Mining Incidents

Smith Br Coal

Banner Blue Coal Company · Underground
Controlled by Metinvest B V
BIG ROCK, Buchanan County, VA  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4406812

Smith Br has $77K in proposed MSHA penalties and $25K outstanding across 8 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
33
Years on record
1996–2007
Latest incident
Jun 2007
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
540
citations
207
significant & substantial
$77,445
proposed penalties
$46,692
paid to date
60% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $30,753 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
125
inspections on record
3,921
inspection hours
13.8
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.
540 citations across 3,921 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Smith Br has $77K in proposed MSHA penalties and $25K outstanding across 8 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.
$77K
proposed penalties
$72K
current assessed
$47K
paid to date
$25K
outstanding
528 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2008-02-19.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Smith Br shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.72 mg/m3 (90% compliant) across 464 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.
0.72
dust avg (mg/m3)
8.49
dust max (mg/m3)
90%
within 1.5 mg/m3
464
samples
Most recent sample: 2008-01-23.
Silica (quartz)
6.0
silica avg (%)
22.5
silica max (%)
55
samples
Most recent sample: 2007-12-19.
Noise
21%
over PEL
43
samples
Most recent sample: 2007-07-23.
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
2008 Q2 0 0 0
2008 Q1 6,227 6 3 963.5
2007 Q4 14,496 26 7 1793.6
2007 Q3 15,188 23 4 1514.4
2007 Q2 17,302 28 16 1618.3
2007 Q1 17,380 42 17 2416.6
2006 Q4 8,476 19 8 2241.6
2006 Q3 4,821 21 6 4355.9
Show 24 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2006 Q2 5,255 21 8 3996.2
2006 Q1 5,808 33 21 5681.8
2005 Q4 5,733 30 11 5232.9
2005 Q3 6,176 22 6 3562.2
2005 Q2 5,952 44 15 7392.5
2005 Q1 5,340 28 12 5243.4
2004 Q4 0 6 3
2004 Q3 0 0 0
2004 Q2 0 0 0
2004 Q1 0 0 0
2003 Q4 0 0 0
2003 Q1 4,954 9 1 1816.7
2002 Q4 8,628 6 1 695.4
2002 Q3 0 0 0
2002 Q2 0 0 0
2002 Q1 8,246 10 6 1212.7
2001 Q4 15,670 20 10 1276.3
2001 Q3 12,947 22 8 1699.2
2001 Q2 16,196 10 2 617.4
2001 Q1 11,573 24 15 2073.8
2000 Q4 16,455 22 4 1337.0
2000 Q3 14,858 8 2 538.4
2000 Q2 16,422 47 16 2862.0
2000 Q1 2,699 11 5 4075.6

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
May 12, 2000 VA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Buchanan Production Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS BACKING THE MINER OUT OF THE #3 HEADING LEFT BREAK WHEN HE GOT PINNED BETWEEN THE MINER AND THE RIB.

Reportable incidents

32 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2007 · 3 incidents

June 29, 2007 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Banner Blue Coal Company · Struck by falling object

Employee left the mantrip and was walking toward the face when a piece of rock (3'X 3'X 6") fell from the roof and hit him in the back. (Misc Mail 7/16/07 #38-add narrative-Due to complication started missing work on 7/9/07)

May 31, 2007 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Banner Blue Coal Company · Struck by powered moving object

A loader ran into the deck of a three wheeled personnel carrier as it was being trammed through the stockpile area.

April 23, 2007 VA · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Banner Blue Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was greasing and tripped and fell face first to the ground catching himself with his hands. Employee complaining of lower back pain.

2006 · 3 incidents

June 27, 2006 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cat Bird Mining, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall in no. 1 entry 70 ft inby survey 2012. The fall was approx. 19 ft wide, 4 to 5 ft high and 30 ft long. The fall occurred just inby the break which had one cut taken out of it and fell all the way to face.

February 20, 2006 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cat Bird Mining, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Had roof fall inby survey 179. Roof fall was approx. 18' wide x 30'long, thickness was 2.5' to 4.5'. There were 4' glue bolts used in this area of mines. This fall was found by EE on pre-shift exam.

January 10, 2006 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cat Bird Mining, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

The injured party was pinning top when a small piece of draw rock fell. He moved to get out of the way and hit his elbow on the side of the pinner. Just bruised and a very small cut. Two days later it was swollen because of infection. He had to spend time in the hospital.

2005 · 1 incident

February 11, 2005 VA · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Cat Bird Mining, Inc. · Struck by powered moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING A 3-WHEEL RIDE. EE STOPPED, WALKED AROUND THE FRONT OF THE RIDE AND WAS GOING TO UNLOAD SOME TANKS. WHEN EE UNLOADED ONE TANK, THE OTHER TANK ROLLED OVER ON THE PEDAL AND THE 3-WHEEL RIDE TOOK OFF AND KINDLY TWISTED HIS LEG, CAUSING THE INJURY (TWISTED KNEE).

2003 · 1 incident

February 17, 2003 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Nufac Mining, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

DUE TO HEAVY RAIN. FREEZING WEATHER, AND THAWING A ROCK FALL OCCURRED IN THE DRIFT OF THE NUMBER 1 ENTRY. THE ROCK MEASURED APPROXIMATELY 30' WIDE, 10' LONG, AND 6' HIGH. THIS FALL WAS REPORTE D TO MSHA IMMEDIATELY.

2002 · 1 incident

October 12, 2002 VA · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman OTHER
Nufac Mining, Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE'S ARM AND SIDE OF NECK STARTED HURTING. WHEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL HE WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK.

2001 · 8 incidents

November 15, 2001 VA · Coal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
S & B Coal Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS TAKING A PERMISSIBLE RIDE TO SECTION. WENT THROUGH AIR LOCK DOORS. HE WAS TRYING TO HOLD DOORS OPEN AND THE PERMISSIBLE RIDE CAUGHT DOOR AND BEST IT HYPERENTENTED 2 FINGERS ON RIGHT HAN D.

November 13, 2001 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
S & B Coal Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BOLTING IN #1 HDG DRILLED A HOLE TO PUT BOLT IN TURNED AROUND TO REACH ON TOP OF BOLTER TO GET ROOF BOLT. TWISTED RIGHT KNEE.

July 16, 2001 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
S & B Coal Corp · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE SAID HE WAS USING HAMMER AND CHISEL TO GET A GREASE FITTING OUT AND A PIECE OF METAL HIT HIM IN LEFT EYE AND LATER IN SHIFT A HYD. HOSE BUSTED AND IT SPRAYED HYD. OIL IN SAME EYE.

May 22, 2001 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
S & B Coal Corp · Accident type, without injuries

FALL IN #4 HEADING IN LAST OPEN LINE IN FACE. FELL IN INTERSECTION. THE FALL IS ABOUT 4 1/2 TO 5' THICK AND 24' LONG 21' WIDE. AT SPAD 1505. NO ONE WAS INJURED OR NO EQUIPMENT WAS INVOLVED.

May 7, 2001 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
S & B Coal Corp · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SAID HE WAS STEPPING DOWN LADDER ON 966 CAT LOADER WHEN HE FELT SHARP PAIN & A POPPING NOISEON RIGHT KNEE.

January 19, 2001 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Buchanan Production Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE SAID HE WAS PUTTING UP A ROOF BOLT; HE HAD TO BEND IT IN MIDDLE TO SET IT UP, WHILE STRAIGHTENING IT OUT PUTTING IT UP WRENCHED BACK.

January 11, 2001 VA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE SAID HE WAS OPERATING MBC BRIDGE, TRAMMING BACKWARD, WHEN OVER A HUMP IN BOTTOM, RAISING HIM UP IN TOP. SAID HE HIT HIS HEAD AND SHOULDER IN ROOF.

January 10, 2001 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING A MOTOR ON 3 WHEEL BUGGY. HE DROPPED MOTOR ON HIS FINGER.

2000 · 2 incidents

October 16, 2000 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Buchanan Production Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SAID HE WAS CHANGING A BOLT ON HEAD SCRAPER ON BELT DRIVE, WHEN HIS ARM & SHOULDER STARTED HURTING HIM.

August 9, 2000 VA · Coal scoop car/scooptram operator, load/haul/dump (lhd) operator, teletram operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WORKING WITH A CREW OF MEN MAKING A BELT SPLICE WHEN A METAL ROAD IN USE COME LOOSE AND STRUCK EE ON THE SIDE OF HIS HARD HAT.

1998 · 5 incidents

October 15, 1998 VA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by powered moving object

EE WAS HANGING A LINE CURTAIN IN #2 HEADING AND HAD HIS BACK TURNED AWAY FROM MINER. MINER CAME AROUND CORNER GOING INTO #2 HEADING STRIKING EE IN BACK AND RT FOOT WITH MINER HEAD.

July 13, 1998 VA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck against a moving object

RUN 3-WHEEL BUGGE OVER HILL ON SURFACE.

April 30, 1998 VA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by powered moving object

EE WAS SHOVELING OFF SIDE OF FACE BELT WITH HIS BCK TO EQUIPMENT, WHEN BRIDGE CARRIERS BACKED UP & #1 PIGGY BACK CONVEYOR HIT HIM IN BACK.

1997 · 7 incidents

December 4, 1997 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Buchanan Production Company · Accident type, without injuries

ROCK FALL FOUND ON WEEKLY INPSECTION FALL WAS IN 7 HD 13 BREAKS FROM OUTSIDE 1 BREAK OUTBY SPAD 158 FALL WAS 20'X20' 5' THICK AREA WAS BOLTED WITH 4' GLUE BOLTS.

August 6, 1997 VA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Buchanan Production Company · Accident type, without injuries

ROCK FALL 3000 FT OUT BY FACE AREA IN #1 HD AND INTERSECTION SPAD #242. FALL WAS ABOUT 4 FT. THICK AROUND 50 FT. LONG. THIS WAS A FAULTY AREA AND HAD BEEN CRIBBED OFF. FALL WAS BEHIND CRIBBED AREA.

March 5, 1997 VA · Coal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING RIGHT RIB IN #7 HEADING WHEN SCOOP DECK HIT RIB AND TORE DOWN DRAW ROCK HITTING OEPRATOR ON RIGHT SHOULDER.

March 5, 1997 VA · Coal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS CLEANING INTERSECTION IN #4 HD WHEN HE STRUCK RIGHT RIB WITH SCOOP DECK TURNING DRAW ROCKLOOSE HITTING HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

January 29, 1997 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Buchanan Production Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

OUTSIDE MAN WAS BACKING MANTRIP TRAILER UP HILL WHEN TRAILER JACK KNIFED AND BROKE BAIL OFF TURNING TRAILER LOOSE THEN TRAILER HIT HIS LEFT LEG

1996 · 1 incident

April 26, 1996 VA · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Buchanan Production Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HANDSETTING A POLE. HE LIFTED POLE TO HIS SHOULDER TO RAISE IT HIGH ENOUGH TO PUT ON AGAIN AND THATS HOW HE HURT HIS SHOULDER.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Smith Br

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.