out but could not dislodge the material. Employee could not pinpoint work activity that caused the debris to irritate the eye but believed it could have been around the time they were working on some screens.

May 8, 2017 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated EE was using a cable spool hand crank to clean on magnet. The cable had built up tension. The employee hit the release with a miner bit and the handle came around and struck employees right forearm causing an avulsion. Employee needed stitches to close wound.

2016 · 2 incidents

September 12, 2016 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by flying object

The injured was using a chipping hammer to clean the weld when EE got a piece of slag in eye. The injured was wearing safety glasses with side shields at the time of the incident. EE flushed eye out immediately, but the irritation persisted. EE went to the doctor on 9-15-16 where they removed a small piece of metal.

July 7, 2016 WV · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Blue Creek Mining, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Occupational Illness. Operator was notified on July 7, 2016 that employee submitted a workers compensation claim for Coal Workers Occupational Pneumoconiosis.

2015 · 1 incident

September 28, 2015 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Fall from ladders

Employee was assigned to close a chute flop door. As the employee was positioned on a ladder to begin ratcheting with the chain ratchet, he slipped off the ladder and fell to the ground. Approx 4 foot fall, but in the process of falling he struck his left knee on metal flooring. The impact caused a fracture to his tibula bone near the knee.

2013 · 3 incidents

April 4, 2013 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

The injured picked up one side of a roll of typer to throw it out of the way and felt a pain in his left elbow. He went to his family chiropractor on 04/06/2013 who referred him to an orthopedic specialist on 04/19/2013. The orthopedist diagnosed him with a torn bicep tendon and scheduled him for surgery on 04/25/2013. The injured didn't start missing work until 04/25/2013.

February 6, 2013 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was struck by an unknown object. An investigation is still on-going. The causes are unknown.

January 3, 2013 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was cutting a piece of screen buffer rubber with a razor knife and cut two fingers on his left hand.

2009 · 3 incidents

April 8, 2009 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Welding slag got between his boot and leg, burning his leg on or about 4/8/09. Employee treated it with a burn ointment at home, no injury was reported to a supervisor. The following week his leg and knee began to swell. Employee went to the hospital and on 4/16/09 the doctor said the swelling was from infections in the leg due to the burn.

March 9, 2009 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states he felt a sharp pain in his lower back when he bent down while assembling a roof truss. Employee taken off work by ER physician.

February 23, 2009 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE states that his back gave out after bending over to pick up a piece of angle. As EE was bent over, he twisted to pick up ac-clamp. When he stood up he suffered muscle stain to his lower back. EE worked light/restricted duty for 3 days and returned to full duty 2/27/09.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Blue Creek Prep 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.