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.
206 citations across 1,948 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
S-15 Flag Knob has $48K in proposed MSHA penalties and $3K 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.
$48K
proposed penalties
$45K
current assessed
$42K
paid to date
$3K
outstanding
198 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
Of $9K in penalties contested before the Commission, $6K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2013-11-19.
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.
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.
MSHA sampling at S-15 Flag Knob shows 97% of 184 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: 2013-12-02, 12 years ago
97%
within 1.5 mg/m3
184
samples
4.29
dust max (mg/m3)
133 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 51 by the operator.
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.
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.
S-15 Flag Knob recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2010.
Injury rate, 2010
ⓘ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 3.96 and the all-US-mining average was 3.20 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.85 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
2010 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2009 *
12.80
7.68
0.000
2008 *
4.33
4.33
0.000
2005 *
12.31
0.00
0.000
2004 *
6.34
2.11
0.000
2003
7.03
3.52
0.000
2002
3.79
3.79
0.000
2001
4.29
3.22
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.
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)
2014
0
2013
2
23,602
2012
0
2011
1
2010
20
64,038
2009
23
241,461
2008
15
153,805
2006
17
64,153
2005
15
23,677
2004
36
530,130
2003
45
744,366
2002
54
875,993
2001
80
1,179,597
2000
67
1,075,983
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
S-15 Flag Knob sits in Pike County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 5.1% 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.
Pike County, Kentucky · Population 57,466
5.1%
Mining share of county employment
$42,179
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
2014 Q3
0
0
0
2014 Q2
0
0
0
2014 Q1
0
0
0
2013 Q4
2,848
1
0
351.1
2013 Q3
1,106
0
0
0.0
2013 Q2
0
0
0
2013 Q1
0
0
0
2012 Q4
0
5
1
Show 42 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2011 Q4
0
0
0
2011 Q3
0
0
0
2011 Q2
128
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
400
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
3,149
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
16,450
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
11,213
5
1
445.9
2010 Q1
9,340
1
1
107.1
2009 Q4
16,410
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
18,368
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
21,911
9
5
410.8
2009 Q1
21,416
2
2
93.4
2008 Q4
24,300
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
14,953
1
1
66.9
2008 Q2
6,706
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
226
6
4
26548.7
2006 Q2
6,040
0
0
0.0
2006 Q1
11,685
2
1
171.2
2005 Q4
7,582
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
9,216
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
8,914
1
0
112.2
2005 Q1
6,787
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
5,272
1
0
189.7
2004 Q3
25,786
13
2
504.1
2004 Q2
30,267
0
0
0.0
2004 Q1
33,345
5
2
149.9
2003 Q4
31,645
0
0
0.0
2003 Q3
30,598
6
4
196.1
2003 Q2
27,298
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
24,251
1
1
41.2
2002 Q4
30,337
0
0
0.0
2002 Q3
37,840
4
1
105.7
2002 Q2
29,799
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
60,528
5
4
82.6
2001 Q4
68,478
18
7
262.9
2001 Q3
58,999
1
1
16.9
2001 Q2
43,280
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
15,649
6
3
383.4
2000 Q4
47,217
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
38,969
6
4
154.0
2000 Q2
46,120
19
13
412.0
2000 Q1
34,355
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
27 on file
2011 · 2 incidents
March 21, 2011KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Injured was jump starting the battery on a 988B front-end loader. While disconnecting the cable, the cover fell, cutting left thumb. Three stitches required for cut to left thumb.
While putting the track back on a cat excavator, a chain became fouled between the segment and track. Another chain was attached to each side of the track so it could be lifted up to relieve pressure on the fouled chain. One of the hooks on the track chain came loose and struck the EE on the chin, causing two lacerations that required stitches.
September 25, 2009KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerOTHER
EE operated various types of equipment on this date along with other manual labor tasks. He experienced severe back and leg pain after the shift ended. He sought medical treatment on 9-26-09. He reported this on 9-28-09 and has not returned to work as of this date 9-29-09.
The victim was assisting the mechanic in charging the air conditioning system. He placed his hand behind the operators seat at the air discharge area to see if it was cooling. Unknown to him the guard over the fan blades was damaged. He contacted the moving blades, cutting his finger which required stitches.
April 3, 2009KY · Coalgreaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oilerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was servicing a 988B Caterpillar loader. While descending the left rear step, his foot slipped causing him to strike the ground, breaking his right femur.
January 13, 2009KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The employee fell while dismounting his dozer, brusining his leg and knee. He went to the dr on 2/12/09 and received medical treatment. Fluid was drained from the knee. The company was not aware this had taken place until 4/3/09. Injury did not file a comp claim which would have alerted us. It was discovered in the corporate office on the results of his cdl physical.
2008 · 1 incident
October 4, 2008KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
EE was injured 4/23/08 at another operation. He returned to work 7/7/08 and transferred to this site where he complained of back pain due to backing his dozer over a rock and creating a severe jolt.
LCC Kentucky LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
EMPLOYEE WAS FUELING A ROCK TRUCK. HE HEARD A NOISE AND WALKED ACROSS FRONT OF TRUCK AND LOOKED UP AT BATTERIES THAT HAD SHORTED OUT AND EXPLODED. ACID SPRAYED IN HIS EYES AND FACE. EMPLOYEE RECEIVED MINOR BURNS.
2005 · 2 incidents
August 5, 2005KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
LCC Kentucky LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
EE was operating dozer in hollowfill. Dozer operating temperature was rising. EE stopped the dozer to check radiator and while raising cover the radiator cap blew off spraying coolanton ee burning his right wrist, shoulder, face and neck.
August 5, 2005KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
LCC Kentucky LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
EMPLOYEES EXPOSURE TO RESPIRABLE DUST OVER HIS WORK HISTORY.
EE WAS BACKFILLING A DRILL BLAST HOLE WHEN HE HOOKED A ROCK HIDDEN IN THE DRILL CHIPPINGS. HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK THAT INCREASED LATER IN THE DAY. HE FINISHED THE SHIFT AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON THE WAY HOME. HE WORKED HIS REGULAR SCHEDULE/REGULAR JOB THE 29TH AND 30TH AND TOOK ANNUAL RE-TRAINING ON THE 31ST. HE STARTED MISSING WORK 8/2/04.
May 3, 2004KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
WHILE EE WAS OPERATING EXCAVATOR, THE SIDE WINDOW POPPED OUT, USING HIS POCKET KNIFE AS A PRY BAR TO RE-INSTALL THE WINDOW. THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER.
2003 · 4 incidents
December 5, 2003KY · Coaldriller, highwall operator, highwall drill operatorMACHINERY
HIGHWALL DRILL WAS GOING TO THE DRILL BENCH ON THE ACCESS ROAD. THE DRILL GOT THE CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. WENT THRU THE BERM AND SLID INTO THE STRIP PIT BELOW. THE OPERATOR JUMPED OUT A S THE DRILL SLID DOWN THE BANK. MISSED WORK 1-6-04.
October 2, 2003KY · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EE WAS OPERATING A DOZER, PUSHING OUT A SHOT, ANOTHER DOZER WAS PUSHING OUT THE SHOT AT A HIGHER ELEVATION. A LARGE ROCK ROLLED INTO THE DOZER OPERATED BY INJURED EE, INJURING HIS LOWER BACK AREA.
EE WAS OPERATING A ROCK TRUCK. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, STRUCK A BERM AND SPOIL PILE COMING TO A STOP. HE SUFFERED INJURY TO LOWER BACK AND POSSIBLE HEAD INJURY.
April 9, 2002KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
AS HE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF SERVICE TRUCK, HE GOT HIS RING CAUGHT ON THE LADDER AND PEELED SKIN & TISSUE FROM PROXIMAL JOINT TO MIDDLE JOINT ON RING FINGER ON LEFT HAND.
EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING ON A DRILL HEAD CABLE. CABLE CAME LOOSE AND HE STRUCK HIS ELBOW ON BRACKET ON DRILL MAST. ELBOW SWELLED AND WAS SORE. VERY SMALL LACERATION, NO STICHES.
January 5, 2001KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE