Commonwealth Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
EMPLOYEE WAS RUNNING THE CONTINUOUS MINER WHEN THE RIB ROLLED OFF AND CAUGHT THE RIGHT LEG, BREAKING IT BELOW THE KNEE.
No 1: 318 MSHA citations Coal
Commonwealth Mining Llc
· Underground
Controlled by
Charles D Mullins
Appalachia,
Wise County,
VA
·
Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4406932
No 1 has $45K in proposed MSHA penalties and $7 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 13
- Years on record
- 1999–2004
- Latest incident
- Sep 2004
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
318
citations
139
significant & substantial
$45,139
proposed penalties
$45,132
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $7 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
124
inspections on record
2,553
inspection hours
12.5
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.318 citations across 2,553 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
No 1 has $45K in proposed MSHA penalties and $7 outstanding across 0 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.$45K
proposed penalties
$45K
current assessed
$45K
paid to date
$7
outstanding
314 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2004-10-21.
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.44.1%
significant & substantial
1.6%
high negligence or reckless
44.6%
reasonably likely or greater
14.3%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 16.6% low, 81.8% moderate, 1.6% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
MSHA sampling at No 1 shows 97% of 395 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: 2005-01-10, 21 years ago
ⓘ
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.97%
within 1.5 mg/m3
395
samples
3.73
dust max (mg/m3)
205 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 190 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR176
- SCOOP CAR OPERATOR65
- ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (INTAKE SIDE)20
Silica (quartz)
Last sampled: 2004-04-08, 22 years ago6.5
silica avg (%)
28
samples
18.0
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR8
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.
Last sampled: 2004-04-20, 22 years ago
ⓘ
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.14%
over PEL
29
samples
Most-sampled occupations
- CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR7
- TRACTOR OPERATOR/MOTORMAN6
- SCOOP CAR OPERATOR5
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.| Year | within 1.5 mg/m3 | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 100% | 1 |
| 2004 | 100% | 75 |
| 2003 | 99% | 96 |
| 2002 | 92% | 73 |
| 2001 | 97% | 63 |
| 2000 | 98% | 87 |
Silica (quartz) by year
| Year | silica avg (%) | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.1 | 1 |
| 2003 | 6.2 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6.4 | 3 |
| 2001 | 6.2 | 2 |
| 2000 | 7.0 | 17 |
Noise by year
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 0% | 13 |
| 2003 | 60% | 5 |
| 2002 | 0% | 1 |
| 2001 | 0% | 5 |
| 2000 | 20% | 5 |
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
No 1 recorded 10.97 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2004.
Injury rate, 2004
ⓘ
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.10.97
total case rate
5.48
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 5.57 and the all-US-mining average was 4.33 cases per 100 workers.
In Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.96 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 * | 10.97 | 5.48 | 0.000 |
| 2003 * | 4.31 | 4.31 | 0.000 |
| 2002 * | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 |
| 2001 * | 18.35 | 6.12 | 0.000 |
| 2000 * | 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.
Ownership history
- Nehemiah Coal Company Inc 1998 to 1999
- Commonwealth Mining Llc 1999 to present
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 6,060 |
| 2004 | 16 | 191,184 |
| 2003 | 21 | 293,252 |
| 2002 | 27 | 344,384 |
| 2001 | 32 | 260,856 |
| 2000 | 19 | 254,684 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
No 1 sits in Wise County, Virginia, where the Census mining category is 5.9% 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.Wise County, Virginia · Population 35,727
5.9%
Mining share of county employment
$50,740
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 Q1 | 2,343 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q4 | 7,381 | 15 | 7 | 2032.2 |
| 2004 Q3 | 8,650 | 29 | 13 | 3352.6 |
| 2004 Q2 | 9,131 | 31 | 12 | 3395.0 |
| 2004 Q1 | 11,311 | 34 | 18 | 3005.9 |
| 2003 Q4 | 10,886 | 20 | 12 | 1837.2 |
| 2003 Q3 | 10,143 | 20 | 12 | 1971.8 |
Show 14 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Q2 | 10,058 | 13 | 8 | 1292.5 |
| 2003 Q1 | 15,265 | 19 | 4 | 1244.7 |
| 2002 Q4 | 14,595 | 19 | 6 | 1301.8 |
| 2002 Q3 | 16,247 | 6 | 2 | 369.3 |
| 2002 Q2 | 17,072 | 7 | 6 | 410.0 |
| 2002 Q1 | 16,900 | 12 | 6 | 710.1 |
| 2001 Q4 | 16,119 | 22 | 8 | 1364.8 |
| 2001 Q3 | 16,660 | 12 | 3 | 720.3 |
| 2001 Q2 | 17,843 | 13 | 6 | 728.6 |
| 2001 Q1 | 14,756 | 5 | 1 | 338.8 |
| 2000 Q4 | 13,057 | 7 | 4 | 536.1 |
| 2000 Q3 | 9,881 | 5 | 2 | 506.0 |
| 2000 Q2 | 10,890 | 3 | 0 | 275.5 |
| 2000 Q1 | 9,717 | 13 | 2 | 1337.9 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
13 on file2004 · 3 incidents
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
BLACK LUNG DISEASE. EE WAS PERMANENTLY TRANSFERRED.
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Accident type, without injuries
ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN MAIN EAST HEADING (ON 5/24/04 @ 5:00 AM DURING PRESHIFT EXAM) - STARTING @ SPAD #505 GOING ACROSS TO SPAD 503. FALL SIZE 120 FT LONG X 7 FT HIGH X 16 FT WIDE. ROOF FALL CALLED IN ON 5/24/04.
2003 · 2 incidents
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Accident type, without injuries
ROOF FALL- 15 X 60 X 60. #2 LEFT SECTION - #2 ENTRY APPROX. 8 BREAKS INBY MOUTH OF #2 LEFT.
February 15, 2003
VA · Coal
laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler
HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EE WAS WORKING WITH HIS SUPERVISOR. THE SUPERVISOR ACCIDENTLY HIT THE EE'S HAND (LEFT) WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER - SMASHED LEFT INDEX FINGER.
2001 · 7 incidents
October 31, 2001
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
POWERED HAULAGE
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING FEEDER ON TAIL PIECE, THE CRIB BLOCKS BROKE LOOSE WHICH ALLOWED THE FRONT OF THE FEEDER TO DROP DOWN CRUSHING HIS RIGHT THUMB.
October 20, 2001
VA · Coal
laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler
MACHINERY
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)
AN EMPLOYEE OPERATING SCOOP WITH ROCK DUSTER IN THE BUCKET ASKED INJURED AND ANOTHER EMPLOYEE TO GET IN THE BUCKET WITH THE ROCK DUSTER TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING CLOGGED. THE EMPLOYEE OPERATING SCOOP HIT SOMETHING CAUSING ROCK DUSTER TO SLIDE PINNING HIS LEG AGAINST SCOOP BUCKET.
October 8, 2001
VA · Coal
roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs)
MACHINERY
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
EE WAS OPERATING ROOF BOLTER. HE HAD RAISED THE HEAD ON HIS SIDE AND JUMPED ACROSS THE T-BAR TO GET ACROSS THE MACHINE ON TO THE OTHER SIDE TO RAISE THE HEAD. HIS FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN A BO LT STICKING OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE ROOF BOLTER &THE HEAD. BROKE BABY TOE & SEVERE CUT TO THE TOE
September 4, 2001
VA · Coal
shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
EMPLOYEE GOT OUT OF SHUTTLE CAR & PRECEEDED TO HELP WATCH MINER CABLE WHILE THE MINER CHANGED PLACES. EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK ON THE HARD HAT BY A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK. EMPLOYEE WAS ASKED HOW BIG TH E ROCK WAS, REPLIED "I DIDN'T LOOK FOR IT". CEILING AT THE AREA 9', ROCK KNOCKED EMPLOYEE DOWN.
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Accident type, without injuries
ROOF FALL IN BLEEDER 2000' OUTBY ACTIVE WORKING SECTION OF ML1. SIZE OF FALL 60' X 20' X 6'.
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Struck by falling object
EE WAS OPERATING THE MINER WHEN A RIB ROLL HAPPENED, STRIKING EE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
January 9, 2001
VA · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Fall onto or against objects
EE GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND WALKED AROUND TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE AREA AROUND THE TRUCK WAS COVERED WITH ICE. EE FELL ON THE ICE AND HIT A ROCK THAT WAS STICKING UP THRU THE ICE. THE PAIN GR ADUALLY WORSENED AND EE WENT TO THE DR. ON 1-12-01. EE NOTIFIED OFFICE ON 1-17-01.
1999 · 1 incident
Commonwealth Mining Llc · Accident type, without injuries
ROOF FALL SIZE 20'X80'X4' THICK LOCATION OF FALL IN THE OLD LEEMAN MINE 1 BREAK PAST SAPD #32 1 BREAK BACK FROM SPAD #37 BETWEEN#1 & #2 HEADINGS