Mining Incidents

Silver Oak No. 1: 165 MSHA citations Coal

Award Development, LLC · Underground
Controlled by Ashley N Ward
Sylvester, Boone County, WV  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 4605130

Silver Oak No. 1 has $122K in proposed MSHA penalties and $508 outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
43
Years on record
1983–2014
Latest incident
Apr 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2009
165
citations
48
significant & substantial
$121,818
proposed penalties
$109,743
paid to date
90% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $12,075 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2008
49
inspections on record
2,472
inspection hours
6.7
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.
165 citations across 2,472 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Silver Oak No. 1 has $122K in proposed MSHA penalties and $508 outstanding across 5 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.
$122K
proposed penalties
$110K
current assessed
$110K
paid to date
$508
outstanding
158 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
Of $48K in penalties contested before the Commission, $37K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2017-01-31.
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.
30.4%
significant & substantial
3.8%
high negligence or reckless
30.4%
reasonably likely or greater
46.8%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 8.9% low, 87.3% moderate, 3.8% high, 0.0% reckless.
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.
7 citations taken to the federal commission · 4% of citations on record
  • Settled 7 · 100%
100%
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 7 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
24%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$48K proposed, $37K 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 2012-12-18.
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.
Docket Decision Judge Year Proposed / upheld
WEVA 2012-1067 Settlement Simonton 2013 $29K → $22K
WEVA 2012-1066 Settlement Simonton 2013 $7K → $5K
WEVA 2013-360 Settlement Miller 2013 $6K → $4K
WEVA 2013-93 Settlement Simonton 2013 $6K → $4K
WEVA 2012-131 Settlement Simonton 2012 $2K → $2K
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Silver Oak No. 1 shows 91% of 224 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: 2012-10-29, 13 years ago
91%
within 1.5 mg/m3
224
samples
2.64
dust max (mg/m3)
104 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 120 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR122
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)28
  • ROOF BOLTER (TWIN HEAD) (RETURN SIDE)11

Silica (quartz)

Last sampled: 2012-03-09, 14 years ago
2.0
silica avg (%)
10
samples
3.5
silica max (%)
Most-sampled occupations
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR8

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.

Last sampled: 2012-05-31, 14 years ago
18%
over PEL
39
samples
Most-sampled occupations
  • SHUTTLE CAR OPERATOR (STANDARD SIDE)14
  • CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR8
  • ROOF BOLTER (SINGLE HEAD)4
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
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.
Year within 1.5 mg/m3 samples
2012 96% 67
2011 84% 106
2010 100% 51
Silica (quartz) by year
Year silica avg (%) samples
2012 3.4 2
2011 1.7 7
2010 0.8 1
Noise by year
Year over PEL samples
2012 0% 14
2011 21% 14
2010 36% 11
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.

Silver Oak No. 1 recorded 5.18 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2012.

Injury rate, 2012
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.
5.18
total case rate
2.59
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.74 and the all-US-mining average was 2.96 cases per 100 workers.
In West Virginia, coal mining averaged 4.13 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
2012 * 5.18 2.59 0.000
2011 3.91 1.95 0.000
2010 * 9.68 9.68 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.
Ownership history
  1. Cedar Coal Company 1976 to 1984
  2. Nu East Mining Corp 1984 to 2008
  3. RWMV, LLC 2008 to 2009
  4. Hanover Resources, LLC 2009 to 2014
  5. Thoroughbred Highwall Mining, LLC 2014 to 2016
  6. Award Development, LLC 2016 to present
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)
2016 0
2015 1
2014 3
2013 3
2012 35 137,624
2011 45 299,001
2010 33 262,557
2009 1
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Silver Oak No. 1 sits in Boone County, West Virginia, where the Census mining category is 10.1% 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.
Boone County, West Virginia · Population 21,312
10.1%
Mining share of county employment
$56,152
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
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 1,040 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 1,040 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 1,040 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 1,447 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 1,531 0 0 0.0
Show 20 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2014 Q1 2,080 1 0 480.8
2013 Q4 1,970 2 0 1015.2
2013 Q3 1,560 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 1,940 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 2,050 1 0 487.8
2012 Q4 12,186 6 1 492.4
2012 Q3 2,460 3 1 1219.5
2012 Q2 32,358 25 4 772.6
2012 Q1 30,224 13 6 430.1
2011 Q4 19,668 14 5 711.8
2011 Q3 24,545 14 8 570.4
2011 Q2 30,138 9 2 298.6
2011 Q1 28,043 10 4 356.6
2010 Q4 24,379 20 5 820.4
2010 Q3 20,791 7 3 336.7
2010 Q2 21,525 10 2 464.6
2010 Q1 15,930 6 0 376.6
2009 Q4 822 3 3 3649.6
2009 Q3 0 0 0
2009 Q2 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

43 on file

2014 · 2 incidents

April 10, 2014 WV · Coal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was sawing timber when the saw jumped, hitting his left index finger.

January 5, 2014 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hanover Resources, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee, who is a security officer, was salting the road into the mine when he slipped and fell.

2013 · 1 incident

September 16, 2013 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Hanover Resources, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found by EE on his weekly air way examination. The fall was found 1 break inby spad #1129 (3000 feet outby). The fall is approx. 55 feet long - 18 feet wide and 8 feet high. This mine is idle and has been since Nov-12.

2012 · 4 incidents

April 4, 2012 WV · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss POWERED HAULAGE
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee stated that he missed the break going from #4 Entry to #5 Entry and hit the rib. The collision threw him into the shuttle car canopy, injuring his neck.

March 8, 2012 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting belt for a belt splice when his knife slipped out of the belt, cutting the palm of his left hand.

2011 · 6 incidents

August 9, 2011 WV · Coal electrician, lineman ELECTRICAL
Hanover Resources, LLC · Contact with electrical current

Employee working on section power center while power on box.

June 7, 2011 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting belt to make a splice. Knife slipped and cut employee's right upper leg.

March 30, 2011 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was in a mantrip that was sitting still when another mantrip ran into them.

2010 · 4 incidents

December 15, 2010 WV · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was taking down MRS cable to take outby when a piece of rock approx. 4" thick, 4" long, and 3" wide fell from top striking him in the back of his head, neck, shoulders and back, driving him to the ground. * Did not report prior because employee did not begin missing work until 01/06/2011.

October 5, 2010 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hanover Resources, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was leaning against an oxygen dolly when it rolled forward. He fell to the ground and hit his shoulder on bottom. * Did not report prior because employee did not begin missing work until 01/05/2011.

September 22, 2010 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Hanover Resources, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was drilling 4' hole with steel in top, when he removed drill head the steel came out & struck his hand.

April 17, 2010 WV · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hanover Resources, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE moving 6" I Beam. Did not stop work until 4/22/10.

1984 · 8 incidents

May 29, 1984 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Cedar Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS OPERATING SCOOP AND RUN OVER A ROCK, THROWING HIM, CAUSING HIM TO INJURE HIS RIBS

May 18, 1984 WV · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cedar Coal Company · Accident type, without injuries

ROOF FALL OCCURRED BETWEEN 12 MIDNIGHT FRIDAY 5-18-84 & 10:30 PM SUNDAY 5-20-84. FALL WAS DISCOVERED BY THE FIREBOSS PRIOR TO 12:01AM SHIFT 5-21-84.

May 8, 1984 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS PUTTING A SHIELD BACK ON A MINER AND THE SHIELD FELL ON HIS HAND, CAUSING INJURY

April 19, 1984 WV · Coal supply man, supply worker, nipper HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE BENT HIS HAND BACK WHILE UNLOADING BLOCK BOND AND INJURED HIS MIDDLE FINGER.

March 29, 1984 WV · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cedar Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS WALKING ACROSS CHAIN THAT ANCHORS TAIL PIECE WHEN HE TRIPPED OVER IT, FALLING AGAINST THE JACK WHICH ANCHORS THE TAIL PIECE, STRIKING HIS HEAD AND NECK AGAINST THE JACK.

February 20, 1984 WV · Coal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Cedar Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

EMP STATED HE WAS PUTTING THE UNA TRAC ON CHARGE AND HIT HIS RT KNEE ON UNA TRACAUSING INJURY

1983 · 18 incidents

December 29, 1983 WV · Coal trackman, track worker, track gang MACHINERY
Cedar Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS HELPING MOVE MINER FROM #1 ROOM TO #4 ROOM ON THE 1ST LEFT SECTION. HE HAD HUNG EXTRA CABLE ON THE BOOM OF THE MINER. THE MINER OPERATOR, ARLIE BARKER, PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE MINER, CATCHING THE INJURED EMPLOYEE AGAINST THE RIB WITH THE BOOM OF THE MINER, THUS CAUSING MULTIPLE INJURIES.

December 12, 1983 WV · Coal MACHINERY
Cedar Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS DRILLING HOLE WITH ROOF BOLTER BRINGING STEEL BACK OUT OF HOLE AND CAUGHT HIS RUBBER GLOVE CAUSING INJURY TO FINGER

September 27, 1983 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE PICKED UP TIMBER TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WALKWAY ON THE TRACK AND FELT SHARP PAIN IN HIS STOMACH

September 22, 1983 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Cedar Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS SITTING IN #5 RAILRUNNER WITH HIS BACK AGAINST THE SELF RESCUERS WHEN #4 RAILRUNNER HIT #5, KNOCKING THE SELF RESCUER BOX INTO EMPLOYEES BACK AND SHOULDER, CAUSIN G INJURY.

September 20, 1983 WV · Coal supply man, supply worker, nipper HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STGATED THAT HE WAS LIFTING USED PRTS A GATHERING POT OUT OF THE MINER AND HAD BROUGHT IT OUTSIDE WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN H IS GROIN ARESA

September 6, 1983 WV · Coal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS HELPING UNLOAD A MOTOR BEING RETURNED TO STOREROOM AND WHILE LIFTING IT, HE INJURED HIS BACK.

August 26, 1983 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cedar Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMP STATED HE WAS GOING UNDERGRROUND ON THE MANTRIP WHEN A ROCK FELL OUT FROM TOP HITTING HIM ON THE SHOULDER

August 23, 1983 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

HOOKING ROCK DUST CAR TO MOTOR WHEN PIN SLIPPED CATCHING LEFT THUMB CAUSING INJURY.

August 11, 1983 WV · Coal pumper FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cedar Coal Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS SITTING ON A PILE OF TIMBERS EATING LUNCH WHEN A PIECE OF SLATE FELL FROM TOP, STRIKING HIM ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND ANKLE, CAUSING INJURY.

May 2, 1983 WV · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS LIFING AN AIR LOCK DOOR WHEN HE FELT EXCESSIVE PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE WAS ASSISTING AN HOURLY EMPLOYEE IN HANGING THE AIR LOCK DOOR.

April 5, 1983 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Cedar Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE STGATED THAT HE WAS STANDING ON TOP OF A ROOF BOLTER HOLDING THE DRILL STEEL FOR THE OPERATOR WHEN THE OPERATOR STARTED DRILLING EMPLOYEES GLOVE HUNG ONTO THE STEEL TWISTING HIS FINGE RS AND HAND CAUSING INJURY

March 25, 1983 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS BLOCKING THE SCOOP UP IN THE AIR WHEN HE INJURED HIS LOWER BACK AND HIP

March 14, 1983 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE STEPPED ON A SHUTTLE CAR CABLE AND WHEN HE STEPPED ON IT, THE OPERATOR STARTED THE SHUTTLE CAR CAUSING THE CABLE TO TWIST EMPLOYEE AROUND, THUS CAUSING INJURY.

March 7, 1983 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cedar Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS DRILLING TOP, SLIPPED ON SOME LOOSE BOTTOM COAL AND FELL TO THE GROUND CAUSING INJURY.

March 2, 1983 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Cedar Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS WATCHING CABLE AS PINNER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PLACE. PINNER TURNED IN A BREAK AND THE TRS BAR CAUGHT HIS LEG AND PULLED HIM AGAINST THE RIB.

February 16, 1983 WV · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Cedar Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS PULLING DRILL STEEL OUT OF A HOLE HIT RT ELBOW ON CANOPY JACK CAUSING INJURY

January 12, 1983 WV · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE STATED THAT HE WAS LOADING TIMBERS INTO THE BUCKET OF A UN-A-TRAC & TWISTED HIS BACK.

January 6, 1983 WV · Coal supply man, supply worker, nipper HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cedar Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS UNLOADING CRIB BLOCKS FROM A FLAT CAR ONTO A UN-A TRAC AND A CRIB ROLLED OVER ON HIS THUMB CAUSING INJURY