Highsplint Strip has $39K in proposed MSHA penalties and $662 outstanding across 23 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
23
Years on record
2004–2014
Latest incident
Sep 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2003
196
citations
24
significant & substantial
$39,388
proposed penalties
$31,833
paid to date
81% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $7,555 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.
196 citations across 1,978 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Highsplint Strip has $39K in proposed MSHA penalties and $662 outstanding across 23 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.
$39K
proposed penalties
$32K
current assessed
$32K
paid to date
$662
outstanding
187 assessments are final orders; 23 contested dockets.
Of $30K in penalties contested before the Commission, $23K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2017-04-07.
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.
72citations taken to the federal commission · 37% of citations on record
Settled
72 · 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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 17 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
23%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$30K proposed, $23K 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 2012-06-07.
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 Strip shows 98% of 225 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: 2017-04-21, 9 years ago
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
225
samples
4.16
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.
133 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 92 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 Strip recorded 9.47 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.
9.47
total case rate
9.47
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 Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.63 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
2014 *
9.47
9.47
0.000
2012 *
4.24
4.24
0.000
2011
3.21
3.21
0.000
2010
3.96
3.96
0.000
2009
2.21
1.11
0.000
2008
1.14
0.00
0.000
2007
2.46
2.46
0.000
2006
3.60
3.60
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)
2018
0
2017
8
2016
10
2015
6
2014
7
60,158
2013
5
9,447
2012
20
57,184
2011
45
108,210
2010
54
133,790
2009
63
188,054
2008
63
323,842
2007
60
254,999
2006
61
234,778
2005
65
290,972
2004
53
236,132
2003
24
37,169
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Highsplint Strip 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
2018 Q1
0
0
0
2017 Q4
55
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
469
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
1,803
1
0
554.6
2017 Q1
2,001
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
3,247
2
0
616.0
2016 Q3
2,361
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
2,309
1
0
433.1
Show 50 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2016 Q1
2,323
3
0
1291.4
2015 Q4
2,150
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
510
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
1,122
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
2,114
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
2,999
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
5,171
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
7,594
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
5,363
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
4,824
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
2,729
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
2,477
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
2,713
1
0
368.6
2012 Q4
9,860
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
5,078
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
10,715
1
0
93.3
2012 Q1
21,562
9
1
417.4
2011 Q4
30,557
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
27,132
4
1
147.4
2011 Q2
29,517
8
1
271.0
2011 Q1
37,310
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
38,172
6
1
157.2
2010 Q3
35,959
1
0
27.8
2010 Q2
34,513
2
0
57.9
2010 Q1
42,966
4
0
93.1
2009 Q4
44,994
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
46,249
8
0
173.0
2009 Q2
47,089
16
3
339.8
2009 Q1
42,645
7
0
164.1
2008 Q4
39,899
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
44,324
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
45,815
8
0
174.6
2008 Q1
44,983
1
0
22.2
2007 Q4
41,323
12
5
290.4
2007 Q3
33,137
9
0
271.6
2007 Q2
41,750
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
46,460
10
0
215.2
2006 Q4
43,069
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
42,294
8
0
189.2
2006 Q2
38,917
1
0
25.7
2006 Q1
42,209
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
47,673
6
0
125.9
2005 Q3
49,467
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
44,902
10
1
222.7
2005 Q1
49,829
4
2
80.3
2004 Q4
54,990
6
0
109.1
2004 Q3
44,828
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
30,402
10
2
328.9
2004 Q1
27,032
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
15,829
5
0
315.9
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
23 on file
2014 · 1 incident
September 8, 2014KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Ee was installing a rear end in a rock truck. All this pushing and pulling hurt his back. He can't have an MRI done because of medical reasons, so he doesn't know exactly what is wrong in this low back. Physical therapy seems to be helping, but its really too early to say.
2011 · 2 incidents
January 10, 2011KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was helping the powder crew load a hole. As he was putting a wet bag in the hole, he felt something give in his groin. The diagnosis is hernia and he will have to have surgery to repair.
January 4, 2011KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE is a mechanic. His service truck had broken down. He was under the truck removing the drive line when dirt fell into his eye. First aid was administered. He went to the ER and eye doctor. No damage to eye. Returned to work after one day off.
EE drives an off road dump truck. When he was dumping his load, the jack failed and the bed came down hard causing him to bounced in his seat. Took one day off and then came back to work, no problems.
EE drives a rock truck at a surface mine. He has expericence back strain over the years. On this date, it became acute and he has sought medical relief.
2009 · 2 incidents
August 3, 2009KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Ee was using a hand shovel trying to pry a rock from the track on a dozer. He knew his shoulder was hurt immediately. He had to have surgery for a torn rotor cup in his shoulder.
May 6, 2009KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Ee was operating a grader. He was going up hill when the engine stopped running. The grader then took off backwards down the hill. Ee jumped off. He received only minor injuries, in fact only very minor brusies.
A large rock came from out of the mountains (not from the permitted area) and hit the truck Ee was driving. This knocked Ee from truck causing only bursies and strains. No bones broken. No cuts, only scratches.
January 6, 2006KY · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING THE REPAIRMAN TO WORK ON A BUCKET. EE BEGAN WELDING ON THE BUCKET BEFORE HE GOT HIS HOOD INTO THE CORRECT POSITION CAUSING "WELDERS FLASH BURN TO THE EYES".
March 20, 2005KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was on his way to pick up a load of rock in his truck, ee lost control of truck and ran into the ditch line injuring his arm and leg in cab of truck. This accident was reported to us on 10-18-04.
October 5, 2004KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING DOZER IN ROCK PILE. A DUMP TRUCK WAS UNLOADING WHEN HIS BRAKES FAILED AND HIT THE DOZER KNOCKING EMPLOYEE AGAINST THE SEAT, SCRAPING AND BRUISING HIS LEFT THIGH. THIS ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO OUR COMPANY ON 10/18/04.