The employee was assisting in hoisting a beam from a tight space. The beam twisted while they lifted it with a chainfall which caused it to spin into the side of the chute where the employee had their right hand. The employee's hand was bruised with a small cut on the pad of their thumb.
Saunders Preparation Plant Coal
Saunders Preparation Plant has $182K in proposed MSHA penalties and $21K outstanding across 29 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 86
- Years on record
- 1983–2025
- Latest incident
- Jun 2025
ⓘ
This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.Saunders Preparation Plant has $182K in proposed MSHA penalties and $21K outstanding across 29 contested dockets.
ⓘ
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.MSHA sampling at Saunders Preparation Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.22 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 269 samples.
ⓘ
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 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.ⓘ
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.| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q4 | 33,043 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q3 | 35,394 | 2 | 0 | 56.5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 35,742 | 21 | 5 | 587.5 |
| 2025 Q1 | 37,772 | 12 | 1 | 317.7 |
| 2024 Q4 | 34,763 | 31 | 10 | 891.8 |
| 2024 Q3 | 34,490 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 Q2 | 35,612 | 24 | 7 | 673.9 |
| 2024 Q1 | 38,079 | 12 | 4 | 315.1 |
Show 65 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q4 | 36,233 | 1 | 0 | 27.6 |
| 2023 Q3 | 36,453 | 13 | 5 | 356.6 |
| 2023 Q2 | 36,711 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q1 | 34,293 | 26 | 7 | 758.2 |
| 2022 Q4 | 32,110 | 1 | 1 | 31.1 |
| 2022 Q3 | 34,389 | 13 | 4 | 378.0 |
| 2022 Q2 | 34,389 | 13 | 2 | 378.0 |
| 2022 Q1 | 32,625 | 24 | 9 | 735.6 |
| 2021 Q4 | 29,338 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q3 | 32,427 | 24 | 1 | 740.1 |
| 2021 Q2 | 31,016 | 9 | 2 | 290.2 |
| 2021 Q1 | 26,951 | 14 | 5 | 519.5 |
| 2020 Q4 | 21,506 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2020 Q3 | 21,864 | 1 | 0 | 45.7 |
| 2020 Q2 | 10,965 | 6 | 0 | 547.2 |
| 2020 Q1 | 32,168 | 12 | 2 | 373.0 |
| 2019 Q4 | 29,630 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2019 Q3 | 31,221 | 2 | 0 | 64.1 |
| 2019 Q2 | 30,234 | 6 | 1 | 198.5 |
| 2019 Q1 | 29,825 | 5 | 2 | 167.6 |
| 2018 Q4 | 26,860 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q3 | 26,738 | 5 | 0 | 187.0 |
| 2018 Q2 | 27,154 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2018 Q1 | 28,549 | 6 | 1 | 210.2 |
| 2017 Q4 | 25,952 | 3 | 0 | 115.6 |
| 2017 Q3 | 26,210 | 3 | 1 | 114.5 |
| 2017 Q2 | 29,827 | 3 | 0 | 100.6 |
| 2017 Q1 | 24,466 | 11 | 1 | 449.6 |
| 2016 Q4 | 20,507 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q3 | 20,737 | 4 | 0 | 192.9 |
| 2016 Q2 | 17,622 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2016 Q1 | 23,461 | 8 | 0 | 341.0 |
| 2015 Q4 | 20,986 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2015 Q3 | 25,018 | 10 | 6 | 399.7 |
| 2015 Q2 | 23,922 | 8 | 5 | 334.4 |
| 2015 Q1 | 24,619 | 2 | 0 | 81.2 |
| 2014 Q4 | 24,491 | 16 | 8 | 653.3 |
| 2014 Q3 | 27,766 | 8 | 6 | 288.1 |
| 2014 Q2 | 29,491 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2014 Q1 | 30,886 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q4 | 28,645 | 3 | 0 | 104.7 |
| 2013 Q3 | 29,681 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2013 Q2 | 30,966 | 8 | 3 | 258.3 |
| 2013 Q1 | 31,248 | 1 | 0 | 32.0 |
| 2012 Q4 | 28,774 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q3 | 30,456 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2012 Q2 | 27,860 | 12 | 6 | 430.7 |
| 2012 Q1 | 27,303 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2011 Q4 | 17,811 | 11 | 7 | 617.6 |
| 2011 Q3 | 15,511 | 2 | 1 | 128.9 |
| 2011 Q2 | 16,837 | 15 | 8 | 890.9 |
| 2011 Q1 | 15,911 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q4 | 14,938 | 18 | 6 | 1205.0 |
| 2010 Q3 | 24,820 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2010 Q2 | 14,560 | 18 | 13 | 1236.3 |
| 2010 Q1 | 14,339 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q4 | 12,950 | 9 | 3 | 695.0 |
| 2009 Q3 | 10,711 | 28 | 10 | 2614.1 |
| 2009 Q2 | 8,740 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2009 Q1 | 10,955 | 21 | 6 | 1916.9 |
| 2008 Q4 | 1,830 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2008 Q2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2007 Q4 | 1,421 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q3 | 3,322 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Reportable incidents
86 on file2025 · 1 incident
2023 · 2 incidents
Employee was working on lifting a hydraulic battery table from a 14M Grader. Employee was trying to free a piece that got stuck with a pry bar. Pry bar slipped suddenly catching right middle finger, causing laceration requiring stitches.
EE was replacing the carrier roller on a D7 Dozer. Had trackpad hoisted up in an elevated position with chain and truck boom lift. The rigging came loose and caught the left thumb between the trackpad and the blocking jack.
2021 · 1 incident
Excavator operator was sitting on a loading pad. EE had trammed off the pad to rework the dirt in the area. EE was in the process of tramming the excavator back to the loading zone. During this process the excavator tipped forward and jarred EE into the cab. EE hit EE's head against a pull handle. Two staples were needed to close the laceration.
2020 · 3 incidents
A recognition of achievement cookout was being conducted using a trailer grill. A spare unused propane bottle in the closed position was placed in close proximity to the grill area. The employees were eating when unexpectedly the unused propane bottle exploded causing burn injuries.
A recognition of achievement cookout was being conducted using a trailer grill. A spare unused propane bottle in the closed position was placed in close proximity to the grill area. The employees were eating when unexpectedly the unused propane bottle exploded causing burn injuries.
A recognition of achievement cookout was being conducted using a trailer grill. A spare unused propane bottle in the closed position was place in close proximity to the grill area. The employees were eating when unexpectedly the unused propane bottle exploded causing burn injuries.
2019 · 1 incident
EE was standing on top of a berm. EE lost footing and fell. EE has not reported to work since the incident.
2018 · 1 incident
Employee was attempting to step up on machine and struck top of knee on track pad.
2017 · 1 incident
EE was bolting vessel flight in place. EE picked flight up to turn around and hit the end of the flight against back of vessel.
2016 · 1 incident
Employee was evaluated by a physician and given a diagnosis of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome with surgical repair being performed. It was made known that work activities were a contributing factor. Employee's last date worked was 3/15/16.
2015 · 4 incidents
Employee was changing roller out on belt when some pieces of loose coal went into his eye behind his safety glasses.
While assisting 2 foremen with shoveling a belt tailpiece, employee complained of being nauseated, vomited and said his arms and hands began to tingle & feel numb. Employee told foreman to call an ambulance for him. Employee was transported by ambulance to receive medical treatment.
EE alleges that as he was hauling refuse down the ramp the truck began to slide and the truck started bouncing heavily in some mud when he hit his head on the inside of truck cab. The co. does not believe that there was a reportable accident for the reason the co. does not believe the EE rec. any injuries. This form is being submitted to abate cit.#9062260
EE was having trouble breathing and became weak. He told his co-worker to have someone to call an ambulance. Supt. call for ambulance, ee was transported to Logan Reginald Med Center and treated for pneumonia. He was transferred to CMAC on 4/22/15 and relaxed on 4/24/15
2014 · 2 incidents
Employee was helping change a screen. They were using the overhead crane to move the screen. Employee was watching the screen to make sure he didn't get under the suspended load when he lost track of his surroundings and fell down 12 steps to the concrete floor.
Employee was attempting to clear a drain pipe that was plugged with a rock, when the rock shifted causing the shovel handle to fly up striking his right hand on apiece of sharp metal of the pipe causing a laceration to his right thumb.
2013 · 1 incident
Employee was guiding galvanized pipe into trench for placement and grabbed the end of the pipe to move into place when a spur of metal punctured through his leather gloves and the skin of the middle finger on the right hand.
2012 · 2 incidents
Employee was welding and slipped and fell bumping his shoulder against the refuse bin he was welding on. Employee did not seek medical treatment until 12/21/12 after the shoulder continued to be sore and was provided prescription medication.
EE was changing belt out on crusher when his hand got caught between sheave and belt.
2011 · 2 incidents
He was loading sludge in truck when he started to get back in slipped and fell hitting his head on concrete
EE was walking down stairs when he slipped and fell down last 3 steps.
2010 · 2 incidents
EE was dismounting the clean coal crusher, EE stated he was coming down backwards and put his right leg down first to support him when his knee buckled and he felt a very sharp pain.
Injured claims he was stepping out of the truck and his right pant leg got caught on fire extinguisher. As he started to fall he attempted to catch himself on the truck door, missed and landed on the ground with his left foot between two rocks and his head hit another rock. Injured stopped to clean off headlights.
2009 · 2 incidents
Employee states that he picked up an oxygen cylinder and slipped in the mud, causing him to fall down & strain the muscles in his lower back. Days missed: 3/17-3/20/09.
Employee states that he was hanging X-bracing in the headhouse when he stepped backward & fell into a hole in the floor. Employee fell approx. 3 ft., suffering contusions to his left ribcage area and mid-back. Medical treatment sought 1/21/09. Employee on restricted duty effective 1/22/09.
2008 · 6 incidents
Employee states that he slipped and fell while walking through the reclaim tunnel, landing on his back suffering muscle sprains.
Employee states that he suffered a knee injury from walking up and down stairs at the plant.
EE suffered a deep laceration to his left index finger when he got his finger pinched between a threading machine and a pipe wrench while threading pipe.
Employee states he was descending the front of a crane and lost his balance. While attempting to regain his balance he fell backwards, striking his head on the concrete floor.
Employee was working in rebar and scraped his hand on some rebar. He refused to go to the hospital at the time but went 3 days later when it was infected.
EE came in at start of shift complaining of shoulder pain, I asked him if he knew what happened and EE said "No", but it had been bothering him for a couple of days. He said he was up all night hurting, I told him he had better get it checked out.
1997 · 1 incident
GPF-THIS PERSON HAS RECEIVED A 10% FOR CWP FOR WV WORKERS COMPENSATION. THE MINE IS CLOSED PRIOR TO AN AWARD. LAST DAY WORKED 08-26-94.
1995 · 1 incident
THE EE CAME OUT OF THE TIPPLE AND THE METAL STEPS WERE WET AND THE EE SLIPPED. THE EE DID NOT GO TO THE DR TIL 10-4-95 WHEN HE STARTED TO MISS WORK.
1993 · 2 incidents
EMPLOYEE SAID HE FELL OVER A BARRELL RACK.
COMPENSATION FOR CWP.
1992 · 3 incidents
EE WAS HAULING A LOAD OF REFUSE AT THE 1 SWITCH BACK THE STEERING HOSE BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO NECK HITTING THE EE ON THE THUMB.
EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING ON THE HOIST ROPE & STRAINED HIS BACK EMPLOYEE BEGAN MISSING WORK ON 9/12/91. THIS EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN AWAY FROM WORK DUT TO BACK PAIN FROM 9/24/92.
EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING A LIGHT FIXTURE AT THE OFF SIDE OF THE VIBRATOR WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED LOSING HIS BALANCE AND FELL APPROX 6 FEET TO THE FLOOR.
1991 · 12 incidents
EMPL AND INJ LIFTING HEAD OFF PUMP.HEAD SLIPPED OUT OF INJ HANDS CATCHING LEFT HAND BETWEEN PUMP HEAD AND PIPE.
EE WAS WALKING DOWN HILL AND SLIPPED IN DRY LEAVES CAUSING HIM TO FALL.
EMPL PULLING ON HOIST ROPE AND STRAINED HIS BACK.BEGAN MISSING WORK 9-12-91.
COMPENSATION FOR CWP-5% ACTIVE EMPLOYEE.
SUBJECT STATES THAT AS HE WAS HAULING A LOAD OF REFUSE TO THE DUMP ON THE MOUNTAIN AND TRAVELING UP HILL, THE ENGINE STOPPED. HE THEN PRESSED THE CLUTCH AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START AND WHILE DOI NG SO, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT. HE THEN JUMPED OUT TO THE GROUND BRUISING HIS PELVIS. THE TRUCK TURNED ON ITS SIDE OVER THE 40' HILL.
EMPLOYEE GOT STUNG BY A BEE WHILE WORKING ALONG RECLAIM LOAD OUT AREA OF THE PLANT. RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT ON 7-29-91 FOR THIS INCIDENT.
COMPSENSATION FOR CWP.
COMPENSATION FOR CWP.
EE SLIPPED AND FELL GETTING OUT OF TRK HURTING BACK.
EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON BATTERY CASE OF AUTO CAR TRUCK.CLEANING OFF SIDE MIRROR,JUMPED OFF TO THE GROUND(APPLY 3 FT LANDING IN A HOLE.
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING 5IN PLASTIC PIPE & STRAINED UPPER BACK
ROUGH BOUNCING IN AUTO CAR REFUSE TRUCK CAUSED TESTICULAR CONTUSION.
1990 · 1 incident
COMPENSATION FOR CWP 5%.
1989 · 4 incidents
EMPL WAS LIFTING A METAL BOX WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED TWISTING HIS BACK
AWARD FOR HEARING LOSS
AWARD FOR HEARING LOSS
FRACTURED RIGHT WRIST;IN THE SUPPLY YARD LETTING A TRUCK IN TO UNLOAD SUPPLIES,SLIPPED ON THE ICE AND SNOW FELL AND TRIED TO CATCH HERSELF WITH HER RIGHT ARM.
1988 · 14 incidents
STRAINED BACK; LIFTING 5-GALLON CAN OF OIL ONTO TOOL BOX FLOOR.
INJURED RIGHT LEG AND BACK; INJURED WAS ON LADDER CLEANING DUST OFF TOP OF BREAKER BOXES, AS HE CLIMBED DOWN THE LADDER HE CAUGHT HIS RIGHT METATARSAL BOOT FLAP ON THE LADDER AND TWISTED HIS R IGHT LEG AND BACK.
SPRAINED BACK; TAKING A SAMPLE OF COAL OFF #24 BELT USING A SHOVEL, WHEN HE LIFTED THE SHOVEL OF COAL, HE STRAINED HIS BACK.
STRAINED RIGHT SIDE OF LOWER BACK LIFTING BUCKET OF DIESEL FUEL OUT OF BACK OF PICKUP TRUCK.
INJURED NECK AND BACK, WALKING ACROSS TRACKS, STEPPED ON WET RAIL SLIPPED AND FELL.
FALL
INJURED RIGHT SHOULDER; EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING ON RAILROAD CAR DOOR BAR TO PUT DOOR UP, WHILE HE WAS PULLING ON DOOR BAR HE STRAINED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.
INJURED NECK & SHOULDERS (WHIPLASH) OPERATING DOZER ON RAW COAL PILE A SMALL CAVITY GAVE IN UNDER THE DOZER CAUSING IT TO TILT TO ONE SIDE THE SUDDEN TILT OF THE DOZER CAUSED INJURY TO HIS NE CK & SHOULDERS
EMPL RECD AWARD FOR BLACK LUNG.6-8-88.
SPRAINED LET THUMB, WAS TAKING A COAL SAMPLE, HE SWUNG SAMPLER UNDER COAL, WHEN SAMPLER CAME AROUND HE TRIED TO CATCH IT. THE SAMPLER HIT HIS LEFT THUMB BENDING IT BACKWARDS.
EMPLOYEE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR HEARING LOSS. 3-1-88.
INJURED RIGHT A9M, BACK AND RIGHT LEG. INJURED WAS CROSSING RAILRAOD TRACKS GOING TO THICKENER, HE STEPPED IN ENDLOADER TRACKS THAT WERE SNOW COVERED AND FROZEN ON THE TRACKS, HE SLIPPED AND FELL STRICKING3HIS BACK AND SHOULDER ON TRACKS. HE COMPLAINED WITH PAIN IN RIGHT ARM, BACK, AND RIGHT LEG.
WHILE WALKING THROUGH THE PLANT, THE EMPLOYEE BENT OVER AND HIS BACK BEGAN TO HURT.
EMPLOYEE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR BLACK LUNG 1-25-88
1987 · 4 incidents
EMPLOYEE RECEIV9D AN AWARD FOR BLACK LUNG 8-18-87
EMPLOYEE RECEIV9D AN AWARD FOR A HEARING LOSS CLAIM.5/12/87.
EMPLOYEE WAS LI0TING UP CONVEYOR CHAIN, TRYING TO INSERT PIN, WHILE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING SLACK IN CHAIN WITH RED DEVILS. THE CHAIN WHICH RED DEVILS WERE FASTENED WITH BROKE, CAUSING C HAIN TO SLIP CA7CHING EMPLOYEES FINGER.
EMPLOYEE RECEIV9D AN AWARD FOR BLACK LUNG 2-6087.
1986 · 5 incidents
EMPL RECD AWARD3FOR HEARING LOSS CLAIM.WE RECD NOTIFICATION 12-1-86.
EMPL RECD AWARD3FOR HEARING LOSS CLAIM.WE RECD NOTIFICATION 12-1-86.
EMPL RECD AWARD3FOR HEARING LOSS CLAIM.WE RECD NOTIFICATION 12-1-86.
EMPLOYEE WAS PU5LING ON WATER HOSE AND PULLED MUSCLE IN MIDDLE PART OF BACK.
EMPLOYEE STEPPE8 ON SMALL LUMP OF COAL CAUSING HIM TO TWIST AND INJURE HIS RT KNEE
1985 · 3 incidents
EMPLOYEE WAS LOOSENING NUT ON ROPE, NUT CAME LOOSE, HE LOST HIS BALANCE FALLING BACKWARD, DOWN ON SCREEN, STRIKING HIS HEAD AND BACK.
CONE ROLLED AND JUMP BACK HITTING LEG ON DIESTER TABLE ARM.
CHANGING RETARDER ROPE ON #1 TRACK. BRAKE ON CAR BAD AND LET ROPE CAME BACK UP.
1984 · 1 incident
THE EMPLOYEE WAS CROSSING A BELT OUTSIDE THE TIPPLE. HE SLIPPED ON SOME ICE AND SUBSEQUENTLY TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE.
1983 · 3 incidents
EE SLIPPED WHILE GETTING OFF BELT STRUCTURE, & SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK HIS KNEE AGAINST THE STRUCTURE.
EMPLOYEE WAS TAKING A LOAD OF SLATE TO DUMP ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WAS TRAVELLING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ONE TRUCK SLID INTO THE OTHER INJURE DEMPLOYEE STRUCK HIS HEAD AGAINST THE TRUCKS CAB
EE BENT OVER THE FENDER OF A TRUCK & STRUCK HIS LEFT SIDE AGAINST THE FENDER.
The full compliance file on Saunders 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.