Low Gap Powellton #1 Mine has $22K 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
36
Years on record
1999–2002
Latest incident
Aug 2002
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
126
citations
42
significant & substantial
$22,038
proposed penalties
$21,038
paid to date
95% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $1,000 gap.
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.
126 citations across 2,134 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Low Gap Powellton #1 Mine has $22K 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.
$22K
proposed penalties
$21K
current assessed
$21K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
123 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $6K in penalties contested before the Commission, $5K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2002-09-05.
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.
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 Low Gap Powellton #1 Mine shows 87% of 342 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: 2002-08-06, 24 years ago
87%
within 1.5 mg/m3
342
samples
6.32
dust max (mg/m3)
151 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 191 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.
Low Gap Powellton #1 Mine recorded 22.11 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2002.
Injury rate, 2002
ⓘ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.
22.11
total case rate
12.64
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 6.89 and the all-US-mining average was 5.05 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 9.17 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
2002 *
22.11
12.64
0.000
2001
12.16
1.52
0.000
2000
14.84
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)
2002
25
209,787
2001
53
654,891
2000
60
862,634
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Low Gap Powellton #1 Mine sits in Raleigh County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 4.0% 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.
Raleigh County, West Virginia · Population 73,666
4.0%
Mining share of county employment
$52,055
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
2002 Q4
111
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
11,054
11
2
995.1
2002 Q2
26,625
10
4
375.6
2002 Q1
25,524
4
2
156.7
2001 Q4
24,962
6
2
240.4
2001 Q3
27,637
16
3
578.9
2001 Q2
39,238
13
3
331.3
2001 Q1
39,696
18
9
453.4
Show 4 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2000 Q4
35,291
12
4
340.0
2000 Q3
38,280
20
8
522.5
2000 Q2
36,645
9
5
245.6
2000 Q1
38,028
7
0
184.1
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
36 on file
2002 · 7 incidents
August 6, 2002WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS UNLOADING TIMBERS FROM A SCOOP AND AS HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE A TIMBER FROM THE SCOOP HE LACERATED THE PALM OF HIS LT. HAND. HE STATED A PIECE OF THE TIMBER WAS SHARP AND WENT INSIDE TH E CUFF OF HIS GLOVE AS HE PULLED ON THE TIMBER.
August 3, 2002WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS LOADING A STEERING JACK ON A FOUR WHEELER IN THE MOTOR BARN. AS HE PLACED THE JACK ON THE RIDE HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE JACK AND A FIRST AID BOX. A LACERATION WAS PRODUCED FROM THIS INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED SUTURES.
July 19, 2002WV · Coalsection foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift bossFALL OF ROOF OR BACK
EE WAS PRE SHIFTING THE WORKING FACES. HE STOPPED IN THE L.O.B. BETWEEN #6 & #7 FACES TO TALK TO THE ROOF BOLTING CREW. HE KNELT DOWN ON HIS KNEES. A PIECE OF ROCK MEASURING 30"X 16"X 3" FELL OUT HITTING HIS BACK. HE WAS ADVISED TO REMAIN OFF WORK 1 WEEK.
EE WAS RE-HANGING A SECTION OF MINER CABLE. THE CABLE HAD ALREADY BEEN HUNG, BUT THERE WAS A LOOP OF SLACK HANGING DOWN. AS HE PUSHED THE LOOP HE STRAINED HIS BACK.
May 7, 2002WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON A 21 JOY SLEAR.HE LIFTED ONE END OF THE RUB RAIL PLACING IT AGAINST THE MAINTENANCE SCOOP BATTERIES. HE STATED AT THAT TIME HE HURT HIS BACK. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SPRAINED BACK.
April 4, 2002WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
EE WAS BOLTING IN THE NUMBER THREE ENTRY IN THE LEFT CROSSCUT INSTALLING AN OUTSIDE BOLT. AS HE WAS DRILLING A HOLE THE STAB JOCK SLIPPED OFF A LEDGE RESULTING IN THE CANOPY STRIKING HIM ON TO P OF HIS HEAD. HE COMPLETED HIS SHIFT. HE WORKED THE ENTRIED FOLLOWING DAY. HE SAUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER HE COMPLETED HIS 4-5-02 SHIFT. HE BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 4-8-02. HE WAS RELEASED W
March 2, 2002WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS AT THE ROOF BOLTER WHEN A SMALL PIECE OF ROCK FELL HITTING THE DRILL POT AND TRAY. EMPLOYEE STARTED RUNNING WHEN A PIECE OF DRILL STEEL CAUGHT HIS LIGHT CORD JERKING HIS HAT OFF. WHILE HE WAS RUNNING HE RAN INTO A BROW.
2001 · 9 incidents
November 2, 2001WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE WAS KNEELED DOWN ON THE MINE FLOOR CUTTING A PIECE OF BELT. HE WAS PULLING THE UTILITY KNIFE TOWARDS HIMSELF AND AFTER THE KNIFE CUT THROUGH THE BELT IT GRAZED THE TOP OF HIS LEFT THIGH.
October 20, 2001WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EE AND A CO-WORKER WERE INSTALLING BELT STRUCTURE (BOTTOM ROLLER) AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. EE THREW THE BELT ROLLER UNDER THE BELT. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CATCH IT HIS FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEE N THE ROLLER AND A CINDER BLOCK, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN MUD ON THE MINE FLOOR.
July 13, 2001WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING A 3 WHEELER MANTRIP TO THE SECTION. WHILE TRAVELING UP A STEEP GRADE, THE BREAKER KNOCKED. THE 3 WHEELER TRAVELED BACKWARDS INTO THE RIB. THE EMPLOYEE WAS THROWN FROM THE 3 WHEELER.
MEMBER WAS HELPING PULL UP TOOL CARS USING A CHAIN STOPPED TO TAKE SLACK OUT OF CHAIN MEMBER WAS STEPPING BACK OUT OF WAY THE SCOOP ROLLED FOWARD CATCHING LEG OF MEMBER BETWEEN SCOOP AND TOOL BOXES.
March 27, 2001WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
INJURED WAS BOLTING #1 ENTRY. AFTER DRILLING HE LET BOOM DOWN GOT ONE OF DRILL STEEL LOOSE FROM ANOTHER PIECE THAT WAS HUNG UP IN HOLE. HE WAS REACHING TO GET STEEL WHEN HE HAD HIS LEFT HAND O N DRILL POT, THE TOP PIECE OF DRILL STEEL FELL OUT OF HOLE AND HIT HIS LEFT HAND, INJURING HIS LITTLE FINGER.
March 15, 2001WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
MEMBER WAS BOLTING IN #7 FACE. HE WAS DRILLING A HOLE USING HIS LEFT ARM. HE WAS REACHING WITH HIS RIGHT ARM TO PICK UP A ROOF BOLT FROM THE TRAY. THE DRILL STEEL BROKE AND STRUCK HIM ON THE RIGHT ARM JUST ABOVE THE ELBOW.
February 1, 2001WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS WALKING ALONG TRACK WHEN HE STRUCK A LOW LEDGE AT A ROOF BOLT PLATE. HE STOVED HIS NECK &HIS HAT PUSHED HIS SAFETY GLASSES DOWN, SCRATCHING HIS NOSE.
December 11, 2000WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
MEMBER WAS RIDING PERMISSIBLE 3 WHEELER TO SECTION WENT DOWN SWAE & HIT UNEVEN BOTTOM 3 WHEELER BOUNCED MEMBER HIT RIGHT SIDE ON FRAME OF 3 WHEELER. EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION UNT IL 12/15/00.
December 4, 2000WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EMPLOYEE STATED HE THINKS HE STRAINED HIS BACK WHILE HANDLING TIMBERS, BUT HE DID NOT GO TO THE DOCTOR UNTIL 11-10-00 AT THAT TIME HE WAS PRESCRIBED A MUSCLE RELAXER. HE HAS NOT MISSED WOR K OR DOES NOT INTEND TO MISS WORK DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT.
INJURED WAS PUTTING PRESSURE PUMP BREAKER IN WHEN WATER LINE BEHIND HIM BUSTED HITTING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD KNOCKING HIS CHIN INTO THE FRAME OF THE PRESSURE PUMP. RECEIVED 4 STITCHES.
MEMBER WAS MOVING PLATES AROUND ON ROOF BOLTER IN ORDER TO SERVICE MACHINE. WHEN A BUNDLE OF PLATES LID OFF THE STACK, MEMBER JERKED HAND BACK STRIKING IT AGAINST A PLATE THAT WAS ALREADY INST ALLED. THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE & MINE ROOF WHERE MEMBER'S HAND HIT.
EE WAS STRUCK BY A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK 0 TO6" THICK 30'WIDE, 5' LONG, HE WAS SETTING TIMBERS ON APILLER LINE FROM SCOOP BUCKET WHILE MEASURING TIMBER THE ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN BOLT HIT HIS H EAD PUSHING HIM FORWARD INTO TIMBER PILE
August 23, 2000WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)HANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING TIMBERS WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS RIGHT HIP AREA. EMPLOYEE STATES THAT HE DOES NOT RECALL A SPECIFIC INCIDENT THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO LOST TIME-MEDICATION WAS PRESCRIBED.
INJURED AND ANOTHER MEMBER WERE CHANGING OUT A CUTTER HEAD JACK ON A CONTINOUS MINER. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET BOTTOM PAN OUT WHEN HE FELT PAININ HIS LOWER BACK AND GROIN AREA. HE DIDN'T MISS ANY WORK UNTIL 6/11/00 WHEN HE WENT TO DOCTOR.
EMPLOYEE WAS SITTING ON A BUCKET WAITING TO BOLT#4 CROSSCUT WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN THE BOLTS AND STRUCK HIM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HAT AND LEFT SHOULDER. LEFT FOREARM AND LEFT FOOT.
1999 · 6 incidents
December 21, 1999WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
MEMBER WHO HAD HAD PRIOR BACK PROBLEMS, WAS LIFTING THE LID OFF OF A SET OF BATTERIES ON THE MANTRIP WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE STATED THIS WAS FROM A PRIOR INJURY.
December 8, 1999WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK WHILE PERFORMING NORMAL DUTIES NO SPECIFIC EVENT OCCURED TO WARRENT A MINE RELATED ACCIDENT EE HAS HAD BACK PAIN IN THE PAST & STATES HIS AILMENTS ARE FROM REPEA TED TRAUMA OVER AN EXTEND PERIOD OF TIME. OCC ILL HE DID NOT SEEK MED TREATMENT UNTIL 12/21/99
November 13, 1999WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerFALL OF ROOF OR BACK
MEMBER WAS IN THE FACE AREA WHEN A PIECE OF ROCKFELL OUT MEASURING 6'X3'X31/2" THE ROCK WAS FROMTHE RIB TO 1ST ROW OF BOLTS STRIKING HIM IN THE BACK HE HAD PAIN IN THE BACK BUT DID NOT LEAVE W ORK THE NEXT DAY HE WENT TO DR. WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WIT BRUISE ONLY & GIVEN PAIN MEDICATION
AFTER MINING 1ST LIFT TO LEFT TIMBERING THEN MINED 1ST LIFT OFF RIGHT SIDE AND STARTED TO BACK MINER OUT & PILLAR FALL OCCURRED AT AN ANGLE CATCHING 14-15CM
September 20, 1999WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED IN THE #3BELT ENTRY AT SPAD 5818 DUE TO SUBNORMAL CONDITIONS ABOVE THE 6' RESIN BOLTS. THE FALL RESULTED IN NO INJURIES NOR DID AFFECT VENTILATION. THE FALL WAS DISCOVERED ON THE PRE SHIFT EXAMINATION AT A TIME THAT OTHER EMPLOYEES WERTE NOT IN THE MINE. TRAVEL IN BY THE FALL WAS AFFECTED. THE FALL WILL BE RESUPPORTED AND CLEANED UP.20W 8O'LX6 1/2H