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.
136 citations across 2,095 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
New Horizon Mine has $12K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 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.
$12K
proposed penalties
$11K
current assessed
$11K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
136 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $3K in penalties contested before the Commission, $595 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2018-08-14.
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.
2citations taken to the federal commission · 1% of citations on record
Settled
1 · 50%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 50%
50%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 2 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
95%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$1K proposed, $66 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2008-03-20.
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 New Horizon Mine shows 100% of 203 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: 2018-11-07, 7 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
203
samples
0.80
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.
165 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 38 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.
New Horizon Mine recorded 5.77 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2018.
Injury rate, 2018
ⓘ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.
5.77
total case rate
5.77
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.34 and the all-US-mining average was 2.33 cases per 100 workers.
In Colorado, coal mining averaged 1.47 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
2018 *
5.77
5.77
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2013 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2012 *
3.81
0.00
0.000
2011 *
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)
2019
9
2018
22
2017
24
33,299
2016
27
187,983
2015
28
238,093
2014
29
283,654
2013
27
216,486
2012
27
353,398
2011
27
360,009
2010
26
293,045
2009
28
373,758
2008
28
402,942
2007
29
405,864
2006
28
405,640
2005
29
420,730
2004
26
413,333
2003
26
352,859
2002
29
386,366
2001
30
370,725
2000
33
364,759
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
New Horizon Mine sits in Montrose County, Colorado, where the Census mining category is 1.1% 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.
Montrose County, Colorado · Population 43,272
1.1%
Mining share of county employment
$66,072
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
2019 Q1
3,981
0
0
0.0
2018 Q4
6,855
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
8,644
4
0
462.7
2018 Q2
8,859
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
10,287
0
0
0.0
2017 Q4
10,231
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
9,956
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
10,924
0
0
0.0
Show 69 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2017 Q1
10,414
0
0
0.0
2016 Q4
10,673
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
11,394
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
11,809
0
0
0.0
2016 Q1
12,755
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
10,794
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
12,885
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
12,834
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
13,592
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
13,663
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
13,715
2
0
145.8
2014 Q2
13,922
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
14,125
1
0
70.8
2013 Q4
12,714
0
0
0.0
2013 Q3
13,044
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
13,229
0
0
0.0
2013 Q1
12,146
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
12,609
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
11,678
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
14,082
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
14,142
1
0
70.7
2011 Q4
12,840
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
12,046
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
13,157
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
12,528
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
8,257
1
0
121.1
2010 Q3
11,106
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
13,457
0
0
0.0
2010 Q1
13,097
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
12,818
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
12,674
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
13,763
1
0
72.7
2009 Q1
14,019
0
0
0.0
2008 Q4
13,931
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
12,590
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
13,297
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
14,295
2
0
139.9
2007 Q4
13,614
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
12,918
1
1
77.4
2007 Q2
13,816
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
14,581
11
0
754.4
2006 Q4
14,522
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
14,458
10
0
691.7
2006 Q2
15,972
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
15,313
0
0
0.0
2005 Q4
15,377
9
0
585.3
2005 Q3
16,060
11
1
684.9
2005 Q2
17,106
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
18,493
6
1
324.4
2004 Q4
14,832
0
0
0.0
2004 Q3
12,576
3
0
238.5
2004 Q2
13,516
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
13,329
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
12,885
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
11,704
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
10,180
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
10,457
7
0
669.4
2002 Q4
12,317
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
14,728
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
12,766
3
2
235.0
2002 Q1
13,848
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
13,494
2
0
148.2
2001 Q3
13,293
2
0
150.5
2001 Q2
15,278
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
16,578
1
1
60.3
2000 Q4
16,485
8
0
485.3
2000 Q3
15,565
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
19,132
5
0
261.3
2000 Q1
18,251
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
18 on file
2018 · 1 incident
February 5, 2018CO · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Clear & calm. Operator placed lunch bag on cab platform, climbed ladder to cab platform, received lunch bag from in front of cab door, opened door & moved lunch bag into cab. Operator hyper extended right knee as EE was placing the lunch bag in the cab. The hyper extension of EE's knees caused the ham string muscle tear - strain.
Employee used a folding pocket knife to cut a plastic cable tie. The knife closed on employee's right thumb cutting the thumb. Four (4) stitches were required to close the wound.
2010 · 1 incident
September 8, 2010CO · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Injured was climbing onto left side of D9T dozer. When he reached the landing to the cab and began to open the cab door he slipped. He turned his body and slipped to the ground landing on his feet and buttocks. Strained rt shoulder, lower back and rt hip. Possible subluxation of rt hip.
2009 · 2 incidents
June 18, 2009CO · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techPOWERED HAULAGE
Victim was driving the LT8000 fuel/lube truck unit #LT01 west on the BB access rd to service CAT D9R dozer unit #DZ04. Victim blacked out a few seconds before reaching the dozer. LT01 impacted the right side of the dozer throwing victim against shoulder strap, seatbelt and steering wheel of LT01. Victim never applied service brakes.
June 18, 2009CO · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerPOWERED HAULAGE
Victim was standing on the right track of the CAT D9R Dozer unit #DZ04 when the dozer was hit on the right side by the front end of the fuel/lube truck unit LT01. The impact of the collision knocked the victim off his feet and down onto the track. Victim was waiting on the mechanic driving LT01 to come and fuel and service the dozer.
2004 · 1 incident
October 15, 2004CO · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorOTHER
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING ANOTHER EE LIFT A PIECE OF STEEL PIPE AND PULLED A MUSCLE IN THE LOWER BACK. RETURNED TO WORK THE FOLLOWING SHIFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO WORK THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING ACROSS THE PARKING LOT TO HIS VEHICLE AT END OF SHIFT. SLIPPED ON SNOW/ICE AND FELL, LANDING ON LEFT ARM & SHOULDER. IT HAD SNOWED ABOUT 8" DURING THE SHIFT, BUT PARKING L OT HAD BEEN PLOWED OUT, WAS STILL SNOWING AT THETIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
2001 · 2 incidents
December 4, 2001CO · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
STEPPED OFF OF THE RUNNING BOARD OF THE FUEL TRUCK ONTO FROZEN, UNEVEN GROUND WITH HIS RIGHT FOOT. SLIPPED, STUMBLED AND TWISTED HIS RT. KNEEEE DID NOT LOOSE TIME. BECAME REPORTABLE ON FEB. 4TH, 2002. (NOT AS TOUGH AS HE THOUGHT.)
July 21, 2001CO · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE WAS WORKING ON REPAIRS TO THE STEERING OF THE330M TRUCK. HE HAD TIED THE END OF A HYDRAULIC HOSE OUT OF THE WAY SO THAT HE COULD REMOVE A STEERING CYLINDER. WHEN THE PIN HOLDING THE CYLINDE R IN PLACE WAS REMOVED, IT APPARENTLY DISLODGED THE END OF THE HOSE, WHICH STRUCK HIM.
2000 · 2 incidents
September 18, 2000CO · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS CLIMBING DOWN THE ACCESS LADDER OF THE KOMATSU 330M TRUCK, UNIT NO. HT-03. HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON A STEP AND HE CAUGHT HIMSELF WITH HIS LEFT ARM TO PREVENT FALLING OT THE SHOP FLOOR.
April 11, 2000CO · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE CAT D9R DOZER UNIT DZ-03 RIPPING COAL. HE WAS BACKING OVER A 2 FT CHUNK OF COAL. AS THE DOZER BACKED OVER THE COAL CHUNK, THE CHUNK BROKE CAUSING THE DOZER TO BANG DOWN ON THE PIT FLOOR. EMPLOYEE WAS LOOKING OVER RIGHT SHOULDER AS HE TOOK THE JOLT. SEVERE PAIN AND NUMBNESS IN LEFT LEG.
1996 · 1 incident
December 17, 1996CO · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMP PARKED THE WATER TRUCK AT THE WATER STAND ATPOND 007. WASLKED AROUND TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TO DRAIN THE WATER REMAINING IN THE PUMP AND SPRAY BURE. THERE WAS ICE ON GROUND BEHIND TRUCK. WHEN HE PULLED ON THE HANDLE OF ONE OF THE DRAINVALVES, HIS FEET WENT OUT FROM UNDER HIM. LANDEDON HIS BACK ONT HE ICE AND A CLUMP OF FROZEN MUD. TEMP WAS ABOUT 20 DEGREES F.
1995 · 1 incident
December 15, 1995CO · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
EE WAS REPAIRING THE BACKUP ALARM ON BULLDOZER. HE SAT DOWN IN THE SEAT OF THE DOZER WITH HIS LEFT HAND RESTING ON THE DOOR JAMB. THE MACHINE WAS APPARENTLY NOT QUITE LEVEL AND THE DOOR SWUNG SHUT, CATCHING THE LITTLE FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND. THE FINGER WAS CUT BETWEEN THE LAST JOINT AND THE FINGERNAIL REQUIRING SUTURES. THE BONE WAS BROKEN AT THE VERY TIP.
1994 · 1 incident
March 17, 1994CO · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON