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.
437 citations across 4,969 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: 2015-11-05.
On record since 2015.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Job #49 has $197K in proposed MSHA penalties and $49K outstanding across 8 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.
$197K
proposed penalties
$182K
current assessed
$133K
paid to date
$49K
outstanding
423 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
Of $61K in penalties contested before the Commission, $43K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-03-15.
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.
16citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
Settled
12 · 75%
Stood as issued
1 · 6%
Vacated or withdrawn
3 · 19%
73%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 11 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
30%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$61K proposed, $43K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2011-03-09.
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 Job #49 shows 100% of 426 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: 2022-01-25, 4 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
426
samples
1.57
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.
277 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 149 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.
Job #49 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2021.
Injury rate, 2021
ⓘ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 3.35 and the all-US-mining average was 2.19 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.58 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
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
3.77
3.77
0.000
2019 *
3.07
3.07
0.000
2018 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2016 *
7.40
7.40
0.000
2015
4.41
2.94
0.000
2014
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
0
2023
4
2022
7
2021
26
66,500
2020
27
104,167
2019
24
74,041
2018
31
127,167
2017
33
148,322
2016
32
172,397
2015
59
246,394
2014
60
284,720
2013
29
152,291
2012
31
201,656
2011
32
274,391
2010
36
258,528
2009
32
254,177
2008
29
266,644
2007
25
210,530
2006
15
87,975
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Job #49 sits in Pike County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 5.1% 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.
Pike County, Kentucky · Population 57,466
5.1%
Mining share of county employment
$42,179
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
0
0
0
2023 Q2
4,000
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
0
1
0
2022 Q4
4,000
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
5,256
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
14,669
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
23,691
6
4
253.3
Show 60 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2021 Q1
17,248
2
0
116.0
2020 Q4
9,786
1
0
102.2
2020 Q3
16,635
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
13,365
6
3
448.9
2020 Q1
13,257
7
3
528.0
2019 Q4
3,365
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
21,991
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
17,513
5
1
285.5
2019 Q1
22,309
1
0
44.8
2018 Q4
18,986
22
11
1158.7
2018 Q3
21,754
2
1
91.9
2018 Q2
19,255
16
5
831.0
2018 Q1
23,818
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
21,692
14
7
645.4
2017 Q3
22,896
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
23,584
10
3
424.0
2017 Q1
21,486
11
1
512.0
2016 Q4
22,935
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
16,744
10
0
597.2
2016 Q2
19,872
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
21,489
30
4
1396.1
2015 Q4
29,024
3
0
103.4
2015 Q3
36,009
17
1
472.1
2015 Q2
36,227
2
1
55.2
2015 Q1
34,736
14
0
403.0
2014 Q4
33,484
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
38,189
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
37,156
14
1
376.8
2014 Q1
43,759
10
3
228.5
2013 Q4
25,045
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
11,895
10
2
840.7
2013 Q2
14,992
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
15,540
3
2
193.1
2012 Q4
13,871
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
19,341
7
3
361.9
2012 Q2
18,522
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
19,904
7
1
351.7
2011 Q4
20,450
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
23,334
7
3
300.0
2011 Q2
23,894
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
24,514
2
1
81.6
2010 Q4
23,720
7
2
295.1
2010 Q3
22,033
5
1
226.9
2010 Q2
25,524
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
31,081
5
2
160.9
2009 Q4
20,534
2
0
97.4
2009 Q3
20,809
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
23,011
6
2
260.7
2009 Q1
21,507
9
5
418.5
2008 Q4
19,377
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
21,798
1
1
45.9
2008 Q2
22,634
7
0
309.3
2008 Q1
20,090
1
0
49.8
2007 Q4
19,216
3
2
156.1
2007 Q3
18,058
5
0
276.9
2007 Q2
17,845
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
17,177
6
0
349.3
2006 Q4
16,347
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
14,011
7
0
499.6
2006 Q2
2,666
1
1
375.1
Fatalities at this mine
1 recorded
June 3, 2008KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanFatality · MACHINERY
EE was lying on the ground trying to loosen bolts on a D-10 dozer with an extension, when the ratchet slipped, caused employee to try and regain balance and hurt back.
Rock was stuck between grease truck back tires, mechanic removed rock and a knot formed on inside tire. Employee walked over to examine knot on tire when tire blew resulting in debris blowing in both eyes
2016 · 4 incidents
May 20, 2016KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
EE was attempting to drive onto drill bench when EE hit a bump in the road, causing EE's head to strike ceiling of truck cab. This action resulted in an injury to EE's neck.
April 13, 2016KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee dismounted dozer to check an oil leak. When EE attempted to climb onto it again, foot slipped. To avoid falling, EE attempted to catch self. As a result, EE experienced a sharp pain in left shoulder. EE began missing work on 4/26/16 due to this injury.
February 26, 2016KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSTEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Employee stated that he slipped dismounting a rock truck, injuring his shoulder. He claims to have a witness & to have reported incident to his foreman, who has no record of it. Employee also claims that condition worsened over time, until he first sought treatment for his injury on 2/3/16, at which point he was taken off work.
2014 · 1 incident
February 21, 2014KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
On 5/26/10, the employee twisted his right knee dismounting a dozer. Then, on 6/3/10, the employee's right knee popped while he was mounting a dozer & he was taken to a hospital for treatment. He began missing work on 6/4/10 as a result of these incidents.
2009 · 2 incidents
October 28, 2009KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
Employee had proceeded off the job site when the brakes failed in his personal vehicle. The employee then attempted to maneuver the vehicle into a ditch to reach a stop, which resulted in the vehicle flipping several times. The employee sustained fractured ribs and vertebrae as a result of this incident.
September 9, 2009KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee had been servicing a 375 Komatsu Dozer. When he stepped on the pusharm to dismount the equipment, he slipped, pulling his left arm, shoulder, & leg. He did not seek medical attention immediately after the accident, but did at a later date, at which time it was recommended that he rest his injury. The employee began missing work on 4/24/10, as a result of this incident.
2007 · 2 incidents
March 26, 2007KY · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE had been changing oil in an excavator & was latching the hood when he stepped in oil, & his feet slipped out from underneath him, causing him to fall approx 7'. The EE landed on his feet, but did, however result in an injury to his left knee.
At approx., 1:45am, the loader operator was notified by rock truck driver that the loader was on fire at the rear of the cab. Both EE's used their fire extinguishers to put out the fire. However, the fire started burning again. This time a call was made to 911 & MSHA was notified @2:16am when it was realized fire had burned for 30 mins. without being extinguished.
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