Mining Incidents

Pine Forest P-44 & P-48: 9 MSHA citations Coal

E. Norwegian Twp., Schuylkill County, PA  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 3601975

Pine Forest P-44 & P-48 has $558 in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
54
Years on record
1983–2000
Latest incident
Jun 2000
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
9
citations
3
significant & substantial
$558
proposed penalties
$507
paid to date
91% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $51 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
14
inspections on record
217
inspection hours
n/a
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.
Rate withheld: 217 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Pine Forest P-44 & P-48 has $558 in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 1 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.
$558
proposed penalties
$507
current assessed
$507
paid to date
$0
outstanding
9 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $131 in penalties contested before the Commission, $80 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2002-05-29.
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.
33.3%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
33.3%
reasonably likely or greater
0.0%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 22.2% low, 77.8% moderate, 0.0% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
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.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
PENN20020190 Settlement Barbour 2002 $131 → $80
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Pine Forest P-44 & P-48 shows 100% of 15 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: 2001-05-03, 25 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
15
samples
0.99
dust max (mg/m3)
15 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 0 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER6
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR3
  • BACKHOE OPERATOR2

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2001-05-09, 25 years ago
11.2
silica avg (%)
4
samples
27.9
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR2
  • HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER2

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: 2001-05-03, 25 years ago
11%
over PEL
9
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER3
  • BACKHOE OPERATOR2
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR2
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
2001 100% 1
2000 100% 14
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2001 4.3 1
2000 13.5 3
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2001 0% 1
2000 13% 8
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Pine Forest P-44 & P-48 recorded 6.13 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2000.

Injury rate, 2000
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.
6.13
total case rate
6.13
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US coal mining average was 7.74 and the all-US-mining average was 5.64 cases per 100 workers.
In Pennsylvania, coal mining averaged 8.49 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.
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
  1. Reading Anthracite Company 1950 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)
2002 3
2001 3
2000 12 61,482
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Pine Forest P-44 & P-48 sits in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 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.
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania · Population 143,259
1.1%
Mining share of county employment
$66,901
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
2002 Q4 1,597 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 2,121 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 1,158 2 1 1727.1
2002 Q1 1,030 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 0 0 0
2001 Q3 0 0 0
2001 Q2 1,215 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 3,326 0 0 0.0
Show 4 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2000 Q4 7,774 1 0 128.6
2000 Q3 6,963 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 8,958 4 2 446.5
2000 Q1 8,935 2 0 223.8
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

54 on file

2000 · 1 incident

June 7, 2000 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Reading Anthracite Company · Fall from machine

OPERATOR NOTICED SMOKE BEHIND CAB. WENT TO GET FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ENTIRE CAB CAUGHT FIRE. EE JUMPED FROM CAB TO THE GROUND.

1999 · 2 incidents

October 27, 1999 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS GETTING OFF WATER TANKER, LOST HIS FOOTING AND BEGAN TO FALL BUT HELD ONTO HAND RAIL, BUT STRAINED HIS ARM.

July 30, 1999 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS GETTING OFF DOZER, STEPPED ONTO RUNNING BOARD, TWISTED ANKLE.

1997 · 4 incidents

April 28, 1997 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Fall from machine

EE FELL WHILE GETTING OFF EQUIPMENT ON JOB SITE. EE CLAIMS THIS IS/WAS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION AND NOT WORK RELATED. EE HAS MISSED 1 WEEK OF WORK BUT HAS NOT FILED FOR WORKER'S COMPENSATION A ND HAS PAID ALL MEDICAL BILLS AS OF THIS DATE WI BC/BS.

March 7, 1997 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator OTHER
Reading Anthracite Company · Struck by flying object

MAN WAS WALKING ROM LOADER OT HOPPER, VERY WINDY DAY. WIND BLEW DIRT OR DUST INTO HIS EYE.

February 19, 1997 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG DIAGNOSIS.

January 6, 1997 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE GOT OFF DOZER AND WAS WALKING WHEN HE TURNED AND TWISTED HIS LEFT FOOT AND ANKLE,

1996 · 3 incidents

August 2, 1996 PA · Coal drill operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

February 26, 1996 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

February 22, 1996 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Reading Anthracite Company · Struck against a moving object

MAN WAS PUSHING REFUSE PILE WITH DOZER, WHILE BACKING UP RAN INTO SMALL ROCK HOLE, CAUSING DOZER TO ROCK TO ITS SIDE AND DROP DOWN INTO IT, MAN SANDED HARD ON HIS REAREND AND BACK, TAKE BONE.

1995 · 3 incidents

August 28, 1995 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG.

June 7, 1995 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

OPERATOR WAS USING LEVERS AND FELT PAIN IN HIS RIGHT WRIST.

January 25, 1995 PA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator STRIKING OR BUMPING
Reading Anthracite Company · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS WALKING UNDER A LOW BELTLINE TO REPAIR. HE STOOD UP AND BANGED HIS HEAD OFF A LOW CEILING BEAM.

1994 · 2 incidents

October 20, 1994 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE FELT HE BECAME SICK FROM EXHAUST FUMES. HOSPITAL REPORTED NO CARBON MONOXIDE PRESENT IN BLOOD AND IF ANY PROBLEM EXISTED IT WAS NOT WORK RELATED.

August 25, 1994 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG.

1993 · 1 incident

May 21, 1993 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG COAL DUST LUNG.

1992 · 1 incident

February 2, 1992 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Reading Anthracite Company · Rubbed or abraded

EMPL REPORTED TO FOREMAN HE WAS GOING INTO HOSPITAL BUT GAVE NO REASON WHY. AT THE TIME FELT NO 7000-1 REPORT NEEDED. WHEN EMPL RETURNED TO WORK SAID INJURY WAS WORK RELATED AND DR WILL HELP H IM TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION.

1991 · 4 incidents

August 7, 1991 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Reading Anthracite Company · Struck by falling object

WORKING ON LOADER DRIVE SHAFT,FELL OFF HITTING HAND AND CUTTING IT.

August 7, 1991 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INSTALLING DOZER TRACK FRAME PUSHING ON A PRY BAR.FRAME SLIPPED,WEIGHT CAME DOWN ON BAR INJURINHG HIS BACK.

1990 · 2 incidents

April 27, 1990 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Reading Anthracite Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS WORKING ON FAN BLADE OF SHOVEL MOT OR XXX FINGER BETWEEN BLADE & FRAME MOTOR WAS SHUT OFF AT THE TIME

1989 · 2 incidents

May 5, 1989 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Fall from machine

MAN WAS GETTING UP ONTO DOZER TO WORK ON IT WHEN HE SHIPPED FELL, HURT WRIST.

January 24, 1989 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

1988 · 1 incident

June 1, 1988 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

1987 · 3 incidents

August 17, 1987 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Reading Anthracite Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS WORKING3ON LOADER GOT DOWN TO GO TO HIS TRUCK FELL OVER ONTO GROUND

August 4, 1987 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG. 3

July 6, 1987 PA · Coal drill helper DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

COAL DUST LUNGS3

1986 · 8 incidents

October 9, 1986 PA · Coal drill operator ELECTRICAL
Reading Anthracite Company · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS CH5NGING LIGHT BULB WHEN IT EXPLODED MAN ATTEMPTED TO SCREW IN A 24 V BULB INTO A 110V SYSTEM LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT TURNED OFF

June 27, 1986 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG 3

May 20, 1986 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS GOING A6OUT HIS GREASING JOB WHEN HE HAPPENED TO STRETCH TOO FAR CLIMBING GEAR CASE

May 14, 1986 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

COA DUST. 3

March 24, 1986 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

COAL DUST - BLA7K LUNG

March 22, 1986 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Reading Anthracite Company · Fall onto or against objects

MAN WAS CLIMING3OFF DOZEN & INJURY UPPER RT.LEG & DISC THIGH.

January 17, 1986 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

MEN WERE LIFTIN1 TOOTH TO PUT ON TOOTH BASE WITH BAR THE MAN PULLED BACK MUSCLE

1985 · 12 incidents

December 20, 1985 PA · Coal DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG 3

August 21, 1985 PA · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

May 13, 1985 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

MAN WAS CHANGING TIRES ON DUMP TRUCK PULLED MUSCLES IN GROIN

April 10, 1985 PA · Coal drill helper DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG

April 9, 1985 PA · Coal drill helper DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG.

April 9, 1985 PA · Coal drill helper DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG.

April 8, 1985 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
April 3, 1985 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BLACK LUNG.

April 2, 1985 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
March 19, 1985 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Reading Anthracite Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DUST DISEASES OF THE LUNGS.

1984 · 1 incident

1983 · 4 incidents

November 28, 1983 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Reading Anthracite Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MAN WAS ROLLING OIL DRUMS ON PUIICKUP TRUCK HIS HELPER SLIPPED CAUSING DRUM WEIGHT ON THIS MAN ONLY RESULTING IN BACK INJURY