Mining Incidents
Search Operators Mines Alerts Research Controllers Fatalgrams About
English Español
← Back to search

Prep Plant: 307 MSHA citations Coal

Controlled by Douglas Warriner
Arjay, Bell County, KY  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1509546

Prep Plant has $60K in proposed MSHA penalties and $23K outstanding across 18 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

Watch this mine

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

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
12
Years on record
2006–2011
Latest incident
Jan 2011
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
307
citations
96
significant & substantial
$60,040
proposed penalties
$26,217
paid to date
44% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $33,823 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
See DDB Energy Resources, LLC's full MSHA compliance history →
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
158
inspections on record
2,573
inspection hours
11.9
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.
307 citations across 2,573 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Prep Plant has $60K in proposed MSHA penalties and $23K outstanding across 18 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.
$60K
proposed penalties
$50K
current assessed
$26K
paid to date
$23K
outstanding
295 assessments are final orders; 18 contested dockets.
Of $37K in penalties contested before the Commission, $25K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-09-15.
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.
32.5%
significant & substantial
1.0%
high negligence or reckless
32.2%
reasonably likely or greater
6.4%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 4.1% low, 94.9% moderate, 1.0% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
98 citations taken to the federal commission · 32% of citations on record
  • Settled 63 · 64%
  • Stood as issued 32 · 33%
  • Vacated or withdrawn 3 · 3%
87%
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 54 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
31%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$37K proposed, $25K 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 2012-10-19.
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
KENT 2011-249 Dismissal Miller 2011 $7K → $4K
KENT 2009-17 Dismissal Andrews 2014 $7K → $7K
KENT 2009-761 Settlement Barbour 2010 $7K → $554
KENT 2010-40 Dismissal Andrews 2014 $4K → $4K
KENT 2009-18 Settlement Rae 2011 $4K → $3K
KENT 2010-1060 Settlement Miller 2011 $2K → $2K
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Prep Plant shows 99% of 67 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: 2010-09-20, 15 years ago
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
67
samples
1.72
dust max (mg/m3)
56 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 11 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • TIPPLE OPERATOR17
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR13
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH12

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: 2010-09-20, 15 years ago
10%
over PEL
29
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR8
  • REFUSE TRUCK DRIVER/BACKFILL TRUCK DRIVE6
  • LABORER/BLACKSMITH5
See US mines ranked by noise samples over the legal limit.
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
2010 92% 13
2009 100% 14
2008 100% 8
2007 100% 15
2006 100% 9
2005 100% 8
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2010 0% 8
2009 38% 8
2008 0% 4
2007 0% 5
2006 0% 4
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Prep Plant recorded 8.26 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2011.

Injury rate, 2011
ⓘ 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.
8.26
total case rate
8.26
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.83 and the all-US-mining average was 3.08 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.28 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
2011 * 8.26 8.26 0.000
2010 * 12.93 5.17 0.000
2009 * 4.00 4.00 0.000
2008 * 9.76 4.88 0.000
2007 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2006 * 9.35 3.12 0.000
2005 * 0.00 0.00 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.
Ownership history
  1. Eastover Mining Company 1976 to 1983
  2. Little Creek Coal Company 1983 to 1988
  3. Andalex Resources Inc 1988 to 1994
  4. Left Fork Mining Co Inc 1994 to 2016
  5. DDB Energy Resources, LLC 2016 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)
2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 1
2022 0
2021 2
2020 0
2019 0
2018 0
2017 0
2016 1
2015 1
2014 1
2013 1
2012 3
2011 13
2010 35
2009 19
2008 17
2007 19
2006 27 68,551
2005 20 11,487
2004 3
2003 3
2002 3
2001 0
2000 2
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Prep Plant 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 Q4 1,176 0 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 0 0
Show 92 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 0 0
2023 Q4 2,190 1 0 456.6
2023 Q3 0 1 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 0 0 0
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q3 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 2,795 0 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 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 0 0 0
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 0 1 0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 0 0 0
2017 Q2 0 0 0
2017 Q1 0 0 0
2016 Q4 504 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 520 1 0 1923.1
2015 Q1 85 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 65 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 60 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 65 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 65 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 52 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 0 1 0
2013 Q2 7 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 182 1 0 5494.5
2012 Q4 568 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 611 1 0 1636.7
2012 Q2 2,432 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 1,208 2 0 1655.6
2011 Q4 3,529 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 4,455 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 7,601 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 8,624 2 1 231.9
2010 Q4 19,249 2 1 103.9
2010 Q3 18,000 12 7 666.7
2010 Q2 20,456 31 6 1515.4
2010 Q1 19,659 61 13 3102.9
2009 Q4 18,638 7 0 375.6
2009 Q3 12,107 37 18 3056.1
2009 Q2 9,908 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 9,385 9 3 959.0
2008 Q4 9,981 3 1 300.6
2008 Q3 10,016 11 1 1098.2
2008 Q2 11,458 20 11 1745.5
2008 Q1 9,536 3 0 314.6
2007 Q4 11,179 3 0 268.4
2007 Q3 10,793 7 1 648.6
2007 Q2 11,178 8 3 715.7
2007 Q1 11,066 32 7 2891.7
2006 Q4 11,730 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 35,402 10 7 282.5
2006 Q2 9,029 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 8,029 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 20,086 8 5 398.3
2005 Q3 5,083 23 10 4524.9
2005 Q2 3,078 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 10,322 1 0 96.9
2004 Q4 2,434 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 1,479 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 1,347 1 0 742.4
2004 Q1 1,406 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 1,234 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 1,902 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 1,741 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 1,599 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 1,301 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 1,671 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 1,583 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 0 0 0
2001 Q3 0 0 0
2001 Q2 0 0 0
2001 Q1 0 4 0
2000 Q4 1,611 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 0 0 0
2000 Q2 1,261 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 1,694 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

12 on file

2011 · 1 incident

January 12, 2011 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting and pulling a mud pump shell. He stated he felt a sharp burning sensation in his stomach area around his belly button, noticing a protrusion.

2010 · 5 incidents

June 21, 2010 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Taking water line apart. Pipe Wrench slipped off pipe pinching middle finger on left hand between wrench and piece of metal.

April 29, 2010 KY · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Fall down stairs

Carrying a box to the control room and right foot caught the flight of stairs that leads from another floor. Fell on left arm causing rib injuries.

March 25, 2010 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Struck against stationary object

Working on Cat 740 truck. Turned to get a part and struck elbow on truck.

February 9, 2010 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was getting inside Dozer when he slipped on the track resulting in jerking his back and neck.

January 27, 2010 KY · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to replace a bearing on tail-roller. Race popped loose striking him in the chest, causing swelling and bruising.

2009 · 1 incident

September 11, 2009 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Fall from machine

Employee was standing on the fender of a mac truck. It was raining and he slipped off of the fender and landed on his left ankle. Twisted and sprained left ankle. Swelling and bruising.

2008 · 2 incidents

October 25, 2008 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was striking a 160-chain with hammer trying to remove a link. A piece of metal from the chain cut into his right hand just above his thumb. He had a visible piece of metal stuck in his right thumb joint above the first knuckle. Minor injury.

January 12, 2008 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EE was crossing over the #1 plant feed belt when he slipped and fell. He hit his lower back on a belt roller resulting in a bruise.

2006 · 3 incidents

July 21, 2006 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pulling a screen that was stuck between a pipe & a beam to ge it unlodged. He walked around opposite side. He began pullint & it came loose & cut his left knee. Some bleeding & 1st Aid applied. Seeked medical attention.

June 22, 2006 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Water was accidently sprayed into EE ears while walking by control room. Another employee was washing down floor from above & water sprayed into his ears. Both left & right ears. Minor injury.

April 29, 2006 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Left Fork Mining Co Inc · Fall from machine

EE was checking gallons in tank of gasoline out- side while climbing down EE fell and scraped below right knee. EE fell on right leg causing bruising and swelling on right leg. Transported self to hospital not a serious accident.