Mining Incidents

Howesville Mine: 47 MSHA citations Coal

Sunrise Coal LLC · Facility
Controlled by Hallador Energy Company
Jasonville, Clay County, IN  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 1202354

Howesville Mine has $3K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
31
Years on record
2005–2006
Latest incident
Aug 2006
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2005
47
citations
11
significant & substantial
$3,499
proposed penalties
$3,499
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2005
15
inspections on record
659
inspection hours
n/a
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.
Rate withheld: 659 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Howesville Mine has $3K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 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.
$3K
proposed penalties
$3K
current assessed
$3K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
43 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2006-06-06.
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.
25.6%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
25.6%
reasonably likely or greater
14.0%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 2.3% low, 97.7% moderate, 0.0% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Howesville Mine shows 52% of 25 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: 2006-05-31, 20 years ago
52%
within 1.5 mg/m3
25
samples
5.67
dust max (mg/m3)
10 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 15 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR17
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)3
  • ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)2

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2006-06-07, 20 years ago
2.5
silica avg (%)
2
samples
2.5
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR2
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
2006 55% 20
2005 40% 5
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Howesville Mine recorded 25.80 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2006.

Injury rate, 2006
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.
25.80
total case rate
14.07
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 4.87 and the all-US-mining average was 3.91 cases per 100 workers.
In Indiana, coal mining averaged 2.89 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.
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
  1. Sunrise Coal LLC 2003 to present
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)
2006 39 92,420
2005 32 26,564
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Howesville Mine sits in Clay County, Indiana, where the Census mining category is 0.5% 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.
Clay County, Indiana · Population 26,431
0.5%
Mining share of county employment
$67,676
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
2006 Q4 606 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 2,910 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 45,676 18 2 394.1
2006 Q1 36,083 13 4 360.3
2005 Q4 26,112 4 2 153.2
2005 Q3 15,094 1 0 66.3
2005 Q2 11,542 10 3 866.4
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

31 on file

2006 · 25 incidents

August 18, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The ee was ratcheing a ratchet strap to secure supplies on a trailer. The buckle of the strap was above his head. The ratchet buckle came apart during pressurition striking the ee on the left sheek below the exe. the laceration was cleaned and glued at the er.

June 1, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred inby the tailpiece at 28+60 #4 2nd west. The crosscut between #5 and #4 was mined opening the intersection in #4. The roof was being supported in the crosscut when the intersection of #4 fell. The area had been initially bolted with 6' resin bolts. The fall was 30' long, 18' wide, and 6' high.

May 19, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EE was installing roof support in the face area. A rock fell from roof in the general area of the EE. He turned to run outby, tripped and fell knocking off his hard hat, and struck the back of his head against the coal rib. The blow caused a slight laceration of the scalp. The cut was treated at the ER applying glue. No stitches.

May 9, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred on the working section between 20+20+21+00 in the #7 2nd west entry. The area had been under observation since 3:00 AM. The intersections outby and inby the fall area had already been timbered and dangered out prior to the fall. The fall was combined to 6' high 25' long and 14' wide. The area was bolted with 6" resin bolts. Water was the cause.

April 22, 2006 IN · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee placed his right hand on the top of the drill pot for balance. He then stooped down to examine the roof area that he was drilling. A rock fell from the roof, approx. 8" x 15" x 2" striking the back of his hand. The employee was taken for x-rays. No broken bone were found. A deep contusion was found between the thumb and index finger.

April 19, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found out by the working section at 8+20 #5 to #7 entries of the 2nd west mains. Ventilation was disabled and then immediately reestablished by construction of new stoppings. It was originally supported with 6in resin bolts & secondarily supported with 10' cable bolts. Fall was 120'L, 18'W & 10'H. Upper block coal seam was cause.

April 13, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred inby the dump point at crosscut 14+60 in #4 entry of the second west mains. The fall was 25' long, 18' wide, and 11' high. The area was initially supported with 6' fully grouted resin bolts. The area was secondarily supported with 10' cable bolts. Localized weak sandy shale was determined to be the cause.

April 10, 2006 IN · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sunrise Coal LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The employee was attempting to clean a clogged belt press with a water hose. He was standing on a fabricated ladder. He lost his footing and fell into the ladder causing a laceration of the chin. He received two staples at the hospital.

April 1, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found by the pumper in the return at 7+80 #1 of the first west entries. The fall was 30' long, 18' wide, and 12' thick. The area was initially bolted with 6' resin pins and was secondary bolted with 10' cable bolts. Water in the roof was determined to be the cause.

March 24, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sunrise Coal LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The EE was loading timbers onto the roof of a mantrip. The timber was dropped, trapping the tip of the EE's finger between the timber and the mantrip roof. X-rays showed a slight fracture.

March 19, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occured out by the tail piece during the night. The mine was idle at the time of the fall. The fall was found during the preshift examination prior to work on dayshift Sunday. The fall was located inby the intersection of 2+40 in #6 2nd west entry. The area was initially bolted with 6' fully grouted resin bolts. The cause was a hidden slip in the roof,

March 19, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Found during the preshift examination prior to the start of 3rd shift.Mine was idle at the time of the fall. Fall located in #5 1st west entry at 22+20. Fall was 17'l, 18' w, 12' thick. The area was initially bolted with 6' resin bolts, trusses, had been added as secondary support. Cause was determined to be water & slip in the weakened roof.

March 16, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL WAS FOUND DURING THE WEEKLY AIR COURSE EXAMINATION AT 9+40 BETWEEN #6 & #7 WEST. THE FALL EXTENDED INTO THE INTERSECTION OF #7 WEST. THE FALL WAS 35'LONG X 16'WIDE X 15'HIGH. THE AREA WAS SUPPORTED WITH 6'FULLY GROUTED RESIN BOLTS. WATER WEAKNENING THE IMMEDIATE TOP WAS DETERMINED AS THE CAUSE. THE AREA WAS DANGERED OUT & TIMBERED.

February 26, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found on an idle shift. The fall was found at 0+80 #4W. It was 30' long, 18' wide and 15' thick. The area was initially supported with 5' install III bolts. 12' install II long bolts had been installed as secondary support. Water in the top was determined to be the cause.

February 23, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found during the weekly air course examination at 19+00 between main entries #6 and #7 west. The fall was 30"long, 17.5'wide and 6.5'high. The cross-cut was initially supported with 6' fully grouted resin bolts. Water was determined as the cause. The cross-cut was timbered and dangered out.

February 23, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found during the weekly examination of the air courses at 2+40 #1west main entry. The fall was in the intersection. It was 15'long, 18'wide and 6'thick. Water was determined to be the cause. The intersection was initially bolted with 5' install III bolts. The intersectioin was timbered off and dangered out.

February 16, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

EE WAS ASSISTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CRIB. HE HAD POSITIONED HIMSELF ON THE SIDE OF THE CRIB TO REACH THE TOP TIMBER POSITION. EE LOST HIS FOOTING, CAUSING HIM TO FALL. HE ATTEMPTED TO GRAB THE TOP TIMBER TO CATCH HIS FALL, PULLING THE TIMBER WITH HIM. THE TIMBER STRUCK EE IN THE ANKLE, CAUSING A CONTUSION.

February 13, 2006 IN · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The ee was attempting to insert drill steels into the drill pot. when they did not line up he applied upward pressure on the boom. The steels warped under the pressure. The steel released into the drill pot slapping the between the thumb and index finger splitting the skin no rotation was involved in this injury. ee received 6 stitches.

February 7, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall occured out-by the working section at cross-cut 18+20. The fall was 100' in length crossing the #2W & #3W entries. Fall was 18'wide and 12' high. The area was initially bolted with 6' fully grouted rebar bolts with 10' cable bolts as secondary support. A slip was exposed at the top of the fall.

February 2, 2006 IN · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A roof bolter op attempted to use machine rotation pressure to aligne his drill steels. This procedure also put pressure on the bottom pusher steel warping the steel. The steel spun striking the op's thumb. His left thumb was fractured where it ataches to the hand.

January 29, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occured in-by the feeder location at intersection 19+80 #6W. The area was initially bolted with 6' fully grouted resin bolts. The fall was estimated at 10' high. Water was exposed at the 10' level.

January 25, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was preparing to set up his machine to start a cut in #1L. He was standing beside the miner head examining the roof conditions inby the miner. A piece of rock fell out between the bolts above the head of miner. The rock struck the head & flipped off striking the employee in the shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for x-rays. The x-rays were negative for broken bones.

January 23, 2006 IN · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was lifting an arch section off the top of a mantrip. The arch became stuck on a bolt head protruding from mantrip. Steel beam dropped severing the tip of finger. He was taken to the hospital for x-rays. No broken bones were found. He lost skin only in the accident.

January 19, 2006 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED INBY THE FEEDER LOCATION AT INTERSECTION 16+60 #5W. THE AREA WAS INITIALLY BOLTED WITH 6' FULLY-GROUTED RESIN BOLTS. SECONDARY SUPPORT WAS ADDED BY INSTALLING 10' CABLE BOLTS (VERTICAL). FALL PEAKED AT 15' HIGH. WATER IS BELIEVED TO BE A FACTOR IN THE CAUSE OF THE FALL. A SLIP WAS EXPOSED AT THE 10' LEVEL.

January 11, 2006 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS BYSTANDER TO UNIT POWER MOVE. COWORKERS WERE PULLING SLACK MINER CABLE WITH A BATTERY SCOOP. EE WAS GETTING A DRINK AT TOOL SLED. SCOOP OPERATOR WAS NOT SIGNALED TO STOP BEFORE PULLING DOWN THE SLACK CABLE WHICH WAS HUNG OUTBY THE POWER CENTER. WHEN CABLE & WATER LINE WERE PULLED DOWN THEY STRUCK EE IN THE HEAD & KNOCKED HIM TO GROUND. WENT TO HOSPITAL AS PRECAUTION.

2005 · 6 incidents

December 19, 2005 IN · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

WHILE INSTALLING PRIMARY ROOF SUPPORT IN THE FACE OF #1 WEST, THE EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK IN THE CALF OF HIS LEFT LOWER LEG BY DRAW ROCK. THE ROCK 2' X 3' X 3" FELL BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS TWO ROWS OF ROOF BOLTS, STRUCK THE OPERATOR'S CANOPY, THEN STRUCK THE OPERATOR. AN AIR SPLINT WAS APPLIED AS A PRECAUTION. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE SURFACE, THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS.

November 20, 2005 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred inby the feeder location between #6 west and #7 west at 4+20. The area was initially bolted with 5' install III bolts. Secondary support was added by installing 12' install II long bolts. The immediate top broke up and fell 5' high. The long bolts are still hanging in place. The unit was idle at the time of the fall.

November 19, 2005 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occured int he dump point cross-cut at 3&60 #2 west. The dump point being at 3 & 60 #5 west. the area was initially supported with 5' install iii bolts. Secondary support was added by installing 12' install ii long bolts. The roof fall exposed slick and sided rock at the anchor point of the long bolts. The roof fall topped out at this point.

November 11, 2005 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURED INBY THE LOADING POINT OF THE #6W INTAKE ENTRY AT THE INTERSECTION LABELED 3+00. THE ROOF CONDITIONS IN THE AREA HAD BEEN CONTINUALLY MONITORED SINCE THE AREA HAD BEEN MINED. ADDITIONAL ROOF SUPPORT HAD ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE FALL WAS DUE TO WATER IN THE UPPER ROOF. INITIALLY BOLTED WITH 5' INSTALL III BOLTS. ADDED 12' INSTALL II BOLTS.

November 10, 2005 IN · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Sunrise Coal LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURED INBY THE LOADING POINT OF THE #5W BELT ENTRY AT THE INTERSECTION LABELED 3+00. THE ROOF CONDITION IN THE AREA HAD BEEN CONTINUALLY MONITORED SINCE THE AREA HAD BEEN MINED. ADDITIONAL ROOF SUPPORT HAD ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE FALL WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO WATER IN THE UPPER ROOF. THE AREA WAS BOLTED WITH 5'INSTALL II BOLTS.

November 7, 2005 IN · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sunrise Coal LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was helping pull high voltage cable by hand to the mine substation for installation. conditions were very muddy from rainfall over the prior weekend. The ee while stuck in the mud over twisted causing a hip injury. the ligaments of the ee's left hip were strained.