Mining Incidents

Savage Mine Coal

Savage, Richland County, MT  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 2400106

Savage Mine has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
27
Years on record
1984–2025
Latest incident
May 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
66
citations
12
significant & substantial
$15,781
proposed penalties
$15,519
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $262 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
74
inspections on record
1,800
inspection hours
3.7
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.
66 citations across 1,800 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Savage Mine has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 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.
$16K
proposed penalties
$16K
current assessed
$16K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
66 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-04-07.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Savage Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.05 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 260 samples.

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.
0.05
dust avg (mg/m3)
0.64
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
260
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-04-08.
Silica (quartz)
11.1
silica avg (%)
14.0
silica max (%)
3
samples
Most recent sample: 2021-08-23.
Noise
1%
over PEL
134
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-04-07.
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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
2025 Q4 3,677 1 0 272.0
2025 Q3 3,696 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 4,006 1 1 249.6
2025 Q1 3,305 1 0 302.6
2024 Q4 3,205 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 3,331 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 3,254 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 3,388 1 0 295.2
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 2,807 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2,930 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 3,393 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 3,351 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 3,521 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 2,905 3 0 1032.7
2022 Q2 2,536 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 2,789 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 5,713 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 2,304 1 0 434.0
2021 Q2 1,969 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 4,469 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 5,722 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 4,949 1 0 202.1
2020 Q2 5,169 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 5,842 3 0 513.5
2019 Q4 5,768 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 5,994 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 6,256 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 6,871 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 7,147 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 6,529 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 6,205 2 0 322.3
2018 Q1 6,298 2 0 317.6
2017 Q4 5,890 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 6,245 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 6,968 2 1 287.0
2017 Q1 6,874 7 1 1018.3
2016 Q4 6,583 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 5,912 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 6,138 2 0 325.8
2016 Q1 6,327 2 0 316.1
2015 Q4 6,024 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 6,166 5 1 810.9
2015 Q2 6,348 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 6,384 1 0 156.6
2014 Q4 5,941 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 5,968 2 0 335.1
2014 Q2 5,780 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 6,398 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 6,534 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 7,367 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 6,475 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 6,566 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 6,520 2 0 306.7
2012 Q3 6,627 4 2 603.6
2012 Q2 6,496 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 7,691 1 0 130.0
2011 Q4 7,188 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 7,045 5 3 709.7
2011 Q2 7,252 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 7,325 1 1 136.5
2010 Q4 7,080 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 6,869 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 5,598 3 2 535.9
2010 Q1 6,586 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 6,436 2 0 310.8
2009 Q3 5,401 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 5,485 2 0 364.6
2009 Q1 6,367 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 6,104 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 5,510 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 5,827 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 6,947 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 6,236 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 5,750 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 5,344 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 5,803 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 5,410 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 5,030 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 6,354 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 5,710 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 5,691 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 5,634 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 6,716 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 6,287 6 0 954.4
2004 Q4 5,910 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 5,739 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 5,659 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 5,914 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 5,559 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 5,290 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 5,828 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 5,712 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 6,093 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 6,016 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 6,368 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 6,188 1 0 161.6
2001 Q4 6,374 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 6,308 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 6,152 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 6,393 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 6,001 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 5,253 1 0 190.4
2000 Q2 4,840 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 4,285 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

27 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

March 12, 2025 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Fall onto or against objects

While dismounting a D11 Dozer, the employee's foot slipped on a track grouser, causing a loss of balance and resulting in the employee striking EE's head on an iron grab handle.

2011 · 2 incidents

November 3, 2011 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported to former Savage Mine President on 10/13/11 that he was experiencing discomfort in his back and was seeking medical attention. No company incident report was filled out, but employee filed a claim with Montana Workman's Compensation. Denied dated 11/25/11. EE appealed again, on 1/20/12 WC accepting claim EE could aggravated degenerative disease at work.

August 24, 2011 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was helping another employee hoist a swing gear lid from the back of a pickup. The hoist chain safety latch broke and the lid fell, knocking the employee over and landing on his feet. The accident resulted in multiple fractures to the employees left foot and a sprain to his right foot.

2010 · 1 incident

February 3, 2010 MT · Coal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking in the North end of Pit 2 by Pond #3 when he stepped on a frozen chunk of material. Employee fell to the ground and reinjured his left knee. Employee had just return to work after being off work for two (2) months recovering from the same injury to his left knee as a result of an off the job incident.

2008 · 1 incident

May 28, 2008 MT · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Fall from machine

Driver slipped from the loader platform, falling 6-7 feet and hitting the back of his head and back. Currently, the only injury found is bruising. Driver will be seeing a specialist.

2005 · 1 incident

July 7, 2005 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An expierenced miner was drilling a lock out of a pickup when a flake of metal became imbedded in his left eye. The employee was wearing his safety glasses at the time. The employee flushed his eye and the metal was flushed out. He did, however, leave an hour early to have an eye doctor look to make sure there was no major damage. The employee returned to work the next day.

2002 · 1 incident

January 24, 2002 MT · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Westmoreland Savage Mining LLC · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS EXITING THE DRAGLINE AND STEPPED DOWN WRONG (HEAL WAS MOMENTARILY CAUGHT IN LADDER)BREAKING HIS RIGHT ANKLE.

2000 · 2 incidents

December 28, 2000 MT · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Knife River Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE EE WAS USING A TORCH TO MELT SNOW FROM THE HEAD PULLEY ON THE NEAR PIT CRUSHER WHEN THE PULLEY CAUGHT THE TORCH AND FORCED HIS HAND TO SLAM TO THE SIDE. HITTING A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON.

May 2, 2000 MT · Coal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knife River Corp · Fall from machine

THE EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING IN THE LOADER BUCKET (WHICH WAS BLOCKED) WHEN THE WIND OR SOME OTHER MOVEMENT MADE THE SHEAVE HE WAS TRYING TO INSTALL TIP TOWARDS HIM, KNOCKING HIM BACK AND TRAPPIN G HIS LEGS BEFORE HE FLIPPED OUT TO THE GROUND (ABOUT 4 FT) AND LANDED ON A 6X6 WOODEN STUD.

1999 · 2 incidents

May 12, 1999 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knife River Corp · Fall from ladders

WHILE WORKING ON LOADER BUCKET, THE LADDER THE EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON SLIPPED TO ONE SIDE, CAUSING THE EMPLOYEE TO FALL APPROXAMATELY SIX FEETTO THE FLOOR. EMPLOYEE LANDED ON HIS LEFT SHOULD ER AND BACK.

May 10, 1999 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knife River Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS TIGHTENING THE PLUG ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOZER, L.H. HYDRAULIC PIPE, WHEN THE 3/4" RATCHET HE WAS USING SLIPPED, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS FOOTING AND FALL BACK, JERKING HIS LEFT SH OULDER.

1998 · 1 incident

May 1, 1998 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Knife River Corp · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS WORKING ON WASTEBANKS. HE WAS OPERATING THE D9L DOZER AND BACKED INTO A LARGE ROCK CAUSING THE MACHINE TO SNAP HIS NECK (LIKE WHIPLASH). THIS CAUSED A VERTEBRAE TO DISLOCATE IN HIS NECK .

1996 · 2 incidents

October 21, 1996 MT · Coal tipple/top lander/skip dumper operator, binman, topman POWERED HAULAGE
Knife River Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS UNLOADING SUPPLIES AT THE DRAGLINE. THE PICKUP ROLLED BACK, PINNING HIM AGAINST THE DRAGLINE PONTOON RESULTING IN A BRUISED THIGH.

May 7, 1996 MT · Coal tipple/top lander/skip dumper operator, binman, topman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED INJURY ON 5-15-96. HE DID NOT KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE OF INJURY BUT THINKS IT HAPPENED AT THE TIPPLE WHILE MOVING A STEEL COVER.

1995 · 1 incident

February 7, 1995 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE DISMOUNTING THE D9, THE EMPLOYEE FELT SOMETHING GIVE IN HIS KNEE.

1994 · 1 incident

March 25, 1994 MT · Coal tipple/top lander/skip dumper operator, binman, topman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE INJURED HIS WRIST IN 1989. HE HAD HIS WRIST ALLEGEDLY RE-INJURED WHILE LIFTING A COVER IN MARCH OF 94. HE HAD HIS WRIST OPERATED ON IN MARCH 95.

1993 · 1 incident

September 10, 1993 MT · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Knife River Corp · Struck by flying object

GRINDING PARTRICLES FROM COWORKERS ACTIVITIES ENTERED LEFT EYE

1992 · 3 incidents

December 29, 1992 MT · Coal tipple/top lander/skip dumper operator, binman, topman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MOVING BARREL OF CONVEYOR BELT OIL BY HAND WHEN IT WAS SLIPPERY AND WEATHER VERY COLD INJURY BACK AND LEFT LEG.

September 24, 1992 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler MACHINERY
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING ON DRAGLINE BUCKET, BENT OVER OR REACHED FOR SOMETHING AND HIS BACK SNAPPED.

July 27, 1992 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator OTHER
Knife River Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CRAWLING OUT OF THE 657 SCRAPER WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND JERKED HIS ARM OUT OF PLACE.

1990 · 1 incident

January 9, 1990 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Knife River Corp · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS GREASING A 637 SCRAPER WHEN HE RAISED UP AND BUMPED HIS BACK ON A OVERHEAD LITE FIXTURE, RESULTING IN A SPRAINED BACK.

1988 · 2 incidents

August 31, 1988 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler POWERED HAULAGE
Knife River Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

WHILE HOOKING UP TO A PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSER HE WAS HOLDING CLEVIS WITH HAND TO HOOK ON BUMPER O PICKUP . PICKUP CAME BACK TO FAR AND SMASHED END OF RING FINGER ON RIGHT HAND BETWEEN BUMPER AND HITCH OF AIR COMPRESSOR.

June 30, 1988 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Knife River Corp · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ASSEMBLING COUPLER TO MAGNA TORQUE SHAFT ON 1400 LOADING SHOVEL HE WAS HAMMERING ON HAMMER WRENCH MISSED WRENCH WITH HAMMER HEAD AND HIT FINGE BETWEEN HAMMER HANDLE AND WRENCH.

1986 · 1 incident

1985 · 1 incident

May 21, 1985 MT · Coal FIRE
Knife River Corp · Accident type, without injuries

WELDING & CUTTING ON APRON CONVEYOR IN TIPPLE. FIRE AFTER SHIFT & BURNED OPERATORS ROOM & ALL SWITCHES & ELECTRICAL BOXES.

1984 · 1 incident

January 18, 1984 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Knife River Corp · Struck against a moving object

DRIVING TRUCK CLAIMS ROUGH ROAD AND STIFF CLUTCH ON TRUCK

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Savage Mine

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.