Highsplint Preparation Plant has $192K in proposed MSHA penalties and $38K outstanding across 66 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
78
Years on record
1983–2014
Latest incident
Jun 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
1,052
citations
330
significant & substantial
$192,255
proposed penalties
$131,353
paid to date
68% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $60,902 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.
1,052 citations across 6,531 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Highsplint Preparation Plant has $192K in proposed MSHA penalties and $38K outstanding across 66 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
$169K
current assessed
$131K
paid to date
$38K
outstanding
1,018 assessments are final orders; 66 contested dockets.
Of $108K in penalties contested before the Commission, $82K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2022-06-28.
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.
208citations taken to the federal commission · 20% of citations on record
Settled
203 · 98%
Stood as issued
5 · 2%
93%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 138 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
25%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$63K proposed, $48K 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 2015-06-08.
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 Highsplint Preparation Plant shows 98% of 218 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: 2021-03-17, 5 years ago
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
218
samples
2.34
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.
174 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 44 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.
Highsplint Preparation Plant recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2016.
Injury rate, 2016
ⓘ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 3.79 and the all-US-mining average was 2.59 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.56 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
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
6.65
6.65
0.000
2013 *
5.66
0.00
0.000
2012 *
9.61
6.40
0.000
2011 *
2.65
2.65
0.000
2010 *
2.66
2.66
0.000
2009 *
4.59
2.30
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
1
2025
1
2024
1
2023
1
2022
1
2021
2
2020
2
2019
2
2018
3
2017
15
2016
22
2015
25
2014
24
2013
21
2012
17
2011
23
7,616
2010
26
2009
29
2008
26
2007
25
2006
21
2005
21
2004
15
2003
7
2002
21
2001
32
2000
31
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Highsplint Preparation Plant sits in Harlan County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 4.3% 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.
Harlan County, Kentucky · Population 26,185
4.3%
Mining share of county employment
$37,198
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
53
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
52
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
49
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
61
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
45
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
64
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
65
0
0
0.0
2024 Q3
56
0
0
0.0
Show 95 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
48
0
0
0.0
2024 Q1
52
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
55
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
65
0
0
0.0
2023 Q2
72
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
72
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
96
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
86
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
67
1
0
14925.4
2022 Q1
69
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
77
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
58
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
15
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
1,745
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
855
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
873
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
1,792
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
1,833
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
1,737
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
1,682
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
1,810
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
1,720
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
2,052
1
0
487.3
2018 Q3
2,389
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
1,940
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
2,425
1
0
412.4
2017 Q4
3,689
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
4,917
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
4,094
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
3,465
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
4,386
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
4,171
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
6,085
1
0
164.3
2016 Q1
6,739
1
0
148.4
2015 Q4
6,123
2
0
326.6
2015 Q3
9,110
1
0
109.8
2015 Q2
13,081
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
15,898
10
2
629.0
2014 Q4
13,759
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
15,405
4
2
259.7
2014 Q2
15,017
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
15,994
30
18
1875.7
2013 Q4
18,334
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
18,013
44
7
2442.7
2013 Q2
17,550
1
0
57.0
2013 Q1
16,802
13
0
773.7
2012 Q4
16,102
1
0
62.1
2012 Q3
13,646
5
1
366.4
2012 Q2
14,759
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
17,960
19
6
1057.9
2011 Q4
20,827
8
2
384.1
2011 Q3
18,034
13
3
720.9
2011 Q2
18,329
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
18,316
12
0
655.2
2010 Q4
21,660
1
1
46.2
2010 Q3
17,837
7
1
392.4
2010 Q2
17,157
35
4
2040.0
2010 Q1
18,490
38
7
2055.2
2009 Q4
20,711
1
0
48.3
2009 Q3
20,588
8
4
388.6
2009 Q2
24,982
8
1
320.2
2009 Q1
20,805
15
0
721.0
2008 Q4
22,208
4
0
180.1
2008 Q3
18,447
1
0
54.2
2008 Q2
15,927
11
2
690.7
2008 Q1
16,740
1
0
59.7
2007 Q4
19,208
20
4
1041.2
2007 Q3
20,135
1
0
49.7
2007 Q2
17,114
19
2
1110.2
2007 Q1
16,733
15
0
896.4
2006 Q4
14,290
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
15,999
2
0
125.0
2006 Q2
14,236
4
2
281.0
2006 Q1
15,891
45
14
2831.8
2005 Q4
15,082
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
17,069
2
1
117.2
2005 Q2
17,887
16
2
894.5
2005 Q1
14,214
31
22
2180.9
2004 Q4
12,380
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
11,716
15
2
1280.3
2004 Q2
9,634
22
10
2283.6
2003 Q2
2,892
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
4,946
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
6,305
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
7,893
58
24
7348.3
2002 Q2
11,578
2
0
172.7
2002 Q1
15,115
44
11
2911.0
2001 Q4
15,043
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
17,620
92
44
5221.3
2001 Q2
14,639
20
9
1366.2
2001 Q1
16,313
46
11
2819.8
2000 Q4
15,043
5
3
332.4
2000 Q3
18,423
12
7
651.4
2000 Q2
13,564
2
0
147.4
2000 Q1
15,881
17
3
1070.5
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
78 on file
2014 · 2 incidents
June 11, 2014KY · Coalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ee was greasing a drive line when the coupling came loose and shot grease into his hand. The grease actually penetrated his skin. He knew to see doctor's care immediately. With antibiotics his hand healed very well while he only missed one day.
EE drives a truck at the slate dump. The jarring caused him to have an umbilical hernia. Surgery was performed. Outlook is good. Will be off work for several weeks.
February 18, 2012KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Ee was making a belt splice when his knife slipped and cut his leg. Went to er, got stitches and returned to work the next scheduled shift. So there was no lost time.
2011 · 1 incident
August 11, 2011KY · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ee was installing a V-belt on a motor when his finger got caught. This mashed and cut off the end of his finger. Took a few stitches and Ee missed two days work (Friday and sat).
2010 · 1 incident
May 19, 2010KY · Coaltipple/top lander/skip dumper operator, binman, topmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was preparing to work on a shaker when he slipped and fell from it falling about 8 feet onto the concrete floor. The fall broke a bone in his elbow. Surgery was required. Healing time is unknown, but it will be several weeks.
2009 · 2 incidents
June 23, 2009KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was cleaning a roller with a piece of angle iron. A frozen piece of mud caught the angle iron, kicked back and mashed his hand against the structure. X-rays revealed no broken bones but Ee missed one day of work.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRILLING INTO SIDE OF WASHER WHEN DEBRIS BLEW INTO HIS EYE. EMPLOYEE DID NOT WEAR SAFETY GLASSES BUT GLASSES WERE PROVIDED. ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO OUR COMPANY ON 10/22/04.
2002 · 5 incidents
October 17, 2002KY · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
INJURED WAS UNHOOKING A BELT TRUST THEY HAD JUST LOADED ON A FLATBED TRUCK TRAILER. HE TRIED TO THROW HOOKS ACROSS THE BELT TRUST. ENDLOADER OPERATOR STARTED BACKING AWAY. ONE OF THE HOOKS HUN G ON TRUST DRAGGING IT OFF THE TRAILER. INJURED MAN WAS ON THE TRUST WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND. HIS LEFT RIB CAGE HIT THE IRON BEAM.
July 22, 2002KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
THE INJURED WAS INSTALLING NEW CELLS IN SET OF BATTERIES IN RAIL RUNNER, THE BATTERIES HAD BEEN ON CHRG AND WAS OVER CHARGE AND THE BATTERIES GAVE OFF A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUMES WHICH THE INJURED INHALED. THE NEXT DAY INJURED HAD CHEST PAIN. SUSPECTED HEART ATTACK. 5-31-02 DR STATED MYOCARIDITIS.
March 21, 2002KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanOTHER
THIS INDIVIDUAL ALLEGES AN INJURY ON MAR 21, 2002. WE HAVE NO ACCIDENT REPORTS AND NEITHER OF THE SUPERVISORS WAS INFORMED OF AN ACCIDENT. EE MISSED SEVERAL DAYS WORK THEN CALLED TO STATE HE H AD ACCIDENT 3-21-02. CO. POLICY-ALL ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES REPORTS BEFOR LEAVING PROPERTY.
2001 · 1 incident
March 8, 2001KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS PUTTING A CHAIN ON THE VIBRATOR SCREENS WHEN HE REACHED UNDER THE SCREEN, EITHER THE SCREEN OR AN OLD DRYER BASKET LACERATED HIS RT. ARM.
THE INJURED WAS CHANGING A TRACTION MOTOR ON A RAIL RUNNER. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LOOSEN A BOLT WITH A WRENCH. AS HE WAS PULLING ON THE WRENCH HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS NECK. 1ST DAY OFF 2-22-99.
1998 · 4 incidents
October 14, 1998KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS CHANGING THE VIBRATOR SCREEN OF THE COURSE REFUSE VIBRATOR. WHEN HE STEPPED OFF IT, HE EITHER STEPPED ON SOMETHING OR STEPPED WRONG AND TURNED HIS ANKLE.
September 26, 1998KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE INJURED WAS REPLACING A TRUCK TIRE AFTER FIXING A FLAT. HE WAS USING A SLEDGE HAMMER TO BEAT IT BACK IN PLACE. AS HE WAS SWINGING THE HAMMER , HE FELT A PAIN.
1996 · 3 incidents
December 30, 1996KY · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS FUELING HIS COAL TRUCK - HE WAS STANDING ON THE TRUCK ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE, WHEN HE SLIPPED & FELL OFF THE TRUCK INJURING HIS BACK.
December 5, 1996KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS CHECKING A H2O PUMP FOR GROUND. AFTER HE HAD PUT THE LEAD INTO THE RECIPTABLE, HE PUT THE BREAKER FOR THE POWER IN. THERE WAS A FLASH WHICH BURNED HIS RIGHT HAND.
November 17, 1995KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
AS THE EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOOK A CHAIN ON TO THE HEAD BALL OF CRANE IT SWUNG TOWARD HIM AND AS HE ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, HE FELL OFF THE BELT AND ON TO THE CAT WALK.
October 3, 1995KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE INJURED WAS CHANING A FLAT TIRE ON A MACK TRUCK AS HE WAS ROLLING THE TIRE AWAY IT STARTED TO FALL OVER HE GRABBED IT TO STOP IT AND PULLED SOMETHING IN HIS LOWER BACK.
July 24, 1995KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
THE INJURED WAS CUTTING THE VALVE STEM OUT OF ANINTERTUBE WITH A BELT KNIFE (CUTTING TOWARDS HIMELF) WHEN THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS LT. HAND WHICH REQUIRED STITCHES.
June 13, 1995KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
THE INJURED WAS USING A H2O HOSE TO CLEAN THE RAW COAL BELT AS HE WAS WALKING AND SPRAYING HE STEPPED ON A PIECE OF LOOSE METAL AND TWISTED HIS KNEE.1ST DAY LOST TIME 07-10-95.
THE INJURED WAS CLEARING AN AREA OF BRUSH AND SMALL TREES WITH A CHAIN SAW WHEN, AS HE WAS CUTTING A SMALL TREE, THE CHAIN SAW KICKED OUT AND HIT HIM ON THE LEFT LEG.
THE INJURED WAS OPERATING A SLATE TRUCK ON THE IMPOUNDMENT. AS HE WAS DRIVING ACROSS THE IMPOUNDMENT BOUNCING HIS SEAT HIT THE SEAT FRAME SOLID CAUSING A BRUISED TAIL BONE.
THE INJURED WAS UNLOADING A CONT. MINER DISC FROM OUT OF THE SUPPLY TRUCK. AS HE PULLED ON THE DISC, IT SLID AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND CAUGHT HIS THUMB.
April 20, 1994KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
INJURED WAS WORKING ON A START BOX IN SHOP - LOWER BACK BEGAN GIVING TROUBLE [NO INCIDENT] INDIVIDUAL HAS HISTORY OF BACK PROBLEMS SINCE 1987 BACK INJURY.
1993 · 2 incidents
October 27, 1993KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
INJURED & TIPPLE CREW WAS INSTALLING A SHAKER DECK IN PLANT USING A HOIST-WHEN THE DECK SLIPPED-INJURED THOUGHT IT WAS FALLING HE JUMPED OFF THE WALKWAY DOWN TO THE NEXT FLOOR (APPROX. 8' A TU RNED HIS ANKLE AND TWIST.
August 5, 1993KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
INJURED WAS HANGING A SET OF COME A LONGS IN ORDER TO CLOSED THE DOOR TO STOP COAL FROM POURING IN TO THE TUNNEL AND FEEDER THE HOOK TURNED AND LET THE METAL DOOR FALL ON HIS INDEX FINGER.
June 4, 1992KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
INJURED WAS LIFTING BELT CLAMPS TO PUT ON BELT AS HE TURNED WITH THE CLAMPS-HIS FEET STUCK IN THE MUD & AS HIS BODY TURNED HIS FEET STAYED IN MUD CAUSING BACK PAIN
December 28, 1990KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
HE WAS REMOVING PIPE WHILE ON LADDER USING TORCH HE CUT ONE END OF PPE CAME LOOSE HIT LADDER KNOCKING HIM OFF LADDER HE FELL ABOUT 20' LANDING ON SET OF STEEL STEPS.
January 22, 1990KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)