Saunders Preparation Plant has $182K in proposed MSHA penalties and $19K 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
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2002
560
citations
175
significant & substantial
$182,199
proposed penalties
$134,899
paid to date
74% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $47,300 gap.
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.
560 citations across 5,206 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘA Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2011-10-05.
On record since 2011.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Saunders Preparation Plant has $182K in proposed MSHA penalties and $19K outstanding across 29 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.
$182K
proposed penalties
$154K
current assessed
$135K
paid to date
$19K
outstanding
512 assessments are final orders; 29 contested dockets.
Of $81K in penalties contested before the Commission, $49K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-04-24.
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.
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.
147citations taken to the federal commission · 26% of citations on record
Settled
103 · 70%
Stood as issued
1 · 1%
Vacated or withdrawn
5 · 3%
Still open
38 · 26%
78%
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 67 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
39%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$81K proposed, $49K 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 2026-04-06.
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 Saunders Preparation Plant shows 100% of 269 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: 2026-05-19
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
269
samples
1.64
dust max (mg/m3)
0
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.
181 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 88 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.
Saunders Preparation Plant 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 West Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.89 cases per 100 workers that year.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2025
0.00
0.00
0.000
2024
0.00
0.00
0.000
2023
1.39
0.00
0.000
2022
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021
1.67
0.00
0.000
2020 *
6.94
6.94
0.000
2019
1.65
1.65
0.000
2018
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.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
30
2025
58
2024
60
2023
58
2022
59
2021
50
2020
39
2019
54
2018
50
2017
46
2016
37
2015
36
2014
50
2013
52
2012
43
2011
28
2010
31
2009
18
2008
1
2007
10
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Saunders Preparation Plant sits in Logan County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 6.6% 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.
Logan County, West Virginia · Population 31,826
6.6%
Mining share of county employment
$47,237
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
3,980
2
0
502.5
2026 Q1
32,500
40
11
1230.8
2025 Q4
33,043
0
0
0.0
2025 Q3
35,394
2
0
56.5
2025 Q2
35,742
15
2
419.7
2025 Q1
37,760
9
0
238.3
2024 Q4
34,763
22
5
632.9
2024 Q3
34,490
0
0
0.0
Show 67 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
35,612
13
1
365.0
2024 Q1
38,079
12
4
315.1
2023 Q4
36,233
1
0
27.6
2023 Q3
36,453
12
4
329.2
2023 Q2
36,711
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
34,293
21
4
612.4
2022 Q4
32,110
1
1
31.1
2022 Q3
34,389
11
2
319.9
2022 Q2
34,389
12
1
348.9
2022 Q1
32,625
20
9
613.0
2021 Q4
29,338
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
32,427
24
1
740.1
2021 Q2
31,016
5
2
161.2
2021 Q1
26,951
12
5
445.3
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
11
2
342.0
2019 Q4
29,630
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
31,221
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
30,234
5
1
165.4
2019 Q1
29,825
2
0
67.1
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
4
0
140.1
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
6
0
245.2
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
7
0
298.4
2015 Q4
20,986
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
25,018
8
6
319.8
2015 Q2
23,922
8
5
334.4
2015 Q1
24,619
2
0
81.2
2014 Q4
24,491
14
6
571.6
2014 Q3
27,766
5
3
180.1
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
6
2
193.8
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
5
2
179.5
2012 Q1
27,303
0
0
0.0
2011 Q4
17,811
5
3
280.7
2011 Q3
15,511
2
1
128.9
2011 Q2
16,837
7
3
415.8
2011 Q1
15,911
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
14,938
7
3
468.6
2010 Q3
24,820
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
14,560
5
4
343.4
2010 Q1
14,339
0
0
0.0
2009 Q4
12,950
8
2
617.8
2009 Q3
10,711
26
10
2427.4
2009 Q2
8,740
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
10,955
18
5
1643.1
2008 Q4
1,830
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
0
0
0
2008 Q2
0
1
1
2007 Q4
1,421
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
3,322
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
86 on file
2025 · 1 incident
June 2, 2025WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanMACHINERY
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.
2023 · 2 incidents
August 10, 2023WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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.
June 19, 2023WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
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
June 18, 2021WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerMACHINERY
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
July 16, 2020WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
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.
July 16, 2020WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
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.
July 16, 2020WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
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
November 4, 2019WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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
May 28, 2015WV · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
March 27, 2015WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerPOWERED HAULAGE
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
March 18, 2015WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
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
October 22, 2014WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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.
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.
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.
March 2, 2012WV · Coalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
May 24, 2010WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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.
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.
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.
August 5, 2008WV · Coalcrane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, riggerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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.
July 10, 2008WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
May 7, 2008WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanOTHER
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
September 8, 1997WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Buffalo Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
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
September 28, 1995WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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.
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.
July 29, 1991WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorOTHER
Buffalo Mining Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
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.
April 16, 1991WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Buffalo Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
COMPENSATION FOR CWP.
April 16, 1991WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Buffalo Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
COMPSENSATION FOR CWP.
April 5, 1991WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
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
December 8, 1988WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
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
May 23, 1988WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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.
March 1, 1988WV · Coalelectrician, linemanDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
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.
January 15, 1988WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorOTHER
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.
February 6, 1987WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Buffalo Mining Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
EMPLOYEE RECEIV9D AN AWARD FOR BLACK LUNG 2-6087.
1986 · 5 incidents
December 1, 1986WV · Coalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
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