Mining Incidents

Creek Paum Mine Coal

Ava, Jackson County, IL  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1103020

Creek Paum Mine has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $492 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
34
Years on record
1998–2026
Latest incident
Apr 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
125
citations
67
significant & substantial
$24,857
proposed penalties
$24,365
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $492 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
85
inspections on record
3,557
inspection hours
3.5
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.
125 citations across 3,557 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Creek Paum Mine has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $492 outstanding across 0 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.
$25K
proposed penalties
$25K
current assessed
$24K
paid to date
$492
outstanding
125 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-09-30.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Creek Paum Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.17 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 324 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.
0.17
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.98
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
324
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-04-08.
Silica (quartz)
8.8
silica avg (%)
21.6
silica max (%)
12
samples
Most recent sample: 2020-08-31.
Noise
4%
over PEL
130
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-12-15.
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
2025 Q4 80 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 80 1 0 12500.0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2024 Q3 620 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 0 0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 8 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q3 3 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 55 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 10 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 8 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 4 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 7 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 50 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 1,024 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 490 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 221 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 363 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 226 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 360 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 208 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 41 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 40 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 683 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 801 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 773 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 319 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 395 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 1,100 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 3,681 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 2,467 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 5,033 2 0 397.4
2015 Q2 2,987 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 3,586 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 2,733 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 3,246 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 3,466 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 4,180 1 0 239.2
2013 Q4 3,412 1 1 293.1
2013 Q3 4,149 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 3,259 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 5,507 2 1 363.2
2012 Q4 3,099 1 0 322.7
2012 Q3 8,050 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 9,825 4 0 407.1
2012 Q1 16,642 2 0 120.2
2011 Q4 24,039 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 32,003 1 0 31.2
2011 Q2 26,387 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 29,006 3 1 103.4
2010 Q4 29,224 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 36,307 3 1 82.6
2010 Q2 33,268 1 1 30.1
2010 Q1 33,428 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 29,090 3 3 103.1
2009 Q3 34,103 1 1 29.3
2009 Q2 32,217 1 1 31.0
2009 Q1 39,727 4 2 100.7
2008 Q4 39,733 1 1 25.2
2008 Q3 42,671 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 45,519 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 45,702 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 42,637 2 1 46.9
2007 Q3 45,799 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 47,880 1 1 20.9
2007 Q1 47,000 2 1 42.6
2006 Q4 42,712 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 43,405 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 43,727 2 2 45.7
2006 Q1 50,319 2 2 39.7
2005 Q4 48,671 1 1 20.5
2005 Q3 55,186 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 56,416 3 3 53.2
2005 Q1 61,983 6 5 96.8
2004 Q4 59,164 3 2 50.7
2004 Q3 56,688 6 2 105.8
2004 Q2 50,758 9 4 177.3
2004 Q1 47,635 5 3 105.0
2003 Q4 41,138 2 2 48.6
2003 Q3 40,535 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 43,391 1 1 23.0
2003 Q1 39,859 3 3 75.3
2002 Q4 36,169 3 3 82.9
2002 Q3 39,990 6 0 150.0
2002 Q2 41,229 4 3 97.0
2002 Q1 35,975 5 1 139.0
2001 Q4 43,633 2 0 45.8
2001 Q3 37,736 4 3 106.0
2001 Q2 38,579 11 3 285.1
2001 Q1 29,737 5 4 168.1
2000 Q4 18,423 3 2 162.8
2000 Q3 20,845 2 2 95.9
2000 Q2 15,975 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 14,000 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

34 on file

2026 · 1 incident

April 3, 2026 IL · Coal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The IE slipped while entering the cab of the D5 dozer and struck EE's forehead on the door frame resulting in sutures.

2017 · 1 incident

February 20, 2017 IL · Coal FIRE
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

No one currently works at this mine. A worker from another mine saw the smoke as EE was driving by. The 2 X 0 coal pile had a hot spot. There was no damage to any equipment and no one was injured.

2011 · 2 incidents

June 29, 2011 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was checking for hydraulic leaks on a Cat Tractor, his right foot slipped on a rock, causing him to twist his left knee.

May 25, 2011 IL · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by flying object

The employee was removing a wheel from a fuel truck with an impact wrench when the socket broke causing a piece of the socket to strike him in the abdomen. He treated the wound himself and continued working until May 30, 2011. On that date, he was admitted to the hospital with infection in the wound.

2008 · 3 incidents

May 21, 2008 IL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Lifting plant feed belt counter weight guard, had pain in left shoulder. Started missing work on 6/30/08

February 13, 2008 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by flying object

Was struck by consolidated dirt while cleaning the bowl of his pan.

January 24, 2008 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Fall down stairs

Nightime; shift was over; climbing stairs to contractor office carrying thermos; tripped; fell forward/hit the steps, rolling off underneath the stairs to the ground.

2007 · 3 incidents

October 10, 2007 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Lifting electric hoist off of a pallet, had pain in lower back. Started missing work 12/16/07.

May 17, 2007 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

Dismounting a Cat D-11 Dozer, stepped off onto a rock, foot slipped off of the rock and twisted right knee. Employee started missing work on 06/25/07.

May 8, 2007 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was driving a pin out of a segement roller on a Cat Dozer with a hammer. A piece broke off of the pin hitting him in the forehead about 1" above the right eye.

2006 · 2 incidents

May 4, 2006 IL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator ELECTRICAL
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Flash burns (electric)

Installing new 480V submersible pump, testing pump he needed to change leads. Employee threw the breaker on disconnect box and for some unknown reason, started changing phase leads on top of breaker, instead of bottom. Screw driver came in contact with lug resulting in flash. Flash burn both hands. No shock rec'd. Went to ER & released. Ee available to work next day.

April 26, 2006 IL · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DISMOUNTING FROM A D11 DOZER WHEN HE STEPPED ON A CLUMP OF DIRT TWISTING HIS LEFT ANKLE. THIS RESULTED IN A SPRAIN.

2005 · 1 incident

September 28, 2005 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

POOR FOOTING - CLIMBING OFF WATER WAGON, SLIPPED OFF LADDER. FOOT CAUGHT IN PTO (POWER TAKE OFF) SHAFT.

2004 · 1 incident

September 23, 2004 IL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against a moving object

WET INCLINE,TRUCK SPUN OUT. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, TRUCK SLID BACKWARDS AT BOTTOM OF INCLINE STEERED ON TO BERM ON RT SIDE AND ROLLED OVER ON DRIVERS'S SIDE

2003 · 5 incidents

October 11, 2003 IL · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey

EMPLOYEE WAS STEPPING FROM BUMPER ON A WELDING TRUCK TO THE BUMPER OF A HEAVY ANFO POWDER TRUCK. EMPLOYEE SLIPPED / MISSED THE BUMPER AND FELL BETWEEN THE TRUCKS, HITTING UPPER LEFT PART OF BA CK.

May 22, 2003 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer

EE WAS MOUNTING EQUIPMENT. AT THE 2ND OR 3RD RUNG OF LADDER FROM THE TOP, HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON RUNG & HE FELL, LANDING ON FEET. BUT MORE SO ON HIS RIGHT FOOT, FRACTURING LEG JUST BELOW THE KNEE.

May 13, 2003 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS HAULING DIRT OUT OF PIT. WHILE PROCEDING UP INCLINE, TRUCK HIT RUT, CAUSING EE TO JAM FOOT AGAINST BRAKE, CAUSING FRACTURE OF FOOT.

April 16, 2003 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED IN MUD, GRABBED ONTO PUMP SKID TO BREAK HIS FALL. WHERE EMPLOYEE GRABBED HAD A PIECE OF METAL PROTRUDING. EMPLOYEE'S HAND WAS CUT BY METAL, RESULTING IN 11 STITCHES.

2002 · 7 incidents

December 16, 2002 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

EE PEROFRMING MAINTENANCE WORK IN PLANT. WAS SECURING ()HOLDING) LADDER WHIL ANOTHER EE WAS HANDLING A PIPE COUPLER. COUPLER WAS DROPPED & FELL APPROX 6', STRIKING VICTIM IN HEAD, CAUSING LACE RATIONS & BRUISES. LACERATION REQUIRED STITCHES. EE WAS NOT WEARING HARD HAT AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.

November 15, 2002 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSS SLIDING WINDOW ON D-7 DOZER. WINDOW WAS STUCK. WHEN IT BROKE LOOSE, LEFT FOREFINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN WINDOW AND FRAME. RESULTING IN SMASH/FRACTURE OF FINGERTIP.

June 26, 2002 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REINSTALLING SKIRTBOARD RUBBER ON CONVEYOR, USING SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH SKIRTBOARD RUBBER IN WITH RIGHT HAND. SCREWDRIVER SLIPPED & IMPALED LEFT PALM, REQUIRING X-RAY, CLEANSING & TWO STITCHES.

May 6, 2002 IL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against a moving object

RAINY, WET ROAD CONDITIONS (INCLINE). VEHICLE PROCEEDING INTO PIT. TOWARD BOTTOM OF INCLINE, VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKIDDING, SLIDING MOTION, HITTING SPOIL BANK, THROWING EE FORWARD, INJURING RIG HT SHOULDER.

February 16, 2002 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REPAIRING LH TRACK LINK ON A D11 TRACTOR. THE BLOCKING WHICH WAS HOLDING THE LOOSE END OF THE TRACK UP ON THE REAR IDLER SLIPPED OUT LETTING IT FALL ON RIGHT FOOT. BRUISED RIGHT FOOT.

January 9, 2002 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING DOZER, MACHINE CAME OVER A ROLL, FRONT END DROPPED SLIGHTLY, CAUSING EE TO LURCH FORWARD STRIKING MINE COMMUNICATION RADIO WITH FOREHEAD, CAUSING A LACERATION REQUIRING 3 STITCHES.

2001 · 5 incidents

October 18, 2001 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TRYING TO REMOVE DEBRIS WHICH WAS PLUGGING PLANT. USING PIPE AS PRY BAR, FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN PIPE & METAL RESULTING IN FRACTURE & LACERATION TO LEFT RING FINGER TIP.

July 7, 2001 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS IN PROCESS OF REMOVING OVERBURDEN IN END OF PIT. END WALL COLLAPSED (PORTION OF) OUTWARD & HIT DOZER, PUSHING SIDE WINDOW FRAME INTO CAB, STRIKING EMPLOYEE IN FACE AND HEAD, CAUSI NG LACERATIONS, ONE REQUIRING STITCHES.

February 1, 2001 IL · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS HANGING INSULATION ON SOUTH WALL OF BUILDING. A SCREW PULLED LOOSE & HE TRIED TO GRAB IT TO STOP IT FROM FALLING. EE HIT FINGER ON A PIECE OF BAR

January 12, 2001 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS STANDING ON HAND RAIL TO SHEET A SECTION OF THE PLANT AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE HANDRAIL AND LANDED ON A SCREW GUN ON THE CATWALK.

2000 · 1 incident

January 27, 2000 IL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS CHIPPING FROZEN COAL IN HOPPER, TRYING TO UNPLUG FREE UP. BAR WHICH HE WAS USING BROKE THROUGHT THE COAL, AND RIGHT HAND, LITTLE FINGER STRUCK AGAINST SIDE OF SHIELD, RESULTING IN FRACT URE OF FINGER.

1999 · 1 incident

August 15, 1999 IL · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE HAD STOPPED DOZER AND EXITED CAB TO STRETCH. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND BREEZY. AN AIRBORNE PARTICLE OF DUST ENTERED HIS RIGHT EYE AT THIS TIME. MINIMAL DAMAGE TO EYE.

1998 · 1 incident

August 26, 1998 IL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Knight Hawk Coal LLC · Struck against a moving object

HE WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF CHALLENGER 95 AND WAS LOOKING BACK WATCHING THE PULL SCRAPERS WHEN THE CHALLENGER HIT A BUMP AND HE FLEW UP OUT OF THE SEAT AND BACK DOWN INTO THE SEAT.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Creek Paum 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.