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.
403 citations across 4,857 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Mine No 3 has $145K in proposed MSHA penalties and $66 outstanding across 17 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.
$145K
proposed penalties
$121K
current assessed
$121K
paid to date
$66
outstanding
395 assessments are final orders; 17 contested dockets.
Of $85K in penalties contested before the Commission, $59K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2014-07-10.
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.
123citations taken to the federal commission · 31% of citations on record
Settled
121 · 98%
Vacated or withdrawn
2 · 2%
80%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 30 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
30%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$85K proposed, $59K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2013-12-20.
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 Mine No 3 shows 94% of 525 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: 2013-10-31, 12 years ago
94%
within 1.5 mg/m3
525
samples
8.26
dust max (mg/m3)
292 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 233 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.
Mine No 3 recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2013.
Injury rate, 2013
ⓘ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 3.94 and the all-US-mining average was 2.99 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.56 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
2013 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2012 *
18.89
18.89
0.000
2011 *
4.52
0.00
0.000
2010 *
13.50
13.50
0.000
2009 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2006 *
5.02
5.02
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)
2017
0
2016
0
2015
2
1,052
2014
9
12,978
2013
17
53,712
2012
21
79,955
2011
20
98,412
2010
21
124,061
2009
21
119,823
2008
20
137,449
2007
19
136,804
2006
18
106,877
2005
17
114,843
2004
13
90,360
2003
10
89,486
2002
14
57,711
2001
15
128,776
2000
13
89,283
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Mine No 3 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
A roof fall was discovered in the right return a spad 1277. The fall was discovered on above date and approx time. The fall was found during the pre shift examination when low air velocity was found on the right side. Upon investigating the cause of the low air the fall was found by employee.
A roof fall was discovered on the above date and time. It was located in the #6 entry at survey station #2475 which is in the intake air course. The fall was 35 feet in length 20 feet wide and 42 inches in thickness. The time and date the fall happened is unknown.
September 14, 2012WV · Coalroof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)MACHINERY
While trying to remove a rock from beneath the drill pot on the #2 roof bolter. It was accidentally lowered onto his hand instead of raising the pot to remove the rock. Causing a laceration to his left hand.
Replacing a hydraulic hose on the #2 continuous miner employee was pulling on the hose to get it in the correct location. At that time his hand slipped while pulling the hose and struck himself in the right rib.
August 17, 2012WV · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
EE was traveling down the #2 entry on a battery powered scoop on his way to the charging station. As he crossed under some cable guard that was supported by tie wire. The tie wire hanging down entered his RT eye causing an abrasion.
January 26, 2012WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
While cleaning the #5 belt drive located in entry #6 employee sustained an injury to his right knee. He stated the injury may have been caused by shoveling the drive or crawling around it.
On above date & time while performing the weekly exam for the return air course a roof fall was discovered. The fall was approx. 10'-15'feet inby spad 1253. The fall broke approx 4 bolts off while pulling 2 out the fall was 16 feet in width and 8-14 feet in length.
July 25, 2011WV · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
On above date and approx. time EE was operating a Fairchild Scoop. While approaching the section dumping point. At this time EE hit an uneven place on the mine floor causing injury to his rib. This incident occurred in Entry #7.
A roof fall was discovered in the primary escape way 3 crosscuts inby #2 belt drive at spad #1203. The fall was approx. 30' L. X 19' W.and had fallen above permanent roof support. The fall was discovered and reported to MSHA.
2010 · 3 incidents
July 14, 2010WV · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
On the above date and approx time, employee was shoveling loose coal under bottom rollers which was located on #5 conveyor belt line when he strained his right shoulder.
On above date and approx. time employee was pulling the continuous miner cable away from the machine. At which time he suffered an injury to his lower back. The machine was located in #9 entry on panel 2 Rt off 4 Lt. Roof bolter operator responded to his location after the accident.
February 6, 2010WV · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
At approx 1:30 PM on 2/6/10 while preparing a belt splice on #5 belt, EE was struck on the right side of his head and face. The steel cable being used to pull the conveyor belt slipped, striking EE.
2006 · 1 incident
September 8, 2006WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
ROOF BOLTER OPERATOR WAS TRAMMING BOLTER. OPERATOR CAUGHT BACK OF COVERALLS ON ROOF BOLT IN A LOW SPOT IN THE AREA. SPRAINED BACK MUSCLES. TOOK TWO DAYS OFF. HE WORKED TILL QUIT TIME.
EE WAS TAKING MINER BITS OUT OF MINER. HE WAS POUNDING BITS OUT WITH ANOTHER PIECE OF METAL. APIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF & CUT HIS LEG. THE CUT WAS ABOUT 1/4"WIDE BY 1/8LONG. HE WENT TO DR & DR TOLD HIMHE COULD LEAVE SMALL PIEC OF METALTHERE BUT IT WAS HIS DECISION HE SEE THE DR MONDAY EVE & WAS TOLD TO COME BACK FOLLOWING FRIDAY