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.
148 citations across 1,853 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Fishtrap has $45K in proposed MSHA penalties and $19K outstanding across 1 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.
$45K
proposed penalties
$45K
current assessed
$27K
paid to date
$19K
outstanding
143 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $6K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-10.
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.
1citations taken to the federal commission · 1% of citations on record
Stood as issued
1 · 100%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$6K proposed, $6K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2008-06-04.
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 Fishtrap shows 98% of 354 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: 2025-09-11
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
354
samples
3.99
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.
208 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 146 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.
Fishtrap recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2024.
Injury rate, 2024
ⓘ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 3.16 and the all-US-mining average was 2.08 cases per 100 workers.
In Alabama, coal mining averaged 2.59 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
2024 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2012
5.64
5.64
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
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.
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)
2026
3
148
2025
4
2,263
2024
10
12,131
2023
13
7,654
2022
17
41,888
2016
1
2015
67
310,466
2014
73
375,656
2013
30
175,058
2012
49
272,581
2011
34
118,423
2010
0
2009
16
66,788
2008
23
112,128
2007
23
111,146
2006
21
107,250
2005
20
115,958
2004
16
63,045
2003
11
17,444
2002
5
19,188
2001
7
123,772
2000
0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Fishtrap sits in Jefferson County, Alabama, where the Census mining category is 0.3% 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.
Jefferson County, Alabama · Population 669,744
0.3%
Mining share of county employment
$64,589
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
0
0
0
2026 Q1
148
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
1,224
1
0
817.0
2025 Q3
1,685
3
0
1780.4
2025 Q2
1,429
3
0
2099.4
2025 Q1
614
2
0
3257.3
2024 Q4
812
1
0
1231.5
2024 Q3
6
0
0
0.0
Show 62 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
8,414
2
0
237.7
2024 Q1
11,384
1
0
87.8
2023 Q4
6,075
8
4
1316.9
2023 Q3
2,814
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
1,098
1
1
910.7
2023 Q1
4,854
14
4
2884.2
2022 Q4
5,316
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
9,460
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
7,030
3
0
426.7
2016 Q2
520
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
650
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
11,160
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
54,251
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
56,623
1
0
17.7
2015 Q1
54,572
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
61,237
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
58,104
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
50,356
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
43,686
1
0
22.9
2013 Q4
27,184
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
24,162
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
21,817
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
14,151
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
35,477
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
36,805
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
35,864
1
1
27.9
2012 Q1
33,605
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
36,343
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
39,995
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
12,395
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
0
0
0
2009 Q4
0
0
0
2009 Q3
4,982
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
15,417
1
1
64.9
2009 Q1
14,930
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
17,599
5
1
284.1
2008 Q3
14,309
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
16,972
4
0
235.7
2008 Q1
15,044
8
5
531.8
2007 Q4
16,986
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
15,014
4
2
266.4
2007 Q2
16,032
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
13,945
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
16,355
6
2
366.9
2006 Q3
13,768
7
1
508.4
2006 Q2
15,916
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
13,291
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
15,940
14
4
878.3
2005 Q3
15,027
1
0
66.5
2005 Q2
12,751
3
1
235.3
2005 Q1
12,107
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
15,097
4
4
265.0
2004 Q3
13,691
2
0
146.1
2004 Q2
4,178
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
5,532
4
0
723.1
2002 Q2
448
5
0
11160.7
2002 Q1
2,238
4
0
1787.3
2001 Q4
4,363
9
7
2062.8
2001 Q3
4,139
5
2
1208.0
2001 Q2
5,854
3
1
512.5
2001 Q1
2,987
5
1
1673.9
2000 Q2
0
0
0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
14 on file
2015 · 1 incident
January 27, 2015AL · Coalblaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkeyHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaster using hand shovel to stem holes when he experienced pain in middle back area.
2014 · 1 incident
March 29, 2014AL · Coalassayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer managementHANDLING OF MATERIALS
C&H Mining · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EE (DCS) and another ee(CCC Group) were checking swing brakes. A verbal procedure to set and release brakes was clear. EE had left hand on metal bar by brake. When brake was set the arm actuated back and pinched middle finger. End of middle finger was cut and fractured.
C&H Mining · Fall to the walkway or working surface
Employee fell and strained his shoulder on 5/8/13. Employee refused medical treatment until 6/19/13 at which time he requested to be seen by a physician.
2012 · 5 incidents
April 30, 2012AL · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Contractor was working approximately three feet off of the ground, standing on a four foot step ladder. Contractor shifted weight causing him to lose balance and fall to the ground. Ligament was torn in right knee.
April 19, 2012AL · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While employee was pulling a piece of 6" plastic pipe approx 50' in length, by hand, down hill, the pipe struck a rock causing it to bounce into the air and the metal flange to strike the employee's left ankle. This resulted in a fracture to the ankle.
While using a track hoe to pull pipe away from a pump three employees were on the ground in order to connect and disconnect the strap to the machine. During the pulling process a metal flange became lodged causing the pipe to pull tight. When the pipe dislodged it flexed in the direction of the employees, striking and causing two of the employees to fall.
February 7, 2012AL · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverHANDLING OF MATERIALS
While using a track hoe to pull pipe out away from a pump three employees were on the ground in order to connect and disconnect the strap to the machine. During the pulling process a metal flange became lodged causing the pipe to pull tight. When the pipe dislodged it flexed in the direction of the employees, striking and causing two of the employees to fall.
While walking up a ramp during wet conditions the employee slipped resulting in his left knee being twisted. The employee had walked down the ramp in order to be able to assist in fueling a pump.
July 29, 2011AL · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was climbing onto a 980C Caterpillar Front End Loader when the bottom step pulled out of the bolts. Employee grabbed the handrail with his right hand to restrain himself. The force caused his rotator cuff to be torn in his right shoulder.
2009 · 1 incident
April 9, 2009AL · Coalblaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkeyHANDLING OF MATERIALS