Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Employee cut the tip of ring finger on their left hand with a razor knife. Required 5 stitches to close the wound.
Eckman Loadout: 151 MSHA citations Coal
Prime Processing, Inc.
· Facility
Controlled by
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
Eckman,
Mcdowell County,
WV
·
Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4603341
Eckman Loadout has $58K in proposed MSHA penalties and $26K outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 13
- Years on record
- 2008–2024
- Latest incident
- Sep 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
151
citations
53
significant & substantial
$57,561
proposed penalties
$30,947
paid to date
54% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $26,614 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
97
inspections on record
2,001
inspection hours
7.5
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.151 citations across 2,001 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Eckman Loadout has $58K in proposed MSHA penalties and $26K outstanding across 3 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.$58K
proposed penalties
$57K
current assessed
$31K
paid to date
$26K
outstanding
149 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $2K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-06-01.
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.35.6%
significant & substantial
2.7%
high negligence or reckless
35.6%
reasonably likely or greater
41.6%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 24.8% low, 72.5% moderate, 2.7% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
7
citations taken to the federal commission · 5% of citations on record
- Settled 5 · 71%
- Stood as issued 2 · 29%
100%
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 6 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
8%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $2K 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 2010-05-26.
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.
| Docket | Decision | Judge | Year | Proposed / upheld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEVA 2010-1098 | Settlement | Lewis | 2012 | $848 → $700 |
| WEVA 2010-343 | Settlement | Lesnick | 2011 | $586 → $586 |
| WEVA 2008-1708 | Default | Lesnick | 2010 | $374 → $374 |
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
MSHA sampling at Eckman Loadout shows 100% of 123 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: 2025-10-27
ⓘ
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.100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
123
samples
1.35
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.123 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 0 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER29
- UTILITY MAN24
- CAR DROPPER14
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: 2025-10-27
ⓘ
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.0%
over PEL
84
samples
Most-sampled occupations
- UTILITY MAN16
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER15
- CAR DROPPER12
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.| Year | within 1.5 mg/m3 | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 100% | 9 |
| 2024 | 100% | 4 |
| 2023 | 100% | 2 |
| 2022 | 100% | 6 |
| 2021 | 100% | 6 |
| 2020 | 100% | 7 |
| 2019 | 100% | 5 |
| 2018 | 100% | 8 |
| 2017 | 100% | 3 |
| 2016 | 100% | 9 |
| 2015 | 100% | 2 |
| 2014 | 100% | 5 |
| 2013 | 100% | 9 |
| 2012 | 100% | 8 |
| 2011 | 100% | 6 |
| 2010 | 100% | 5 |
| 2009 | 100% | 11 |
| 2008 | 100% | 2 |
| 2006 | 100% | 2 |
| 2005 | 100% | 2 |
| 2004 | 100% | 2 |
| 2003 | 100% | 3 |
| 2001 | 100% | 6 |
| 2000 | 100% | 1 |
Noise by year
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0% | 6 |
| 2024 | 0% | 2 |
| 2022 | 0% | 2 |
| 2021 | 0% | 6 |
| 2020 | 0% | 4 |
| 2019 | 0% | 2 |
| 2018 | 0% | 8 |
| 2016 | 0% | 9 |
| 2015 | 0% | 3 |
| 2014 | 0% | 3 |
| 2013 | 0% | 5 |
| 2012 | 0% | 4 |
| 2011 | 0% | 6 |
| 2010 | 0% | 2 |
| 2009 | 0% | 10 |
| 2006 | 0% | 2 |
| 2004 | 0% | 2 |
| 2003 | 0% | 3 |
| 2001 | 0% | 5 |
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Eckman Loadout recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
Injury rate, 2025
ⓘ
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.0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.89 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2024 * | 6.52 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2023 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2022 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2021 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2020 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2019 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2018 * | 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.
Ownership history
- Pocahontas Fuel Company 1950 to 1974
- Patsy Trucking Company Inc 1975 to 1992
- Ritchie Equipment Inc 1992 to 1996
- Premium Processing Inc 1996 to 1998
- Premium Processing Inc 1998 to 2004
- Extra Energy, Inc. 2004 to 2004
- Regal Rock, Inc. 2004 to 2004
- Prime Processing, Inc. 2004 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
| Year | Employees |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 34 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Eckman Loadout sits in McDowell County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 13.0% 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.McDowell County, West Virginia · Population 18,413
13.0%
Mining share of county employment
$29,980
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 Q2 | 7,990 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2026 Q1 | 7,574 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 Q3 | 7,454 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 7,557 | 1 | 0 | 132.3 |
| 2025 Q1 | 7,271 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q4 | 7,464 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q3 | 7,747 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Show 96 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q2 | 7,630 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q1 | 7,836 | 1 | 0 | 127.6 |
| 2023 Q4 | 7,142 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q3 | 7,607 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q2 | 7,813 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q1 | 7,885 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q4 | 7,525 | 7 | 0 | 930.2 |
| 2022 Q3 | 7,777 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q2 | 7,056 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q1 | 8,306 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q4 | 7,600 | 4 | 1 | 526.3 |
| 2021 Q3 | 7,680 | 1 | 0 | 130.2 |
| 2021 Q2 | 7,529 | 4 | 0 | 531.3 |
| 2021 Q1 | 7,478 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q4 | 6,824 | 5 | 0 | 732.7 |
| 2020 Q3 | 6,897 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q2 | 6,902 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q1 | 7,117 | 1 | 0 | 140.5 |
| 2019 Q4 | 5,774 | 3 | 1 | 519.6 |
| 2019 Q3 | 7,256 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2019 Q2 | 7,436 | 3 | 0 | 403.4 |
| 2019 Q1 | 7,291 | 1 | 0 | 137.2 |
| 2018 Q4 | 6,999 | 1 | 0 | 142.9 |
| 2018 Q3 | 7,050 | 3 | 2 | 425.5 |
| 2018 Q2 | 6,384 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q1 | 5,296 | 4 | 0 | 755.3 |
| 2017 Q4 | 3,647 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2017 Q3 | 8,577 | 3 | 0 | 349.8 |
| 2017 Q2 | 5,448 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2017 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016 Q4 | 4,481 | 5 | 0 | 1115.8 |
| 2016 Q3 | 5,208 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q2 | 5,415 | 3 | 0 | 554.0 |
| 2016 Q1 | 4,217 | 5 | 1 | 1185.7 |
| 2015 Q4 | 2,307 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q3 | 3,526 | 1 | 0 | 283.6 |
| 2015 Q2 | 5,697 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q1 | 4,785 | 1 | 0 | 209.0 |
| 2014 Q4 | 25,320 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q3 | 24,923 | 1 | 0 | 40.1 |
| 2014 Q2 | 24,581 | 1 | 1 | 40.7 |
| 2014 Q1 | 25,810 | 4 | 1 | 155.0 |
| 2013 Q4 | 25,964 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q3 | 24,000 | 1 | 0 | 41.7 |
| 2013 Q2 | 24,208 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q1 | 25,824 | 1 | 0 | 38.7 |
| 2012 Q4 | 24,131 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q3 | 26,076 | 1 | 0 | 38.3 |
| 2012 Q2 | 26,665 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q1 | 24,875 | 2 | 0 | 80.4 |
| 2011 Q4 | 25,386 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q3 | 23,479 | 1 | 0 | 42.6 |
| 2011 Q2 | 19,589 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q1 | 20,771 | 1 | 1 | 48.1 |
| 2010 Q4 | 20,278 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q3 | 19,522 | 1 | 1 | 51.2 |
| 2010 Q2 | 15,139 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q1 | 9,022 | 3 | 2 | 332.5 |
| 2009 Q4 | 7,910 | 1 | 1 | 126.4 |
| 2009 Q3 | 2,775 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q2 | 2,997 | 8 | 6 | 2669.3 |
| 2009 Q1 | 7,191 | 8 | 3 | 1112.5 |
| 2008 Q4 | 5,608 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q3 | 2,127 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q2 | 3,339 | 3 | 2 | 898.5 |
| 2008 Q1 | 1,081 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q4 | 1,175 | 3 | 2 | 2553.2 |
| 2007 Q3 | 2,090 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q2 | 2,461 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q1 | 2,083 | 2 | 2 | 960.2 |
| 2006 Q4 | 2,435 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q2 | 2,265 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q1 | 1,988 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q4 | 2,142 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q3 | 2,744 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q2 | 1,723 | 3 | 2 | 1741.1 |
| 2005 Q1 | 1,880 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q4 | 965 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q2 | 434 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q1 | 816 | 1 | 0 | 1225.5 |
| 2003 Q4 | 506 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q3 | 675 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q2 | 1,441 | 2 | 0 | 1387.9 |
| 2003 Q1 | 2,103 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2002 Q4 | 1,572 | 2 | 1 | 1272.3 |
| 2002 Q3 | 1,762 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2002 Q2 | 1,763 | 2 | 2 | 1134.4 |
| 2002 Q1 | 1,852 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2001 Q4 | 2,185 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2001 Q3 | 1,187 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2001 Q2 | 459 | 3 | 0 | 6535.9 |
| 2001 Q1 | 766 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2000 Q4 | 1,242 | 2 | 1 | 1610.3 |
| 2000 Q3 | 1,742 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2000 Q2 | 2,171 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2000 Q1 | 1,393 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
13 on file2024 · 1 incident
2016 · 1 incident
June 18, 2016
WV · Coal
belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
While coupling two pipes together, one piece of the pipe sprung back striking the worker on the lip. Injury resulted in five sutures to the outer lip and two sutures to the inner part of the lip and one incisor tooth chipped from the top end.
2010 · 3 incidents
Prime Processing, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries
A fire was discovered at 1:30 am in the control room of the existing Dan's Branch Load-out. The fire was extinguished by 2:15 am.
Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Employee states he was drilling 1/2" holes for eye bolts when the drill caught & twisted wrist. Employee received medical treatment & was placed on modified duty.
Prime Processing, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
EE states he was walking by the draw down tunnels when he slipped and fell on snow/ice walkway. EE fell onto corner of a concrete slab on left hip and bent left thumb backward catching himself. EE missed 8 days and is currently working modified duty as of 3/1/10.
2009 · 7 incidents
Prime Processing, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
EE states he was caring a box that had blown away due to high wind and while walking with the box a high gust of wind caused the ee to lose his balance and fall. EE fractured his left wrist when he pt his hand out to brace himself for fall. EE on modified duty.
October 31, 2009
WV · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Prime Processing, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects
EE states that he was shoveling clean coal on the 3rd floor of the plant. While dumping the load from the shovel EE states he felt his left shoulder pop and he stopped shoveling. EE sought medical treatment and has not returned to work.
October 17, 2009
WV · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Prime Processing, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
EE was walking to work area on flat ground and slipped and fell. He landed on his right hand and was complaining of pain in his thumb.
Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Rebar was being tied in place at the the top of a new silo stacker. The load shifted and struck two of our employees.
Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Rebar was being tied in place at the top of a new silo stacker. The load shifted and struck two of our employees.
Prime Processing, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
Employee was assisting putting Concrete Forms together. Partner was hitting a bull pin when his hammer slipped off his target and struck him in the jaw.
May 2, 2009
WV · Coal
belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Prime Processing, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
Employee states he was checking levels in the flat tank in the belt press building when he slipped and fell, fracturing his left knee cap and spraining his right wrist.
2008 · 1 incident
December 9, 2008
WV · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Prime Processing, Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances
Employee states he was taking pump discharge line loose this on loosening hot pressurized water sprayed on his wrists and upper leg area, He suffered second degree burns to his thights, hands, and wrists.