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.
123 citations across 3,994 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Seven Pines has $27K in proposed MSHA penalties and $10K outstanding across 4 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.
$27K
proposed penalties
$26K
current assessed
$16K
paid to date
$10K
outstanding
122 assessments are final orders; 4 contested dockets.
Of $3K in penalties contested before the Commission, $2K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-07-17.
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.
11citations taken to the federal commission · 9% of citations on record
Settled
11 · 100%
50%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 4 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
36%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$3K proposed, $2K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2011-03-30.
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 Seven Pines shows 100% of 324 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: 2023-06-21, 3 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
324
samples
0.41
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.
228 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 96 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.
Seven Pines recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2023.
Injury rate, 2023
ⓘ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 3.17 and the all-US-mining average was 2.10 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 3.54 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
2023 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2022
0.00
0.00
0.000
2021 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2020 *
3.46
3.46
0.000
2019
5.52
4.14
0.000
2018
1.68
0.00
0.000
2017 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2016 *
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
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2023
40
132,227
2022
41
196,494
2021
36
121,674
2020
34
142,045
2019
71
449,363
2018
44
430,263
2017
13
2016
25
161,495
2015
76
700,949
2014
86
1,042,546
2013
89
1,010,154
2012
81
993,371
2011
79
1,110,595
2010
72
1,057,625
2009
71
1,069,448
2008
73
1,209,150
2007
72
1,187,472
2006
69
1,265,074
2005
43
583,271
2004
0
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Seven Pines sits in Webster County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 7.2% 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.
Webster County, West Virginia · Population 8,253
7.2%
Mining share of county employment
$42,061
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
Employee was driving CAT 777 rock truck with an air ride operator's seat. According to the operator, the seat had plenty of air at the beginning of the shift. The air ride seat lost air throughout the day. The employee hit a rough spot in the road and the seat bottomed out causing them to jar lower back and tailbone area.
Employee was servicing a 988G loader 129' from a highwall. A root cluster with dirt and rock fell from the highwall and, upon impact, projected the dirt and rock into the haulroad towards the loader. A rock 2" x 3/4" came through the engine compartment and glanced off of the employee's head. Employee received 3 staples to close the laceration.
May 17, 2019WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was assisting in dropping a transmission into a 993K loader. They bent over to move some hydraulic hoses out of the way and felt a sharp pain in the left arm and shoulder. However, the employee stated they had recurring pain in this area for over a week and could not pinpoint this injury to this particular instance. This is still under investigation.
Employee was operating an empty rock truck back to the pit via the right contour haul road and met a loaded rock truck travelling in the opposite direction. Employee pulled to the side of the road to let the truck by. The rock truck traveled over an irregularity in the road at a high rate of speed, jarring the employee into the right armrest of the operators seat.
January 22, 2019WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was exiting a D11R. EE stated that EE's right foot was on the last step on the push arm as EE was lowering EE's left foot down to the ground. EE lost EE's balance on some frozen material and twisted EE's knee as EE tried to regain EE's balance.
2018 · 2 incidents
August 30, 2018WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
The employee slipped and fell while walking across the parking lot at the end of shift. This resulted in an injury to right arm. On 03/17/2018 the employee went to the doctor and found that the employee in-fact fractured arm. Employee reported this to supervisor on 03/18/2018. The employee has not missed any time due to this accident as of this date.
2015 · 1 incident
November 10, 2015WV · Coalblaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkeySLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was walking across a "bench" when he stepped on a dirt/mud clump causing him to slip and fall twisting his left ankle. it had been raining all day which also contributed to the fall. the ankle bone was found to be chipped through an x ray
The employee was mounting the 16G motor grader, equipment #301. When the employee go to the 4th step from the ground, he experienced pain in his lower back. The employee finished this shift, but was unable to work his next 2 scheduled shifts.
February 14, 2014WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was walking around in snow at shop area loading corner bits for dozer, slipped in snow when he hooked chain to bit, causing a strain to the low back
January 21, 2014WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Management has been made aware through medical documentation that the employee is missing time due to the shoulder accident Jan 21, 2014. On that date the employee alleges that he slipped on ice, fell, and struck his left shoulder against the push arm of a dozer that was being repaired.
2013 · 3 incidents
June 14, 2013WV · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was in the process of tightening some bolts under cab of machine, bumped head & knocked off hard hat, struck head on a piece of sheet metal causing a laceration to left side of head.
A fire of undetermined natured occurred on a Cat 993 loader. No injuries occurred due to the fire. Fire extinguishers, Equipment fire suppression system, Fire extinguisher trailer and water was used to contain the fire. The fire was extinguished by a foam wetting agent used by the local fire department. Both MSHA and State officials were notified and investigated the fire.
2011 · 1 incident
November 23, 2011WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee stepped on a pallet covered in plastic in shop, employee slipped off plastic and his leg went under a drill carousel. The drill component then struck his right lower leg causing a laceration and minor fracture.
2010 · 5 incidents
October 11, 2010WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mechanic received pinching injuries to the middle finger right hand while replacing an o ring on hydraulic components of the 900 loader. The metal hydraulic line slipped from the pry bar he was using to separate it from the valve bank causing an avulsion to the finger. Employee suffered no fractures, or amputations.
July 19, 2010WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee complained of pain in back when he fell from a ladder approximately 46" while performing maintenance on a rock truck. Employee has a history of back and knee damages from 37 years total mining experience.
March 24, 2010WV · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
While reviewing accidents, management concluded that this accident had not been reported. Employee was grinding on excavator bucket when cup wheel exploded and a piece hit him in the chin.
March 11, 2010WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was helping load a stablizer bar for a 1500 rock truck onto the bumper of the truck, employee got his thumb between the bumper and the bar, resulting in a laceration to the thumb on right hand. Wound required sutures.
January 14, 2010WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Managment was notified by the employee on 12/29/09 that he sustained an injury to the lower back on 12/13/09 as he was shoveling frozen dirt to allow for additional room to install a belly pan on a dozer.
November 22, 2009WV · Coalgreaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oilerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EE had put a fan hub back into the block housing and was tightening bolt, when he felt a pull in his back. The next day he was diagnosed with a lumbar strain. The following week was vacation week. He was to RTW on July 6 but his wife called that day to say that he was to have surgery. I spoke with him today and he is taking therapy right now.
March 2, 2009WV · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was using a 10 ton porta power to reinstall the drive chain on the drive sprocket. The porta power worked loose and struck the employee on the left thumb.
Employee was operating a 777 Cat rock truck and while backing into the dump the back berm failed causing truck to go through berm. Truck rolled onto driver's side and slid down dump.
February 1, 2007WV · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanSTRIKING OR BUMPING
Employee was struck in mouth by a sledge hammer as he was holding a timber which was being installed in a culvert on a new road project. Employee received a laceration to the upper lip which required sutures as a result of the incident.
2005 · 1 incident
December 27, 2005WV · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was walking up a hill when he slipped and fell, spraining his left hand. Ground was snow covered and slick. Employee was attempting to light a pile of brush. He notified me 12-30-05.