Mining Incidents

Leer South Preparation Plant Coal

Wolf Run Mining LLC · Facility
Philippi, Barbour County, WV  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4608777

Leer South Preparation Plant has $50K in proposed MSHA penalties and $323 outstanding across 4 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
21
Years on record
1999–2022
Latest incident
May 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
221
citations
69
significant & substantial
$50,308
proposed penalties
$48,949
paid to date
97% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $1,359 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
171
inspections on record
4,945
inspection hours
4.5
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.
221 citations across 4,945 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Leer South Preparation Plant has $50K in proposed MSHA penalties and $323 outstanding across 4 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.
$50K
proposed penalties
$49K
current assessed
$49K
paid to date
$323
outstanding
216 assessments are final orders; 4 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-11-19.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Leer South Preparation Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.28 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 275 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.
0.28
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.51
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
275
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-14.
Silica (quartz)
1.6
silica avg (%)
6.9
silica max (%)
36
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-24.
Noise
10%
over PEL
127
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-11-18.
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 20,872 1 1 47.9
2025 Q3 27,066 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 27,714 13 4 469.1
2025 Q1 31,206 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 32,949 6 0 182.1
2024 Q3 34,724 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 34,485 4 0 116.0
2024 Q1 35,919 0 0 0.0
Show 95 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 34,072 5 0 146.7
2023 Q3 37,569 4 1 106.5
2023 Q2 34,818 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 34,092 9 2 264.0
2022 Q4 25,787 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 24,043 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 22,587 1 0 44.3
2022 Q1 21,221 1 0 47.1
2021 Q4 20,020 1 1 50.0
2021 Q3 20,610 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 19,509 6 3 307.6
2021 Q1 19,769 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 16,441 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 18,710 1 0 53.4
2020 Q2 20,155 1 1 49.6
2020 Q1 21,444 3 0 139.9
2019 Q4 18,346 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 17,634 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 16,810 2 0 119.0
2019 Q1 16,118 1 0 62.0
2018 Q4 13,526 2 1 147.9
2018 Q3 15,006 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 14,857 5 0 336.5
2018 Q1 13,796 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 13,549 1 1 73.8
2017 Q3 11,997 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 12,705 3 0 236.1
2017 Q1 12,315 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 11,010 3 0 272.5
2016 Q3 11,310 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 10,301 2 1 194.2
2016 Q1 9,872 3 1 303.9
2015 Q4 8,570 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 10,387 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 12,444 5 1 401.8
2015 Q1 14,233 1 1 70.3
2014 Q4 12,906 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 13,789 5 1 362.6
2014 Q2 14,533 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 15,078 1 0 66.3
2013 Q4 16,021 3 2 187.3
2013 Q3 18,336 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 18,518 8 3 432.0
2013 Q1 19,551 13 9 664.9
2012 Q4 19,330 1 1 51.7
2012 Q3 18,775 4 4 213.0
2012 Q2 12,532 2 0 159.6
2012 Q1 19,771 27 3 1365.6
2011 Q4 17,930 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 16,866 23 9 1363.7
2011 Q2 20,191 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 20,803 5 2 240.3
2010 Q4 16,955 1 0 59.0
2010 Q3 18,931 1 0 52.8
2010 Q2 17,718 2 0 112.9
2010 Q1 20,008 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 22,474 17 7 756.4
2009 Q3 15,700 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 18,981 6 2 316.1
2009 Q1 18,041 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 17,141 1 0 58.3
2008 Q2 16,146 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 13,976 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 12,674 4 0 315.6
2007 Q3 11,744 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 11,387 1 0 87.8
2007 Q1 9,637 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 5,240 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 5,536 1 0 180.6
2006 Q2 6,849 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 3,718 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 6,533 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 5,092 2 2 392.8
2005 Q2 4,700 1 0 212.8
2005 Q1 4,719 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 4,044 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 1,501 1 0 666.2
2004 Q2 4,715 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 5,110 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 4,320 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 1,551 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 5,078 2 1 393.9
2003 Q1 5,374 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 2,464 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 2,657 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 3,822 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 14,212 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 8,125 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 6,099 2 2 327.9
2001 Q2 5,948 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 6,122 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 9,146 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 9,979 2 2 200.4
2000 Q2 9,236 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 7,299 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

21 on file

2022 · 1 incident

May 12, 2022 WV · Coal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was unspooling and feeding electrical cable down the shaft of the time. The spool was freely spinning on a 1" piece of rigid conduit that was supported on racketeers. The momentum and weight of cable caused spool to spin uncontrollably. The spool and conduit struck the employees. Approx 16 stitches.

2021 · 1 incident

May 7, 2021 WV · Coal master electrician ELECTRICAL
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Flash burns (electric)

Employee working on energized 4,160 Volt transformer with a 1,000 Volt meter. The meter blew causing an ARC Flash which caused second degree burns to the injured's face. All PPE was worn including Hard hat, Safety Glasses, High Voltage Gloves, FR Shirt and vest.

2020 · 2 incidents

November 24, 2020 WV · Coal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was using a torch to cut a piece of metal when a lump of coal or rock fell on EE's index finger.

August 21, 2020 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Bldg. was inspected earlier the same morning for objects by the inside face of the siding which could fall. A wire rope guardrail system was installed at that time in anticipation of a fall hazard being created by removing siding. Investigation could not determine how the plate got there. No issues of i)compliance,ii)equipment,iii)proficiency/training,or iv)PPE/Devices was ident.

2019 · 1 incident

August 24, 2019 WV · Coal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was next to a floor opening while tied off to an adjacent 3/8" wire rope cable used as a barricade at the opening. EE was pulling on a compressed air hose and lost balance, causing them to fall into the opening. The floor below was only 12' below their location, and their feet still struck the floor below, causing them to twist their left foot.

2017 · 1 incident

September 15, 2017 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Fall from machine

When attempting to descend off of a Caterpillar pan, the injured started to fall and then jumped some 7 feet to the concrete shop floor landing on both feet.

2016 · 1 incident

February 23, 2016 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Fall from ladders

The injured had placed a ladder into a rock chute, then entered the chute and stepped onto the ladder when the ladder tipped and the injured fell, along with the ladder some approx. 42 feet onto the rock pile below.

2014 · 1 incident

March 6, 2014 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The injured was pulling the slack out of the wire rope winch cable became tight and he continued to pull resulting in a hernia that required surgery to repair. Injury occurred on 12-14-13, but injured continued to work up in till day of surgery (3-6-14) at which time it became reportable.

2008 · 2 incidents

June 22, 2008 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was lowering a 14" diameter pipe into place when it became caught. He kicked it with his right foot to free it. The pipe broke free catching the side of his foot in a pinch point causing a laceration. The employee was wearing metatarsals, but it caught just behind steel toe and below metatarsal.

April 4, 2008 WV · Coal welder (shop) FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EE finished installing new cable and danger signs on the legs under the emergency refuse bin. He was getting into the passage the pickup truck when he was struck on the top of his hard hat by a falling rock (2"x 8"x 10"l) causing him to strike his face and head on the rearview mirror of the truck resulting in 3 broken bones in his neck, 6 staples in his nose and 2 on his head.

2007 · 2 incidents

November 26, 2007 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Individual was climbing onto the D8L dozer using three points of contact when his foot slipped due to muddy, rainy conditions. This caused his body to twist as he caught his body weight with his arms. Note: Inury became Restricted duty on 12/3/07

May 23, 2007 WV · Coal electrician, lineman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Individual had carpal tunnel surgery on his right wrist

2004 · 1 incident

September 23, 2004 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Injured had a 21' joint of 4" schedule 80 pipe up on a 2' board (header) to allow him to wrap a cutting guide around it to allow him to mark the pipe for cutting. He was positioned with his back to the board. As he was marking the pipe, it rolled off and crushed his finger on the concrete floor.

2003 · 1 incident

April 29, 2003 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator

INDIVIDUAL WAS ASSISTING IN HOISTING A 75 HP MOTOR INTO THE SLOPE SCREEN HOUSE WHEN THE TROLLEY BEING USED TO LIFT BY FAILED. A SECTION OF THE TROLLEY WAS FOUND TO HAVE STRUCK THE INJURED.

2001 · 3 incidents

September 18, 2001 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

WHILE LYING ON BACK AND USING AN AIR IMPACT WRENCH TO TIGHTEN BOLTS, THE INJURED DROPPED THE WRENCH. THE WRENCH STRUCK HIM ABOVE THE LEFT EYE RESULTING IN A 1" LONG, 3/4" DEEP CUT.

June 29, 2001 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE NOTICED PAIN IN STOMACH AREA. DR. DIAG-NOSED IT AS A HERNIA. THE DATE,TIME,OR LOCATION OF THE EVENT IS UNKNOWN. THE HERNIA WAS SURGICALLY REPAIRED.

January 24, 2001 WV · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

INJURED WAS UNLOADING COAL ON A STOCKPILE. THE AREA WAS NOT PERFECTLY LEVEL AND AS THE TAILOR WAS BEING RAISED, THE MATERIAL SHIFTED TO THE LOW SIDE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO UPSET. THE OPERATOR WA S SUSPENDED IN THE SET BELT NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO GET FREE.

2000 · 1 incident

November 6, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING INTO THE VESSEL REFUSE SCREEN. HE SLIPPED AND FELL 24" ONTO A 10" TUBE. THE FALL RESULTED ITNO A BRUISE TO THE CHEST.

1999 · 3 incidents

August 19, 1999 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INDIVIDUAL WAS HELPING TO INSTALL A RAW COAL SIEVE ON THE 7TH FLOOR OF THE PREP PLANT WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A SHARP PAIN IN THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS NECK.

July 31, 1999 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INDIVIDUAL WAS INSTALLING A WEAR PLATE ON THE SLURRY PUMP IN THE PREPARATION PLANT WHEN HE CAUGHT HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE WEAR PLATE AND THE PUMP SHAFT INCURRING THE INJURY.

June 21, 1999 WV · Coal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Wolf Run Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE LOOSENING BOLTS ON A CHECK VALVE, THE INJ PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS BACK. THE INDIVIDUAL DID NOT MISS WORK UNTIL 6/23/99

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Leer South 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.