Mining Incidents

Primrose Operation: 86 MSHA citations Coal

Controlled by Blaschak Holding Corp
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, PA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3609401

Primrose Operation has $11K in proposed MSHA penalties and $151 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
37
Years on record
2007–2024
Latest incident
Feb 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2006
86
citations
9
significant & substantial
$10,932
proposed penalties
$9,983
paid to date
91% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $949 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2006
66
inspections on record
3,452
inspection hours
2.5
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.
86 citations across 3,452 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Primrose Operation has $11K in proposed MSHA penalties and $151 outstanding across 2 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.
$11K
proposed penalties
$10K
current assessed
$10K
paid to date
$151
outstanding
82 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $751 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-06-24.
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.
10.6%
significant & substantial
0.0%
high negligence or reckless
10.6%
reasonably likely or greater
9.4%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 1.2% none, 56.5% low, 42.4% moderate, 0.0% 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.
2 citations taken to the federal commission · 2% of citations on record
  • Settled 2 · 100%
100%
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 1 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
52%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $751 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 2011-10-31.
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
PENN 2010-218 Settlement Harner 2011 $1K → $651
PENN 2012-48 Settlement Lesnick 2012 $100 → $100
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Primrose Operation shows 99% of 453 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: 2026-08-04
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
453
samples
4.09
dust max (mg/m3)
1
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.
276 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 177 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • HIGHWALL DRILL OPERATOR133
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR113
  • REFUSE TRUCK DRIVER/BACKFILL TRUCK DRIVE39

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2025-07-21
15.6
silica avg (%)
26
samples
39.0
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR20
  • HIGHWALL DRILL OPERATOR4
  • STRIPPING SHOVEL OPERATOR2

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: 2026-01-21
0%
over PEL
173
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • BULLDOZER OPERATOR30
  • REFUSE TRUCK DRIVER/BACKFILL TRUCK DRIVE27
  • HIGHWALL DRILL OPERATOR24
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
2026 100% 20
2025 100% 27
2024 100% 23
2023 100% 17
2022 100% 32
2021 100% 29
2020 100% 24
2019 93% 29
2018 100% 28
2017 100% 25
2016 100% 22
2015 100% 40
2014 100% 21
2013 100% 15
2012 90% 21
2011 100% 24
2010 96% 26
2009 100% 5
2008 100% 10
2007 100% 12
2006 100% 3
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2025 10.8 1
2023 2.5 1
2021 0.9 2
2020 1.1 2
2019 9.9 2
2018 11.3 2
2017 17.2 3
2015 27.3 3
2013 25.0 1
2008 24.4 3
2007 22.1 4
2006 12.3 2
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2026 0% 9
2025 0% 6
2024 0% 11
2023 0% 8
2022 0% 21
2021 0% 5
2020 0% 9
2019 0% 4
2018 0% 19
2017 0% 4
2016 0% 9
2015 0% 12
2014 0% 8
2013 0% 18
2012 0% 5
2011 0% 6
2010 0% 5
2008 0% 4
2007 0% 7
2006 0% 3
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Primrose Operation recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.

Injury rate, 2025
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 3.19 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Pennsylvania, coal mining averaged 2.63 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
2025 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2024 * 6.62 6.62 0.000
2023 * 6.80 6.80 0.000
2022 * 6.32 6.32 0.000
2021 * 3.52 3.52 0.000
2020 * 3.66 3.66 0.000
2019 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2018 * 8.90 8.90 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. Blaschak Anthracite Corporation 2006 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 23 43,464
2025 26 145,438
2024 26 160,725
2023 25 189,438
2022 28 155,347
2021 26 156,677
2020 27 140,279
2019 25 109,174
2018 22 127,200
2017 22 115,469
2016 28 103,458
2015 30 155,856
2014 36 123,663
2013 34 112,042
2012 32 118,128
2011 27 93,494
2010 23 83,781
2009 22 96,657
2008 21 72,215
2007 17 21,899
2006 10 1,580
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Primrose Operation 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
2026 Q2 11,542 2 1 173.3
2026 Q1 11,709 1 0 85.4
2025 Q4 12,512 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 15,096 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 14,886 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 14,640 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 15,239 2 0 131.2
2024 Q3 16,000 0 0 0.0
Show 71 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 15,137 1 0 66.1
2024 Q1 14,047 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 12,939 1 0 77.3
2023 Q3 15,510 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 14,851 2 0 134.7
2023 Q1 15,562 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 14,572 2 0 137.2
2022 Q3 16,567 2 0 120.7
2022 Q2 16,295 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 15,860 1 0 63.1
2021 Q4 14,055 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 15,176 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 13,888 2 1 144.0
2021 Q1 13,753 2 0 145.4
2020 Q4 12,083 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 13,724 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 13,288 1 0 75.3
2020 Q1 15,553 1 0 64.3
2019 Q4 13,849 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 14,083 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 14,346 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 10,504 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 10,256 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 11,299 2 0 177.0
2018 Q2 10,675 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 12,700 2 0 157.5
2017 Q4 9,730 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 10,270 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 8,563 1 0 116.8
2017 Q1 9,423 1 0 106.1
2016 Q4 12,866 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 11,510 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 14,169 1 0 70.6
2016 Q1 12,110 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 14,609 2 0 136.9
2015 Q3 16,665 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 16,007 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 14,732 1 0 67.9
2014 Q4 14,022 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 16,792 1 1 59.6
2014 Q2 15,503 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 17,952 2 1 111.4
2013 Q4 15,889 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 17,006 1 0 58.8
2013 Q2 13,121 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 15,579 3 0 192.6
2012 Q4 11,865 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 15,511 2 0 128.9
2012 Q2 16,092 3 0 186.4
2012 Q1 15,681 9 1 573.9
2011 Q4 16,155 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 15,561 3 0 192.8
2011 Q2 14,548 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 11,135 5 0 449.0
2010 Q4 13,263 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 13,240 1 1 75.5
2010 Q2 12,084 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 12,636 1 0 79.1
2009 Q4 12,487 2 1 160.2
2009 Q3 12,338 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 12,681 5 2 394.3
2009 Q1 14,296 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 10,928 3 0 274.5
2008 Q3 13,769 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 13,908 1 0 71.9
2008 Q1 13,637 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 12,769 4 0 313.3
2007 Q3 10,430 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 6,849 3 0 438.0
2007 Q1 6,789 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 5,515 2 0 362.6
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

37 on file

2024 · 2 incidents

February 20, 2024 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler OTHER
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck by flying object

When walking down dragline, dust blew into eye causing irritation.

January 31, 2024 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler MACHINERY
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Flash burns (welding)

Employee was helping the welders all day long. Employee texted their foreman at 10 PM at night to inform them that their eyes are hurting and EE was going to the emergency room. It was found that EE had suffered welders flash. EE had both been around welding all day and lowered the shade setting on their helmet from 11 to 9, which is below the recommended setting.

2023 · 2 incidents

September 1, 2023 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck against a moving object

While pushing a large rock alone with one other D10 dozer, the rock overturned catching the bottom lip of the blade. This lifted the dozer 1-2 feet in the front and then fell down. The bounce caused EE to hit head off the cab. EE did not seek medical treatment until 10/04/2023.

2022 · 2 incidents

November 8, 2022 PA · Coal rotary bucket excavator operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Foot slipped off the catwalk on excavator and went between the catwalk and the step. Employee's foot was caught and EE fell down off excavator, breaking EE's leg due to foot being stuck. EE then fell to the ground. Broke lower right leg.

August 22, 2022 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck by falling object

Employee was removing a piece of drag rope from inside the shovel of the 7450 dragline. While moving it over EE walking shaft, EE lost control of the drag rope and it struck EE in the arm causing a contusion in left upper arm.

2021 · 1 incident

October 14, 2021 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck against a moving object

Employee backed over a rock while operating dozer. No equipment damage. Employee claims they bounced and received a contusion on their shoulder.

2020 · 2 incidents

August 18, 2020 PA · Coal welder (non-shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was on floor welding plug hole for plates in 777 haul truck box, employee needed more lead so they crawled to suitcase welder, grabbed it with right hand and gave it a yank.

April 14, 2020 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

When lowering a pump into the pit, the excess hose likely slid down over the highwall and snapped the portion of the hose laying on the bench tight, which caused the portion hanging over the edge to jump over some rocks that stuck out from the highwall and straighten out across the bench, snapping the hose back towards the pickup and striking employee in the leg.

2018 · 3 incidents

September 6, 2018 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Stepped out of truck, stepping on uneven ground (rut/hole) and twisted ankle.

January 22, 2018 PA · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

HELPING CHANGE THE HOIST ROPE ON THE 7450 DRAGLINE. WAS REMOVING THE WEDGE FROM THE HOIST CABLE SOCKET USING A RUBBER SLEDGE HAMMER WHEN EMPLOYEE INJURED ARM WHILE SWINGING.

2017 · 2 incidents

September 23, 2017 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck against a moving object

Continuing pain from running the dozer. Dozer was inspected for propper running condition. Reported incident 9/23, but was not off work until 9/27/17. Returned to work 10/2/17. Off work again begining 10/9/17.

July 11, 2017 PA · Coal welder (non-shop) DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift - Hearing loss of 25 dB in right ear at 2000Hz from baseline test on 08/09/2011 to the recent test on 7/11/2017.

2016 · 4 incidents

November 30, 2016 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler STRIKING OR BUMPING
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck against stationary object

Employee was in the lower deck of the dragline cleaning in a compartment. When finished cleaning, EE was moving between compartments on the way out of the lower deck; when EE hit against the side of a port hole causing strain to lower rib cage.

June 24, 2016 PA · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Crouched down to remove a light fixture from 7450 dragline and hold it until the bolts were removed. Upon standing, felt pain in lower back.

January 20, 2016 PA · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Moving trailing cable by dragline and slipped on covered ice breaking EE's ankle.

2015 · 1 incident

January 15, 2015 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck by flying object

Employee was removing bearing race with hammer and chisel. Piece of metal came off race, hitting him in the left eye. Employee was wearing safety glasses

2014 · 4 incidents

September 2, 2014 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After moving CAT 375 excavator, employee climbed down off the machine. He was holding the hand rail with his right hand, twisted while stepping off, and felt his right shoulder pop.

May 7, 2014 PA · Coal welder (non-shop) DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hearing loss of 25dB in left ear at 2000Hz from baseline test on 8/9/11 to recent test on 5/7/14.

February 6, 2014 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Climbed on top of 777 truck to put tow cables on in order to pull truck. This resulted in pulling or pinching testicles.

2013 · 6 incidents

August 12, 2013 PA · Coal water truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Was climbing ladder on fuel truck to check the fuel level, when the employee felt a pinch in his right upper arm/shoulder.

May 22, 2013 PA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Working under 773B water truck. Bent over working on a hydraulic hose when he felt a pop in his back.

May 13, 2013 PA · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Attempting to climb ladder on 777 truck. Foot slipped through second rung causing right leg to twist at knee. Did not send report to MSHA until now as he sought no treatment and no lost time originally, but now is going to doctor.

March 26, 2013 PA · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hearing loss of 25db in right ear at 3000 Hz from 1/14/05 to recent test on 3/26/13. Reportable hearing loss.

2012 · 2 incidents

September 10, 2012 PA · Coal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing cylinder pin on Demag bucket using a metal bar. When pin was pushed through, cylinder slid against bar, causing hand to be pinched between bar & bucket.

2011 · 2 incidents

July 12, 2011 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pushing on hose to slip it over a fitting he felt something in his back.

2010 · 1 incident

February 8, 2010 PA · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler OTHER
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was stepping out of grease truck when the wind blew the door shut and it hit him on the arm.

2009 · 1 incident

2008 · 1 incident

June 7, 2008 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Blaschak Anthracite Corporation · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Holding wrench for mechanic, wrench slipped and smashed finger.

2007 · 1 incident