Mining Incidents

McDonald Fork Impoundment Coal

Coal Mountain, Wyoming County, WV  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4602446

McDonald Fork Impoundment has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $478 outstanding across 8 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
34
Years on record
1983–2017
Latest incident
Apr 2017
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2004
57
citations
16
significant & substantial
$12,545
proposed penalties
$7,753
paid to date
62% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $4,792 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
118
inspections on record
1,334
inspection hours
4.3
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.
57 citations across 1,334 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

McDonald Fork Impoundment has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $478 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.
$13K
proposed penalties
$8K
current assessed
$8K
paid to date
$478
outstanding
54 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2021-07-27.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at McDonald Fork Impoundment shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.09 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 5 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.
0.09
dust avg (mg/m3)
0.24
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
5
samples
Most recent sample: 2021-07-19.
Silica (quartz)
20.6
silica avg (%)
20.6
silica max (%)
1
samples
Most recent sample: 2021-04-01.
Noise
0%
over PEL
1
samples
Most recent sample: 2021-03-24.
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 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
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 0 0
Show 75 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 0 0 0
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q3 0 0 0
2022 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 0 0 0
2021 Q3 0 2 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 0 2 0
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 0 0 0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 0 0 0
2017 Q1 0 1 0
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2016 Q3 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 0 0
2016 Q1 0 0 0
2015 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 0 3 0
2014 Q4 0 0 0
2014 Q3 0 0 0
2014 Q2 0 2 1
2014 Q1 0 0 0
2013 Q4 0 0 0
2013 Q3 0 0 0
2013 Q2 0 4 0
2013 Q1 0 0 0
2012 Q4 0 0 0
2012 Q3 0 0 0
2012 Q2 0 1 0
2012 Q1 0 0 0
2011 Q4 0 1 0
2011 Q3 1,046 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 2,099 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 2,092 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 2,050 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 2,259 1 0 442.7
2010 Q1 1,817 2 0 1100.7
2009 Q4 48 1 0 20833.3
2009 Q3 240 6 0 25000.0
2009 Q2 56 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 0 0 0
2008 Q3 0 13 7
2008 Q2 0 0 0
2008 Q1 0 0 0
2007 Q4 0 3 1
2007 Q3 0 0 0
2007 Q2 0 3 1
2007 Q1 0 0 0
2006 Q2 0 0 0
2006 Q1 0 0 0
2005 Q4 0 0 0
2005 Q3 0 2 1
2005 Q2 0 0 0
2005 Q1 0 5 2
2004 Q4 0 4 3
2000 Q4 0 0 0
2000 Q3 0 0 0
2000 Q2 0 0 0
2000 Q1 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

34 on file

2017 · 5 incidents

April 15, 2017 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
CM Energy Operations LP · Struck against a moving object

Injured was a passenger in back seat of pickup truck and was not wearing a seat belt when driver started down the hill and applied brakes and they were OK. After pickup started getting faster, driver applied brakes again and the brakes failed. Driver tried to down shift but was forced to make a hard left causing pickup to roll over causing injury.

April 15, 2017 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
CM Energy Operations LP · Struck against a moving object

Injured was a passenger, back seat of pickup truck. After driver started downhill the driver applied brakes and brakes were OK. When truck picked up speed, driver applied brakes again and brakes failed. Driver tried to down shift but was forced to make a hard left turn causing truck to roll over, causing injuries

April 15, 2017 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
CM Energy Operations LP · Struck against a moving object

Injured was a passenger in front seat of pickup truck and was not wearing a seat belt when driver started downhill. Driver applied the brakes and breaks were OK. As truck got fast driver applied the brakes and brakes failed and driver tried to down shift and was forced to make a hard left, causing truck to roll over.

April 15, 2017 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
CM Energy Operations LP · Struck against a moving object

Injured was driving pickup when going downhill after leaving worksite. Driver applied brakes and brakes where OK, then as truck got faster, driver applied brakes again, brakes failed. Drive tried down shifting and at this time made a hard left turn and truck rolled over causing injury.

January 28, 2017 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Dynamic Energy Inc · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The medical examiner: (Preliminary report) Reported the victim died of a pulmonary embolism, natural cause. According to co-workers, the victim complained feeling ill throughout the shift. Became unconscious with a faint pulse and respiration. EMS was summoned. Efforts to revive were unsuccessful.

1996 · 2 incidents

November 1, 1996 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck against stationary object

GLASS IN DOOR WAS BROKE, S/O PREPARED TO CLEAN UP THE GLASS & REMOVE REMAINING GLASS FROM DOOR WHEN HE CUT & RECEIVED LACERATION TO THE LT. INDEX FINGER. S/O WAS TREATED AT MAN ARH HOSPITAL-RE CIEVED 7 STITCHES & SENT HOME.

September 29, 1996 WV · Coal security guard, watchman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Laurel Run Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

SECURITY OFFICER PREPARED TO WALK OUT OF THE BUILDING TO MAKE SECURITY PATROL SLIPPED ON A RUG IN THE HALLWAY, FALLING BACKWARDS FLAT ON HIS BACK AND HITTING THE BACK OF HIS HEAD. HE MADE BACK TO A TELEPHONE, CALL FOR HELP FROM ANOTHER SECURITY OFFICE. 911 WAS CALL AND HE WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL, TREATED AND SENT HOME. Y

1992 · 1 incident

January 28, 1992 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Laurel Run Mining Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS AWAKDED ODH AWARD.

1991 · 4 incidents

September 24, 1991 WV · Coal electrician, lineman POWERED HAULAGE
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by falling object

WHILE CLEANING THE WALKWAY AT THE TOP OF THE SIO.BELT AT THE TRUCK DUMP.INJURED MASHED HIS FINGER AFTER A SPROCKET CHAIN FELL ON THE INDEX FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND(7 STITCHES).

February 19, 1991 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

WAS AWARDED STATE BLACK LUNG.

February 7, 1991 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Laurel Run Mining Company · Unclassified, insufficient data

NO NARRITIVE.

1990 · 1 incident

August 27, 1990 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE TAKING A COAL SAMPLE FROM THE TOP OF A RAILROAD CAR, INJURED BACK WHILE SHOVELING SAMPLE. COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

1989 · 7 incidents

November 9, 1989 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by falling object

WAS HELPING PUT SKIRT RUBBER ON ROM BELT & DROPPED PIECE OF METAL ON FINGER.

July 25, 1989 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THROWED R.OM GATE AND SAID HE HURT HIS BACK.

July 21, 1989 WV · Coal car dropper, car shake out operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Laurel Run Mining Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HEARING LOSS

July 21, 1989 WV · Coal car dropper, car shake out operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Laurel Run Mining Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

NOISE, HEARING LOSS.

March 14, 1989 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Laurel Run Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

AS HE WAS WALKING INTO TIRE SHOP HE HOOKED ONE FOOT BEHIND THE OTHER & HE PUT OUT HIS HAND TO BLOCK HIS FALL & BROKE BONE IN RIGHT HAND

March 6, 1989 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

OPERATOR WAS USING GRADER DOOR TO HELP PULL HIMSELF INTO GRADER AND THE DOOR CAME LOOSE FROM LATCH AND CORNER OF DOOR HIT OPERATOR BETWEEN HIS EYES CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED 8 STITCHE S.

January 10, 1989 WV · Coal MACHINERY
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

WAS DRILLING ROCK ON MCW ROAD AND THREADS STRIPPED IN SLEEVE OF STEEL AND TRYING TO PULL STEEL OUT MAN SAID HE FELT PAIN IN STOMACH

1988 · 2 incidents

July 15, 1988 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Laurel Run Mining Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HEARING LOSS 1%

April 15, 1988 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Laurel Run Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

WAS CUTTING BRUSH IN CREEK AND A LIMB CAUGHT UNDER THE METATARSUL GUARD ON BOOT CAUSING HIM TO FALL AND TWIST HIS KNEE.

1987 · 3 incidents

December 9, 1987 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by flying object

WAS OPERATING D8H DOZER ON NEW MINE SITE WHEN BURIED BRANCH FLEW UP AND BROKE WINDOW CAUSING GLASS TO CUT HIS LIP

November 13, 1987 WV · Coal car dropper, car shake out operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS HELPING 7O CLOSE A DOOR ON A LOADED RAILROAD CAR WHEN THE BAR THEY WERE USING FOR THE HANDLE BROKE, STRIKING HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FACE CAUSING A SEVERE CAT AND BRUISE TO HIS C HEEK. 3

September 28, 1987 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

USING A SALTE B5R TO GET AN OVERSIZE LUMP OF COAL OUT OF FEEDER, BAR SLIPPED CAUSING STRAIN TO LOWER BACK.

1986 · 5 incidents

December 30, 1986 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Laurel Run Mining Company · Fall from machine

HE STEPPED OUT 2F DOZER ON TO TRACK HAD FEET SLIPPED AND HE FELL AND STRUCK LOWER PART OF BACK

November 1, 1986 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by flying object

WORKING BESIDE 7OWORKER WHO WAS POUNDING METAL PIECE OF METAL GOT INTO LEFT EYE

August 23, 1986 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

WAS UNLOADING S7EAM CLEANER OUT OF THE PICK UP TRUCK AND SLIPPED AND HURT BACK.

January 27, 1986 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Laurel Run Mining Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ WAS MOVING 5 MOTOR WITH AN OVERHEAD HOIST AND WHEN PUTTING MOTOR IN PLACE HE STOOD ON TWO OTHER MOTORS AND SLIPPED AND FELL AND RUPTURED SELF

1984 · 3 incidents

April 28, 1984 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by falling object

WHILE OPENING GATE ACROSS ROADWAY ONE SIDE OF GATE DROP ON RT FOOT WHEN THE GATE WAS UNLOCK RESULTING IN BREAKING 3 BONES TO RIGHT FOOT.

April 13, 1984 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE USING WATER HOSE TURN VALVE WIDE OPEN AND DID NOT HAVE HOLD OF END OF HOSE AND HOSE GOT LLOOSE AND HIT INJURED IN LEFT FOOT

February 2, 1984 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

REMOVING PINS FROM P $ H CRANE BOOM HAMMER SLIP AND CAUGHT LITTLE FINGER RIGHT HAND BETWEEN HA.MMER AND PINS.LACERATION TO FINGER WITH 7 STITCHES.

1983 · 1 incident

January 24, 1983 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Laurel Run Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS LEANING OVER HANDRAIL CLEAN OUT CHUTE AND STRAIN LOWER PART OF BACK

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on McDonald Fork Impoundment

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.