Cavanal West Mine has $62K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
Watch this mine
Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Cavanal West Mine.
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
24
Years on record
1994–2018
Latest incident
Aug 2018
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2007
64
citations
23
significant & substantial
$62,234
proposed penalties
$44,975
paid to date
72% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $17,259 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.
Rate withheld: 567 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Cavanal West Mine has $62K in proposed MSHA penalties and $100 outstanding across 5 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.
$62K
proposed penalties
$45K
current assessed
$45K
paid to date
$100
outstanding
64 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $55K in penalties contested before the Commission, $38K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-04-02.
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.
35citations taken to the federal commission · 55% of citations on record
Settled
34 · 97%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 3%
74%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 19 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
31%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$55K proposed, $38K 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 2009-06-03.
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 Cavanal West Mine shows 100% of 22 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: 2018-09-10, 7 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
22
samples
0.36
dust max (mg/m3)
0
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.
19 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 3 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.
Cavanal West Mine recorded 14.31 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.
14.31
total case rate
11.44
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 4.41 and the all-US-mining average was 3.61 cases per 100 workers.
In Oklahoma, coal mining averaged 7.87 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 *
14.31
11.44
0.000
2007 *
2.76
2.76
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)
2018
6
109,147
2015
0
2013
0
2012
0
2011
0
2010
0
2009
7
34,937
2008
24
231,938
2007
25
312,358
2006
17
119,085
2005
1
2,873
2002
0
2000
0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Cavanal West Mine sits in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, where the Census mining category is 3.0% 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.
Le Flore County, Oklahoma · Population 48,728
3.0%
Mining share of county employment
$50,027
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
2018 Q4
0
0
0
2018 Q3
5,279
1
0
189.4
2018 Q2
6,806
1
1
146.9
2018 Q1
3,714
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
0
0
0
2013 Q4
0
0
0
2013 Q3
0
0
0
2013 Q2
0
0
0
Show 33 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2013 Q1
0
0
0
2012 Q4
0
0
0
2012 Q3
0
0
0
2012 Q2
0
0
0
2012 Q1
0
0
0
2011 Q4
0
0
0
2011 Q3
0
0
0
2011 Q2
0
0
0
2011 Q1
0
0
0
2010 Q4
0
0
0
2010 Q3
0
0
0
2010 Q2
0
0
0
2010 Q1
0
0
0
2009 Q4
0
0
0
2009 Q3
200
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
4,344
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
7,564
12
4
1586.5
2008 Q4
17,731
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
16,044
9
4
561.0
2008 Q2
17,744
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
18,384
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
16,694
22
10
1317.8
2007 Q3
17,116
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
19,447
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
19,317
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
21,370
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
19,594
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
1,860
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
185
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
0
0
0
2002 Q4
0
0
0
2000 Q2
0
0
0
2000 Q1
0
0
0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
24 on file
2018 · 1 incident
August 2, 2018OK · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While using a porta power to remove a pin from a hoe bucket, a piece of metal popped out and struck the injured in the forehead causing a laceration requiring 10 stitches. The injured is a contract welder that works intermittently for the mine.
2008 · 5 incidents
November 21, 2008OK · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While stepping to the ground off his end dump truck, injured strained (pulled a muscle) his leg. Note: The company did not work on the four day Thanksgiving weekend.
September 13, 2008OK · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While standing at the ladder on the catwalk of his end dump truck. Cleaning his windshield. The injured slipped, lost his balance and his grip on the hand holds. He fractured his wrist trying to protect himself and prevent a fall to the ground.
While traveling on a surface haul road, the injured's truck impacted the berm. He continued powering into the berm for 150' to try to get back on the road. Instead, he topped it, traveling down the rain satureated slope, sinking right front tire in the mud. Turned truck over to the right. Suffered strains from the jarring. Due to schedule w/dr, rtw delayed.
February 23, 2008OK · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
No medical until 2/19/08, when doctor prescribed an anti-inflamitory to reduce inflamation. While pinning coal, the injured jarred his back, causing a strain. No medical until 2/19/08 and still no lost time.
While letting the bed of his end dump truck down, the bed free fell, jarring him and threw the injured into the steering wheel causing a laceration to his check.
2006 · 1 incident
August 28, 2006OK · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
WHILE OFF WORK ON ANOTHER ALLEGED INJURY BEING FOUGHT BY WORKER'S COMP., AN ATTORNEY NOTIFIED THE COMPANY THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAD ANOTHER INJURY INVOLVING HIS TEETH AND FACE. HE SUPPOSEDLY GOT HIS IN THE FACE WITH A PIECE OF METAL.
October 13, 1995OK · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
INJURED DID NOT REPORT ACCIDENT UNTIL A WEEK LATER. WHILE WALKING UP A SLOPE, THE INJURED SLIPPED AND BRUISED HIS THIGH WHEN HE HIT A ROCK TRYING TO STOP HIS FALL.
April 15, 1995OK · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
THE INDIVIDUAL WAS TERMINATED FOR FAILURE TO SHOW UP FOR WORK. HE LATER CLAIMED HE WAS HURT ONT HE JOB. HE WENT TO A CHIOR. HE NEVER REPORTED THE INJURY AND AN ALLEGED WITNESS WAS NOT WORKI NG WITH HIM ON THAT DATE AND HE DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF AN INJURY. ON A PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, EE CLAIMED A PUNCTURE WOOUND TO HIS FOOT CAUISN GSEVER BLEEDING REQUIRING HIM TO LEAV WORK EARLY.
November 21, 1994OK · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHILE MAKING AN INSPECTION OF THE DRAGLINE, THE INJURED DISCOVERED A GUARD THAT NEEDE TO BE REPAIRED. WHILE RESETTING IT, HE CUT HIS FINGER REQUIRING STITCHES.
August 26, 1994OK · Coaloutside foreman, leadmanOTHER
WHILE MAKING HIS ROUNDS AND PERFORMING HIS USUAL FOREMAN'S DUTIES IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK, THE INDIVIDUAL WENT TO THE SCALEHOUSE COMPLAINING OF CHEST AND ARM PAIN. AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED AND HE W AS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY SAY HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK.
June 16, 1994OK · Coalcoal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shovelerHANDLING OF MATERIALS