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.
405 citations across 3,573 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
C-3 has $101K in proposed MSHA penalties and $1K outstanding across 42 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.
$101K
proposed penalties
$67K
current assessed
$66K
paid to date
$1K
outstanding
380 assessments are final orders; 42 contested dockets.
Of $79K in penalties contested before the Commission, $49K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2008-12-17.
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.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
143citations taken to the federal commission · 35% of citations on record
Settled
138 · 97%
Stood as issued
5 · 3%
92%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 79 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
38%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$73K proposed, $45K after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2009-09-15.
Contested penalties
ⓘA reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
MSHA sampling at C-3 shows 98% of 571 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: 2008-05-06, 18 years ago
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
571
samples
5.58
dust max (mg/m3)
302 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 269 by the operator.
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.
C-3 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2008.
Injury rate, 2008
ⓘ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 4.41 and the all-US-mining average was 3.61 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.87 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
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
4.20
0.00
0.000
2006 *
4.77
4.77
0.000
2005 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2004 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2003 *
10.43
10.43
0.000
2002 *
41.42
41.42
0.000
2001 *
8.77
8.77
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
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2010
6
2009
6
2008
14
21,199
2007
20
61,828
2006
16
73,087
2005
14
65,689
2004
14
79,580
2003
13
50,585
2002
13
61,071
2001
8
17,717
2000
2
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
C-3 sits in Harlan County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 4.3% 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.
Harlan County, Kentucky · Population 26,185
4.3%
Mining share of county employment
$37,198
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
2010 Q1
1,861
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
1,750
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
1,709
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
1,796
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
2,128
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
1,623
1
0
616.1
2008 Q3
1,654
2
0
1209.2
2008 Q2
10,487
14
2
1335.0
Show 32 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2008 Q1
12,429
11
4
885.0
2007 Q4
12,645
19
6
1502.6
2007 Q3
11,833
40
13
3380.4
2007 Q2
11,468
26
5
2267.2
2007 Q1
11,721
9
2
767.9
2006 Q4
11,165
6
2
537.4
2006 Q3
10,814
45
9
4161.3
2006 Q2
9,496
33
13
3475.1
2006 Q1
10,432
8
2
766.9
2005 Q4
8,760
13
4
1484.0
2005 Q3
9,424
13
6
1379.5
2005 Q2
8,945
11
2
1229.7
2005 Q1
9,433
9
4
954.1
2004 Q4
10,543
5
0
474.2
2004 Q3
10,483
18
6
1717.1
2004 Q2
9,649
16
2
1658.2
2004 Q1
11,098
14
4
1261.5
2003 Q4
9,595
5
2
521.1
2003 Q3
9,058
17
6
1876.8
2003 Q2
9,072
7
0
771.6
2003 Q1
10,619
3
3
282.5
2002 Q4
10,541
6
2
569.2
2002 Q3
9,844
10
6
1015.8
2002 Q2
9,772
7
3
716.3
2002 Q1
8,476
3
1
353.9
2001 Q4
9,522
2
1
210.0
2001 Q3
9,229
13
5
1408.6
2001 Q2
4,053
8
3
1973.8
2001 Q1
0
1
0
2000 Q4
0
0
0
2000 Q3
25
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
358
0
0
0.0
Fatalities at this mine
2 recorded
January 29, 1997KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanFatality · EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
THE VICTIM HAD DRIVEN A 1991 TOYOTA PICK-UP TRUCK FROM THE COAL STORAGE AREA TO THE MINE SHOP LOCATED ON THE SURFACE AREA OF THIS MINE. THE VICTIM PARKED THE TRUCK AND HAD GOTTEN OUT AND WAS S TANDING BESIDE OF THE TRUCK WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE CAUSE OF THEEXPLOSION IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME, MSHA'S INVESTIGATION IS ON-GOING.
March 17, 1990KY · Coalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerFatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Repairman slipped on a piece of belt and fell across structure cutting himself in the abdomen. Very minor situation. Came back to work after going to doctors office.
2006 · 2 incidents
April 17, 2006KY · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
A non injury roof fall accident was discovered at 5:45 am on #5 belt flight between crosscut #2 and #4 in the #3 entry. The fall was approx. 120' long, 22' wide and 5' thick.
2004 · 2 incidents
August 2, 2004KY · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerPOWERED HAULAGE
WHILE STRINGING HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE, THE CABLE FELL AND HIT EE IN BACK CAUSING BRUISING AND A STRAIN. EE HAS BEEN OFF WORK SINCE OCCURENCE BUT IS HOPING TO BE FINISHED WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY AND GO BACK TO WORK IN A FEW MORE DAYS.
June 20, 2003KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider
EE WAS MAKING A BELT SPLICE. THE HELPER TOOK ONE MORE SWIPE WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER THAN EE THOUGHT. EE HAD HIS HAND ON TOP OB BLOCK WHEN THE HAMMER HIT. EE HAS A FRACTURE IN HAND. HE WILL BE OFF FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
EE ENGAGED THE ELECTRICAL CURCUIT TO THE FAN. AN ARC OCCURRED. THE FLASH FROM THE ARC BURNED HIS HAND UP TO THE WRIST. HE WAS NOT ELECTROCUTED. THE BURN WAS BAD. THE LOCAL HOSPITAL TRANSFERRED HIM TO THE MEDICAL CENTER. THE INJURY WILL REQUUIRE SKIN GRAFTS.
October 24, 2002KY · Coalcontinuous miner operator, coal mole operatorMACHINERY
EE IN MINER OPERATOR. HIS LEFT HAND WAS RESTING ON THE FRAME OF THE MINER WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN ROOF BOLTS AND HIT IT. EE WAS CUT AND HAD TWO BONES CRACKED. EE WAS NEVER IN DI STRESS. HE DROVE HIMSELF TO THE ER FOR TREATMENT.
October 14, 2002KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE 002 MMU MINED INTO OLD MINE WORKING AT APPROX 2:00 PM, & AN UNPLANNED INUNDATION OF WATER OCCURRED FORCING THE UNDERGROUND WORKER TO RETREAT TO THE SURFACE AREA. THE MINE MAP INDICATES THA T THE CLOSEST 010 WORKS WERE APPROX 200' AWAY. THIS WAS A NON-INJURY INUNDATION OF WATER.
May 27, 2002KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderPOWERED HAULAGE
EE GOT HIS BRIDGE TOO CLOSE TO THE LEFT RIB AND GOT PINNED BETWEEN RIB AND CONTROLS ON BRIDGE. HE WAS ABLE TO HIT PANIC BAR QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY. HE CAME BACK TO WORK ON 5-29 -02.
March 16, 2002KY · Coalcontinuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgemanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
ROOF FALL OCCURED THIRD CROSSCUT OUTBY FACE #3 ENTRY, ROOF STARTED SQUEEZING DOWN NOTICE IT GOT ALL MEN IN SAFE, NO INJURY'S INVOLVED. ROOF FALL WAS APPRXO 20'WX22 TO 25'LX1'TO7'T, CRIB AND T IMBERED OFF AREA. LOST ONLLY 20' OF LONG JOHN STRUCTURE AND 40' OF BELT, MAIN CONCERN WS SAFETY OF MEN.
HAD A ROOF FALL ON 2 LEFT. ROCK FALL OCCURRED AROUND 0900 IN BELT HEADING COVERING #1 BRIDGE CARRIER & BACK BRIDGE. ROCK WAS AROUND 3'-7' THICK. NO INJURIES WERE INVOLVED.
November 4, 1996KY · Coalbull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift bossDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
PILAR RECOVERY WAS BEING CONDUCTED AT THIS MINE. MINER WAS CUTTING IN ROOM NECK IN #1 ENTRY WHEN WATER WAS ENCOUNTERED. APPARENTLY ENGINEERING WAS OFF ON THIS PANEL CAUSING US TO BE CLOSER TO THE OLD PANEL THAN WE THOUGHT. MANAGEMENT CONTACTED ENGINEERING, THIS SITUATION WAS THOURGHLY DISCUSSED.
January 17, 1996KY · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
May 6, 1992KY · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
EMPLOYEE WAS PA8SENGER IN TRUCKING TRAVELING FROM SHOP AREA TO MINE AREA. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS LEAVING MINE AREA AND WAS MOVING TO FAST TO STOP AND HIT THE TRUCK IN WHICH THE INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS TRAVELING 6ROADSIDE.
May 28, 1987KY · Coalcontinuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgemanHANDLING OF MATERIALS