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.
372 citations across 2,411 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
No.32 has $351K in proposed MSHA penalties and $142K outstanding across 37 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.
$351K
proposed penalties
$236K
current assessed
$94K
paid to date
$142K
outstanding
359 assessments are final orders; 37 contested dockets.
Of $296K in penalties contested before the Commission, $170K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-09-03.
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.
170citations taken to the federal commission · 46% of citations on record
Settled
160 · 94%
Stood as issued
2 · 1%
Vacated or withdrawn
8 · 5%
81%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 68 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
42%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$294K proposed, $170K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2024-06-11.
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 No.32 shows 99% of 127 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: 2024-03-15
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
127
samples
3.20
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.
88 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 39 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.
No.32 recorded 4.72 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023.
Injury rate, 2023
ⓘ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.
4.72
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.17 and the all-US-mining average was 2.10 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.54 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
2023 *
4.72
0.00
0.000
2022 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011
3.16
3.16
0.000
2003 *
10.18
10.18
0.000
2002 *
2.40
0.00
0.000
2001 *
6.47
6.47
0.000
2000 *
4.66
4.66
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)
2026
0
2025
4
2024
24
44,831
2023
27
137,005
2022
31
40,267
2021
67
13,383
2020
0
2019
0
2018
0
2017
0
2016
0
2015
4
2014
2
2013
0
2012
1
1,854
2011
59
261,570
2010
17
21,154
2009
5
27,240
2008
4
44,552
2007
0
2006
0
2005
1
2004
10
127,020
2003
15
195,375
2002
29
475,174
2001
35
503,677
2000
34
1,060,448
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
No.32 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
There were some large rocks on the dumping berm. When the loader operator cleaned the rocks off the operator pushed the berm over the dump area. After the truck driver got another load the driver backed up to dump and didnt know the berm was out until the driver felt the wheel drop over the dump leading to driver tipping over the truck.
2021 · 3 incidents
November 22, 2021WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
EE was climbing up on EE's truck and the steps were too high. Resulting in EE losing balance and falling backwards to the ground. Hurting shoulder, neck, head, back and arm on the right side.
June 10, 2021WV · Coalcar trimmer, car loader, bin puller, truck loaderPOWERED HAULAGE
FUEL LINE BECOME LOOSE ON COAL LOADER. CAUSING LOADER TO FLASH FIRE OPERATOR EXTINGUSHED FIRE. HE SAID HE LOOKED TO SEE IF THE FIRE WAS OUT WHEN IT FLASHED FIRE. CAUSING SLIGHT BURNS TO HANDS AND ARM BELOW ELBOW.
February 21, 2003WV · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE IDENTIFIED AS OF THIS DATE.TRUCK PROCEDED AROUND 1ST CURVE AND HIT HILLSIDE IMMEDIATELY STOPPING FORWARD MOTION. DRIVER SUS TAINED BRUISES, MINOR LACERATION AND BROKEN RIB.
OPR. STATES HE WAS OPERATING LOADER ON DOWN SLOPE OF HAULROAD AND IT BECAME NECESSARY TO DROP BUCKET TO STOP LOADER. OPR ALSO STATED HE DID NOT REMEMBER INJURING HIMSELF.
2000 · 3 incidents
October 4, 2000WV · Coaldriller, highwall operator, highwall drill operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE STATES: I WAS REPAIRING AN EMULSION HOSE ON TOP OF TRUCK. I LEANED BACK AGAINST THE SAFETY RAIL AND IT BROKE AT THE WELD SEAM. I FELL OFF THE TRUCK ONTO THE GROUND HITTING MY RIBS AND HIP.
May 12, 2000WV · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
EMPLOYEE OPERATOR WAS LOADING ROCK WITH 9920 ENDLOADER WHEN BUCKET OF LOADER HIT A ROCK, JARRINGLOADER AND OPERATOR.
1999 · 3 incidents
October 27, 1999WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
EE SAID HE WAS PUSHING A ROCK WITH D-11 DOZER AND THE BLADE SLIPPED OFF, HIT ANOTHER ROCK WHICH HE SAID SHOOK HIM PRETTY HARD, WHICH HE SAID CAUSED HIM LOWER BACK PAIN.
June 17, 1998WV · Coaloutside foreman, leadmanMACHINERY
HE WAS CUTTING A TREE ON MINESITE. A GRAPEVINE IN TOP OF TREE WAS HOOKED IN ANTOHER TREE AND PULLED IT DOWN ON TOP OF HIM. IT HIT HIM IN HEAD AND SHOULDER. REPORT FROM HOSPITAL SAID HE HAD BRO KEN SHOULDER AND 2 BROKEN RIBS.
June 29, 1994WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
TRYING TO BREAK DRILL STEEL LOOSE WITH WRENCH. WHEN HEAD WAS ENGAGED IT CAUSED WRENCH TO MASH FINGER AGAINST MAST. CUT AND MASHED LITTLE FINGER ON RIGHT HAND.
April 11, 1993WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
WHILE OFF LOADING CULVERT PIPE 24"0, A SPUR AT END OF PIPE JOINT CAUGHT LT. HAND AND PULLED HAND AND LACERATED SIDE OF PALM TO MIDDLE AND LITTLE FINGER.
1987 · 2 incidents
September 28, 1987WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS RA3SING H OOD OF FUEL TRUCK TO CHECK OIL WHEN HE SLIPPED ON SOME DEW ON FENDER & FELL OFF OF T RUCK THEREBY BREAKING LEFT LEG-BOTH BONES BELOW KNEE CAP
EMPLOYEE WAS CU7TING A PIECE OF WEAR LINER OFF DOZER BLADE WITH TORCH.THE METAL WAS IN A STRAIN AND ,WHEN CUT LOOSE,THE LINER CAME UP AND HIT BACKSIDE OF LEFT HAND OF EMPLOYEE,THEREBY CUTTING HAND. 3
1985 · 1 incident
September 19, 1985WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSTEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT