P-9 Straight Creek has $206K in proposed MSHA penalties and $138K outstanding across 8 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
18
Years on record
1997–2015
Latest incident
Feb 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
498
citations
205
significant & substantial
$206,326
proposed penalties
$67,338
paid to date
33% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $138,988 gap.
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.
498 citations across 4,559 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
P-9 Straight Creek has $206K in proposed MSHA penalties and $138K 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.
$206K
proposed penalties
$206K
current assessed
$67K
paid to date
$138K
outstanding
464 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
Of $6K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-09-23.
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.
26citations taken to the federal commission · 5% of citations on record
Settled
23 · 88%
Stood as issued
3 · 12%
73%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 11 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
11%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$6K proposed, $6K 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 2021-10-18.
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 P-9 Straight Creek shows 100% of 172 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: 2022-04-28, 4 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
172
samples
0.81
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.
157 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 15 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.
P-9 Straight Creek recorded 0.00 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.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 3.34 and the all-US-mining average was 2.33 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 3.81 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 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2014 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2011 *
11.41
5.71
0.000
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
16.11
0.00
0.000
2008 *
20.51
20.51
0.000
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2006 *
7.16
7.16
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
Year
Employees
2026
0
2025
0
2024
0
2023
5
2022
1
2019
10
2018
13
2017
0
2016
0
2015
9
2014
15
2013
8
2012
6
2011
17
2010
12
2009
11
2008
12
2007
12
2006
13
2005
8
2004
8
2003
4
2002
15
2001
15
2000
13
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
P-9 Straight Creek sits in Bell County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 3.6% 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.
Bell County, Kentucky · Population 23,878
3.6%
Mining share of county employment
$32,403
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
2026 Q2
0
0
0
2026 Q1
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
2
0
2024 Q2
0
3
0
Show 75 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q1
39
1
0
25641.0
2023 Q4
2,604
2
0
768.0
2023 Q3
2,385
1
0
419.3
2022 Q4
260
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
4,967
3
1
604.0
2018 Q4
9,705
2
0
206.1
2018 Q3
9,196
8
0
869.9
2018 Q2
3,687
1
0
271.2
2018 Q1
0
1
0
2017 Q4
0
0
0
2017 Q3
0
2
1
2017 Q2
0
0
0
2017 Q1
0
3
0
2016 Q4
0
0
0
2016 Q3
0
0
0
2016 Q2
0
0
0
2016 Q1
0
1
0
2015 Q4
0
0
0
2015 Q1
8,768
3
1
342.2
2014 Q4
9,475
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
10,813
3
1
277.4
2014 Q2
10,371
5
4
482.1
2014 Q1
4,940
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
6,386
3
1
469.8
2013 Q3
4,970
7
4
1408.5
2013 Q2
4,164
6
0
1440.9
2013 Q1
4,010
1
0
249.4
2012 Q4
1,806
1
1
553.7
2012 Q3
1,667
3
1
1799.6
2012 Q2
6,316
2
1
316.7
2012 Q1
5,986
7
3
1169.4
2011 Q4
8,583
3
0
349.5
2011 Q3
10,986
6
1
546.1
2011 Q2
7,526
24
11
3188.9
2011 Q1
7,952
3
2
377.3
2010 Q4
9,898
26
14
2626.8
2010 Q3
11,159
2
0
179.2
2010 Q2
10,294
2
1
194.3
2010 Q1
540
3
1
5555.6
2009 Q4
2,488
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
2,734
9
5
3291.9
2009 Q2
9,023
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
10,581
2
0
189.0
2008 Q4
10,123
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
11,985
2
1
166.9
2008 Q2
5,775
27
14
4675.3
2008 Q1
1,364
2
1
1466.3
2007 Q4
1,784
6
1
3363.2
2007 Q3
1,777
26
12
14631.4
2007 Q2
8,650
0
0
0.0
2007 Q1
13,445
12
2
892.5
2006 Q4
10,995
0
0
0.0
2006 Q3
4,431
4
2
902.7
2006 Q2
7,697
5
5
649.6
2006 Q1
4,805
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
3,052
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
2,313
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
4,053
1
0
246.7
2004 Q1
1,410
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
0
2
1
2003 Q3
0
0
0
2003 Q2
0
0
0
2003 Q1
11,878
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
9,764
6
1
614.5
2002 Q3
10,021
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
5,605
2
2
356.8
2002 Q1
11,240
0
0
0.0
2001 Q4
11,441
0
0
0.0
2001 Q3
10,512
0
0
0.0
2001 Q2
10,101
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
10,100
0
0
0.0
2000 Q4
10,397
1
0
96.2
2000 Q3
6,994
2
2
286.0
2000 Q2
10,283
2
2
194.5
2000 Q1
8,428
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
18 on file
2015 · 1 incident
February 10, 2015KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The operator was descending the grade, attempted to shift from 5th to low side 5th gear in the 8 speed coal truck and states that the truck did not go into gear so he attempted to shift back to 5th and states it didn't take so he attempted to shift to 8th gear, it didn't take gear so he drove the truck up an embankment and the truck turned over on to the driver's side door.
2012 · 1 incident
May 12, 2012KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
Employee was performing clean-up at the portable crusher.
May 21, 2011KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Xinergy Corp. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
Employee was attending annual safety retraining. During lunch break, two employees were "horse playing". EE attempted to pick up another employee and throw him over his shoulder. Both employees fell to the ground, causing EE to dislocate his hip.
2009 · 2 incidents
June 2, 2009KY · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The employee was replacing the sieve screen holder on the cyclone refuse bin. His foot slipped and employee hit his chin on the sieve holder. The cut required 11 stitches.
February 13, 2009KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
Cutting pvc pipe with skill saw, possible shavings buildup prevented guard from functioning properly, after cut on pipe made employee was placing saw down and cut leg when crossed upper thigh.
Xinergy Corp. · Fall to the walkway or working surface
Employee stated he was descending stairs, stepped from stair to floor, lost his balance and he fell causing him to sprain his ankle.
September 4, 2008KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Xinergy Corp. · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms
Lowering of tools (chain hoist) from a raised location to floor, when employee lost footing on platform and fell approx 2 ft. to floor. Sustained dislocation of left ankle and hairline fracture of bone in left foot.
August 12, 2008KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE was performing factory campaign on an HD785-7 truck exhaust system, when the swivel socket he was using, broke. A piece of the broken tool cut his left palm. He received 5 stitches to his palm.
June 3, 2008KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Employee was servicing road grader. Pressurized grease hose burst injecting grease into right index finger and right index palm ares. First aid on site, ER exam then surgery to remove grease from wound area.
2006 · 1 incident
March 4, 2006KY · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE'S FEET WERE WET WITH FLOCK, AS HE WALKED DOWN A FLIGHT OF STEPS HE SLIPPED AND FELL. EMPLOYEE RECIEVED A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT ELBOW, AND HAD PAIN AND SWELLING IN HIS RIGTH WRIST AN D RIGHT SHOULDER.
May 1, 1997KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EE WAS INSTALLING A WATER LINE, A 8" DRESSER COUPLING FELL AND HIT THE BACK OF HIS RIGHT HAND. EE WORKED THE REST OF HIS SHIFT, AND AFTER HE WENT HOME HE WENT TO THE MEDICAL CENTER.
March 21, 1997KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
EMPLOYEE WAS SPREADING 4X6 POST ON TOP OF TUNNEL WALL. EE WAS STANDING ON A PIECE ON ANGLE THAT WAS BOLTED TO THE SIDE OF THE TUNNEL WALL. EE FELL APPROX. 10-11 FEET TO THE FLOOR OF THE TUNNEL
January 1, 1997KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS