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.
105 citations across 1,879 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Carlos Surface has $37K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 7 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.
$37K
proposed penalties
$28K
current assessed
$28K
paid to date
$100
outstanding
104 assessments are final orders; 7 contested dockets.
Of $22K in penalties contested before the Commission, $13K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-05-14.
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.
14citations taken to the federal commission · 13% of citations on record
Settled
14 · 100%
54%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 13 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
42%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$22K proposed, $13K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2012-08-28.
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 Carlos Surface shows 100% of 250 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: 2025-05-08
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
250
samples
1.33
dust max (mg/m3)
1
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.
191 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 59 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.
Carlos Surface recorded 5.36 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2024.
Injury rate, 2024
ⓘ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.
5.36
total case rate
5.36
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.16 and the all-US-mining average was 2.08 cases per 100 workers.
In Maryland, coal mining averaged 2.67 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
2024 *
5.36
5.36
0.000
2023 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2022 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021 *
5.97
5.97
0.000
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2019 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
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
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2026
0
2025
10
34,976
2024
18
89,500
2023
15
164,173
2022
18
132,832
2021
14
135,911
2020
13
119,277
2019
13
143,121
2018
12
195,985
2017
9
165,069
2016
13
108,673
2014
0
2013
1
3,795
2012
24
164,743
2011
25
279,331
2010
24
300,905
2009
18
224,190
2008
21
288,876
2007
15
182,376
2006
22
166,023
2005
7
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Carlos Surface sits in Allegany County, Maryland, where the Census mining category is 0.1% 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.
Allegany County, Maryland · Population 67,762
0.1%
Mining share of county employment
$57,393
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
0
0
0
2025 Q4
1,800
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
3,424
2
0
584.1
2025 Q1
8,601
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
8,499
1
0
117.7
2024 Q3
7,860
1
0
127.2
2024 Q2
10,129
1
0
98.7
2024 Q1
10,833
0
0
0.0
Show 66 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4
10,547
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
10,512
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
7,460
2
0
268.1
2023 Q1
8,765
2
0
228.2
2022 Q4
12,013
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
12,103
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
10,243
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
8,413
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
11,273
3
3
266.1
2021 Q3
7,709
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
7,180
1
1
139.3
2021 Q1
7,342
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
7,343
2
2
272.4
2020 Q3
6,909
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
7,353
1
1
136.0
2020 Q1
8,506
1
1
117.6
2019 Q4
8,656
3
2
346.6
2019 Q3
8,969
1
1
111.5
2019 Q2
7,590
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
8,790
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
9,436
4
3
423.9
2018 Q3
8,427
1
0
118.7
2018 Q2
8,065
1
0
124.0
2018 Q1
6,686
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
6,492
4
2
616.1
2017 Q3
5,310
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
6,063
3
1
494.8
2017 Q1
5,967
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
4,298
2
1
465.3
2016 Q3
6,645
1
1
150.5
2016 Q2
2,182
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
0
0
0
2014 Q1
0
0
0
2013 Q4
0
0
0
2013 Q3
22
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
39
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
436
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
3,399
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
15,306
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
17,085
2
1
117.1
2012 Q1
19,751
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
17,143
2
1
116.7
2011 Q3
18,813
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
18,621
3
2
161.1
2011 Q1
18,370
1
1
54.4
2010 Q4
16,884
2
1
118.5
2010 Q3
16,083
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
16,992
3
2
176.6
2010 Q1
12,624
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
9,241
1
0
108.2
2009 Q3
7,978
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
10,594
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
16,272
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
15,200
3
2
197.4
2008 Q3
16,097
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
15,426
2
2
129.7
2008 Q1
11,252
1
1
88.9
2007 Q4
8,308
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
8,849
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
8,128
4
2
492.1
2007 Q1
12,010
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
14,501
5
0
344.8
2006 Q3
15,621
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
12,603
2
0
158.7
2006 Q1
6,834
1
0
146.3
2005 Q4
1,324
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
10 on file
2024 · 1 incident
November 14, 2024MD · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
It was raining and the ladder and grab bars were wet on the Cat 773D rock truck. Employee's hand slipped off the grab bar as EE was getting off and EE slipped off the ladder and fell to the ground.
After dumping, rock truck operator stopped behind the dozer and exited to clean windows and mirror. Dozer backed up into the truck causing the cat walk to hit the truck. Operators leg and foot was pressed up against the cab causing bruising. Operator went to hospital, nothing broken, was sent home same day.
Afternoon shift arrived at equipment staging area,a D11 dozer was found to be fully engulfed in fire. No EE were involved. Dozer had been operated on day shift and parked at end of shift in the equipment staging area as normal. The local fire dept responded and extinguished the flames. No personal injuries occurred. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Injured was assisting coworkers to remove hydraulic hose on portable screener. Zip ties holding the hose had to be removed to take hose off. EE was holding the hose with his left hand and used his pocket knife to cut zip tie off. While cutting, his hand slipped, lacerating his left hand between the thumb and pointer finger. Resulted in four sutures to the laceration.
2011 · 2 incidents
May 5, 2011MD · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
While moving a light plant, ee was attempting to lower the tongue of the light plant on the hitch. The tongue slipped off the ball pinching the end of the thumb on his left hand. The injury resulted in a torn fingernail and fracture of the tip of the left thumb.
The employee was operating a Cat 777 rock truck headed to the dump site when he hit a bump and was jarred injuring his lower back.
2010 · 2 incidents
October 7, 2010MD · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
The injured miner was attempting to remove a rock lodged between the dual tires on a fuel truck when one of the tires ruptured. The injured employee received foreign material to the eye and face region requiring embedded material to be removed from his eyes.
May 4, 2010MD · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Employee was operating an impact air wrench in an overhead position. The injury was reported to his supervisor on 6-27-08 where upon he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Employee was diagnosed as having pinched nerve in left hand. Employee was told to wear a provided wrist brace for 5 days and to return to work the next scheduled shift.
2006 · 1 incident
August 24, 2006MD · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
Employee was reaching to pick up his cell phone from the floor of personal vehicle while exiting on haul road after work. He struck a rock and suffered a laceration to his head. He received medical treatment at hospital. No lost time.
Related mines
Other mines operated by Heritage Coal & Natural Resources, LLC