Virginia Crews Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects
HE WAS LIFTING HEAVY BAGS OF REFUGE. HE FELT PAIN IN HIS ELBOW. WENT TO DOCTOR ON 3/11/03 AND HAD AN X-RAY. DID NOT MISS WORK UNTIL 3/11. POSTED AT SITE.
Lick Branch Impoundment: 17 MSHA citations Coal
Litwar Processing Company, LLC
· Surface
Controlled by
Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc
Iaeger,
Mcdowell County,
WV
·
Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4602206
Lick Branch Impoundment has $2K 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
- 24
- Years on record
- 1985–2003
- Latest incident
- Feb 2003
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
17
citations
8
significant & substantial
$1,785
proposed penalties
$1,785
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
45
inspections on record
463
inspection hours
n/a
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: 463 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Lick Branch Impoundment has $2K 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.$2K
proposed penalties
$2K
current assessed
$2K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
17 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $363 in penalties contested before the Commission, $363 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2009-03-23.
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.47.1%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
47.1%
reasonably likely or greater
5.9%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 23.5% low, 76.5% 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.
2
citations taken to the federal commission · 12% of citations on record
- Stood as issued 2 · 100%
100%
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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$363 proposed, $363 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 2009-05-22.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEVA 2009-1472 | Dismissal | Lesnick | 2011 | $363 → $363 |
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
Lick Branch Impoundment recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2006.
Injury rate, 2006
ⓘ
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 4.87 and the all-US-mining average was 3.91 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 5.26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2005 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2004 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2003 * | 9.76 | 9.76 | 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.
Ownership history
- Virginia Crews Coal Company 1950 to 1978
- Virginia Crews Coal Company 1978 to 1990
- Virginia Crews Coal Company 1990 to 2003
- Litwar Processing Company, LLC 2003 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
| Year | Employees |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Lick Branch Impoundment sits in McDowell County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 13.0% 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.McDowell County, West Virginia · Population 18,413
13.0%
Mining share of county employment
$29,980
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Q1 | 5,087 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q4 | 3,266 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q3 | 4,930 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q2 | 5,795 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q1 | 5,025 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q4 | 4,831 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q3 | 4,445 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q2 | 2,944 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Show 39 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Q1 | 3,277 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q4 | 2,765 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q3 | 2,994 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q2 | 2,664 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q1 | 2,321 | 2 | 1 | 861.7 |
| 2008 Q4 | 2,813 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q3 | 2,674 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q2 | 3,195 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q1 | 2,793 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q4 | 3,139 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q3 | 3,689 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q2 | 4,408 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q1 | 5,179 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q4 | 4,631 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q3 | 4,896 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q2 | 5,881 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q1 | 6,002 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q4 | 5,914 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q3 | 6,612 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q2 | 4,246 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q1 | 5,870 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q4 | 5,701 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q3 | 5,440 | 4 | 3 | 735.3 |
| 2004 Q2 | 6,421 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q1 | 7,304 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q4 | 5,103 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q3 | 4,496 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q2 | 5,281 | 1 | 1 | 189.4 |
| 2003 Q1 | 5,605 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2002 Q4 | 1,440 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2002 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2002 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 Q2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 125000.0 |
| 2001 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
24 on file2003 · 1 incident
2001 · 1 incident
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface
HE FELL OVER A HOSE LAYING IN THE FLOOR OF THE OFFICE. HE LANDED ON HIS ARM AND ELBOW.
1997 · 4 incidents
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck against stationary object
HE WA SWORKING ON A PIECE OF METAL CONDUIT IN THE PREP PLANT AND AS HE GOT UP, HE WALKED INTO A PIECE OF THE CONDUIT THAT WAS HANGING ABOVE HIS HEAD. THE METAL CONDUIT STRUCK HIM IN THE EYE AN D FOREHEAD.
August 13, 1997
WV · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
HE INJURED HIS LOWER BACK WHILE PUTTING BOTTOM ROLLERS ON THE BELT STRUCTURE OF THE REFUSE BELT LINE.
Virginia Crews Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)
GPF-THIS WAS THE DAY THAT HIS HEARING CLAIM WAS AWARDED FROM COMPENSATION.
January 7, 1997
WV · Coal
maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech
DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Virginia Crews Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)
GPF-THIS WAS THE DAY OF HIS DIAGNOSIS FOR HIS HEARING LOSS AND THEN WAS AWARDED FOR THIS CLAIM IN 1997.
1996 · 1 incident
February 24, 1996
WV · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EMP WAS CLIMBING UP ON THE HYDROSEEDER TRUCK TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL. KNEE TWISTED WHEN HE PUT HIS WEIGHT ON IT.
1993 · 2 incidents
September 16, 1993
WV · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall from machine
HE SLIPPED AND FELL WHILE FUELING LOADER FROM SECOND STEP ON THE LOADER.
June 21, 1993
WV · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall from machine
WHILE JUMPING OFF SCREEN ONTO FLOOR HE INJURED HIS LEFT FOOT
1992 · 4 incidents
September 16, 1992
WV · Coal
bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer
POWERED HAULAGE
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck by powered moving object
OTHER CONTRACTOR WHO HAULS REFUSE FROM PREP. PLANT WAS HAULING REFUSE TO THE REFUSE DUMP WHEN HE DROVE INTO THE SIDE OF OUR D-7 DOZER. EE WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOZER WHEN THE DOZER WAS STRUCK. OTHER STRUCK THE DOZER BLADE, BREAKING IT LOOSE FROM THE DOZER. THUS THE BLADE STRUCK EE ONT HE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOZER KNOCKING HIM BACKWARDS FOR SEVERAL FEET, BUMPING HIS HEAD LEFT L
August 24, 1992
WV · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
POWERED HAULAGE
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck against a moving object
WHILE OPERATING LOADER DOGBONE BORE ON DRAGLINE BROKE.
May 29, 1992
WV · Coal
bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
WHILE STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE KOMATSU ENDLOADER, HE STRETCHED TOO FOR WHILE CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD.
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall from machine
I NAME WAS SAMPING RAILROAD CARS & FELL TO THEGROUND LANDING ON HIS BACK & HIP & THEN STRIKING HIS HEAD TO THE GROUND
1991 · 3 incidents
June 10, 1991
WV · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall down stairs
HE WAS CARRYING SUPPLIES DOWN THE STEPS AND PROCEEDED TO SLIP AND FALL ABOUT 3 STEPS FROM THE BOTTOM.
April 9, 1991
WV · Coal
maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech
POWERED HAULAGE
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck against a moving object
WHILE HE WAS DRIVING INTO THE COAL PIT, THE DRIVE LINE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE TRASMISSION AND THE TRUCK DRIFED BACKWARDS BACK DOWN THE HILL AND CAME TO A STOP IN A DITCH LINE.
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall down stairs
HE SLIPPED AND FELL WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STEPS IN THE PLANT AND INJURED HIS LEFT HIP, HAND AND ELBOW AND TO THE BACK OF HIS NECK.
1990 · 1 incident
June 26, 1990
WV · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
A PIECE OF METAL SLIPPED WHILE HE WAS PULLING IT INTO PLACE, MASHING HIS FINGER.
1988 · 3 incidents
July 25, 1988
WV · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
POWERED HAULAGE
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall from machine
AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO DUMP A LOAD OF MATERIAL OUT OF HIS ENDLOADER BUCKET, THE LOADERS CONTROL WAS LOST AND HE JUMPED OUT AS THE LOADER WENT DOWN THE HILL.
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck by falling object
HE WAS LAYING A PIECE OF METAL 4X2X3/8 ON SOME SHOP HORSES TO BE CUT. HOWEVER THAT PLATMETAL SLID OFF THE HORSES AND LANDED ON HIS LEFT FOOT J UST BEHIND THE TOE GUARD ON HIS BOOT.
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)
HE WAS CLOSING RAILROAD CAR DOORS WITH SLATE BAR. WHEN HE BEGAN TO PUSH DOWN ON BAR, HE SLIPPED OFF BAR & LANDED ON ONE FOOT TWISTING HIS ANKLE.
1987 · 3 incidents
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects
I.NAME IS A BUI5DING CONTRACTOR (CARPENTER) & WAS IN PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING AN OFFICE AT VIRGINIA CREWS PREP PLANT WHILE HE WAS USING A CIRCLE SAW TO CUT SOME PANELING HE SLIPPED & CUT TOP OF HIS WRIST 3
May 1, 1987
WV · Coal
maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech
POWERED HAULAGE
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck by powered moving object
THE SHUT OFF TH9OTTLE CABLE BECAME LOOSE THAT LED TO THE THROTLE ON THE SEEDER ENGINE MOUNTED ON THE HYDROSEED TRUCK. HE THEN SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN MANUALLY AND AS HE DID HIS HAND SLIPPED A AND HIT THE FAN3ON THE ENGINE
February 16, 1987
WV · Coal
crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger
MACHINERY
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Struck against a moving object
HE WAS OPERATIN1 A BULLDOZER ON THE SLATE DUMP AND WHILE BACKING UP OVER A SMALL HUMP OF SLATE, IT JARRED HIM HURTING HIS STOMACH AND LEFT SIDE.
1985 · 1 incident
Virginia Crews Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A BARREL OF CHEMICALS