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.
58 citations across 3,861 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Matewan Tunnel has $8K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 8 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.
$8K
proposed penalties
$7K
current assessed
$7K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
57 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
Of $3K in penalties contested before the Commission, $2K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-09-05.
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.
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.
8citations taken to the federal commission · 14% of citations on record
Settled
8 · 100%
20%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 5 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
40%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$3K proposed, $2K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2020-10-23.
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 Matewan Tunnel shows 100% of 93 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: 2026-06-03
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
93
samples
0.49
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.
51 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 42 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
ASSIST MINE FOREMAN/ASSIST MINE MANAGER40
BULLGANG FOREMAN/LABOR FOREMAN6
OUTSIDE FOREMAN6
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.
Matewan Tunnel recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2012.
Injury rate, 2012
ⓘ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 3.74 and the all-US-mining average was 2.96 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.13 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
2012 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
12.92
0.00
0.000
2006 *
3.48
3.48
0.000
2005 *
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
Year
Employees
2026
3
2025
0
2024
0
2023
0
2022
0
2021
1
2020
6
2019
5
2018
7
2017
1
2016
1
2015
5
2014
5
2013
9
2012
15
2011
16
2010
15
2009
16
2008
27
2007
24
2006
22
2005
24
2004
23
2003
27
2002
30
2001
30
2000
29
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Matewan Tunnel sits in Boone County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 10.1% 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.
Boone County, West Virginia · Population 21,312
10.1%
Mining share of county employment
$56,152
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
3,480
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
821
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
0
0
0
2025 Q3
0
0
0
2025 Q2
0
0
0
2025 Q1
0
0
0
2024 Q4
0
0
0
2024 Q3
0
0
0
Show 98 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
0
0
0
2024 Q1
0
0
0
2023 Q4
0
0
0
2023 Q3
0
1
0
2023 Q2
0
0
0
2023 Q1
0
0
0
2022 Q4
0
1
0
2022 Q3
0
0
0
2022 Q2
0
0
0
2022 Q1
0
0
0
2021 Q4
333
2
0
6006.0
2021 Q3
0
0
0
2021 Q2
396
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
650
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
1,818
1
0
550.1
2020 Q3
723
2
1
2766.3
2020 Q2
2,583
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
3,252
1
0
307.5
2019 Q4
2,903
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
3,447
1
0
290.1
2019 Q2
4,042
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
4,001
1
0
249.9
2018 Q4
3,717
1
0
269.0
2018 Q3
4,250
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
5,760
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
1,440
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
515
1
0
1941.7
2017 Q3
408
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
408
3
0
7352.9
2017 Q1
408
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
408
1
0
2451.0
2016 Q3
504
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
504
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
512
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
1,306
2
0
1531.4
2015 Q3
2,629
1
0
380.4
2015 Q2
3,080
1
1
324.7
2015 Q1
3,020
2
0
662.3
2014 Q4
2,924
1
0
342.0
2014 Q3
3,783
1
0
264.3
2014 Q2
3,207
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
2,889
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
2,338
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
5,188
1
0
192.8
2013 Q2
6,497
1
0
153.9
2013 Q1
5,842
2
0
342.3
2012 Q4
4,941
1
1
202.4
2012 Q3
7,643
1
0
130.8
2012 Q2
8,652
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
8,780
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
8,480
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
8,594
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
8,673
1
0
115.3
2011 Q1
8,477
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
7,773
1
0
128.7
2010 Q3
6,882
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
8,066
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
9,037
2
0
221.3
2009 Q4
7,794
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
8,617
2
0
232.1
2009 Q2
8,232
2
0
243.0
2009 Q1
14,556
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
14,756
2
0
135.5
2008 Q3
14,390
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
15,043
1
0
66.5
2008 Q1
15,361
1
0
65.1
2007 Q4
16,028
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
15,230
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
15,479
1
0
64.6
2007 Q1
15,185
1
0
65.9
2006 Q4
14,810
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
14,572
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
14,707
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
13,378
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
12,242
3
1
245.1
2005 Q3
14,581
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
15,024
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
15,517
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
13,312
3
0
225.4
2004 Q3
13,286
1
1
75.3
2004 Q2
13,307
1
0
75.1
2004 Q1
13,458
1
0
74.3
2003 Q4
12,481
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
15,736
1
0
63.5
2003 Q2
14,898
3
0
201.4
2003 Q1
16,509
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
15,842
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
17,155
1
0
58.3
2002 Q2
16,853
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
17,705
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
15,662
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
17,794
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
16,992
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
17,698
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
16,843
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
14,769
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
16,480
0
0
0.0
2000 Q1
18,189
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
21 on file
2020 · 1 incident
June 3, 2020WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee stated as EE was walking to the ride, EE glanced up to look for a drop cord that EE thought the charger was plugged up too, not noticing the draw rock on the mine floor causing EE to trip and fall.
The EE has a history of back injuries. He has a long complaint of back pain and discomfort. He started missing work on 6/28/06. He has been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.
2004 · 3 incidents
December 29, 2004WV · Coalwelder (shop)DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
THE EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS CLEANING A DITCH ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACK USING THE XL 4100 GRADALL WHEN THE BUCKET CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND TURNED LOOSE VERY QUICKLY WHICH CAUSED HIS HEAD TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD. NOTE: THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT START MISSING ANY WORK UNTIL 5/21/02 DUE TO THIS INJURY.
May 11, 2001WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EE STATED HE WAS LIFTING A 3" GORMAN RUPP PUMP IN THE WATER TREATMENT BLDG, WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK. BASED ON RESULTS OF MRI COMPLETED 6/13/01 EE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEGENER ATIVE DISC DISEASE
THE EMPLOYEE WAS REPAIRING A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE FAN TRUCK. HE WAS LYING ON A CREEPER HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. THE EMPLOYEE HAD DIFFICULTY GETTIN GOFF THE CREEPER.
1999 · 1 incident
July 7, 1999WV · Coalexaminer, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examinerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS MAKING A PRE SHIFT EXAMINATION OF THE TUNNEL. HE WAS GOING TO MOVE A TIMBER OUT OF THE ROADWAY WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.
1998 · 3 incidents
August 12, 1998WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPLOYEE WAS JACKING UP BELT WITH BELTJACK. HE MASHED HIS FINGER WITH THE JACK RELEASE. HE APPEARED TO GET DIZZY AND FELL AGAINST THE RIB, LACERATING HIS HEAD OVER THE LEFT EYE.
January 22, 1998WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS WALKING ALONG #1 BELTLINE WHEN HE SLIPPED. HE FELL STRIKING HIS RIGHT KNEE ON THE BOTTOM AND HIS FACE ON THE BELT RAIL.
January 13, 1998WV · Coalshuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
Robin Resources Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
EE WAS PULLING UP SLACK IN MINER CABLE. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO HANG PULL ROPE ON SHUTTLE CAR. HE TOLD SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR TO BACK UP. HIS HAND WAS RESTING ON REEL COVER & WAS FORCED AGAINST TOP . ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN LAST OPEN CROSSCUT BETWEEN #2 & #3 ENTRIES.