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.
157 citations across 2,392 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Lovers Gap #3 has $38K in proposed MSHA penalties and $904 outstanding across 5 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.
$38K
proposed penalties
$28K
current assessed
$27K
paid to date
$904
outstanding
157 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $16K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2012-02-17.
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.
5citations taken to the federal commission · 3% of citations on record
Settled
3 · 60%
Stood as issued
1 · 20%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 20%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 4 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
61%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$16K proposed, $6K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2010-05-21.
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 Lovers Gap #3 shows 100% of 131 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: 2011-01-11, 15 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
131
samples
0.86
dust max (mg/m3)
123 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 8 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.
Lovers Gap #3 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2011.
Injury rate, 2011
ⓘ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 3.83 and the all-US-mining average was 3.08 cases per 100 workers.
In Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.41 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
2011 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2010
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008
4.02
2.68
0.000
2007
2.83
1.42
0.000
2006
0.73
0.73
0.000
2005
0.64
0.64
0.000
2004
0.00
0.00
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)
2013
0
2012
0
2011
21
112,209
2010
63
510,536
2009
67
538,749
2008
64
619,089
2007
53
525,256
2006
121
1,107,619
2005
139
1,294,810
2004
127
1,323,900
2003
85
840,829
2002
32
259,473
2001
87
1,006,129
2000
66
732,175
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Lovers Gap #3 sits in Buchanan County, 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.
Buchanan County, Virginia · Population 19,857
11.2%
Mining share of county employment
$42,216
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
2013 Q1
0
0
0
2012 Q4
0
0
0
2012 Q3
0
0
0
2012 Q2
0
0
0
2012 Q1
0
0
0
2011 Q4
0
0
0
2011 Q3
621
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
12,522
0
0
0.0
Show 45 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2011 Q1
27,431
2
0
72.9
2010 Q4
33,527
1
0
29.8
2010 Q3
34,462
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
35,193
6
3
170.5
2010 Q1
35,273
7
2
198.5
2009 Q4
35,192
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
35,608
3
0
84.3
2009 Q2
35,486
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
41,125
6
2
145.9
2008 Q4
38,931
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
35,989
10
4
277.9
2008 Q2
37,403
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
36,908
0
0
0.0
2007 Q4
35,895
9
3
250.7
2007 Q3
32,314
6
1
185.7
2007 Q2
28,382
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
44,547
4
2
89.8
2006 Q4
43,087
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
76,445
4
1
52.3
2006 Q2
76,156
1
0
13.1
2006 Q1
78,450
2
1
25.5
2005 Q4
74,154
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
74,854
2
0
26.7
2005 Q2
78,287
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
87,575
1
0
11.4
2004 Q4
82,314
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
79,297
3
0
37.8
2004 Q2
72,833
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
60,401
1
0
16.6
2003 Q4
56,124
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
58,362
2
1
34.3
2003 Q2
40,811
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
38,199
2
0
52.4
2002 Q4
8,386
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
4,713
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
4,796
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
54,918
1
1
18.2
2001 Q4
52,370
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
51,009
1
1
19.6
2001 Q2
47,499
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
48,326
1
0
20.7
2000 Q4
38,097
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
36,643
2
1
54.6
2000 Q2
36,955
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
37,297
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
28 on file
2009 · 1 incident
October 21, 2009VA · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE was operating a Road Grader, when he attempted to pull up on the fuel pedal to shut the machine down for his lunch period, when he felt something pull in his lower back.
April 4, 2007VA · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was with other employee's during pre-shift safety talk at which point employee took off running, he ran about 15' and collapsed. He fell face first on parking lot when we think he had a seizure causing him to collapse. He had a few small cuts on his face and lips.
2006 · 3 incidents
September 1, 2006VA · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
As employee was tramming the coal loader into the pit the right front wheel hit a hole in the road causing the loader to jar suddenly. This caused the employee to have pain in the lower left back area. He continued to work until 12/7/06 at which time he was taken off work by a medical specialist.
July 15, 2006VA · Coalblaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkeyHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee spent 2 days loading a large shoot with wet hole blasting material. He reported back pain to his supervisor two days later but continued to work until 8/31/06 at which time he was seen by a medical professional. He is currently off work undergoing physical therapy.*Also Hip x-ray is abnormal*
January 3, 2006VA · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techOTHER
Individual was putting door hinges on truck door and the door pinched the end of small finger on right hand, resulting in a laceration requiring stitches.
August 15, 2005VA · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS BRINGING A LOAD OF COAL FROM THE HAZY SEAM. ON HIS WAY UP THE HILL, HE HEARD A POP SOUND FROM THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND THE TRUCK STOPPED PULLING. HE THEN HEARD ANOTHER POP SOUND, THE TRUCK ROLLED BACKWARD ABOUT 35 FT AND HIT THE HILLSIDE BERM AND OVERTURNED ON DRIVERS SIDE. HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL
February 26, 2005VA · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS DRIVING LT-9000 FORD TANDEM COAL TRUCK LOADED WITH COAL DOWN AN INCLINE HAUL ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PICK UP SPEED. EE CAUSED THE TRUCK TO TURN OVER, INJURING HIS CHEST: BROKEN RIBS AND CONTUSION.
September 1, 2004VA · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
WHILE HELPING TO CHANGE OUT A DRILL BIT, THE BIT STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF THE EE'S HANDS. WHEN THE BIT FELL THE EE'S RIGHT HAND CAME UP AND STRUCK THE EDGE OF THE DRILL STEEL CAUSING A LACERATI ON TO THE MIDDLE FINGER OF HIS RIGHT HAND.
2002 · 1 incident
September 10, 2002VA · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING RELOCATE TELEPHONE LINE CABLE THAT WAS LAYING ON BEAM BESIDE MAIN ENTRANCE TO JOB. EMPLOYEE ALLEGED HE STEPPED ON ROCK AND LOST HIS FOOTING, FELL ON RIGHT SHOULDER. EMPLOY EE WENT TO SPECIALIST ON 6-14-00 WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURE OF RIGHT ELBOW.
March 9, 2000VA · Coalgreaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oilerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THIS IS NOT A NEW INJURY ON 3-09-00 EE STATED HIS KNEE HURT HIM SOME WHEN HE WALKED ON IT. ORIGINAL INJURY WAS ON 7-2-96. EE RETURNED TO WORK ON 3-19-00 AND ON 7-7-00 EE WEMT BACK TO WORK WITH NO RESTRICTION. INJURY WAS RECURRENCE BASED ON MEDICAL INFORMATION.
EMLOYEE STATED HE WAS RUNNING EMPTY FROM DUMP. SAID HE HIT A PLACE IN ROAD SIGHTLY ROUGHER THAN NORMAL. THIS CAUSED A JERKING MOTION, TO HIS NECK. HE WAS WEARING A SEATBELT.
1999 · 1 incident
August 1, 1999VA · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE DOZER DOOR, STEPPED BACK PAST FENDER AND FELL TO GROUND. LANDED ON FEET, PAIN IN UPPER BACK. E.R. VISIT AND WAS NOT RETURNED TO WORK UNTIL 8-8-99.
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