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.
188 citations across 3,234 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Kuhn Ridge has $152K in proposed MSHA penalties and $5K outstanding across 17 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.
$152K
proposed penalties
$131K
current assessed
$127K
paid to date
$5K
outstanding
186 assessments are final orders; 17 contested dockets.
Of $62K in penalties contested before the Commission, $39K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2020-07-30.
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.
51citations taken to the federal commission · 27% of citations on record
Settled
29 · 57%
Stood as issued
21 · 41%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 2%
83%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 29 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
36%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$62K proposed, $39K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2019-07-09.
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 Kuhn Ridge shows 99% of 276 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: 2022-04-28, 4 years ago
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
276
samples
2.05
dust max (mg/m3)
6
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.
152 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 124 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.
Kuhn Ridge recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2020.
Injury rate, 2020
ⓘ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 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 2.08 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.92 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
2020 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2019
4.67
1.87
0.000
2018
0.00
0.00
0.000
2017 *
2.02
2.02
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
7.40
7.40
0.000
2012
4.62
4.62
0.000
2011
1.54
1.54
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
2025
0
2024
0
2023
1
2022
5
2021
5
2020
28
66,681
2019
75
339,689
2018
51
309,463
2017
35
150,212
2016
0
2015
2
2014
16
204,379
2013
32
141,990
2012
54
244,218
2011
52
250,280
2010
49
165,912
2009
46
199,855
2008
18
43,466
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Kuhn Ridge sits in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 1.7% 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.
Greenbrier County, West Virginia · Population 32,688
1.7%
Mining share of county employment
$48,662
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
EE was greasing right side hoist cylinder on rock truck. EE set grease gun down to relieve pressure. When EE picked the nozzle back up EE pressed the trigger and the pressure caused the whip hose to fly up striking EE in safety glasses and the grease fitting to strike EE above the left eye causing a contusion. EE received prescription eye drops as a result of the incident.
October 16, 2019WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE was exiting EE's dozer. It was raining and EE's top deck was covered in mud and slick. As EE went to step down EE's foot slipped and EE grabbed the door to EE's dozer. The door slammed shut on EE's right hand and pinched the tip of EE's right middle finger between the door and door frame. This resulted in a laceration. EE received 9 stitches to close the wound.
August 21, 2019WV · Coaldriller, highwall operator, highwall drill operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Technician was under a drill removing a/c cables. As EE was pulling some hoses out of the way, the hose slipped. The technician stepped back to catch self and stumbled on a rock, falling and breaking EE's right ankle.
EE was walking to talk to a mechanic. They stepped between two mechanic's trucks and slipped on ice. Employee was transported to GVMC where x-rays revealed a fractured patella and tibia.
EE was putting rake attachment on the back of the grader. EE backed it in place and it was slightly out of alignment. EE attempted to push the rake to the left to line up with the eyes on the grader. When EE pushed EE's left index finger was pinched between the attachment and grader. EE was transported to Rainelle Medical Center where EE received 3 stitches to close wound.
March 4, 2019WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE climbed D11 dozer to access operators compartment to start dozer. The door was frozen shut and EE could not get the door opened. EE began pulling on the door and pulled the handle off. EE's momentum caused EE to fall backwards off the dozer and strike back/hip against the push arm. EE was transported to GVMC where x-rays showed a fractured hip.
January 14, 2019WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was assisting mechanic work on D11 dozer. EE stepped off the push arm and was walking away from the dozer when they stepped in a hole and rolled an ankle. EE finished shift but sought medical treatment the following day. EE was diagnosed with an ankle sprain and placed on light duty.
EE was backing powder truck up from in between rows of holes to set over to the next row. there was a small side bench that was 1-2' high. EE's back tandem got too close to the edge and the small bank gave way and the truck rolled over on its side.
January 4, 2018WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Injured person was helping get the hood down on a coal loader. He was pushing on the hood and backed off the loader falling to the ground. He broke his right ankle and right heel from the fall. (HE is not a West Virginia Mine Power employee, the accident did happen on Mine Powers property.)
2013 · 2 incidents
September 28, 2013WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanMACHINERY
Employee was washing a track on a dozer, dirt flew back and hit him in the eyes, also that day he had been helping the welder on the job site. Employee finished shift and went home and his eyes started burning went to the ER where he was seen and had his eyes washed out. The ER doctor stated this could have been a flash burn from the welder.
Employee was up on the bed of the fuel truck,it was covered with snow,he slipped and fell off hitting the ground with his right hand,he was seen at the ER a x-ray was taken and was positive for a fracture to his right hand.
2012 · 3 incidents
September 27, 2012WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was helping load a loader bucket shank onto a wood pilot, there was another employee helping he slipped causing all the weight to transfer to injured employee's back.
August 21, 2012WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was attempting to remove an oil pan plug using pliers, the pliers slipped and his little finger on right hand hit the oil pan fracturing it. Employee was seen by a physician and had surgery performed and pin placed in finger.
Employee had parked his truck in the truck parking lot. Still inside the truck cab, co-worker was backing his truck in. Did not see EE's Truck. EE thought the truck was going to hit his truck. He jumped from his truck, hitting ground fracturing his left wrist.
2010 · 2 incidents
September 28, 2010WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)