Carbon Sales, Inc. · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects
While using a drill, employees glove got caught in the drill and it twisted their pinky.
Laurel Breaker: 9 MSHA citations Coal
Laurel Breaker has $1K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 5
- Years on record
- 2012–2025
- Latest incident
- May 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2012
9
citations
0
significant & substantial
$1,097
proposed penalties
$1,097
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2011
38
inspections on record
1,027
inspection hours
0.9
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.9 citations across 1,027 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Laurel Breaker has $1K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 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.$1K
proposed penalties
$1K
current assessed
$1K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
9 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $100 in penalties contested before the Commission, $100 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-11-07.
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.0.0%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
0.0%
reasonably likely or greater
11.1%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 55.6% low, 44.4% moderate, 0.0% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
1
citations taken to the federal commission · 11% of citations on record
- Settled 1 · 100%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$100 proposed, $100 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 2015-09-06.
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.
| Docket | Decision | Judge | Year | Proposed / upheld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN 2015-0320 | Settlement | Lesnick | 2016 | $100 → $100 |
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
MSHA sampling at Laurel Breaker shows 100% of 98 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: 2026-06-23
ⓘ
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.100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
98
samples
0.34
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.98 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 0 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
- LABORER/BLACKSMITH31
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER25
- FINE COAL PLANT OPERATOR20
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.
Last sampled: 2026-02-04
ⓘ
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.0%
over PEL
61
samples
Most-sampled occupations
- LABORER/BLACKSMITH21
- FINE COAL PLANT OPERATOR13
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER13
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.| Year | within 1.5 mg/m3 | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 100% | 5 |
| 2025 | 100% | 4 |
| 2024 | 100% | 12 |
| 2023 | 100% | 6 |
| 2022 | 100% | 7 |
| 2021 | 100% | 2 |
| 2020 | 100% | 10 |
| 2019 | 100% | 7 |
| 2018 | 100% | 4 |
| 2017 | 100% | 7 |
| 2016 | 100% | 7 |
| 2015 | 100% | 12 |
| 2014 | 100% | 6 |
| 2013 | 100% | 6 |
| 2012 | 100% | 3 |
Noise by year
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0% | 3 |
| 2024 | 0% | 8 |
| 2023 | 0% | 2 |
| 2022 | 0% | 7 |
| 2021 | 0% | 4 |
| 2020 | 0% | 3 |
| 2019 | 0% | 8 |
| 2017 | 0% | 6 |
| 2016 | 0% | 3 |
| 2015 | 0% | 8 |
| 2014 | 0% | 3 |
| 2013 | 0% | 6 |
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Ownership history
- Northeast Energy Company 1975 to 1993
- Jhjm Inc 1993 to 2011
- Carbon Sales, Inc. 2011 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
| Year | Employees |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2012 | 9 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Laurel Breaker sits in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where the Census mining category is 0.2% 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.Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · Population 325,978
0.2%
Mining share of county employment
$62,321
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 | 4,846 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2026 Q1 | 4,734 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q4 | 4,110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q3 | 4,730 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 4,575 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q1 | 3,884 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q4 | 3,789 | 1 | 0 | 263.9 |
| 2024 Q3 | 4,260 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Show 48 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q2 | 4,014 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q1 | 3,773 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q4 | 3,816 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q3 | 4,011 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q2 | 3,717 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q1 | 4,015 | 1 | 0 | 249.1 |
| 2022 Q4 | 3,851 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q3 | 4,373 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q2 | 4,039 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q1 | 4,090 | 1 | 0 | 244.5 |
| 2021 Q4 | 3,248 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q3 | 3,447 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q2 | 3,422 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q1 | 3,624 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q4 | 3,461 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q3 | 3,779 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q2 | 2,937 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q1 | 3,359 | 1 | 0 | 297.7 |
| 2019 Q4 | 2,912 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2019 Q3 | 3,171 | 1 | 0 | 315.4 |
| 2019 Q2 | 2,998 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2019 Q1 | 3,162 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q4 | 2,900 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q3 | 3,049 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q2 | 3,099 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q1 | 3,170 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2017 Q4 | 2,825 | 1 | 0 | 354.0 |
| 2017 Q3 | 2,933 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2017 Q2 | 2,673 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2017 Q1 | 3,045 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q4 | 2,850 | 1 | 0 | 350.9 |
| 2016 Q3 | 3,068 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q2 | 3,027 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q1 | 3,154 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q4 | 2,631 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q3 | 3,438 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q2 | 3,135 | 1 | 0 | 319.0 |
| 2015 Q1 | 3,113 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q4 | 3,056 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q3 | 3,086 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q2 | 3,092 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q1 | 3,153 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q4 | 2,955 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q3 | 3,119 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q2 | 3,199 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q1 | 3,323 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q4 | 4,076 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q3 | 2,973 | 1 | 0 | 336.4 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
5 on file2025 · 1 incident
2024 · 1 incident
January 10, 2024
PA · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Carbon Sales, Inc. · Struck by falling object
Miner was clearing coal from a grate when wind blew one of the grate doors down onto EE's foot. Miner was taken to the hospital and they found that EE had bruising on EE's Right foot.
2023 · 1 incident
Carbon Sales, Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances
Employee was moving portable compressor that had been running for a long time. In doing so, knuckle touched hot metal fitting and received small dime sized burn. Location later got infected.
2020 · 1 incident
April 14, 2020
PA · Coal
prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Carbon Sales, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
The miner was getting off the loader and twisted a knee when they stepped to the ground.
2012 · 1 incident
December 20, 2012
PA · Coal
prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Carbon Sales, Inc. · Fall from ladders
Miner was going up a step ladder and the bottom slid out causing him to fall approximately 4 feet. He initially was alright but then felt a sharp pain after about an hour.