Mining Incidents

Smith No. 1 Mine Coal

Controlled by J Clifford Forrest III
Shelocta, Armstrong County, PA  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 3608065

Smith No. 1 Mine has $66K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 9 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
27
Years on record
1990–2011
Latest incident
Apr 2011
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
90
citations
42
significant & substantial
$65,951
proposed penalties
$48,895
paid to date
74% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $17,056 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
117
inspections on record
2,980
inspection hours
3.0
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.
90 citations across 2,980 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Smith No. 1 Mine has $66K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 9 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.
$66K
proposed penalties
$49K
current assessed
$49K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
82 assessments are final orders; 9 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2012-05-03.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Smith No. 1 Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.21 mg/m3 (98% compliant) across 397 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.
0.21
dust avg (mg/m3)
5.81
dust max (mg/m3)
98%
within 1.5 mg/m3
397
samples
Most recent sample: 2012-11-20.
Silica (quartz)
18.6
silica avg (%)
43.7
silica max (%)
22
samples
Most recent sample: 2010-07-13.
Noise
4%
over PEL
165
samples
Most recent sample: 2012-11-20.
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
2013 Q1 0 0 0
2012 Q4 1,796 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 1,934 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 1,918 1 0 521.4
2012 Q1 3,033 1 0 329.7
2011 Q4 3,973 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 4,105 2 0 487.2
2011 Q2 7,933 0 0 0.0
Show 45 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2011 Q1 8,972 6 3 668.7
2010 Q4 13,600 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 14,375 7 3 487.0
2010 Q2 13,982 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 13,538 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 14,430 2 1 138.6
2009 Q3 14,351 10 6 696.8
2009 Q2 14,800 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 14,062 7 5 497.8
2008 Q4 13,911 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 12,940 3 1 231.8
2008 Q2 13,677 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 13,967 4 2 286.4
2007 Q4 13,612 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 13,277 3 2 226.0
2007 Q2 13,637 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 13,775 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 13,434 1 0 74.4
2006 Q3 14,374 2 0 139.1
2006 Q2 15,077 2 2 132.7
2006 Q1 15,518 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 14,061 2 1 142.2
2005 Q3 14,654 1 0 68.2
2005 Q2 15,408 3 0 194.7
2005 Q1 14,440 4 1 277.0
2004 Q4 14,631 3 0 205.0
2004 Q3 15,407 4 3 259.6
2004 Q2 15,387 2 1 130.0
2004 Q1 15,162 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 16,083 2 0 124.4
2003 Q3 15,809 5 4 316.3
2003 Q2 15,107 2 0 132.4
2003 Q1 14,823 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 14,671 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 13,660 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 13,455 1 0 74.3
2002 Q1 14,266 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 13,424 3 3 223.5
2001 Q3 13,535 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 13,684 1 0 73.1
2001 Q1 13,745 3 3 218.3
2000 Q4 13,390 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 13,189 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 13,222 2 1 151.3
2000 Q1 12,942 1 0 77.3

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
August 18, 2005 PA · Coal outside foreman, leadman Fatality · MACHINERY
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was clearing trees on top of an embankment with a caterpillar d5m lgp bulldozer when the bulldozer went over the embankment coming to rest on its side.

Reportable incidents

26 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2011 · 1 incident

April 4, 2011 PA · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rosebud Mining Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS CONDUCTING WELDING ON 992C IT STARTED TO RAIN HE ENTERED TRUCK BED OF SERVICE TRUCK TO GET A TARP FROM TOOL BOX AS HE WALKED AROUND FRONT OF WELDER HE SLIPPED AND FELL STRIKING A LADDER LAYING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BED A METAL TAB OF LADDER CAUGHT HIM ON LEFT SIDE

2009 · 6 incidents

October 23, 2009 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating FEL and while prying rock with the bucket the bucket slipped off of the rock thus bouncing the FEL and permitting the employee's hand to strike against the CB causing a laceration. Employee did not miss any work however he did receive sutures therefore making this report a medical.

August 14, 2009 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was exiting Caterpillar 777 rock truck and as he was placing his foot on the ground he experienced pain in left elbow. Employee continued to work until Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at which time he started missing work thus making this reportable. Medical diagnosis was determined as tendonitis.

June 9, 2009 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall from machine

Employee was descending ladder on a Caterpillar 980G when his foot slipped permitting employee to fall approximately four feet (4') thus injuring his lower right leg.

February 7, 2009 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was going to work on the shanks of a Caterpillar 992 FEL. As the bucket was rolled over to gain access to shanks, a chunk of frozen material dislodged from within the deepest part of bucket, striking employee.

January 8, 2009 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking towards company truck on snow covered terrain when he slipped and fell striking right rib area on the ground. Employee tried working the following day however he had to return home thus making this an lost time accident.

January 6, 2009 PA · Coal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee was sledging on a ripper tooth, when a piece of the tooth broke off, entering lower left leg. Employee did not miss any work, however; he did seek medical treatment, which makes this a reportable accident.

2008 · 3 incidents

September 19, 2008 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing out a bottom roller on tracks when the pick that was resting on rock split permitting push arm down on employee's lower back.

September 2, 2008 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was descending the ladder on a Caterpillar 992 at the end of his working shift. As he stepped onto the ground level with his left foot his ankle rolled thus injuring the outside part of his left foot. Employee continued to work until 09/12/2008 at which time this became a lost time accident.

March 10, 2008 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking over to the opposite side of his D-11 R dozer to show his supervisor where a roller cap bolt was broken, when the employee slipped on some ice that had just been covered over with a newly fallen snow fall. Employee did not miss any work, however he received a prescription that makes this report medical.

2007 · 3 incidents

December 11, 2007 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was going up push arm steps to enter the operator's compartment. As he was doing so his right foot slipped on step thus permitting his body to shift allowing his head to strike on the push arm.

May 14, 2007 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was helping co-worker change out the tool cylinder on a Gradall. The pressure on the hydraulics was released and the employee started taking the hydraulic connections apart when some hydraulic oil splashed into both eyes. Employee did not miss any work but did get medical attention that made this reportable.

March 16, 2007 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured employee and a co-worker were prying a piece of rock with a rock bar off the push arm of a dozer when the rock rolled back on the rock bar thus causing the rock bar to come out of employee's grasp permitting the rock bar to come down on shin causing a laceration. Employee did not miss any work however he did receive 9 sutures.

2005 · 2 incidents

September 28, 2005 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A BULLDOZER HE EXPERIENCED PAIN DOWN HIS LEFT ARM. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED WORKING UNTIL 10/17/05 AT SUCH TIME HE STARTED MISSING WORK DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT.

2004 · 4 incidents

July 21, 2004 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS EXTRACTING COAL WITH THE GRADALL IN THE CORNER AREA OF THE PIT WHEN THE HIGH WALL SUDDENLY GAVE WAY COMING DOWN ON PART OF THE GRADALL.

July 14, 2004 PA · Coal outside foreman, leadman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

WHILE EE WAS DRAGGING DISCHARGE HOSE THE HOSE GOT CAUGHT ON A ROCK. HE GAVE IT ANOTHER PULL ON HOSE AND HOSE BROKE FREE OF ROCK THUS PERMITTING EE TO FALL ON ROCKS LACERATING THUMB. EE RECEIVED 7 SUTURES MAKING THIS A MEDICAL REPORT.

January 22, 2004 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE PERFORMING HIS NORMAL DUTIES AS A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCED PAIN/TINGLING IN BOTH HANDS/WRISTS. DIAGNOSED WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. EMPLOYEE CONTINUED WORKING UNT IL 1/22/04 AT WHICH TIME HE WENT OFF TO HAVE SURGERY.

January 7, 2004 PA · Coal

EE WAS CLIMBING UP ONTO LOADER-SLIPPED AND TWISTED RIGHT KNEE RETURNED TO WORK THE NEXT WORKING DAY 1-9-04 BUT STARTED MISSING WORK ON 1-9-04 THUS MAKING THIS A LOST TIME ACCIDENT.

2003 · 3 incidents

September 29, 2003 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech

EE WAS TURNING A METAL PLATE OVER WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN LEFT SHOULDER.

August 21, 2003 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

EE HAD BACKED HIS TRUCK UP TO EDGE OF DUMP SITE AND AS HE WAS RAISING HIS BED THE TRUCK SLID ON DUMP SITE PERMITTING TRUCK TO DROP OFF THE EDGE APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET.

March 7, 2003 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Fall from machine

EE HAD JUST COMPLETED FILLING FUEL TANK IN THE BED OF THE PIT SUPERVISOR'S PICK UP TRUCK. AS HE STEPPED OVER THE TAIL GATE TO GET DOWN-HIS FOOT SLIPPED IN THE MUDDY CONDITIONS THUS FALLING . JOB #21

2002 · 1 incident

June 11, 2002 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WORKING ON A HEATER FAN (TROUBLE SHOOTING) ON A D-4 DOZER WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY GOT HIS RIGHT RING FINGER CAUGHT IN FAN BLADE.

1997 · 1 incident

September 20, 1997 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EE WAS PREFORMING HIS NORMAL DUTIES AS AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, THE EE EXPERIENCED CHEST PAINS. [OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS]

1993 · 1 incident

June 7, 1993 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Thomas J. Smith, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED HA DFINISHED MULCHING A TOP SOIL PILE AND WAS WALKING TO HIS TRUCK. A BALL OF CLAY ROLLE DOFF THE SPOIL PILE AND HIT HIM ON THE RIGHT KNEE.

1990 · 1 incident

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Smith No. 1 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.