#2 shuttle car was traveling back toward #5 entry to turn down towards feeder, and the #3 shuttle car was already traveling this entry when the #2 car came thru the fly pad they contacted the operators compartment of the #3 car injuring the operator. The EE died on 2/21/21, autopsy results state EE died as the result of a thromboembolism.
Davy Branch Mine: 1 recorded fatality Coal
Davy Branch Mine has $403K in proposed MSHA penalties and $6K outstanding across 13 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 1
- Total incidents
- 25
- Years on record
- 2021–2026
- Latest incident
- Feb 2026
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This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.Davy Branch Mine has $403K in proposed MSHA penalties and $6K outstanding across 13 contested dockets.
ⓘ
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.ⓘ
Shares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.ⓘ
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.- Settled 31 · 91%
- Stood as issued 3 · 9%
ⓘ
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.ⓘ
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.| Docket | Decision | Judge | Year | Proposed / upheld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEVA 2022-0149 | Settlement | Sullivan | 2022 | $28K → $19K |
| WEVA 2025-0561 | Settlement | 2025 | $19K → $9K | |
| WEVA 2023-0124 | Settlement | Moran | 2023 | $12K → $6K |
| WEVA 2022-0441 | Settlement | Bulluck | 2022 | $12K → $2K |
| WEVA 2022-0531 | Settlement | Voisin | 2022 | $11K → $5K |
| WEVA 2026-0262 | Settlement | 2026 | $6K → $3K |
MSHA sampling at Davy Branch Mine shows 100% of 5,172 respirable coal dust samples met the 1.5 mg/m3 standard.
ⓘ
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: 2026-08-19
ⓘ
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.ⓘ
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.- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR1,526
- ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)1,446
- SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)1,242
Silica (quartz)
Last sampled: 2026-06-02- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR93
- ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)87
- SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)66
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.
Last sampled: 2026-05-27
ⓘ
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.- SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)39
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR32
- ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)26
ⓘ
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 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.| Year | within 1.5 mg/m3 | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 100% | 595 |
| 2025 | 100% | 915 |
| 2024 | 100% | 923 |
| 2023 | 100% | 876 |
| 2022 | 100% | 815 |
| 2021 | 100% | 913 |
| 2020 | 99% | 135 |
| Year | silica avg (%) | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4.9 | 28 |
| 2025 | 5.0 | 52 |
| 2024 | 6.2 | 42 |
| 2023 | 5.4 | 41 |
| 2022 | 5.3 | 49 |
| 2021 | 10.9 | 61 |
| 2020 | 11.7 | 9 |
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0% | 11 |
| 2025 | 5% | 19 |
| 2024 | 0% | 20 |
| 2023 | 0% | 27 |
| 2022 | 5% | 20 |
| 2021 | 3% | 32 |
| 2020 | 33% | 18 |
Davy Branch Mine reported liberating 13 metric tons of methane to EPA in 2023.
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Methane figures are what the operator reported to EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (subpart FF), collected at facility level. Only EPA facilities that resolve to a single MSHA mine record are shown, and the CO2-equivalent applies the GWP-25 factor EPA's published data uses.| Year | t CH4 | t CO2e |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 325 |
| 2022 | 2 | 50 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
Davy Branch Mine recorded 2.80 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
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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.| Year | total case rate | days-away | fatal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.80 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2024 | 1.35 | 0.67 | 0.000 |
| 2023 | 3.35 | 2.01 | 0.000 |
| 2022 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.000 |
| 2021 | 7.24 | 2.72 | 0.905 |
| 2020 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
- Aracoma Coal Company 2019 to present
ⓘ
Coal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.| Year | Employees | Coal produced (tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 116 | 329,850 |
| 2025 | 115 | 753,959 |
| 2024 | 119 | 804,301 |
| 2023 | 119 | 781,552 |
| 2022 | 111 | 738,884 |
| 2021 | 96 | 625,727 |
| 2020 | 25 | 73,431 |
Davy Branch Mine sits in Logan County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 6.6% of county employment.
ⓘ
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.ⓘ
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.| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q2 | 72,393 | 43 | 3 | 594.0 |
| 2026 Q1 | 76,708 | 22 | 1 | 286.8 |
| 2025 Q4 | 66,443 | 29 | 6 | 436.5 |
| 2025 Q3 | 74,151 | 35 | 4 | 472.0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 70,886 | 29 | 3 | 409.1 |
| 2025 Q1 | 74,441 | 15 | 1 | 201.5 |
| 2024 Q4 | 63,190 | 16 | 1 | 253.2 |
| 2024 Q3 | 72,786 | 57 | 14 | 783.1 |
Show 18 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q2 | 79,942 | 25 | 10 | 312.7 |
| 2024 Q1 | 80,473 | 16 | 2 | 198.8 |
| 2023 Q4 | 74,898 | 19 | 2 | 253.7 |
| 2023 Q3 | 73,630 | 24 | 1 | 326.0 |
| 2023 Q2 | 74,462 | 30 | 3 | 402.9 |
| 2023 Q1 | 75,317 | 36 | 8 | 478.0 |
| 2022 Q4 | 64,284 | 26 | 8 | 404.5 |
| 2022 Q3 | 66,392 | 22 | 2 | 331.4 |
| 2022 Q2 | 66,171 | 23 | 4 | 347.6 |
| 2022 Q1 | 70,462 | 52 | 16 | 738.0 |
| 2021 Q4 | 58,140 | 30 | 4 | 516.0 |
| 2021 Q3 | 61,344 | 30 | 6 | 489.0 |
| 2021 Q2 | 59,903 | 22 | 6 | 367.3 |
| 2021 Q1 | 41,570 | 25 | 3 | 601.4 |
| 2020 Q4 | 30,938 | 26 | 2 | 840.4 |
| 2020 Q3 | 3,497 | 9 | 0 | 2573.6 |
| 2020 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fatalities at this mine
1 recordedReportable incidents
24 on file (excluding fatalities above)2026 · 1 incident
Employee was moving a miner cable when EE tripped over a rock measuring 6"x12 " landing on EE's right hand and shoulder, EE hasn't missed any work due to this incident but started physical therapy treatments on 4/14/26 which makes it a reportable incident, EE has continued to experience pain on EE's shoulder since EE's fall
2025 · 4 incidents
Employee was diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis on 10/13/25 by a B reader
Installing a roof bolt in the corner of 3 left when the top rib rock came out striking them on left arm as they were inserting roof bolt into hole causing laceration requiring 6 sutures, rock measured 48 long x 32 wide x 3 inches thick , employee was taken to hospital and released back to work.
Employee was helping another employee remove the discharge shaft from the shuttle car conveyor reducer while the other employee was using slate bar to hold up the shaft, EE was prying with a bar when EE reach down to pick up the shaft it fell striking EE's rt foot big toe causing laceration and fractured big toe requiring 7 sutures
Employee was loading an argon tank onto a scoop when EE smashed the tip of EE's right index finger against the light housing on the scoop.
2024 · 2 incidents
Employee was diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis on 10-24-24. EE continues to work.
Employee was in process of installing a keeper on the left side tie rod end on a battery four wheeler, as EE reached up to get EE's channelocks , EE made contact with the foot pedal causing the machine to reverse striking EE's left leg & abdomen, EE continued to work until 9-16-24
2023 · 7 incidents
EE was using a Milwaukee handheld grinder to cut a seized set screw on a light. While holding the housing with their left hand, EE was using right hand to operate grinder. It kicked back when contacting another screw. This caused a laceration thru EE's glove on left hand requiring 7 stitches to close the wound.
A non-injury roof fall occurred on the #4-A belt; #12 break, in the #4 entry (track entry). The fall measured approximately 40'x50' and 4.5 to 5' in height.
Employee stated was in the process of cutting a piece of conveyor belt to prep for a move, as EE was cutting away from self EE's right arm came in contact with a frayed belt pin that was in an old splice next to where EE was cutting the pin. Caused a laceration requiring 5 sutures to close the wound
Employee stated: was lifting 1 bundle of roof bolter plates from the side of the bolter to the tray and felt pain in right shoulder. Went to ER, told to follow up with Ortho who placed employee off work for 2 weeks.
A non-injury roof fall occurred in the #4 to #5 crosscut at break #32 on the 4-A belt line.
Employee stated they were walking to the shuttle car and their foot got stuck in a hole or mud causing them to fall striking left knee on a rock. They finished the shift then went to the Dr on Sat, they were taken off work on Monday by a specialist for a bruise/contusion
Employee stated employee was cleaning the face and was backing up scoop to set over, employee placed left hand on top of the operator door and got the deck into the rib smashing hand between rib and scoop door causing fractured thumb.
2022 · 3 incidents
EE stated EE and another employee was laying rail at the #4 head drive. The rail was raised up using a forklift they were attempting to pry the rail over when it slipped off the forklift, the slate bar and rail came down landed on front of EE's foot causing bruising, they said the chain they had secured the rail with came undone allowing it to fall
Employee stated was spraying a stopping with a TC machine The wand clogged up and stopped spraying. As EE turned around to tell scoop operator to turn off machine, something hit EE in the left eye face. Employee stated was wearing safety glasses at the time. EE is off work for further medical treatment.
Night shift driver of 036 tractor at Davey Branch Mine was starting the engine on the bed treatment rack. EE's right hand came back and struck the container cage, peeling EE's skin off 3/4 to 1 inch across the top of the hand.
2021 · 7 incidents
Removing 1 inch bolts out of offside tram gearcase while removing one of the bolts with the impact gun, when the bolt extracted EE's left middle finger was caught between a #12 90 degree JIC fitting coming out of the tram panel mashing EE's nail into the nail bed
Employee took chest x ray on 8-3-21 and was diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis, we was notified of EE's diagnosis on 10/22/21.
We was notified on 10/14/2021 that employee was diagnosed on 6/15/21 with occupational pneumoconiosis by a b reader and chest x rays.
Employee was pulling on miner cable felt pain in abdomen, did continue to work from 08/25/21 until 7-25-22 when EE had to have the place repaired due to increased pain in that area.
We were notified on 6/8/2021 that employee was diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis on 10/23/2020 by a b-reader
Employee was using Channel locks to straighten up belt that was being racked up. EE's Channel locks slipped off the belt causing EE to fall backwards into the coal rib hitting EE's head, elbow. The height in the area was 79 inches.
Employee was hunched down against the wall of pump house, when employee stood up felt lightheaded and fell into the pump that was in front of employee, employee was supervising the ongoing work inside the pumphouse.