Kopperston Refuse Impoundment has $175 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
163
Years on record
1983–1999
Latest incident
Apr 1999
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
4
citations
0
significant & substantial
$175
proposed penalties
$175
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 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.
Rate withheld: 290 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Kopperston Refuse Impoundment has $175 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.
$175
proposed penalties
$175
current assessed
$175
paid to date
$0
outstanding
3 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2005-01-10.
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 controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2005
5
2004
4
2003
3
2002
2
2001
2
2000
2
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Kopperston Refuse Impoundment sits in Wyoming County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 11.2% 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.
Wyoming County, West Virginia · Population 20,948
11.2%
Mining share of county employment
$48,038
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
2005 Q4
2,794
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
2,851
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
2,723
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
2,948
1
0
339.2
2004 Q4
3,177
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
2,216
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
2,334
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
2,149
0
0
0.0
Show 16 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2003 Q4
2,006
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
1,570
1
0
636.9
2003 Q2
1,208
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
1,192
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
1,120
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
1,120
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
1,160
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
1,160
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
1,110
1
0
900.9
2001 Q3
1,120
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
1,160
1
0
862.1
2001 Q1
1,170
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
1,080
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
1,135
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
1,170
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
1,180
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
163 on file
1999 · 1 incident
April 14, 1999WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
THIS ACCIDENT BECAME REPORTABLE ON 6-22-98. EE STATED: HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON THE TOP RUNG OF THE END LOADER LADDER ON THE OFF SIDE. HE SAID HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH IN HIS HAND & ARMS TO HOLD HIMSELF. HE STATED HE FELL TO THE GROUND, LANDING ON HIS BUTTOCKS.
May 7, 1998WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE STATED HE WAS KNEELING DOWN MAKING PRE SHIFT OF TRUCK. FELT BURNING PAIN IN KNEE, THAT WENT AWAY. LATER THAT SHIFT IT GOT WORSE AND HE WENT TO DR. EE STATED THAT HE DID NOT SLIP, FALL BUMP OR TWIST HIS KNEE THAT NIGHT OR ANY RECENT TIME HE COULD REMEMBER. NO SPECIFIC EVENT. CARTILAGE WAS BADLY DAMAGED WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING,
July 23, 1997WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
EE HAS CHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS DUE TO AN INJURY ON 5-23-89, AND HAS BEEN AWARDE 12% DISABILITY. HIS BACK WAS EVALUATED ON 5-10-95 AND DETERMINED TO HAVE NUCLEUS PULPOSLES AT L 4-5, THAT CAN BE P ROGRESSIVE AND NEUROSURGICAL EVALUATION WAS RECOMENDED ( NO SURGERY). HE ALSO WAS EVALUATED TO HAVE CHRONIC LOW BACK SYNDROME WITH DEGENERATIVE CHANGER INVOLVING THE LUMBAR SPINE AND DEGENERA
June 17, 1997WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorOTHER
EE STATED THAT HE WAS RESTING HIS ARMS ON A WINDOW SILL IN THE PREPARATION PLANT AND WAS BITTEN BY AN INSECT. THE AREA (BITE) LATER BECAME INFECTED AND HAD TO BE LANCED. THE EE DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION NOR MISSED ANY WORK UNTIL 7-21-97
May 1, 1997WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EE STATED THAT REPEATED KNEELING, SQUATTING, GOING UP & DOWN STEPS & LADDERS IS CAUSING SWELLINGAND TENDERNESS IN HIS RIGHT KNEE. HE ALSO STATEDTHIS CONDITION HAS GOTTNE PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OV ER THE PAST FEW YEARS. EE STARTED MISSING WORK ON 5/1/97
April 16, 1997WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE STATED THAT THE SCREW IN THE WET COAL BIN WAS BROKEN AND HE WAS SHOVELING COAL TO REMOVE IT FROM THE BIN SO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. AS HE WAS SHOVELING THE FINE COAL THAT WAS STUCK ON THE DO WN CREEK SIDE OF THE BED SLID IN ON HIM CAUSING HIM TO TWIST HIS BACK.
March 5, 1997WV · Coalelectrician, linemanDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
January 27, 1997WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
EE STATED HE HURT HIS LOWER BACK WHILE OPERATING A F 8000 DUMP TRUCK. HE STATED THAT THE TRUCK SEAT WAS BAD. NOTE: EE DID NOT MISS ANY WORK UNTIL 1-30-97.
1996 · 5 incidents
December 2, 1996WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE STATED THAT WHILE PULLING ON A LIGHTING CABLE HE FELT A PULLING PAIN IN HIS BACK. HE STATED AFTER HE SQUATTED DOWN HE COULD NOT GET BACK UP WITHOUT HELP.
September 25, 1996WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EE STATED THAT HE AND ANOTHER EE WERE HOISTING CHUTE AND LOWERED ONTO FLOOR AND WHILE PULLING INTO PLANT ON 6TH FLOOR, THE OVERHEAD HOIST FELL AND STRUCK HIS LEFT HAND, WHILE HE WAS WALKING TO GET HOIST CONTROLS.
EE STATED HE WAS GETTING READY TO FUEL HIS TRUCK. THE FUEL HOSE WAS TANGLED AROUND SOME OIL BARRELS AND HE WAS GETTING THE HOSE FROM AROUND THE BARRELS. HE SLIPPED AND STARTED TO FALL, HOWEVER HE CAUGHT HIMSELF BEFORE HE HIT THE GROUND. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT HE STATED HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK AND RT SIDE. AREA WAS MUDDY DUE TO RECENT RAIN.
1995 · 5 incidents
December 19, 1995WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE STATED WHILE ENTERING THE OIL STORAGE AREA AT THE REFUSE DUMP, HE STEPPED ON A 1" OIL HOSE LOST FOOTING & FELL BACK ON LOWER BACK. NOTE STARTES MISSING WORK ON 9/15/94.
EE STATED HE WAS HOLDING TENSION ON HEAD ROLLER WITH A PIPE WRENCH WHILE BELT SLACK WAS BEING PULLED THRU. THE BELT DOG SLIPPED AND TENSION FROM BELT TURNED HEAD ROLLER IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION S TRIKING EE WITH PIPE WRENCH. TREATED AND RELEASED AT ER CHARLESTON GENERAL.
April 15, 1994WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE STATED WHILE USIGN A HAND TOOL TO CUT A METLA BAND FROM A PALLET OF MATERIAL. THE BAND SNAPPED BACK AND STRUCK HIM ACROSS RIGHT EYE. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT TIL 4-19-94.
March 18, 1994WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE STATED WHILE OPERATING THE #3 R-50 REFUSE TRUCK, HE LOST AIR ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM & WENT INTO RIGHT DRANIAGE DITCH. NOTE: TRUCK WAS CHECKED COMPLETELY & NO DEFECTS FOUND IN BRAKING S YSTEM.
January 9, 1994WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS HELPING OTHER EES CLEAN OUT THE DUST CYCLONES FOR THE IDLE DORR-OLIVER THERMAL DRYER. WHEN HE STEPPED INTO A DUST COVER HOLE& BRUISED LEFT LEG. THE DRYER WAS BEING CLEANED WHILE PLANT W AS IDLE AND WAS NOT IN OPERATION AT THE TIME. HOLE WAS GUARDED.
1993 · 17 incidents
November 3, 1993WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EE STATED HE WAS STRUCK BY WATER HOSE AS HE WALKED AROUND CORNER OR 5TH FLOOR OF PLANT. AS 2 EE WERE PULLING HOSE TO PULL OFF DAMAGED NO 22 WHEN HOSE NOZZLE CAME OFF THE END OF HOSE FLEW AROUN D AND HIT EE. ANKLE ON THE GROUND.
EMPLOYEE STATED WHILE LOADING PIPE HE SLIPPED ON WET PIPE & FELT PAIN IN HIS GROIN DID NOT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT TILL 10-17-91 & NOTIFIED MANAGEMENT 10-21-91
September 17, 1991WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorNONPOWERED HAULAGE
EE STATED WHILE UNLOADING DUMPING WHEELBARROW LOADED WITH MAGNETITE AND SLATE HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK NOTE DID NOT START MISSING WORK OR MEDICAL TREATMENT TIL 7-20-91.
August 29, 1991WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
AN ALLEDGED INCIDENT OCCURRED WHICH LIFTED THE DOME OF THE THERMAL DRYER. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AS AIR WAS BEING COURSED THROUGH THE DRYER, PRIOR TO ENERGIZING THE IGNITORS.
February 6, 1990WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS STRIKING A U-JOINT WITH A HAMMER, THE HAMMER GLANCED OFF THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK BED. STRICKING HIM ON THE INDEX FINGER OF RIGHT HAND.
August 1, 1989WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSTRIKING OR BUMPING
EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS CHANGING OUT THE SPEED REDUCER AND THE FLOOR PADDLE WHEEL, WHEN THE HOISTROPE HE WAS USING BROKE AND STRUCK HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS FOOT.
March 10, 1989WV · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE STATED WHILE OPERATING A 657 PAN ON SLATE DUMP, THE MACHINE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, EMPLOYEE BECAME EXICITED & JUMPED OUT STANDING HIS KNEE. NOTE: NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND ON MACHINE.
March 2, 1989WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPL STATED HE WAS USING A BALL PIN HAMMER TO DISLODGE A BEAMING FROM A FAN SHAFT EWHEN A SMALL SLIVER METAL STRUCK HIM IN THE NECK NO MEDICAL TREATED TILL 1-16-89
EMP. STATED THAT HE WS STRECHING OVER A FEEDER REPLACING AN OVERHEAD LIGHT FICTURE AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS GROIN . NOTES. AFTER REVIEWING AND INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM CIRCULAR CONCONCERING PART 5 IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPORTABLILTY OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS QUESTIONABLE THEREFORE THIS REPORT IS BEING SUBMITTED.
January 11, 1988WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMP STATED THAT3HE HAD JUST CHANGED INTO HIS WORK CLOTHES AND PULLED HIS CLOTHES HANGER UP AND AS HE TURNED TO WALK AWAY THE BASKET FELL STRIKING HIM ON TOP OF THE HEAD
December 9, 1987WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMP STATED THAT3HE CLIMBED AN ALUMINUM LADDER TO INSTALL A 3/4 HORSEPOWER MOTOR ON AN EXHAUST FAN. THE CONTACTORS WERE KNOCED BBUT THE POWER WAS NOT DEENERGIZED. WHILE REMOVING POWER LEAD HE WAS SHOCKED AND3FELL OFF LADDER
June 23, 1987WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE STA TE8 THAT HE WAS SECURING A LOAD OF TRACK TIES DOWN TO A FLATBED TRUCK AFTER (1) BINDER WAS SET HE STRUCK IT WITH A PIECE OF PIPE & IT CAME LOOSE STRIKING HIS LEFT LEG
April 7, 1987WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE STATED3THAT HE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A PIECE OF OLD CONVEYOR CHAIN WHEN HE EXPERINCED A PAIN IN HIS GROIN AREA DID NOT START MISSING WORK UNTIL 4-14-87.
April 2, 1987WV · Coalcoal samplerDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
WHILE ATTEMPTIN1 TO TIGHTEN BOLTS THAT SECURE THE DUST COVER ON TRAMMER CHUTE THE TRAMMER STARTED TO MOVE CATCHING I.NAME BETWEEN THE RAILING & THE CHUTE
HE WAS CARRYING3A PORTABLE ROTARY DRILL AND HIS LOAD SHIFTED CAUSING HIM TO DROP THE DRILL.AT THIS TIME HE STATED HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.
1986 · 8 incidents
December 17, 1986WV · Coalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorSTRIKING OR BUMPING
WHILE WATCHING 4ORK BEING PERFORMED AT REFUSE DUMP, THE FOREMAN TURNED TO SPEAK TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE AND STRUCK HIS FOREHEAD AGAINST A PIECE OF ANGLE THAT HAD BEEN WELDED TO AN "I" BEAM.THE FOR EMAN RECIEVED A3LACERATION TO HIS FOREHEAD WHICH REQUIRED SUTURES.
November 13, 1986WV · CoalDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
INJURED MAN WAS3BINDING SUPPLIES ON A FLAT BED 8000 TRUCK HE WAS USING A BAR TO CLOSE THE BINDER WHEN THE LOAD SHIFTED AND SLACK CAME INTO THE SAFETY CHAIN THIS CAUSED THE EMPLOYEE TO LOOSE H IS BALANCE AND 0ALL