K-2 Preparation Plant has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $3K outstanding across 8 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
19
Years on record
1983–2002
Latest incident
Sep 2002
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
187
citations
39
significant & substantial
$25,015
proposed penalties
$21,985
paid to date
88% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $3,030 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.
187 citations across 2,932 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
K-2 Preparation Plant has $25K in proposed MSHA penalties and $3K 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.
$25K
proposed penalties
$25K
current assessed
$22K
paid to date
$3K
outstanding
175 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
Of $7K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-11-03.
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.
21citations taken to the federal commission · 11% of citations on record
Settled
11 · 52%
Stood as issued
9 · 43%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 5%
80%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 5 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
3%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$7K proposed, $6K 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 2024-01-03.
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 K-2 Preparation Plant shows 98% of 42 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: 2007-03-12, 19 years ago
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
42
samples
1.53
dust max (mg/m3)
31 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 11 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.
K-2 Preparation Plant recorded 11.46 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2002.
Injury rate, 2002
ⓘ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.
11.46
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 6.89 and the all-US-mining average was 5.05 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 8.22 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
2002 *
11.46
0.00
0.000
2001 *
13.69
6.85
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
Year
Employees
2026
3
2025
3
2024
2
2021
3
2020
3
2019
3
2018
4
2017
1
2016
1
2015
3
2014
3
2013
0
2012
1
2011
1
2010
0
2009
0
2008
1
2007
3
2006
10
2005
2
2004
1
2003
10
2002
17
2001
12
2000
12
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
K-2 Preparation Plant sits in Breathitt County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 2.3% 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.
Breathitt County, Kentucky · Population 13,438
2.3%
Mining share of county employment
$41,101
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
2,339
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
2,040
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
2,081
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
2,090
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
2,473
0
0
0.0
2025 Q1
1,164
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
1,048
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
1,680
1
0
595.2
Show 67 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2020 Q1
1,440
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
1,440
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
1,940
4
2
2061.9
2019 Q1
1,980
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
1,554
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
0
5
0
2017 Q3
384
2
0
5208.3
2017 Q2
1,044
1
0
957.9
2017 Q1
1,320
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
960
1
0
1041.7
2016 Q3
1,048
1
0
954.2
2016 Q2
889
2
0
2249.7
2016 Q1
0
0
0
2015 Q4
0
2
0
2015 Q3
2,232
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
1,552
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
2,370
7
0
2953.6
2014 Q4
1,944
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
480
10
1
20833.3
2013 Q2
0
0
0
2013 Q1
0
12
3
2012 Q4
0
0
0
2012 Q3
396
8
1
20202.0
2012 Q2
590
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
584
2
0
3424.7
2011 Q4
578
1
0
1730.1
2010 Q1
0
4
0
2009 Q4
0
0
0
2009 Q3
0
6
2
2009 Q2
0
0
0
2009 Q1
0
3
1
2008 Q4
400
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
480
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
560
16
4
28571.4
2008 Q1
480
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
560
7
3
12500.0
2007 Q3
480
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
2,010
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
1,971
2
2
1014.7
2006 Q4
11,921
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
5,603
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
560
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
480
14
9
29166.7
2005 Q4
560
1
0
1785.7
2005 Q3
720
2
0
2777.8
2005 Q2
560
5
0
8928.6
2005 Q1
480
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
560
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
520
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
480
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
764
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
1,403
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
1,652
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
2,391
1
1
418.2
2003 Q1
13,995
1
1
71.5
2002 Q4
10,777
12
0
1113.5
2002 Q3
11,626
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
1,964
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
10,543
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
12,963
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
12,446
11
3
883.8
2001 Q2
1,382
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
2,426
4
0
1648.8
2000 Q4
0
0
0
2000 Q3
737
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
905
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
5,000
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
19 on file
2002 · 2 incidents
September 12, 2002KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
TWO EES WERE CUTTING PACKING MATERIAL FOR SLURRY PUMP. ONE WAS USING A UTILITY KNIFE, THE OTHER GOT HIS FINGER IN WAY OF THE KNIFE. LACERATION TO LEFT INDEX FINGER-3 STITCHES.
2001 · 2 incidents
October 16, 2001KY · Coalmine manager, mine foreman, mine ownerMACHINERY
ONE EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ON COAL DRYER WHEN FAN GUARD BROKE. HE TAPED IT OFF AND LEFT THE AREA. FOREMAN THOUGHT MOTOR WAS OUT & PLACED HIS HAND OUT TO CHECK TEMPERATURE. FAN BLADES HIT INDEX & MIDDLE FINGERS, LACERATING THEM. 13 STITCHES IN INDEX & 7 STITCHES IN MIDDLE FINGER.
July 30, 2001KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EE WAS USING A ONE INCH IMPACT WRENCH TO REMOVE RETAINING NUT ON SCREEN BOLT. THE NUT WAS FROZE AND IT JERKED HIM CAUSING A PULLED MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK.
1998 · 2 incidents
December 30, 1998KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
EE WAS SHOVELING COAL SPILL FROM AROUND TAIL ROOLER ON RAW COAL BELT. SHOVEL GOT CAUGHT ON BELT ROLLER THIS FLIPPED THE SHOVEL HANDLE INTO HIS RIGH HAND BREAKIG HIS INDEX & MIDDLE FINGER
EMPLOYEE WAS REPAIRING A COAL CHUTE IN PREPARATION PLANT, WAS USING 8 LB SLEDGE HAMMER. EMPLOYEE CAUGHT RING FINGER ON LEFT HAND BETWEEN HAMMER HANDL AND CHUTE. EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED FRACTURE TO TIP OF RING FINGER ON LEFT HAND.
EMPLOYEE WAS POSITIONING METAL PLATE WITH PRY BAR AND WHEN THE METAL PLATE FELL INTO PLACE THE BAR WAS CAUGHT AND EMPLOYEE LOST GRIP ON BAR WHICH FELL STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON FOOT.
July 24, 1984KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A 65 TON REFUSE TRUCK WHEN TRUCK WOULD NOT PULL GRADE ON THE SECOND TRY ENGINE QUIT AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED BACKWARDS THE EMPLOYEE JUMPED TO GRO UND FROM THE CAB APPROX 8FT IN DISTANCES
1983 · 4 incidents
July 20, 1983KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS ASCENDING HAULROAD IN 65 TON WABCO TRUCK ENGINE QUIT CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE CO-WORKER PLACED CHOCKS UNDER FRONT TIRES EMPLOYEE TRIED STARTING ENGINE DEPLETING AIR SUPPLY CAU SING BACK UP BRAKE TO MALFUNCTION TRUCK THEN ROLLED OVER CHOCKS AND EMPLOYEE JUMP FROM TRUCK TRUCK HIT BANK STOPPING PERPENDICULAR TO ROAD