Mining Incidents

Pontiki Plant Coal

Lovely, Martin County, KY  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1514324

Pontiki Plant has $299K in proposed MSHA penalties and $25K outstanding across 25 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Pontiki Plant.

Fatalities
1
Total incidents
32
Years on record
1998–2019
Latest incident
Dec 2019
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
649
citations
287
significant & substantial
$298,537
proposed penalties
$213,202
paid to date
71% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $85,335 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
217
inspections on record
7,193
inspection hours
9.0
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.
649 citations across 7,193 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Pontiki Plant has $299K in proposed MSHA penalties and $25K outstanding across 25 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.
$299K
proposed penalties
$238K
current assessed
$213K
paid to date
$25K
outstanding
632 assessments are final orders; 25 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-03-07.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Pontiki Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.36 mg/m3 (98% compliant) across 260 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.
0.36
dust avg (mg/m3)
3.66
dust max (mg/m3)
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
260
samples
Most recent sample: 2020-06-01.
Silica (quartz)
2.1
silica avg (%)
5.1
silica max (%)
15
samples
Most recent sample: 2020-01-21.
Noise
11%
over PEL
123
samples
Most recent sample: 2020-06-01.
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 Q4 0 0 0
2025 Q3 0 0 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 1,820 0 0 0.0
Show 91 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2022 Q4 215 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 0 0 0
2022 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 24 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 528 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 536 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 3,162 6 0 1897.5
2020 Q1 7,006 14 7 1998.3
2019 Q4 9,169 3 1 327.2
2019 Q3 9,848 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 9,440 8 4 847.5
2019 Q1 12,891 1 0 77.6
2018 Q4 8,285 15 7 1810.5
2018 Q3 713 6 0 8415.1
2018 Q2 0 1 0
2018 Q1 0 0 0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 0 0 0
2017 Q2 0 0 0
2017 Q1 0 1 0
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2016 Q3 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 0 0
2016 Q1 4,043 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 8,714 23 5 2639.4
2015 Q3 8,867 8 6 902.2
2015 Q2 9,160 23 11 2510.9
2015 Q1 7,687 4 2 520.4
2014 Q4 7,281 21 19 2884.2
2014 Q3 6,005 17 2 2831.0
2014 Q2 4,539 1 1 220.3
2013 Q4 5,456 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 8,910 2 2 224.5
2013 Q2 12,350 2 0 161.9
2013 Q1 13,737 6 2 436.8
2012 Q4 14,247 2 2 140.4
2012 Q3 10,225 2 0 195.6
2012 Q2 9,632 21 10 2180.2
2012 Q1 9,942 1 1 100.6
2011 Q4 9,639 10 4 1037.5
2011 Q3 12,315 6 5 487.2
2011 Q2 11,479 7 3 609.8
2011 Q1 11,631 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 9,469 15 8 1584.1
2010 Q3 9,557 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 10,045 19 8 1891.5
2010 Q1 10,471 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 8,578 12 3 1398.9
2009 Q3 9,723 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 13,440 10 7 744.0
2009 Q1 13,925 9 2 646.3
2008 Q4 12,918 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 12,933 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 14,066 26 18 1848.4
2008 Q1 13,368 30 13 2244.2
2007 Q4 12,661 4 2 315.9
2007 Q3 12,647 34 9 2688.4
2007 Q2 13,054 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 14,340 8 5 557.9
2006 Q4 12,653 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 13,814 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 14,225 6 3 421.8
2006 Q1 14,353 1 1 69.7
2005 Q4 12,737 17 5 1334.7
2005 Q3 13,346 6 3 449.6
2005 Q2 14,671 8 6 545.3
2005 Q1 16,567 3 1 181.1
2004 Q4 13,885 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 13,424 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 13,291 29 2 2181.9
2004 Q1 14,056 4 0 284.6
2003 Q4 12,652 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 14,101 3 1 212.8
2003 Q2 13,901 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 14,526 5 2 344.2
2002 Q4 12,553 1 1 79.7
2002 Q3 14,736 8 3 542.9
2002 Q2 16,201 1 0 61.7
2002 Q1 16,339 26 10 1591.3
2001 Q4 11,393 1 1 87.8
2001 Q3 13,153 14 7 1064.4
2001 Q2 14,664 2 1 136.4
2001 Q1 12,792 108 66 8442.8
2000 Q4 11,826 7 0 591.9
2000 Q3 12,037 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 12,416 20 5 1610.8
2000 Q1 13,241 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
September 3, 1999 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

FELL APPROX. 55' FROM 3RD FLOOR - FATAL(3RD FLOOR OF PREP PLANT)

Reportable incidents

31 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2019 · 2 incidents

December 11, 2019 KY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Struck against a moving object

The employee was going from the worksite to the plant with a load of coal when the driver came upon a rise in the road and they missed a gear at the top of the rise. The truck was then in neutral and they lost control on the down grade of the rise and the truck turned on its side. The gear shift struck the employee in the rib cage causing a possible fracture to rib.

October 16, 2019 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Fall from ladders

Employee was pulling wire in conduit while standing on extension ladder in shop area when ladder slid down the wall causing them to fall injuring shins and right elbow. EE continued to work until 11-15-19 where they received an MRI and was schedule for surgery on 11-18-19 on right elbow and was taken off work.

2015 · 2 incidents

November 20, 2015 KY · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Revelation Energy, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee states that as he was climbing down from loader using 3 point contact that his foot slipped and he fell.

April 7, 2015 KY · Coal FIRE
Revelation Energy, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Smoke was noted coming out of the silo. Upon further inspection, it was discovered the coal in silo was on fire.

2013 · 1 incident

March 20, 2013 KY · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Fall from ladders

Was on a ladder that was leaning against a block wall. The ladder kicked out and he fell approx. 4 ft. to the ground landing on his feet. He originally thought he had twisted or sprained his ankle - later found to have fractured bone in foot.

2011 · 1 incident

August 19, 2011 KY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Excel Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

The trucks bed started sliding around to the left and he tried to correct it. His R/front tire struck the berm on his right side causing the bed of the truck to turn on around and his L/front tire struck the berm. This caused truck to turn striking the left berm below him with his left front tire causing the cab of the truck to overturn.

2010 · 3 incidents

December 11, 2010 KY · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee stated he was walking from employee parking lot to shop when he tripped on water hose and fell. Employee did not report this to Safety Dept until 12-13-10. Is doing therapy on left calf muscle.

December 3, 2010 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was helping replace screens, they were putting a chute back in place when a bolt broke loose causing the chute to come loose. Chute struck EE on both legs causing him to fall.

May 26, 2010 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee stepped onto pump to untangle pull chain. When he stepped off the pump, his foot slipped causing him to fall striking his right side and back on the base of the pump. his doctor removed him from work on 6-1-10.

2008 · 1 incident

April 10, 2008 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Excel Mining LLC · Struck against stationary object

Clawbar slipped and smashed finger on rail.

2007 · 6 incidents

November 20, 2007 KY · Coal pumper HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE stated that he was helping break down hydraulic hoses to relocate them from along the floor to the wall. They had bleed the pressure off the accumulator and thought there was no pressure on the closed side. One hose had some pressure on it and a fine mist of hydraulic oil got in his eyes. He went to the dr 11/23 but did not report dr visit until 12/12/07. No lost time.

July 25, 2007 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that he was assisting in replacing a 6" pipe. He stepped on a piece of angle iron which bent and his foot slipped. This resulted in his foot going between two pipes, causing a possible strain to his lower back and right thigh. Did not start missing work until 7/30/07. Doctor has him off work pending an MRI.

July 25, 2007 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping to unroll a roll of 2" poly pipe. When they got to the end of the roll of pipe the end broke and struck the employee across the right ear causing a laceration. Sutures were required to close the laceration.

June 5, 2007 KY · Coal pumper MACHINERY
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

EE stated that he was helping cut out steel beams. He had taken off his safety glasses to wipe his face & got something in his eye. We didn't know that he went to the doctor until dr's billing came over 2 weeks later. He stated that his eye had continued to irritate him so he went to the E.R. a couple of days later & they removed a particle from his eye & prescribed medication.

March 8, 2007 KY · Coal electrician, lineman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Excel Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The above date indicates the day that the employee went off work for surgery to both wrist. His physician contributes the carpal tunnel condition to the repeated movement of his wrist from years of using hand and other tools as a machinec and electrican.

January 19, 2007 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Excel Mining LLC · Flash burns (welding)

Employee was exposed to welding and/or cutting flashes throughout the day. Time of accident reflects the end of his work shift.

2006 · 1 incident

April 14, 2006 KY · Coal miner, prospector, nec MACHINERY
Excel Mining LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE states he was working on top of silo with 3 others and there was grinding and welding in a small area. EE was taking up grating, when he was hit in the right eye with a foreign object.

2005 · 2 incidents

August 19, 2005 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Excel Mining LLC · Fall from machine

Employee stated he was on his way to work. As he was coming upon the gate at the entrance to the mine he thought the gate was up. He stated that he looked away briefly and ran into the gate which security cameras show was down. As he struck the security gate he was knocked off his motor bike. He has not missed any work.

May 9, 2005 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

EE STATED HE WAS GIRNDING A WEAR LINER IN A WASH BOX WHILE SEVERAL OTHERS WERE INSTALLING FLIGHTS IN THE WASH BOX. THE FLIGHT THEY WERE INSTALLING CAME OFF THE BOLTS CAUSING IT TO SWING AROUND. THE SWINGING MOTION CAUSED IT TO PULL OUT OF THE HOLDER ON THE OPPOSITE END AND FALL. THE SWINGING MOTION THREW THE FLIGHT OUT 4-5 FT AND IT STRUCK HIM ACROSS THE TOP OF THE HEAD

2004 · 2 incidents

November 24, 2004 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was throwing shackle attached to a rope over a telephone line and tore bicep muscle.

2003 · 1 incident

August 22, 2003 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HELPING ANOTHER EE REMOVE FEED PIPES FOR SCREEN WHEN ONE OF THE ATTACHED STUBS ON FEED PIPE STRUCK 4' PIPE STILL ATTACHED TO SPIRALS AND CAME LOOSE STRIKING HIM IN THE HEAD.

2002 · 3 incidents

July 4, 2002 KY · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SUPERVISING A CREW SETTING EQUIPMENT WHEN A 7/8" SHACKLE SUNG DOWN AND STRUCK HIM INT HE FACE.

July 1, 2002 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE CLIMBED OVER HANDRAIL & HIS KNEE GAVE OUT. THIS IS REOCCURENCE OF INJURY DATED 2-4-02.

February 13, 2002 KY · Coal cleanup man, cleanup worker MACHINERY
Excel Mining LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING REPAIRS 1ST FLOOR FINE REFUSE CHUTE. CUTTING A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON WHEN A PIECE OF METAL, RUST, OR SLAG (NOT SURE WHICH) FLEW INTO HIS EYE. THIS CAUSED REDNESS, PAIN & BURNING TO EYE & EYELID.

2001 · 2 incidents

September 20, 2001 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS STANDING AT BOTTOM OF PREP PLANT MAN LIFT, WAITING TO GET ON. JUST AS HE REMOVED HIS HARD HAT TO WIPE SWEAT FROM BROW,EE LOST A PORTABLE RADIO FROM HIS POCKET FROM A STEP ON THE MANLIFT, ABOVE HIS HEAD RADIO FELL STRIKING HIM TOP OF HEAD.

July 2, 2001 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Excel Mining LLC · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS CLEANING OUT LOAD OUT CHUTE WHEN COAL SLID OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HIM. HE WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT AND GRABBED THE ROPE WITH HIS HAND.

2000 · 3 incidents

October 27, 2000 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Excel Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED: HE WAS MOVING HEAVY DUTY LADDER TOWARDS VESSEL H.M. SUMP PUMP. SLIPPED AND ALMOST FELL.

August 16, 2000 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED WAS PUMPING PORTAPOWER--A HUB ON 150HP MOTOR WOULDN'T COME LOOSE--TRIED TO PUMP JACK ONE MORE TIME AND BOLT BROKE LOOSE HITTING HIM IN NOSE.

April 25, 2000 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Excel Mining LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE LIFTING SCREEN AND FELT A PIN IN HIS GROIN AREA.

1998 · 1 incident

December 10, 1998 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Excel Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED: REMOVING A SECONDARY CUTTER AT LOADOUT. CHAIN HOIST WAS HOOKED TO METAL. WHEN LAST BOLT KNOCKED LOOSE THE WEIGHT OF METAL WAS PLACED ON HOOKS AND THEY PULLED THORUGH METAL SCRAPING HAND AGAINS CHUTE AS IT DROPPED.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Pontiki 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.