Carbon Hill Mine has $316K in proposed MSHA penalties and $31K outstanding across 38 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
24
Years on record
2010–2025
Latest incident
Oct 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2009
686
citations
169
significant & substantial
$315,507
proposed penalties
$190,713
paid to date
60% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $124,794 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.
686 citations across 12,498 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Carbon Hill Mine has $316K in proposed MSHA penalties and $31K outstanding across 38 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.
$316K
proposed penalties
$222K
current assessed
$191K
paid to date
$31K
outstanding
660 assessments are final orders; 38 contested dockets.
Of $183K in penalties contested before the Commission, $78K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-15.
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.
108citations taken to the federal commission · 16% of citations on record
Settled
95 · 88%
Vacated or withdrawn
5 · 5%
Still open
8 · 7%
64%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 77 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
57%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$183K proposed, $78K 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 2026-01-12.
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 Carbon Hill Mine shows 99% of 2,331 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: 2026-01-04
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
2,331
samples
5.08
dust max (mg/m3)
5
over MSHA ECV
ⓘThe excessive concentration value (ECV) is MSHA's own per-sample enforcement threshold, which builds in measurement uncertainty; a sample over its ECV can trigger a citation. The count covers only samples MSHA assigned an ECV.
613 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 1,718 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.
Carbon Hill Mine recorded 5.88 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
Injury rate, 2025
ⓘ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.
5.88
total case rate
2.94
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Alabama, coal mining averaged 3.32 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
2025 *
5.88
2.94
0.000
2024 *
2.94
0.00
0.000
2023 *
5.96
0.00
0.000
2022 *
3.22
3.22
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
10.81
0.00
0.000
2019 *
3.86
3.86
0.000
2018 *
6.81
3.41
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)
2026
25
4,982
2025
29
113,675
2024
30
120,633
2023
27
122,622
2022
26
119,041
2021
26
120,020
2020
23
103,699
2019
22
75,008
2018
24
104,640
2017
19
92,882
2016
18
33,102
2015
47
84,876
2014
40
90,378
2013
37
76,241
2012
35
43,144
2011
18
26,362
2010
8
2009
1
2008
0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Carbon Hill Mine sits in Walker County, Alabama, where the Census mining category is 3.3% 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.
Walker County, Alabama · Population 64,886
3.3%
Mining share of county employment
$54,509
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
2026 Q1
11,673
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
16,331
29
12
1775.8
2025 Q3
15,850
25
1
1577.3
2025 Q2
18,883
20
4
1059.2
2025 Q1
16,970
16
1
942.8
2024 Q4
18,817
12
1
637.7
2024 Q3
15,108
36
9
2382.8
2024 Q2
17,941
23
5
1282.0
Show 62 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q1
16,252
30
11
1845.9
2023 Q4
21,375
13
2
608.2
2023 Q3
14,192
22
7
1550.2
2023 Q2
16,694
9
1
539.1
2023 Q1
14,822
6
0
404.8
2022 Q4
17,498
11
5
628.6
2022 Q3
13,669
6
0
438.9
2022 Q2
16,562
5
2
301.9
2022 Q1
14,362
34
5
2367.4
2021 Q4
20,053
8
1
398.9
2021 Q3
15,569
17
3
1091.9
2021 Q2
14,534
3
0
206.4
2021 Q1
14,846
4
0
269.4
2020 Q4
17,292
4
0
231.3
2020 Q3
16,369
5
1
305.5
2020 Q2
12,776
8
2
626.2
2020 Q1
9,090
6
0
660.1
2019 Q4
2,385
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
17,418
18
4
1033.4
2019 Q2
18,246
22
2
1205.7
2019 Q1
13,701
13
3
948.8
2018 Q4
15,287
27
6
1766.2
2018 Q3
14,878
8
0
537.7
2018 Q2
14,692
2
0
136.1
2018 Q1
13,856
5
1
360.9
2017 Q4
14,223
4
3
281.2
2017 Q3
13,281
1
0
75.3
2017 Q2
13,032
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
13,823
4
1
289.4
2016 Q4
16,775
5
1
298.1
2016 Q3
15,993
11
5
687.8
2016 Q2
5,850
3
0
512.8
2016 Q1
3,425
5
0
1459.9
2015 Q4
15,438
16
10
1036.4
2015 Q3
31,562
14
6
443.6
2015 Q2
35,129
12
1
341.6
2015 Q1
24,515
11
2
448.7
2014 Q4
20,945
6
2
286.5
2014 Q3
25,923
6
1
231.5
2014 Q2
23,094
10
4
433.0
2014 Q1
19,614
12
8
611.8
2013 Q4
22,395
10
5
446.5
2013 Q3
22,501
15
6
666.6
2013 Q2
20,209
5
2
247.4
2013 Q1
19,861
13
4
654.5
2012 Q4
18,555
6
1
323.4
2012 Q3
20,115
16
6
795.4
2012 Q2
20,320
10
1
492.1
2012 Q1
18,846
7
3
371.4
2011 Q4
14,789
6
1
405.7
2011 Q3
12,606
2
0
158.7
2011 Q2
9,441
3
0
317.8
2011 Q1
6,641
5
0
752.9
2010 Q4
7,236
7
3
967.4
2010 Q3
5,629
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
2,049
2
1
976.1
2009 Q4
1,627
3
0
1843.9
2009 Q3
520
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
520
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
0
0
0
2008 Q4
0
0
0
2008 Q3
0
0
0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
24 on file
2025 · 2 incidents
October 17, 2025AL · Coalscoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Was spot bolting on #2 belt went to start drilling a hole and a piece of draw rock measuring about 1 foot x 1 foot 3" thick struck them on the hand breaking their middle finger
On 10/10/24 a roof fall was discovered by an EE during EE's pre-shift. The roof fall happened between 4:30 pm 10/9/24 and 5:30 am 10/10/24. Roof fall is located at break 37 on the Primary Escapeway in the intake. No equipment was involved. The fall was 5 feet in height.
May 2, 2024AL · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerPOWERED HAULAGE
EE was on a rail mantrip when EE came around a curve and slight slope when another mantrip was parked at the bottom of the down grade, which is about 100 feet long. EE struck the other mantrip and complained of pain in left rib area.
2023 · 3 incidents
November 7, 2023AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was using a piece of flat bar steel to adjust a belt roller. EE missed the intended striking area and smashed a finger between the belt structure and flat bar metal. Mashed fingernail and cut end of the finger. No stitches or broken bones.
Roof fall occurred at No. 1 XC underground. The fall was five feet in height. Water was present in the fall area of the roof which may have contributed to the fall.
2022 · 1 incident
June 9, 2022AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)POWERED HAULAGE
Employee had moved car anchor to a new location. When the car op. turned the cable reel on to take excess slack up the employee had their feet taken out from under them resulting in a fall. Employee complained of back pain.
A roof fall occurred sometime the weekend of 08/08/2021. When investigated moisture was discovered in the roof at area of the fall. Also the area was entering into a hollow with lower roof cover from the mine to the surface.
2020 · 3 incidents
December 15, 2020AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
The employee was installing a roof bolt in the face of the No. 2 heading when EE inadvertently applied rotation to the drill causing EE's left had to twist around the roof bolt being installed.
June 4, 2020AL · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While attempting to repair a broken track on the operator side of the miner. EE slipped and fell on the track, resulting in a laceration to the right wrist which required 5 stitches. EE returned to work on the same day.
May 24, 2020AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Subject was in close vicinity where a repair man was using a hammer and chisel on the off side roof bolter drill head. A piece of the chisel broke away when struck by the hammer and hit EE underneath the chin. The sliver of metal was embedded under the skin.
2019 · 1 incident
August 27, 2019AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)POWERED HAULAGE
Section down, 9 men left early (1:00-1:15PM). 9 men traveling on 13 man rail ride. Heard noise, stopped and determined that both leaf springs had twisted and caused ride to lower. They proceeded slowly and made regular stops. Ride struck end of rail, sudden stop, an employee's right side hit operator's compartment.
2018 · 3 incidents
December 28, 2018AL · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
Foreman/fireboss was driving a battery powered 2 man ride. He stated that he was backing up and an electrical cable - hanging from the roof - came in contact with the back of his hard hat; causing a neck strain.
August 24, 2015AL · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was on the locomotive traveling from outside to the end of the track underground. He jumped from the locomotive while it was still moving; and he fell to the ground. He tried to brace his fall with his right hand; and he fractured his right wrist.
Mine Foreman was conducting a weekly exam. He found a roof fall in the section return (entry no 1 )between spad 7+00 and 7+50. The large horse-back was at the anchorage of the 5 foot bolt. MSHA was called at 10:30 A.M. The area was dangered off, then cribbed, and the return air was rerouted to entry no 2.
IE and two men were removing the off side planetary from the joy miner. They were using a set of come-a-longs and two ply bars. While laying on his side, EEs' ply bar slipped, causing his legs to move inward-the planetary fell out and onto his right foot-mashing btw planetary and cat track. No broken bones.
2010 · 1 incident
November 17, 2010AL · Coalsecurity guard, watchmanOTHER
The night time Security Guard had pre-existing medical conditions. He died of an apparent heart attack exiting his motor home parked beside the mine office.