Mining Incidents

Cherokee Mine Coal

Elbert, Mcdowell County, WV  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4608048

Cherokee Mine has $218K in proposed MSHA penalties and $72K outstanding across 6 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
48
Years on record
1992–2004
Latest incident
Aug 2004
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
331
citations
122
significant & substantial
$217,656
proposed penalties
$24,456
paid to date
11% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $193,200 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
94
inspections on record
3,979
inspection hours
8.3
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.
331 citations across 3,979 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Cherokee Mine has $218K in proposed MSHA penalties and $72K outstanding across 6 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.
$218K
proposed penalties
$97K
current assessed
$24K
paid to date
$72K
outstanding
315 assessments are final orders; 6 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2008-03-28.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Cherokee Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.85 mg/m3 (88% compliant) across 376 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.
0.85
dust avg (mg/m3)
11.99
dust max (mg/m3)
88%
within 1.5 mg/m3
376
samples
Most recent sample: 2008-02-08.
Silica (quartz)
4.5
silica avg (%)
7.9
silica max (%)
34
samples
Most recent sample: 2007-05-30.
Noise
17%
over PEL
30
samples
Most recent sample: 2006-07-24.
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
2012 Q1 0 0 0
2011 Q4 0 0 0
2011 Q3 0 0 0
2010 Q1 0 0 0
2008 Q4 0 0 0
2008 Q3 0 0 0
2008 Q2 1,188 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 2,053 14 4 6819.3
Show 31 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2007 Q4 2,962 7 1 2363.3
2007 Q3 3,771 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 3,317 21 8 6331.0
2007 Q1 3,770 24 11 6366.0
2006 Q4 4,348 8 2 1839.9
2006 Q3 3,352 4 0 1193.3
2006 Q2 4,048 10 7 2470.4
2006 Q1 4,664 17 4 3644.9
2005 Q4 3,283 8 5 2436.8
2005 Q3 3,244 7 2 2157.8
2005 Q2 3,125 16 7 5120.0
2005 Q1 4,229 3 3 709.4
2004 Q4 4,437 6 6 1352.3
2004 Q3 4,285 2 2 466.7
2004 Q2 5,733 3 1 523.3
2004 Q1 4,763 5 0 1049.8
2003 Q4 5,578 7 0 1254.9
2003 Q3 10 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 10 13 8 1300000.0
2003 Q1 15,957 19 8 1190.7
2002 Q3 10 28 13 2800000.0
2002 Q2 1,176 15 5 12755.1
2002 Q1 5,215 3 1 575.3
2001 Q4 14,402 19 5 1319.3
2001 Q3 12,116 24 7 1980.9
2001 Q2 16,023 6 3 374.5
2001 Q1 13,663 4 1 292.8
2000 Q4 15,591 4 1 256.6
2000 Q3 11,554 4 2 346.2
2000 Q2 14,496 2 1 138.0
2000 Q1 12,611 4 0 317.2
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

48 on file

2004 · 1 incident

August 16, 2004 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
W A Mining Inc · Struck against a moving object

MINER OPERATOR WAS OPERATING MINER; SAID IT HIT A PIECE OF ROCK AND BOUNCED HIM AND HURT HIS BACK.

2003 · 16 incidents

July 23, 2003 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Copperas Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

THE BELTS STOPPED AT ABOUT 8:00 P.M. THE SECTION FOREMAN WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND DISCOVERED THE FALL. IT IS 30' LONG, 16' WIDE & 3' TO 4' THICK. THE FALL STOPPED AT THE RIDER SEAM.

July 11, 2003 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator

EE WAS HAULING COAL FROM THE MINER TO THE FEEDERWITH A SHUTTLE CAR. WHEN HE GOT CLOSE TO THE CA BLE ANCHOR, THE SLACK ON THE CABLE CAME UP SUDDENLY AND A LOOP OF CABLE CAME IN THE DECK STRIKIN G HIM CAUSING THE INJURY. HE FINISHED THE SHIFT AND WENT TO THE DR. THE NEXT DAY AND HAS BEEN OFF WORK SINCE THEN.

June 19, 2003 WV · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator
Copperas Coal Corp · Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS WALKING TO THE POWER CENTER, WHEN HE GOT TO THE BREAK BESIDE THE FEEDER A S-CAR TOOK UP HIS CABLE STRIKING HIM ON THE SHOULDER SPINNING HIM AROUND WHILE HIS FOOT WAS PLANTED CAUSING THE INJURY.

June 18, 2003 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider

EE WAS CLEANING BELT WITH A SHOVEL. THE SHOVEL SNAGGED A BELT SPLICE CAUSING THE SHOVEL TO JERK HIS HAND & WRIST. HE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 6-23-03. HE WENT TO THE DR ON 6-23-03. THE DR TOLD HIM TO STAY HOME WITH MEDICATION AND A SOFT CAST. THIS ACCIDENT WASN'T REPORTABLE UNTIL HE BEGAN MISSING WORK.

June 16, 2003 WV · Coal electrician, lineman

HE BENT OVER TO PICK-UP A CRIB BLOCK AND PUT IT ON THE MAN-TRIP. HE STARTED FEELING PAIN THEN HE FINISHED THE SHIFT AND WENT TO THE DR ON THE 17TH AND HAS BEEN OFF WORK SINCE THEN.

June 4, 2003 WV · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator

EE WAS HAULING SUPPLYS TO THE FACE. HE WAS OPERATING HIGH TRAM. THE SCOOP RAN OVER AN UNEVEN PLACE IN THE BOTTOM CAUSING EE TO BE BOUNCED INTO THE TOP CAUSING THE INJURY. STATE INSPECTORS CHE CKED OUT THE SCOOP ON 6/5/03, IT WAS FOUND TO BEIN PROPER OPERATING CONDTION. (NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE SCOOP BEFORE THE INSPECTOR ARRIVED)

May 27, 2003 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Copperas Coal Corp · Struck by falling object

EE HAD JUST COMPLETED DRILLING A HOLE & INSTALLING A ROOF BOLT. WHEN MOVED BACK TO THE INCH TRAM STATION A ROCK ABOUT 2'X 2'BY 3-6" FELL FROM BETWEEN THE ROOF BOLTS & THE RIB STRIKING HIM ON THE HEAD CAUSING THE INJURY.

May 1, 2003 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)

EE WAS INSTALLING A R-BOLT TO REPLACE ONE THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED. WHEN HE STARTING DRILLING A SECTION OF THE ROOF 0" TO 3 FT. WIDE BY 0" TO 1 1/2 " THICK FELL ON THE CANOPY PART OF IT BROKE OFF AND STRUCK HIM ON THE BACK, HE REFUSED AN AMBULANCE AND TRANSPORTED HIMSELF TO THE DR.

April 25, 2003 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)

EE WAS SWINGING THE BOOM OVER THE RIB TO INSTALL A BOLT, WHILE SWINGING THE BOOM HE INADVERTEDLYPUSHED ANOTHER LEVER WHICH MADE THE BOOM RAISE. DUE TO THE TIGHT POSITION HE WAS IN THE BOOM CAUGHT HIS HEAD BETWEEN THE BOOM AND CANOPY

April 3, 2003 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A S-CAR HAULING COAL FROM THE MINER. WHILE DOING SO THE CONSTANT JARRING CAUSED HIM TO HAVE PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 4/15/03 AT THAT TIME HE NO TIFIED MINE MANAGEMENT AND WENT TO THE DOCTOR ON HIS OWN. HE IS STILL OFF WORK AT THIS TIME.

March 31, 2003 WV · Coal scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Copperas Coal Corp · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING HANG A SHUTTLE CAR CABLE ON A WIRE HANGER WHILE DOING SO A PIECE OF WIRE OR RUST FLEW AND STRUCK THE BOTTOM OF HIS EYE. HE STARTED RUBBING HIS EYE AND THE PAIN GOT WORSE SO HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.

March 30, 2003 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Copperas Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

A FALL WAS DISCOVERED IN THE INTERSECTION OF #3 ENTRY 21 BRKS FROM THE PORTAL AT SPAD #81. THE FALL IS APPROXIMATELY 18 FT X 18 FT BY 6 FT HIGH. THIS FALL WAS FOUND AT 12:01 PM ON 3/30/03 BY T HE MINE FOREMAN. HE WAS IN THE AREA CHECKING FOR A CLEAN-UP CREW COMING IN LATER.

March 10, 2003 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)

EE WAS OPERATING A R-BOLTER IN THE FACE AREA. WHILE DRILLING A HOLE TO INSTALL A BOLT THE DRILL STEEL HUNG IN THE TOP. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE IT BY PULLING IT LOOSE. WHILE DOING SO HE FELT SHA RP BURNING PAIN IN HIS RT HIP. HE STOPPED WORK AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

March 7, 2003 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler

EE WAS OPERATING A SCOOP TO RECOVER BELT SUPPLIES FROM THE OLD WORKS. HE DROPPED OFF A PIECE OF BELT AND WAS GOING TO GET MORE SUPPLIES. WHILE TRAMMING BACK HIS HEAD HIT THE TOP CAUSING THE IN JURY. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

February 24, 2003 WV · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Copperas Coal Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS CHECKING PUMPS AS PART OF HIS REG. JOB. HE FOUND ONE PUMP LAYING ON ITS SIDE. HE PICKED THE PUMP UP TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, AS HE WAS DOING THIS HE FELT PAIN IN HIS UPPER BACK. HE FINI SHED THE SHIFT & WENT TO THE DR. THE NEXT DAY.

January 25, 2003 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Copperas Coal Corp · Struck by flying object

EE WAS INSTALLING A BELT SPLICE BY USING A HAMMER AND RIVIT KNOCKER. A PIECE OF THE HAMMER FLEW OFF CAUSING THE INJURY.

2002 · 6 incidents

September 27, 2002 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Whitby Creek Industries, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

WITNESS STATED THEY WERE WORKING ON MINER WHEN INJURED LIFTED THE RIPPER MOTOR SPEED REDUCER. HE ATTEMPTED TO LOOSEN UP HIP HOSE WHEN COMALONG SLIPPED CATCHING HIM AGAINST FRAME OF MINER & MOT OR.

June 28, 2002 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Whitby Creek Industries, Inc. · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A S-CAR UNDER THE BOOM OF THE MINER. A PIECE OF ROCK CAME OFF THE BOOM & SLID ACROSS THE COAL AND INTO THE DOCK CAUSING THE INJURY.

June 12, 2002 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Whitby Creek Industries, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS OPENING THE AIR-LOCK DOORS ON THE WAY OUTSIDE THE HINGES BROKE CAUSING THE DOOR TO HIT HIM ON THE ARM & RIB CAGE. HE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 6/18/02. HE WENT TO THE DR AND WAS OFF WORK UNTIL 6/24/02 WHEN HE RETURNED BACK TO WORK.

June 10, 2002 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Whitby Creek Industries, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

ROOF FALL LEFT RETURN ENTRY - 1 BREAK INBY SPAD 661. FALL AREA APPROX. 50' LONG, 17' - 18' WIDE,6 1/2' HIGH. THIS AREA IS 900' FROM SURFACE. RETURN ENTRY HAS BEEN RE-ROUTED.

May 23, 2002 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Whitby Creek Industries, Inc. · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE REACHED TO PULL THE PIN OUT OF THE TONGUE OF A SCOOP TRAILER. WHEN HE TRIED TO PULL THE PIN A ROCK FELL FROM THE TOP AND HIT HIS HAND. EE RETURNED TO WORK ON HIS NEXT REGULAR SHIFT , WAS LAID OFF DUE TO SLACK WORK.

January 15, 2002 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST SECTION TAIL PIECE TURNED TO REACH FOR A PRY BAR AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS LEFT KNEE.

2001 · 1 incident

November 4, 2001 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON WK. END- BETWEEN 0700 ON 11-03 AND 2200 ON 11-04. #4 ENTRY ONE BRK. INBY SPAD STATION #1437. FALL THICKNESS RANGED FROM 6' IN CENTER TO APPROX. 40" AT OUT PERIMETERS LENG TH 20' - WIDTH 45-50'. #3 ENTRY TOWARD #5 ENTRY.

2000 · 7 incidents

September 7, 2000 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INSTALLING CANOPY ON CONTINUOUS MINER. CANOPY WAS SUSPENDED IN AIR. HE WAS HOLDING UP END TO SATBILIZE CANOPY. HE INFORMED HIS PARTNER AT THIS TIME THAT HIS BACK WAS HURT.

July 24, 2000 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OUT OF SHUTTLE CAR TO HANG CABLE, STEPPED INTO A HOLE & TWISTED LEFT KNEE. HE WORKED UNTIL 8/2/00 & WENT BACK TO DOCTOR & IS PRESENTLY OFF.

July 19, 2000 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Struck by falling object

MINNING THE THRIDLEFT LIFT IN NUMBER 6 HEADING EE RUNNING OFF ST. SHUTTLE CAR. A PIECE OF ROCK FELL HITTING HIS LEFT SIDE. BRUISING HIS LEFT LEG, ARM AND RIBS.

April 23, 2000 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS PULLING MINE CABLE WHEN HE STRAINED HIS BACK.

February 2, 2000 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

INTER SECTION @ SPAD 755, TWO BREAKS OUT BY OLD PILLAR LINE INTERSECTION . 18 X 18 APPROX 6 FT HIGH. CRIBBED AND TIMBERED. REROUTE STOPPING LINEFOR TRAVEL WAY.

January 27, 2000 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

FALL FOUDN 140' INBY #1 PORTAL, 16' WIDE, 0-5' THICK, APPROX. 40' LONG, CRIBBED AND TIMBERED FOR WALKWAY.

1999 · 9 incidents

November 11, 1999 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Accident type, without injuries

ON 11/11/99, PETE BROOKS FOUND A ROCK FALL IN THE #1 RETURN OUTBY THE SECTION ON 2 LEFT, 3 BREAKS. THE FALL WAS REPORTED TO D. HAROLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY SHIFT. I INVESTIGATED THE FALL AND DETERMINED TO TIMBER IT OFF AND MOVE STOPPING LINE SO AS TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND FALL.

November 3, 1999 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS OPERATING A 21SC SHUTTLE CAR. HE WAS LEAVING THE MINING MACHINE WITH A LOAD OF COAL WHEN A ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF(BETWEEN BOLTS) STRIKING INJURED IN HIS HEAD, PULLING HIM FROM OPE RATOR DECK.

October 13, 1999 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EE HANGING MINER CABLE. ROOF BOLTER STARTED MOVING MOVING ITS CABLE. THE ROOF BOLTER'S CABLE CAUGHT EE FEET, TRIPPING HIM. HE FELL TO MINE FLOOR, STRIKING HIS SELF-RESCUER AGAINST HIS HIP.

September 15, 1999 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS IN THE PROCESS OF WIRING #2 BELT DRIVE FOR OPERATION. HE WAS RUNNING CONTROL CABLE. WHEN HE TURNED HE FELT SOMETHING IN HIS LEFT KNEE.

July 13, 1999 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Struck against a moving object

SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR FINISHED LOADING HIS BUGGY AND TURNED AROUND TO SIT IN THE OPPOSITE SEAT AND TWISTED HIS BACK.

June 28, 1999 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Fall from ladders

INJURED HAD LADDER AGAINST TELEPHONE POLE. PULLING CABLE UP TO RE-HANG ON WIRE SUPPORT. FOOTING GAVE WAY ON LADDER INJURED FELL APPROX 4-6 FT STRIKING RIGHT FOOT.

June 10, 1999 WV · Coal security guard, watchman POWERED HAULAGE
Red Hawk Mining Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURY OUTSIDE OPERATORS DECK POSITION 488 SCOOP CAUGHT LEG BETWEEN OPERATORS DECK AND TIMBER.

1997 · 3 incidents

October 4, 1997 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Double Take Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

LOADING CATPAD OFF OF MINER IN SCOOP BUCKET AND CAUGHT HIS FINGER.

1995 · 2 incidents

February 6, 1995 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Double Take Mining Company Inc · Struck by falling object

WHILE HANGING MINER CABLE ON HOOKS ON SIDE OF MINER A LOOSE SLUG OF COAL FELL & HIT THUMB OF RT HAND

1993 · 1 incident

January 28, 1993 WV · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Double Take Mining Company Inc · Struck by falling object

MINER OPERATOR WAS LAYING ON GROUND WORKING ON MINER AND IT SLUG OF ROCK FELL BETWEEN BOLTS HITTING HIS RIGHT SIDE.

1992 · 2 incidents

February 5, 1992 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Double Take Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

MAN WAS TRAMMING MINER AND CAUGHT FOOT AGAINST RIB.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Cherokee Mine

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.