February 6, 2004
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
REPAIRING CONVEYOR BELT. THE EXCESSIVE PULLING CAUSED STRAINING OF GROIN AREA.
St. Helens Tipple: 153 MSHA citations Coal
St. Helens Tipple has $30K in proposed MSHA penalties and $4K outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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- Fatalities
- 0
- Total incidents
- 19
- Years on record
- 1988–2004
- Latest incident
- Feb 2004
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2002
153
citations
67
significant & substantial
$29,510
proposed penalties
$24,188
paid to date
82% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $5,322 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
66
inspections on record
1,332
inspection hours
11.5
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.153 citations across 1,332 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
St. Helens Tipple has $30K in proposed MSHA penalties and $4K outstanding across 3 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.$30K
proposed penalties
$28K
current assessed
$24K
paid to date
$4K
outstanding
152 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
Of $2K in penalties contested before the Commission, $457 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-07-07.
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.43.8%
significant & substantial
1.3%
high negligence or reckless
43.8%
reasonably likely or greater
4.6%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.7% none, 9.8% low, 88.2% moderate, 1.3% 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.
4
citations taken to the federal commission · 3% of citations on record
- Settled 3 · 75%
- Stood as issued 1 · 25%
33%
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 3 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
74%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$2K proposed, $457 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 2008-12-23.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENT 2009-452 | Settlement | Melick | 2010 | $920 → $307 |
| KENT 2009-451 | Settlement | Melick | 2010 | $745 → $150 |
| KENT 2005-83 | Dismissal | Lesnick | 2005 | $60 → $0 |
Source: FMSHRC civil penalty dockets and decisions (public record), updated weekly.
MSHA sampling at St. Helens Tipple shows 100% of 69 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: 2026-07-22
ⓘ
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.100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
69
samples
0.57
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.69 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 0 by the operator.
Most-sampled occupations
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER37
- TIPPLE OPERATOR15
- CRUSHER ATTENDANT3
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: 2026-07-22
ⓘ
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.0%
over PEL
48
samples
Most-sampled occupations
- HIGHLIFT OPERATOR/FRONT END LOADER26
- TIPPLE OPERATOR11
- ASSIST MINE FOREMAN/ASSIST MINE MANAGER2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 100% | 1 |
| 2025 | 100% | 1 |
| 2023 | 100% | 2 |
| 2022 | 100% | 5 |
| 2021 | 100% | 6 |
| 2020 | 100% | 3 |
| 2019 | 100% | 8 |
| 2018 | 100% | 2 |
| 2017 | 100% | 1 |
| 2012 | 100% | 6 |
| 2008 | 100% | 5 |
| 2007 | 100% | 8 |
| 2006 | 100% | 6 |
| 2005 | 100% | 5 |
| 2004 | 100% | 5 |
| 2003 | 100% | 3 |
| 2002 | 100% | 2 |
Noise by year
| Year | over PEL | samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0% | 1 |
| 2025 | 0% | 1 |
| 2023 | 0% | 2 |
| 2022 | 0% | 5 |
| 2021 | 0% | 3 |
| 2020 | 0% | 3 |
| 2019 | 0% | 6 |
| 2018 | 0% | 2 |
| 2017 | 0% | 1 |
| 2012 | 0% | 5 |
| 2008 | 0% | 2 |
| 2007 | 0% | 5 |
| 2006 | 0% | 3 |
| 2005 | 0% | 2 |
| 2004 | 0% | 5 |
| 2002 | 0% | 2 |
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly.
Ownership history
- Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. 1987 to 2012
- Jackson Processing Inc 2012 to 2016
- Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 14,280 |
| 2009 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 0 |
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
St. Helens Tipple sits in Lee County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 1.0% 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.Lee County, Kentucky · Population 7,375
1.0%
Mining share of county employment
$34,182
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2026 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 Q4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 Q3 | 553 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 327 | 2 | 0 | 6116.2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 Q4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Show 48 earlier quarters Hide earlier quarters
| Quarter | Hours worked | Citations | S&S | Per 1M hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 Q4 | 292 | 1 | 0 | 3424.7 |
| 2023 Q3 | 1,344 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2023 Q2 | 1,235 | 6 | 1 | 4858.3 |
| 2023 Q1 | 1,398 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q4 | 1,051 | 2 | 0 | 1902.9 |
| 2022 Q3 | 1,347 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 Q2 | 1,429 | 7 | 2 | 4898.5 |
| 2022 Q1 | 1,124 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q4 | 1,390 | 4 | 0 | 2877.7 |
| 2021 Q3 | 1,289 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2021 Q2 | 1,071 | 1 | 0 | 933.7 |
| 2019 Q1 | 614 | 4 | 0 | 6514.7 |
| 2009 Q1 | 1,629 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q4 | 2,142 | 5 | 1 | 2334.3 |
| 2008 Q3 | 2,183 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2008 Q2 | 2,060 | 1 | 0 | 485.4 |
| 2008 Q1 | 1,891 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q4 | 2,007 | 14 | 4 | 6975.6 |
| 2007 Q3 | 1,973 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q2 | 1,997 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2007 Q1 | 2,083 | 4 | 1 | 1920.3 |
| 2006 Q4 | 2,142 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q3 | 2,068 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q2 | 2,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2006 Q1 | 2,026 | 9 | 8 | 4442.3 |
| 2005 Q4 | 2,053 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q3 | 2,092 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2005 Q2 | 2,020 | 3 | 2 | 1485.1 |
| 2005 Q1 | 1,865 | 3 | 1 | 1608.6 |
| 2004 Q4 | 2,303 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q3 | 1,843 | 12 | 5 | 6511.1 |
| 2004 Q2 | 2,527 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2004 Q1 | 1,992 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q4 | 1,944 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q3 | 2,058 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q2 | 2,219 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2003 Q1 | 2,086 | 1 | 0 | 479.4 |
| 2002 Q4 | 1,515 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2001 Q4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2001 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 Q1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
19 on file2004 · 1 incident
1997 · 2 incidents
September 25, 1997
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
POWERED HAULAGE
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck against a moving object
EE ON LOADER. MOVING AROUND COAL PILE. EE DROVE LOADER INTO HOLE ABOUT 12' DEEP. JARRED HIM AND THREW HIM FORWARD.
January 15, 1997
KY · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Fall onto or against objects
ICE ON CATWALK APPROACHED TO SCALEHOUSE. INJURED NECK AND BRUISED KIDNEY.
1995 · 1 incident
April 21, 1995
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
POWERED HAULAGE
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck against a moving object
DRIVING TO COAL TIPPLE ON SR11. AUTO IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENDLY TO MAKE LEFT TURN. ATTEMPTED TO AVOID HITTING. BLEW HORN, LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF TRUCK HIT RIGHT REAR OF AUTO, GOING OVR IT AND C AUSING TRUCK TO FLIP OVER.
1993 · 1 incident
July 20, 1993
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
STOCKPILING, LOADING COAL UNDER COAL CHUTE.
1992 · 1 incident
March 24, 1992
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK. STEPPED UP ON STEP OF COAL TRUCK WHICH WAS ICE COVERED. SLIPPED.
1991 · 2 incidents
August 26, 1991
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects
LIFTIGN AND THROWING RAILROAD TIES INTO LAODER BUCKE TTO BUILD BARRIER ON RAILROAD HOPPER.
July 24, 1991
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
POWERED HAULAGE
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck against a moving object
TRUCKER WAS DUMPING LOAD OF COAL AT TIPPLE. TRUCK ROLLED ONTO UNLEVEL GROUND & TIPPED OVER ONTO PASSENGER SIDE. EMPL HIT RIGHT SIDE OF HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL.
1990 · 2 incidents
May 31, 1990
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
MACHINERY
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)
WHILE REPLACING COAL LOADING CHUTE, CHAIN SLIPPED ON CRANE BASKET. EMPLOYEE INJURED RIGHT THUMB.
March 26, 1990
KY · Coal
prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects
EMPLOYEE CHANGING SCREEN. LIFTING SCREEN OFF CATWALK ON TOP SCREEN DECK WHILE TWISTING AROUND.
1989 · 7 incidents
December 14, 1989
KY · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
MACHINERY
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Flash burns (welding)
IN AREA OF WELDER, REFLECTION FROM ARC WELDER BURNED EYES
October 27, 1989
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Fall from machine
LOADER HAD RUN THROUGH OIL PUDDLE. OIL GOT ON TIRES. WHEN EMPL STEPPED ON TIRE TO GET OFF LOADER FEET SLIPED ON OILY TURE & EMPL FELL ABOUT 5'.
July 27, 1989
KY · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
OTHER
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances
STUNG BY WASP WHILE CLEARING COAL HOPPER OUT.
July 20, 1989
KY · Coal
laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman
HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)
BLOCK OF COAL WAS CAUGHT IN FEEDER.EMPLOYEE TRIED TO BREAK IT UP FROM THE HOPPER.SPRAINED LOWER BACK.
May 1, 1989
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EMPLOYEE STANDING IN COAL CHUTE WITH COAL GOING BETWEEN LEGS. FEET SLIPPED AND EMPLOYEE SLID DOWN COAL CHUTE. RUPTURED DISC IN NECK.
March 15, 1989
KY · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
POWERED HAULAGE
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)
EMPLOYEE WAS SUPERVISING MOVEMENT OF COAL THROUGH CHUTE.CHUNK OF COAL CLOGGED IN CHUTE.EMPLOYEE REACHED IN TO MOVE COAL THROUGH AND SECOND CHUNK OF CAOL CAME DOWN AND HIR FINGER.
January 26, 1989
KY · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck against stationary object
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING CHANGE SCREEN IN TRIPPLE.HEWAS BENT OVER AND WHEN HE STOOD UP HE HIT HIS HEAD ON STEEL I BEAM SLIPPED DISC IN NECK.
1988 · 2 incidents
September 30, 1988
KY · Coal
haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver
FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Struck by falling object
WHILE REMOVING A BLOCK OF COAL FROM IN FRONT OF TRUCK TIRE ANOTHER BLOCK OF COAL FELL FROM ON TOP OF THE TRUCK BED HITTING HIM IN THE BACK
July 13, 1988
KY · Coal
warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator
ELECTRICAL
Sturgeon Mining Co., Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances
WORKING ON BREAKER BOX WITH SWITCH CUT OFF ONE OT TWO WIRES WERE HOOKED UP.STARTED TO HOOK UP SECOND WIRE WHEN FIRE SHOT OUT OF BOX.