Alum Creek, Boone County,
WV
·
Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4609325
Fork Creek No 10 Mine has $192K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 21 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
44
Years on record
2010–2014
Latest incident
Aug 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2010
243
citations
60
significant & substantial
$192,202
proposed penalties
$145,955
paid to date
76% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $46,247 gap.
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.
243 citations across 5,224 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘA Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2013-08-07.
On record since 2013.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Fork Creek No 10 Mine has $192K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 21 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.
$192K
proposed penalties
$146K
current assessed
$146K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
235 assessments are final orders; 21 contested dockets.
Of $153K in penalties contested before the Commission, $92K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2017-02-02.
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.
98citations taken to the federal commission · 40% of citations on record
Settled
93 · 95%
Vacated or withdrawn
5 · 5%
48%
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 61 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
40%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$153K proposed, $92K 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 2015-09-02.
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 Fork Creek No 10 Mine shows 96% of 526 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: 2014-07-30, 12 years ago
96%
within 1.5 mg/m3
526
samples
6.64
dust max (mg/m3)
232 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 294 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.
Fork Creek No 10 Mine recorded 9.98 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2014.
Injury rate, 2014
ⓘ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.
9.98
total case rate
7.13
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.96 and the all-US-mining average was 2.93 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 5.02 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2014
9.98
7.13
0.000
2013
5.03
1.68
0.000
2012
4.29
1.71
0.857
2011
6.20
2.66
0.000
2010
9.55
5.46
0.000
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)
2016
0
2015
1
2014
60
285,377
2013
89
537,100
2012
94
624,085
2011
90
670,545
2010
55
312,933
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Fork Creek No 10 Mine sits in Boone County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 10.1% 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.
Boone County, West Virginia · Population 21,312
10.1%
Mining share of county employment
$56,152
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
2016 Q3
0
0
0
2016 Q2
0
0
0
2016 Q1
0
0
0
2015 Q4
0
0
0
2015 Q2
0
0
0
2015 Q1
1,246
3
0
2407.7
2014 Q4
1,350
2
0
1481.5
2014 Q3
35,152
8
0
227.6
Show 18 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2014 Q2
44,488
20
4
449.6
2014 Q1
59,301
18
7
303.5
2013 Q4
39,415
19
10
482.0
2013 Q3
60,384
10
4
165.6
2013 Q2
71,050
14
5
197.0
2013 Q1
67,489
26
3
385.2
2012 Q4
59,644
37
3
620.3
2012 Q3
58,505
17
6
290.6
2012 Q2
62,567
19
4
303.7
2012 Q1
52,599
6
1
114.1
2011 Q4
58,682
7
1
119.3
2011 Q3
63,060
11
4
174.4
2011 Q2
52,052
8
2
153.7
2011 Q1
52,072
5
0
96.0
2010 Q4
58,292
3
0
51.5
2010 Q3
38,420
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
27,484
5
2
181.9
2010 Q1
22,349
0
0
0.0
Fatalities at this mine
1 recorded
July 27, 2012WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerFatality · MACHINERY
Coal River Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
At approximately 4:00am on the 27th of July 2012 a fatal incident occurred when the boom of the continuous miner struck the employee. The accident remains under investigation.
Reportable incidents
43 on file (excluding fatalities above)
2014 · 9 incidents
August 19, 2014WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was walking to the work area when he stepped in a hole of water. He worked with wet socks & boots, this may have caused an abrasion on his foot. Mgt. wasn't notified until 9-25-2014 of this event. EE has a med. Cond. (diabetes) that may contributed to this alleged event. Mgt. is protesting the validity of the event with workers comp.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in #7 entry at spad #2228, 23 x-cut 2nd NW Mains, 2320' from working face. 19' wide x 19' long x 8' high. Found by examiner during weekly exam. Fall has been breakered off, fall will not be cleaned up.
May 17, 2014WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was dragging de-energized high voltage cable to the 5b belt head kva. As he was walking with the cable over his shoulder, he slipped and tripped causing him to fall and fracture his right lower leg.
March 5, 2014WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was installing bolts in the #6 entry when one of the bolts became bent. the wrench came loose from the bolt, the bent bolt to struck his (L) hand causing a fracture and laceration to his (L) middle finger.
Employee states that while working on the 5b head,(002 Section belt head), he stepped off the tail piece and lost his footing causing his (L) knee to twist.
An unintentional roof fall occurred at or near spad #2237, 25 cross cut, #8 entry, 2nd NW Mains. The fall was 55'X20'10-14' high, 2300' outby the working section. It appears to be a slicken side rock formation. No rider seam is present
January 3, 2014WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was helping disassemble a prefab overcast, as they removed the side panels the remaining structure shifted and collapsed. Employee was struck by the structure causing him to be pinned against the scoop bucket and panels of the overcast.
January 3, 2014WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was helping disassemble a prefab overcast, as they removed the side panels the remaining structure shifted and collapsed. Employee was struck by the structure causing him to be pinned against the scoop bucket and panels of the overcast.
A unintentional roof fall occurred between #5 & #6 entry and NE mains at #12 x-cut in the neutral, measured 80' long x 19' wide X 8' high, cribbed & dangered off. Area will not be rehabilitated.
November 20, 2013WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
An unintentional roof fall occurred on the 2nd North East Mains, #8 entry, At or near spad #615. The fall measured 80' x 20' x 8' to 10'. It appeared to be a horse back slicken side formation.
August 13, 2013WV · Coalmotorman, motor person, swamper, switchman, locomotive operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Coal River Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
Employee was unloading supplies from a flat car with a chain and pallet puller. As the materials were being removed the chain came loose and pinched employee's hand between the chain and scoop bucket.
An unintentional roof fall occurred at or near spad# 2488 thru spad# 2489 on the 1st south east mains. It measured approx. 8'h x 20'w x 100'L. The area is now sealed.
Employee states that while carrying a ladder and dragging a piece of ventilation curtain across the section he felt a pain in (L) shoulder and neck. This incident remains under investigation.
April 23, 2013WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
An unintentional roof fall occurred on 1st Southeast mains in the #1 return entry. The fall was at or near 800' outby the working section, and at or near 80' inby spad #2463. The fall was approximately 60' long x 19' wide x 10' high.
An unintentional roof fall occurred on 3/19/2013 on the 1st Southeast Mains at the #5 entry, at or near spad #2425, 720' outby the face on 5A belt. The fall was approximately 36' long x 34' wide x 10' high.
An unintentional roof fall was found while examining the travel ways on the 1st Southeast mains on 03/19/2013. The fall was at or near #2 (return) entry, spad #2427. The fall was approximately 18' long x 20' wide, 10' high.
Employee was prying with a slate bar on a piece of metal. The metal slid off the 4x4 blocking and shifted all the weight on to the slate bar. the slate bar struck his (R) foot.
2012 · 5 incidents
October 10, 2012WV · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee states that as he was disassembling a Kennedy stopping in the old works of 001 section, he lacerated his (R) thumb with one of the panels. Employee also stated that he was not wear his gloves when this occurred.
Employee states that while repairing an old splice, the utility knife that he was using slipped out of the splice and caused a laceration to his left forearm.
April 30, 2012WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was instructed by the foreman to operate the roof bolter and the CM this shift when he refused. The work was re-assigned to the employee when he complied. Before he started operating the roof bolter, employee states that he stepped off the bolter and stepped into a hole where he twisted his knee. There was no witnesses to this incident and it remains under investigation.
April 25, 2012WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerFALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Employee states that as he was getting ready to help the scoop man dusting the section, his hand was resting on the scoop fender when a peice of draw rock fell and struck him on the (R) forearm. The rock was approx. 18"x18"x1.5" thick.
2011 · 9 incidents
October 11, 2011WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee states that while walking around the roof bolter he slipped on the cable. As he caught himself he struck the top of his left hand on a roof strap causing a laceration.
September 9, 2011WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
EE states the while working on a ladder it kicked out from under him causing him to fall. The ladder fell on him when as it stuck the ground. **EE did not miss work until 7/26/2011**
July 11, 2011WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE was on the scoop filling up the rock duster while in entry #6. EE stepped off the steering jack and onto the ground where he apparently twisted his knee. NOTE: EE returned to work the next day 3/23/11, but started missing Friday 3/25/11.
EE was loading bolt supplies (8' bolts) in scoop bucket, when he felt burning pain in his groin on 1/10/11. He went to the doctor for surgery 1/24/11, went off work 1/24/11. 001 MMU 2nd NE Mains #6 Entry.
2010 · 7 incidents
December 18, 2010WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee states that as he was loading roof bolt plates onto the roof bolter, he cut his (R) hand on one of the plates. He was wearing gloves when this occurred.
December 10, 2010WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Employee states that while bolting top in the #4 entry, 002 section a piece of draw rock fell and struck him on the bridge of the nose. The draw rock caused a cut to the bridge of his nose and chipped a tooth.
Employee was loading tray on roof bolter when rock fell from roof striking him on shoulder & middle of back. Rock fell between bolts. Employee worked light duty till 8-1-10 when doctor took him off work 8-2-10 due to headaches. Have tried to contact employee and he will not talk.
June 4, 2010WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was plastering return stopping when a pin came out of the scaffolding he was standing on causing him to fall and scratch his arm and strike his chin on scaffold cutting his chin (001 section, #2 right x-cut 20' right of spad # 58)
February 16, 2010WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerOTHER
Employee never filled out an accident report on the 16th day of February 2010 or he did report an accident to his foreman or tell any one on his crew he was hurt. I'm filling out this report because of a citation.