Mining Incidents

Bute Refuse Pile Coal

Controlled by Terrance C Shallenberger
West Leisenring, Fayette County, PA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3607999

Bute Refuse Pile has $32K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
32
Years on record
1996–2019
Latest incident
Feb 2019
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
83
citations
27
significant & substantial
$32,326
proposed penalties
$32,326
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
93
inspections on record
2,048
inspection hours
4.1
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.
83 citations across 2,048 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Bute Refuse Pile has $32K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 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.
$32K
proposed penalties
$32K
current assessed
$32K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
80 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-02-10.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Bute Refuse Pile shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.28 mg/m3 (99% compliant) across 150 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.
0.28
dust avg (mg/m3)
3.62
dust max (mg/m3)
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
150
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-02-17.
Noise
8%
over PEL
102
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-02-10.
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
2025 Q4 1,910 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 761 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 1,638 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 2,216 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,370 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 648 3 0 4629.6
2024 Q2 242 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 1,336 0 0 0.0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 529 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 12 1 0 83333.3
2023 Q2 1,061 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 2,043 1 1 489.5
2022 Q4 2,866 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 2,583 3 1 1161.4
2022 Q2 1,417 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 1,237 1 0 808.4
2021 Q4 2,176 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 185 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 146 1 0 6849.3
2021 Q1 885 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 2,389 1 0 418.6
2020 Q3 1,013 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 1,379 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 1,096 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 996 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 1,062 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 1,460 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 2,276 2 0 878.7
2018 Q4 2,442 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 2,134 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 3,033 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 2,097 1 0 476.9
2017 Q4 2,129 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 1,883 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 865 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 273 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 2,647 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 1,885 4 2 2122.0
2016 Q2 1,172 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 3,141 1 0 318.4
2015 Q4 3,558 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 3,266 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 1,899 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 2,475 1 1 404.0
2014 Q4 367 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 1,228 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 1,899 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 626 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 3,024 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 4,148 1 0 241.1
2013 Q2 4,420 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 3,026 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 2,523 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 2,473 3 1 1213.1
2012 Q2 1,525 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 2,996 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 2,900 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 3,788 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 4,137 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 2,403 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 3,242 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 4,875 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 3,458 7 2 2024.3
2010 Q1 1,971 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 2,253 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 974 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 4,159 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 7,851 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 6,994 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 8,330 5 0 600.2
2008 Q2 8,710 1 1 114.8
2008 Q1 7,887 6 1 760.7
2007 Q4 8,043 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 8,161 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 10,626 9 3 847.0
2007 Q1 8,407 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 7,238 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 9,229 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 9,844 4 2 406.3
2006 Q1 9,005 3 3 333.1
2005 Q4 12,225 3 0 245.4
2005 Q3 13,390 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 14,518 2 2 137.8
2005 Q1 13,650 3 3 219.8
2004 Q4 11,797 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 9,508 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 9,243 1 0 108.2
2004 Q1 3,739 1 0 267.5
2003 Q4 7,759 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 7,078 6 1 847.7
2003 Q2 7,708 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 6,299 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 7,083 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 7,531 1 0 132.8
2002 Q2 7,965 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 2,962 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 2,209 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 2,251 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 2,387 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 2,476 2 0 807.8
2000 Q4 2,372 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 2,587 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 2,711 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 3,127 2 0 639.6
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

32 on file

2019 · 1 incident

February 14, 2019 PA · Coal trespasser OTHER
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Unclassified, insufficient data

A non-employee trespassing on mine property was found deceased by the Pennsylvania State Police. The 87 year old suffering from dementia went missing on 2/11/19 and was found on 2/14/19 at 1:30pm deceased on mine property from adverse weather conditions.

2012 · 3 incidents

October 11, 2012 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee rubbed sweat from face & eye causing a piece of metal to enter left eye. Metal removed at uniontown hospital emergency room. employee given prescription eye drops. Had follow-up appt with eye doctor to check rust rings. Employee released. No lost time.

August 2, 2012 PA · Coal welder (shop) DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Contact with heat

EE was cutting steel on truck scale with a torch. Weather was hot and humid. Protective clothing and weather conditions possibly led to a heat related incident. MSHA was contacted and they investigated the incident. EE was kept in hospital overnight for observation and then released.

May 2, 2012 PA · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor MACHINERY
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was burning off bolts from plant screen with oxy-acetylene torch when hot slag bounced onto pant leg. Burned through pants and fell into boot causing 2nd degree burns to left ankle.

2009 · 2 incidents

April 15, 2009 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had mud on shoes when he slipped on steps of loader, causing his left arm to pull resulting in a strain on the left shoulder and elbow. He is morbibly obese.

March 4, 2009 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE and his helper were carrying a 5' x 5' screen panel on the 2nd floor. They attempted to rotate the panel. While stepping backwards, ee's foot encountered a pipe going through the floor. Helper continued to push causing ee's right knee to twist causing pain and swelling.

2008 · 1 incident

April 29, 2008 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was descending last step of articulated truck when his foot slipped off and he jarred his right knee when he abruptly hit the ground. Strained right knee.

2007 · 1 incident

June 11, 2007 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Fayette Coal & Coke Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While employee was working in plant, he got dirt in his left eye. (Unknown source)

2005 · 3 incidents

August 6, 2005 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Fayette Coal & Coke LLC · Struck against a moving object

While operating CAT 769 Truck, lost air pressure and brakes on refuse area; truck bounced causing injured to land hard back down on the truck seat.

June 11, 2005 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Fayette Coal & Coke LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING URTHANE PANELS FOR REFUSE VELCO SCREEN WITH UTILITY KNIFE, CUT HIS LEFT HAND BELOW THE THUMB. RECEIVED 5 STITCHES.

2004 · 2 incidents

May 24, 2004 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN ABDOMEN IN AREA OF PREVIOUS HERNIA SURGERY 9/11/03. ALSO EXPERIENCED NAUSEA. PAIN OCCURED AFTER LIFTING BRAKE DRUM FROM TRAILER TRUCK. SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY ON 6/2/04.

May 11, 2004 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED LEFT FOOT BY STEPPING ON A ROCK WHEN DISMOUNTING THE LADDER ON A FRONT END LOADER.

2003 · 2 incidents

September 11, 2003 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT LEANING AND STRETCHING TO REPAIR A DIESEL ENGINE ON THE PISTON PUMP LED TO SEVERE PAIN IN ABDOMEN THAT REQUIRED SURGERY TO REPAIR THE HERNIE THAT WAS CAUSED. WORKER'S COM P INS COMPANY IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING & EVALUATING THE INJURY.

2002 · 2 incidents

October 7, 2002 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE STATIONED AT THE SLURRY INJECTION PUMP, EESAID THAT HE GETS BORED. HE DECIDED TO TARGET PRACTICE. HE DROPPED A LOADED HAND GUN GETTING OUTOF THE SERVICE VEHICLE, THE PISTOL DISCHARGED AS HE WAS PICKING IT UP BY THE BARREL.

2001 · 1 incident

August 1, 2001 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Fall from machine

WHILE WALKING ON FRAME OF TRUCK TO REMOVE BLOCK,LOST FOOTING & FELL TO GROUND ABOUT 4'. HIT HEADON LADDER OF TRUCK BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND.

2000 · 1 incident

March 3, 2000 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Fall from machine

WHILE CLIMBING DOWN THE LADDER ON A CAT 970 LOADER HE LOST HIS FOOTING HE INJURED HIS LEFT SHOULDER WHEN HE GRABBED THE LADDER WITH HIS LEFT HAND

1999 · 1 incident

September 1, 1999 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman NONPOWERED HAULAGE
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

LOWER BACK STRAIN OCCURRED WHILE MOVING A SMALL FOUR WHEEL CART ON THE GROUND LEVEL INSIDE THE PREP PLANT.

1998 · 4 incidents

October 22, 1998 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck against a moving object

MATERIAL STUCK IN THE BED OF TRUCK CAUSING IT TO UPSET. TRUCK UPSET WHILE DUMPING A LOAD OF COKE ASH. TRUCK WAS IN GOOD CONDITION ON A LEVEL AREA.

October 8, 1998 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE BENDING DOWN, STRAINED OR TORE MUSCLE IN HIS LOWER BAKC, WAS NOT LIFTING ANYTHING AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY.

June 6, 1998 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

STRAIN TO LOWER BACK WHILE PLACING A BARREL INTO THE BUCKET OF A FRONT END LOADER.

March 9, 1998 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN DEBRIS FROM BELT HEAD ROLLER. EMPLOYEE DID NOT DE-ENERGIZE AND LOCK OUT. USING A HOOK AND HOOK WAS PULLED INOT HEAD PULLEY. EMPLOYEE HAND WAS PULLED AND CAUGHT LEFT HAND FOUR FINGERS. RIGHT HAND THUMB 22 STITCHES NEEDED.

1997 · 2 incidents

August 28, 1997 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EMPOLOYEE WAS REPLACING A CAP/FLANGE ON A WATER TANK THAT WAS TO BE USED THE NEXT DAY FOR PUMPING WATER INTO THE MINE. THE INSIDE OF THE FLANGE HAD BEEN MADE EXTREMELY SHARP FROM WEAR. AS HE L AID DOWN THE FLANGE, IT ROLLED- CUTTING HIS FINGER.

February 4, 1997 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck against stationary object

DRIVER WAS CLOSING TRAILER DOOR HIT HEAD ON TARP HANDLE.

1996 · 6 incidents

September 7, 1996 PA · Coal grader operator, roadgrader operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS REMOVING URETHANE SIDE SHEET FROM INSIDE PRODUCT VELCO SCREEN. HE HAD CUT THE URETHANE AND WAS PULLING IT WITH PUMP PLIERS (CHANNEL LOCKS), WHEN THE PLIER SLIPPED CAUSING HIS HAND TO HI T A JAGGED METAL EDGE OF THE SCREEN FROME CAUSING A LACERATION TO HIS HAND.

July 27, 1996 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS PATCHING LEAK ON PIPE WHEN EPOXY SPLASHED IN LEFT EYE.

July 27, 1996 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOWERING MANIFOLD OF ABOUT 100 LBS FROM 4' ABOVE FLOOR LEVEL. HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK AT THAT TIME.

May 24, 1996 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REMOVING DRAG LINK. LOOSENED DRAG LINK NUT FROM FRONT SECTION ON TRUCK, WENT TO TAIL END, LOOSENED NUT ON OPPOSITE END, FRONT SECTION FELL, CAUGHT HAND BETWEEN STEERING FRAME AND DRAG LINK, CA USING INJURY TO RIGHT HAND, PINKY FINGER & RING FINGER.

March 29, 1996 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Carbon Fuel Resources Inc · Struck by flying object

EE WAS HOSING DOWN THE PLANT FLOOR AND COKE SPLASHED IN HIS EYE.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Bute Refuse Pile

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.