Mining Incidents

KIAH CREEK PREPARATION PLANT Coal

ARGUS ENERGY WV LLC · Facility
Controlled by James H Booth
Dunlow, Wayne County, WV  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4607809

KIAH CREEK PREPARATION PLANT has $209K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 33 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
42
Years on record
1990–2013
Latest incident
Feb 2013
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
638
citations
328
significant & substantial
$209,058
proposed penalties
$171,350
paid to date
82% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $37,708 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
241
inspections on record
4,178
inspection hours
15.3
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.
638 citations across 4,178 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

KIAH CREEK PREPARATION PLANT has $209K in proposed MSHA penalties and $11K outstanding across 33 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.
$209K
proposed penalties
$182K
current assessed
$171K
paid to date
$11K
outstanding
628 assessments are final orders; 33 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2022-09-15.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at KIAH CREEK PREPARATION PLANT shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.32 mg/m3 (98% compliant) across 126 samples.

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.
0.32
dust avg (mg/m3)
3.11
dust max (mg/m3)
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
126
samples
Most recent sample: 2013-08-05.
Silica (quartz)
1.2
silica avg (%)
2.2
silica max (%)
4
samples
Most recent sample: 2013-08-09.
Noise
18%
over PEL
50
samples
Most recent sample: 2013-08-05.
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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
2025 Q4 2 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 2 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 16 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 16 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 16 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 16 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 16 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 16 0 0 0.0
Show 95 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 16 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 16 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 16 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 16 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 16 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 16 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 16 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 16 1 0 62500.0
2021 Q3 16 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 16 1 0 62500.0
2021 Q1 16 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 16 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 0 1 1
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 0 0 0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 0 0 0
2017 Q2 0 0 0
2017 Q1 0 0 0
2016 Q4 0 3 1
2016 Q3 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 0 0
2016 Q1 0 0 0
2015 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 0 0 0
2015 Q1 0 0 0
2014 Q4 0 0 0
2014 Q3 271 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 730 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 1,310 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 16,354 1 0 61.1
2013 Q3 23,379 11 1 470.5
2013 Q2 23,907 10 5 418.3
2013 Q1 20,827 9 3 432.1
2012 Q4 21,915 2 1 91.3
2012 Q3 22,276 39 17 1750.8
2012 Q2 22,289 1 0 44.9
2012 Q1 22,070 17 13 770.3
2011 Q4 20,874 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 20,312 17 6 836.9
2011 Q2 22,506 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 22,480 18 9 800.7
2010 Q4 22,236 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 23,361 15 6 642.1
2010 Q2 22,316 66 33 2957.5
2010 Q1 23,159 48 38 2072.6
2009 Q4 25,094 1 0 39.9
2009 Q3 25,913 21 6 810.4
2009 Q2 23,633 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 24,383 17 9 697.2
2008 Q4 25,124 1 0 39.8
2008 Q3 22,433 9 1 401.2
2008 Q2 16,712 52 21 3111.5
2008 Q1 18,831 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 16,162 33 10 2041.8
2007 Q3 18,828 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 16,582 8 8 482.5
2007 Q1 18,636 20 8 1073.2
2006 Q4 17,826 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 17,694 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 13,658 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 13,827 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 12,739 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 10,506 22 5 2094.0
2005 Q2 12,319 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 12,065 34 14 2818.1
2004 Q4 11,680 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 11,853 34 25 2868.5
2004 Q2 13,447 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 13,038 23 19 1764.1
2003 Q4 13,018 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 9,872 16 12 1620.7
2003 Q2 10,468 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 11,707 26 22 2220.9
2002 Q4 10,515 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 8,332 11 7 1320.2
2002 Q2 8,696 2 0 230.0
2002 Q1 9,308 6 2 644.6
2001 Q4 9,837 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 8,169 16 12 1958.6
2001 Q2 8,615 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 8,963 11 8 1227.3
2000 Q4 8,792 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 8,416 10 5 1188.2
2000 Q2 9,011 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 8,969 4 0 446.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

42 on file

2013 · 1 incident

February 1, 2013 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Argus Energy WV LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Refuse bin gate was frozen. While using a hammer to free the gate, he struck the ring finger on his left hand.

2012 · 3 incidents

October 6, 2012 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
Argus Energy WV LLC · Struck against a moving object

while lowering the bucket on the loader, it stopped half way down jarring him.

July 23, 2012 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While removing steel out of RC4 belt, he mashed his hand on a roller.

2011 · 1 incident

July 17, 2011 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that while dismounting the slate truck, his foot slipped from the bottom step, injuring his shoulder.

2010 · 1 incident

March 12, 2010 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Argus Energy WV LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking down a slight degree slope after it had been raining while carrying a tool bag that weighed about 10 lbs. He slipped on mud and twisted while trying to catch himself to keep from falling.

2009 · 1 incident

January 27, 2009 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee states that while lifting a sieve, he pulled a muscle in his left shoulder. (Started missing work on 3/5/09).

2008 · 1 incident

December 19, 2008 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stated that while lifting a shive screen, he injured his abdomen and right testicle.

2007 · 1 incident

September 24, 2007 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stated that while lifting a 5 gallon bucket of material, she felt pain in her arm and shoulder.

2006 · 1 incident

August 17, 2006 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Argus Energy WV LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee stated that while operating the 95 Kamatsu end-loader, he backed over the berm and turned it over on it's side.

2005 · 3 incidents

June 4, 2005 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Argus Energy WV LLC · Struck against a moving object

OPERATING HAUL TRUCK. GROUND WAS NOT LEVEL WHERE EE WAS DUMPING AND THE TRUCK TURNED OVER.

February 12, 2005 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Argus Energy WV LLC · Struck against a moving object

Driver ran over truck in ditch and layed truck over.

January 15, 2005 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stated that while helping lift a pipe from the belt magnet he felt pain in his lower back. (Employee continued working, started missing on 3-13-05.)

2004 · 2 incidents

July 7, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT WHILE LIFTING A BARREL OF STONEHARD (MORTAR) HE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK. (WORKED THROUGH 7-15-04. STARTED MISSING 7-16-04).

May 26, 2004 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING A ROCK OUT OF THE RAW COAL SHOOT AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. (STARTED MISSING WORK ON 6/1/04.)

2003 · 2 incidents

March 29, 2003 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Argus Energy WV LLC · Flash burns (welding)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE SUFFERED FLASH BURN TO BOTH EYES WHILE WELDING.

January 6, 2003 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Argus Energy WV LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TRUCK PULLED UP TO LOADER, I HOLLOW ON THE CB RADIO AND ASK THE BOYS IF THEY WERE EXPECTING SOMPANY. I STEP OUT OF THE LOADER, AND THEY GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND STARTED THROWING ROCKS, THEN I STARTED TO GET BACK IN THE LOADER THATS WHEN I FELL AND CAUGHT6 MYSELF OVER THE LOADER BY ONE ARM.

2002 · 4 incidents

October 27, 2002 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE A SCRAP BIN. AS HE LIFTED ONE END UP TO GET THE BIN MOVING HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS BACK & DOWN HIS LEFT LEG.

September 3, 2002 WV · Coal driver, jeep driver, tractor operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE STATED THAT WHILE PUTTING A SCREEN UNDER THE RAW COAL BELT HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.

January 18, 2002 WV · Coal welder (shop) POWERED HAULAGE
Pen Coal Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HAULING A DRYER BASKET IN A BOBCAT & BASKET TURNED. BASKET ROLLED ON EE'S FOOT WHEN HE GOT OUT TO RESET THE LOAD.

January 1, 2002 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Pen Coal Corporation · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING WHEN HE SLIPPED ON AN ICY METAL SURFACE OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE PREP. PLANT. HE FELL TO THE GROUND AND IN THE PROCESS SPRAINED HIS RT. WRIST. EE CONTINUED TO WORK AND COMPLETED HIS NORMAL SHIFT. HOWEVER HE WAS UNABLE TO WORK ON JAN. 4TH, 2002 (FIRST SHIFT MISSED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT).

2001 · 3 incidents

December 14, 2001 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS REMOVING METAL FROM R.C. FLUME WHEN A JAGGED PIECE OF METAL CUT THE PALM OF HIS RIGHT HAND.

August 11, 2001 WV · Coal grader operator, roadgrader operator POWERED HAULAGE
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE BACKED HIS COAL TRUCK INTO THE INDERGROUND FEEDER.

2000 · 4 incidents

September 15, 2000 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING BOAT OUT OF BACK OF TRUCK. BEGAN EXPERIENCING BACK PAIN, FIRST LOST WORK DAY WAS 9/21/00.

July 7, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Pen Coal Corporation · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS RIGGING STEEL AND SLIPPED ON X-BRACING AND FELL.

June 10, 2000 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

SHOVELING REFUSE BELT, BACK STARTED HURTING. FIRST LOST WORKDAY IS 6-26-00, INJURY NOT OTHERWISE REPORTABLE.

February 27, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

USING ROD TO DISLODGE ROCK IN CHUTE, LEANED OVER CHUTE AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOWER BACK PAIN. FIRST WORK DAY LOST IS 3-22-00. INJURY IS OTHERWISE NOT REPORTABLE.

1999 · 1 incident

February 22, 1999 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING AND TURNING SIEVE. STRAINED NECK MUSCLE. WORKS 4 DAYS ON -4 DAYS OFF-ONLY MISSED 3 DAYS.

1998 · 1 incident

October 17, 1998 WV · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Pen Coal Corporation · Fall to the walkway or working surface

SLIPPED & CAUGHT SELF WITH LEFT ARM. HAD SURGERYON 1/13/99 TO REPAIR TORN ROTATOR CUFF ON LEFT SHOULDER. LOST WORKDAYS BEGAN 1/15/98

1997 · 3 incidents

August 15, 1997 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE CHANGING RAW COAL SIEVE SCREEN. PUNCTURE TO RT. HAND.

August 2, 1997 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING 2FT. BY 1 FT. 4 INCH ROCK OUT OF RAW COAL HEAD CHUTE. STRAIN TO LOW BACK. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 8/3/97 7:00 AM SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. EMPLOYEES SCHEDULE IS 1 2 HR. SHIFTS 4 DAYS ON & 4 DAYS OFF.

February 15, 1997 WV · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Pen Coal Corporation · Fall from ladders

EMP WAS HANGING CHAINFALL WHILE STANDING ON LADDER. SLIPPED STRIKING RIBS ON PIPE. EMP WORK SCHEDULE IS 4 DAYS ON 4 DAYS OFF.

1996 · 1 incident

March 25, 1996 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS PULLING CALIBRATION CHAIN [FOR BELT SCALE] DOWN FLIGHT OF STAIRS FOOT SLIPPED PULLING CHEST ;MUSCLES. EE WORKED REST OF SHIP. SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION 3/28/96 3 DAYS AFTER ACCIDENT [MUS CLE RELAXER]

1995 · 2 incidents

May 6, 1995 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider NONPOWERED HAULAGE
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMLOYEE WAS MOVING OXYGEN & ACTY. DOLY MUSCLE ON RIGHT SIDE OF NECK,SHOULDE RBEGAN TO BURNEMPLOYEE CONTINUED TO WORK SAUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION 5-8-95 MUSCLE STRAIN.

February 22, 1995 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS HELPING UNLOAD BATH FLIGHTS FROM DELIVERY TRUCK. MUSCLE STRAIN IN NECK. EE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 5-8-95.

1994 · 3 incidents

1992 · 2 incidents

September 18, 1992 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS MOUNTING LOADER BUMPED HEAD ON CANOPY EMPLOYEE HAD ON HARD HAT BUT SPRAINED MUSCLES IN NECK.AN OLD INJURY WAS AGGRAVATED.

August 1, 1992 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

54730ASSISTING IN SETTING MOTOR WITH COME-ALONGS. MOTOR BECAME BOUND AND IN TRYING TO RELEASE COME-ALONG HANDLE HIT EMPL NOSE FRACTURE-AND MASHED LEFT THUMB CONTUSION.

1990 · 1 incident

May 28, 1990 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Pen Coal Corporation · Struck by falling object

PIPE FELL FROM 3RD FLOOR TO SECOND FLOOR STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON RT HIP DISLOCATION BRUISED PIPE MEASURED 2" BY 10 FT LONG.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on KIAH CREEK PREPARATION PLANT

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.