Mining Incidents

Piney Woods Preparation Plant Coal

Alabaster, Shelby County, AL  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0102976

Piney Woods Preparation Plant has $77K in proposed MSHA penalties and $9K outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
23
Years on record
1995–2018
Latest incident
Jun 2018
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
267
citations
92
significant & substantial
$76,977
proposed penalties
$67,786
paid to date
88% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $9,191 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
115
inspections on record
2,319
inspection hours
11.5
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.
267 citations across 2,319 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Piney Woods Preparation Plant has $77K in proposed MSHA penalties and $9K outstanding across 5 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.
$77K
proposed penalties
$77K
current assessed
$68K
paid to date
$9K
outstanding
261 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-07-31.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Piney Woods Preparation Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.26 mg/m3 (99% compliant) across 254 samples.

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.
0.26
dust avg (mg/m3)
3.04
dust max (mg/m3)
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
254
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-07-17.
Silica (quartz)
7.3
silica avg (%)
11.6
silica max (%)
11
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-08-13.
Noise
5%
over PEL
109
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-07-17.
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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
2025 Q2 2,154 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 1,560 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 1,560 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 1,560 2 0 1282.1
2024 Q2 1,560 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 1,560 1 0 641.0
2023 Q4 2,782 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2,750 0 0 0.0
Show 83 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q2 520 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 520 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 520 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 560 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 0 0 0
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 160 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 504 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 18,292 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 16,555 3 1 181.2
2018 Q3 12,280 1 0 81.4
2018 Q2 12,169 2 0 164.4
2018 Q1 6,681 1 0 149.7
2017 Q4 6,678 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 4,739 2 0 422.0
2017 Q2 5,289 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 1,264 3 0 2373.4
2016 Q4 5,416 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 4,713 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 11,027 3 0 272.1
2015 Q4 18,244 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 13,135 6 1 456.8
2015 Q2 9,358 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 9,133 8 1 875.9
2014 Q4 6,552 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 6,945 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 8,981 3 2 334.0
2014 Q1 10,746 1 0 93.1
2013 Q4 10,432 6 4 575.2
2013 Q3 11,880 1 0 84.2
2013 Q2 7,926 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 7,783 2 0 257.0
2012 Q4 7,806 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 7,191 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 7,071 3 1 424.3
2012 Q1 8,127 4 0 492.2
2011 Q4 10,947 9 3 822.1
2011 Q3 8,943 11 10 1230.0
2011 Q2 10,113 22 8 2175.4
2011 Q1 8,561 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 8,486 10 5 1178.4
2010 Q3 8,245 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 13,726 5 2 364.3
2010 Q1 15,998 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 12,727 7 2 550.0
2009 Q3 14,852 1 0 67.3
2009 Q2 9,073 8 1 881.7
2009 Q1 7,304 6 2 821.5
2008 Q4 7,519 18 3 2393.9
2008 Q3 6,263 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 6,634 2 1 301.5
2008 Q1 4,624 9 4 1946.4
2007 Q4 4,151 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 2,788 9 3 3228.1
2007 Q2 1,750 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 1,850 4 0 2162.2
2006 Q4 2,150 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 2,475 7 1 2828.3
2006 Q2 2,450 15 6 6122.4
2006 Q1 2,795 2 0 715.6
2005 Q3 1,600 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 2,160 5 2 2314.8
2004 Q2 2,160 1 0 463.0
2004 Q1 2,460 12 7 4878.0
2003 Q3 2,880 11 8 3819.4
2003 Q2 3,840 1 0 260.4
2003 Q1 630 6 1 9523.8
2002 Q4 6,149 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 5,583 1 0 179.1
2002 Q2 5,407 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 4,769 5 1 1048.4
2001 Q4 5,366 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 5,382 4 1 743.2
2001 Q1 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

23 on file

2018 · 1 incident

June 26, 2018 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Jesse Creek Mining, LLC · Contact with heat

Employee was working in the upper levels of the preparation plant and ended up suffering from heat stress requiring IV hydration therapy at a medical facility.

2016 · 1 incident

May 19, 2016 AL · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Jesse Creek Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a piece of metal with a torch when the piece fell on one end. The opposite end moved upward and hit EE in the knee, causing a laceration. Employee was taken to American Family Care where the wound was cleaned and closed with 2 stitches. Employee was given a tetanus booster.

2015 · 1 incident

October 8, 2015 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Jesse Creek Mining, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was assisting welder when a hot piece of welding debris had gone down his waistline at his belt/lower back. Welder was above him on a ladder when the debris fell causing burns to his lower back/upper buttocks. Employee went to American Family Care where the 2nd degree burn was cleaned and dressed. The employee was given a tetanus shot and prescription antibiotics.

2012 · 2 incidents

May 21, 2012 AL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Changing screens in the power screener - felt a burn in his arm when he picked up hammer to swing. Employee refused to go for medical treatment. He said it would be fine. On 6/4, he said his arm was still hurting, worse and decided to seek medical treatment after all.

January 10, 2012 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Replacing a bearing on the tail roller. Worker was bent over hammering on the bearing and noticed a pain in the lower back when he stood up.

2011 · 2 incidents

October 6, 2011 AL · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Motor grader was cutting pad. In doing so, it was creating uneven places in the yard. The loader operator ran over one of these after the loader shifted into 2nd gear, which caused the loader's speed to increase and bounce, resulting in his injury.

April 14, 2011 AL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was getting water when right foot was placed on ground. His right ankle rolled and twisted, causing swelling and pain.

2010 · 2 incidents

May 5, 2010 AL · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was pulling a water hose when the hose gave way. Employee hit his right elbow against a handrail.

March 20, 2010 AL · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor STRIKING OR BUMPING
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was coming down steps and accidently bumped into beam.

2009 · 3 incidents

August 26, 2009 AL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was removing hydraulic pump from Mack Truck, the pump was suspended by a rope which broke allowing pump to fall on EE's fingers (2) on right hand.

March 17, 2009 AL · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee's were taking top of screen bowl. The chain attached to the cover slipped letting the cover hit the employee on top of his foot.

February 14, 2009 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was working inside a screen with limited space to work. He pulled hard with a long handle rachet, he felt something pull in his left shoulder.

2008 · 2 incidents

December 16, 2008 AL · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was in a manlift installing a camera line. He tripped over his lanyard and grabbed handrail w/his left hand and started to grab it w/his right hand also (which he was holding a box cutter in) and cut his left index finger, which required some stitches.

December 6, 2008 AL · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tacoa Minerals, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Chute feeding the scalping screen had plugged causing a few rocks to fall on floor below. The individual had cleared the chute and was going back to bottom floor of structure. The laborer did not have time to get to spill at this time. The individual stepped on one of the rocks causing him to fall onto the floor grating.

2003 · 1 incident

August 29, 2003 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator

THE INJURED STUCK A PRY BAR INTO THE VALVE OF A SUMP, TRYING TO BREAK UP THE MATERIAL. HIS HAND BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE VALVE AND THE PRY BAR RESULTING IN INJURY.

2002 · 1 incident

August 13, 2002 AL · Coal FIRE
New Century Mining, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

VANDALS BROKE INTO LOAD-OUT, RAN COAL THROUGH BELT SYSTEM, DROPPED LOAD-OUT CHUTES TO SPILL COAL ON RAIL TRACKS. CONTROL ROOM WAS SET ON FIRE. SHERRIFF DEPT. & FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATED SAME. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. FACILITY USELESS NOW.

1997 · 1 incident

April 3, 1997 AL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Coal Handling & Processing Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CONTRACT COAL HAULER STOPPED TO HELP ROCK TRUCK DRIVER CLOSE TAILGATE ON HAUL ROAD, AND GOT HAND IN WAY AS THEY TRYED TO CLOSE TAILGATE, BROKE RT LITTLE FINGER AND HAD TO HAVE SOME STICHES IN RT HAND.

1996 · 4 incidents

August 5, 1996 AL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Coal Handling & Processing Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

MOVING AIR COMPRESSOR ON TAILGATE OF TRUCK AND STRAINED NECK.

April 11, 1996 AL · Coal electrician, lineman POWERED HAULAGE
Coal Handling & Processing Inc · Struck by rolling or sliding object

MOVING STEEL PLATFORM WIHT FORKLIFT. CLEANING PREP PLANT YD. WHILE SCOTCHING LOAD, PLATFORM SLIDDOWN FORKS, MASHING LEFT THUMB OF INJURED.

February 28, 1996 AL · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Coal Handling & Processing Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS WALKING UP THE CATWALK TO ROSA COAL CONVEYOR AND STEPPED ON COAL AND TWISTED ANKLE.

1995 · 2 incidents

September 26, 1995 AL · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coal Handling & Processing Inc · Fall from machine

TRUCK DRIVER STEPPED OVER GUARD RAIL TO GET A SHOVEL. WHEN HE WAS STEPPING BACK OVER HE TRIPPED AND FELL. THIS DRIVER DOES NOT WORK FOR BOONE RESOURCES, HE IS A CONTRACTOR.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Piney Woods Preparation Plant

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.