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.
Rate withheld: 953 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Sunshine has $857 in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 0 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.
$857
proposed penalties
$857
current assessed
$857
paid to date
$0
outstanding
12 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2003-07-15.
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.
MSHA sampling at Sunshine shows 95% of 157 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: 2003-02-19, 23 years ago
95%
within 1.5 mg/m3
157
samples
3.27
dust max (mg/m3)
86 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 71 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.
Sunshine recorded 8.71 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2002.
Injury rate, 2002
ⓘ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.
8.71
total case rate
8.71
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 6.89 and the all-US-mining average was 5.05 cases per 100 workers.
In Tennessee, coal mining averaged 6.96 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
2002 *
8.71
8.71
0.000
2001 *
20.20
20.20
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)
2003
25
40,735
2002
26
137,000
2001
19
137,170
2000
4
2,263
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Sunshine sits in Claiborne County, Tennessee, 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.
Claiborne County, Tennessee · Population 32,221
1.0%
Mining share of county employment
$46,587
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
THE TWO EMPLOYEES WERE REPLACING THE PINION SEALS ON A SCOOP,ELKHORN AR-4 OUTSIDE AT OUT NEW DOUBLE Q MINES.THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING A NUT THAT SECURES THE PINION SO THEY DECIDED TO T AKE A TORCH AND HEAT THE NUT TO LOOSEN IT.THE INJURED EMPLOYEE,(NAME),ATTEMPTED TO LIGHT THE TORCH BUT IT WOULD NOT LIGHT.THEY DECIDED THAT THE ACETYLENE TANK WAS EMPTY SO THE DECEASED EMPLOY
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN RETURN AIRWAY ON FIRST LEFT CROSSCUT IN A PANEL DRIVEN FROM THE 11TH BREAK. SECOND FALL WAS IN THE 10TH CROSSCUT IN #4 ENTRY. THE FALL WAS APPROXIMATELY 30' LONG X 20' WIDE X 7' HIGH. THE AREA WILL BE DANGERED OFF. THIS FALL DOES NOT IMPEDE VENTILATION.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN RETURN AIRWAY ON 1ST LEFT CROSS ENTRY IN A PANEL DRIVEN FROM THE 11TH BREAK. THE FALL WAS IN THE 9TH CROSSCUT IN #2 ENTRY. THE FALL WAS APPROX 30 FT LONG X 20 FT WIDE X 5 FT HIGH. THE AREA WILL BE DANGERED OFF. THIS FALL DOES NOT IMPEDE VENTILATION.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON 1ST LEFT CROSS ENTRY AT 17TH BRK #4 ENTRY. THE FALL WAS APPROX 35' LONG X 20' WIDE X 5' LONG. IT DID NOT IMPAIR VENTILATION. THE AREA WILL BE DANGERED OFF.
January 28, 2003TN · Coaldiscontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator
EE WAS DRILLING A HOLE TO INSTALL A ROOF BOLT. WHILE DRILLING, HE PLACED HIS LEFT HAND ON TOP OF ROOF BOLTER. A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING HISLEFT RING FINGER.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON 1ST RIGHT OFF 1ST RIGHT BETWEEN THE 42ND & 43RD BREAK IN #2 ENTR. THE FALL WAS APPROX 70' LONG X 20' WIDE X 5' HIGH. THE AREA WILL BE DANGERED OFF.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN A SET OF ROOMS ON 1ST RIGHT OFF 1ST RIGHT AT THE 43RD BRK. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 45 FT LONG X 30 FT WIDE X 6 FT HIGH. THE AREA WAS DANGERED OFF. IT DOES NOT IMPIDE VENTI LATION.
June 19, 2001TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
TWO EE WERE LIFTING A SEQUENCE SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE BELT LINE. AS HE LIFTED THE SWITCH HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN LOWER LEFT LEG. THE FIRST DAY THE EE MISSED WORK WAS 6-21-01.
June 5, 2001TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE INJURED EE WAS OPERATING A SCOOP CLEANING UP A ROADWAY. AS HE WAS TRAMMING THE SCOOP, HE INADVERTLY RAN OVER A ROCK ONT HE MINE FLOOR WHEN HE HIT THE ROCK, HIS HEAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE M INE ROOF.
EMPL WAS HELPING BOOM TRUCK OPERATOR MOVE ROOF BOLTS. AFTER EMPL HOOKED CHAINS ON BUNDLE OF ROOF BOLTS HE TURNED TO WALK AWAY HE STUMBLED & FELL STRIKING GROUND BREAKING RIGHT ARM.
August 8, 1991TN · Coallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT CROSS ENTRY #2 BREAK #2 ENTRY INTAKE AIRWAY. THE FALL WAS APPORX. 15 FT WIDE, 20 FT LONG, 5 FT HIGH. THE AREA IS TO BE CLEANED UP AND REBOLTED.
1988 · 9 incidents
December 7, 1988TN · Coallaborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scalerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS DRILLING A HOLE TO INSTALL A ROOF BOLT. A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING HIM ON THE LEFT SHOULDER THAT RESULTED IN A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND 3 CRACKED RIBS.
ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN 58TH BREAK IN #4 RETURN AIRWAY ENTRY FALL WAS APPROX.40FT LONG X20FT WIDE X46 INCHES THICK THE FALL WILL BE CLEANED UP & REBOLTED
THE INJURED EMPLOYEE AND THE SECTION MECHINIC WERE SETTING A PUMP. THE INJURED EMPLOYEE USING A POCKET KNIFE TO SPLICE THE PUMP CABLE. AS HE WAS CUTTING THE CABLE, THE KNIFE SLIPPED CUTTING HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER.
February 29, 1988TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techEXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
THE TWO EMPLOYEES WERE REPLACING THE PINION SEALS ON A SCOOP,ELKHORN AR-4 AT OUT NEW DOUBLE Q MINES.THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING A NUT THAT SECURES THE PINION SO THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A TO RCH AND HEAT THE NUT TO LOOSEN IT.THE INJURED EMPLOYEE,ATTEMPTED TO LIGHT THE TORCH BUT IT WOULD NOT LIGHT.THEY DECEIDED THAT THE ACETYLENE TANK WAS EMPTY SO THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE,CHANGED THE
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED ON SECTION 002 AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE 19TH BREAK IN THE NUMBER 4 ENTRY IN THE RETURN AIRWAY. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 20 FT LONG X 20 FT WIDE X 44 IN HIGH. THE AREA WILL B E TIMBERED OFF 5ND DANGER SIGNS WILL BE POSTED.
January 4, 1988TN · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
Colquest Energy Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
THE INJURED EMP5OYEE WAS HELPING ON THE ROOF BOLT MACHINE. THE ROOF BOLT OPERATOR WAS RAISING THE HEAD ON THE MACHINE TO INSTALL A ROOF BOLT WHEN THE INJURED EMPLOYEE INADVERTLY LAID HIS LEFT HAND ON TOP OF3THE ROOF BOLTER HEAD. HIS HAND WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE MINE ROOF.
ROOF FALL OCCUR9ED IN #1 ENTRY OF INTAKE AIRWAY BETWEEN 17 AND 18 INTERSECTION.FALL WAS 60'LONG X 20'WIDE X 4'HIGH.AREA WILL BE CLEANED UP AND RE-ROOF BOLTED.
October 28, 1987TN · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EMPLOYEE WA8 HELPING THE GENERAL MINE FOREMAN TAKE DOWN SOME LOOSE ROCK IN THE INTAKE AIRWAY. HE INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A ROOF BOLT DISLODGING A PIECE OF DRIED RESIN WHICH STRUCK HIM IN THE RIGHT EYE. 3
October 8, 1987TN · Coalroof bolter helper, rock bolter helper, pinner helperHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE EMPLOYEE WA8 REMOVING ROOF BELT PLATES FROM THE ROOF BOLT MACHINE WHEN HE INADVERTLY STRUCK A TIMBER. THE TIMBER FELL STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE BACK.
August 18, 1987TN · Coalcutting machine helper, undercutter operator helperOTHER
THE EMPLOYEE WA8 MOVING A TOMBER FOR THE CONTIINOUS MINER TO START SUTTING. WHEN THE EMPLOYEE REMOVED THE TIMBER, A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRICKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE HEAD.
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED IN THE BELT ENTRY OF WEST MAINS BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 3RD CROSSCUT. THE FALL WEAS APPROX. 20 FT LONG X 14 FT WIDE X 42 IN HIGH. THE ROOF FALL WILL BE CLEANED UP AND THE ROOF WILL BE RESUPP2RTED.
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED ON THE PILLAR LINE ON SECTION 001 THE FALL WAS APPROX. 8 FT THICK WITH UNKNOWN DIMENSIONS THE ROCK FALL WAS CLEANED UP WITH A SCOOP TO THE TAILSECTION OF THE CONTINOUS MIN ER AND A MINER 9ETRIVER WAS USED TO PULL THE MINER OUT.
April 27, 1987TN · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderSTRIKING OR BUMPING
EMPLOYEE WAS RE4OVING A TIMBER SO THE ROOF BOLT OPERATOR COULD INSTALL A ROOF BOLT.WHEN THE EMPLOYEE REMOVED THE TIMBER,A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING A ROOF BOLT LYUNG ON THE MINE FLOOR.WHEN T HE ROCK HIT THE3ROOF BOLT,THE BOLT BOUNCED UP STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE RIGHT CHEEK.
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED AT INTERSECTION OF 2ND BREAK IN #4 ENTRY OF 1ST RT FOF NEW ROCK CREEK ENTRIES THE FALL WAS APPROX 20 FT WIDE X 40 FT LONG X 42 IN THICK THE AREA WAS CLEANED UP AND REBOL TED 3
January 30, 1987TN · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderHANDLING OF MATERIALS
THE INJURED EE 3 3 OTHER EES WERE ATTEMPTING TOO LIFT THE DOLLY OFF THE LOW BELT STRUCTURE. THE STEEL WHEEL OF THE DOLLY SLIPPED OFF THE BELT STRUCTURE STRIKING EES RIGHT LITTLE FINGER.
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED IN THE 63RD INTERSECTION OF BELT ENTRY OF NEW WEST MAINS.THE FALL WAS APPROX. 24FT.SIDE X 70FT LONG X6 FT.HIGH.THE FALL COVERED APPROX.10FT OF THE CONTINUOUS MINER.
A ROOF FALL OCC6RRED IN THE MAIN RETURN THE FALL WAS APPROX 35X18X0 FALL DID NOT IMPAIR VENTILATION
1985 · 2 incidents
July 12, 1985TN · Coalbeltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor riderPOWERED HAULAGE
Colquest Energy Inc · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects
INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS SITTING ON BELT TAKING A TURN BUCKLE OFF BELT SCRAPER AT THE BELT HEAD ANOTHER EMPLOYEE STARTED THE BELT RUNNING THE EMPLOYEE BETWEEN THE SCRAPER & BELT
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN BELT ENTRY OF THE 52ND BREAK INTERSECTION OF 1ST LEFT OFF NEW WEST MAINS THE FALL WAS APPROX. 20 LONG X 38 WIDE 42 HIGH THE ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN A FOUILTY PLACE IN THE MINE ROOF.
EMPL RIDING BELTLINE WHICH IS THE MANTRIP INTO MINES TO BEGIN WORK.EMPL RAISED HEAD UP TOO CLOSE TO MINE ROOF.EMPL MINER LIGHT CORD CAUGHT ON ROOF BOLT AND PULLED HEAD UP INTO MINE ROOF.RESULT ED IN LACERATION TO LEFT EYEBROW.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE BELT ENTRY ON THE 5TH PANEL WALL OF 1ST LEFT CROSS ENTRY OFF 4TH RIGHT CROSS ENTRY APPROX 350\ UP IN PANEL WALL. THE ROOF FALL WAS APPROX 25\ LONG X 33\ WIDE X 6\ HIGH.