Mining Incidents

Totz Prep Plant Coal

4th Gen Fuels · Facility
Totz, Harlan County, KY  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1510657

Totz Prep Plant has $50K in proposed MSHA penalties and $7K outstanding across 26 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
40
Years on record
1983–2025
Latest incident
Jan 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
430
citations
101
significant & substantial
$49,792
proposed penalties
$41,794
paid to date
84% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $7,998 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
194
inspections on record
6,378
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.
430 citations across 6,378 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Totz Prep Plant has $50K in proposed MSHA penalties and $7K outstanding across 26 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.
$50K
proposed penalties
$49K
current assessed
$42K
paid to date
$7K
outstanding
420 assessments are final orders; 26 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-01-21.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Totz Prep Plant shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.24 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 350 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.
0.24
dust avg (mg/m3)
1.36
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
350
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-25.
Silica (quartz)
1.8
silica avg (%)
12.7
silica max (%)
42
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-12-16.
Noise
6%
over PEL
197
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-06-25.
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
2025 Q4 13,501 2 0 148.1
2025 Q3 14,906 2 0 134.2
2025 Q2 16,485 12 0 727.9
2025 Q1 16,837 13 2 772.1
2024 Q4 15,221 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 14,245 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 15,181 8 4 527.0
2024 Q1 13,877 0 0 0.0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 12,533 13 4 1037.3
2023 Q3 12,113 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 12,909 13 1 1007.0
2023 Q1 11,837 12 1 1013.8
2022 Q4 12,988 1 0 77.0
2022 Q3 11,940 12 4 1005.0
2022 Q2 11,933 11 2 921.8
2022 Q1 11,531 6 1 520.3
2021 Q4 11,301 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 8,966 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 10,659 13 5 1219.6
2021 Q1 7,898 3 0 379.8
2020 Q4 6,011 1 0 166.4
2020 Q3 4,759 2 0 420.3
2020 Q2 3,724 1 0 268.5
2020 Q1 7,173 1 0 139.4
2019 Q4 16,104 6 0 372.6
2019 Q3 15,069 1 0 66.4
2019 Q2 15,306 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 13,868 3 0 216.3
2018 Q4 13,757 1 0 72.7
2018 Q3 11,896 2 1 168.1
2018 Q2 13,289 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 12,095 4 0 330.7
2017 Q4 12,625 1 0 79.2
2017 Q3 13,162 2 0 152.0
2017 Q2 14,205 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 14,427 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 15,012 2 0 133.2
2016 Q3 14,483 4 0 276.2
2016 Q2 15,335 1 0 65.2
2016 Q1 16,842 1 0 59.4
2015 Q4 15,369 7 1 455.5
2015 Q3 15,010 1 0 66.6
2015 Q2 14,915 2 0 134.1
2015 Q1 15,067 2 0 132.7
2014 Q4 15,393 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 14,167 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 15,644 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 15,868 4 0 252.1
2013 Q4 15,569 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 14,519 5 2 344.4
2013 Q2 19,226 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 16,620 12 5 722.0
2012 Q4 16,867 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 15,521 2 0 128.9
2012 Q2 16,426 5 1 304.4
2012 Q1 15,274 10 0 654.7
2011 Q4 15,342 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 14,903 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 15,871 9 1 567.1
2011 Q1 14,735 5 1 339.3
2010 Q4 15,986 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 15,478 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 16,545 5 1 302.2
2010 Q1 18,139 12 1 661.6
2009 Q4 14,376 12 0 834.7
2009 Q3 16,639 8 3 480.8
2009 Q2 15,615 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 13,999 4 1 285.7
2008 Q4 13,406 3 2 223.8
2008 Q3 13,226 1 0 75.6
2008 Q2 10,544 10 3 948.4
2008 Q1 11,794 2 1 169.6
2007 Q4 11,204 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 10,254 3 0 292.6
2007 Q2 11,772 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 11,563 3 2 259.4
2006 Q4 11,823 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 10,526 2 2 190.0
2006 Q2 9,899 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 10,717 3 0 279.9
2005 Q4 6,686 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 8,352 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 9,659 13 3 1345.9
2005 Q1 6,692 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 5,720 6 0 1049.0
2004 Q3 4,895 15 10 3064.4
2004 Q2 4,406 2 0 453.9
2004 Q1 9,027 12 4 1329.3
2003 Q4 7,293 1 1 137.1
2003 Q3 8,164 6 2 734.9
2003 Q2 9,151 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 11,589 3 1 258.9
2002 Q4 10,954 12 5 1095.5
2002 Q3 11,128 12 5 1078.4
2002 Q2 12,086 2 2 165.5
2002 Q1 13,859 13 3 938.0
2001 Q4 10,420 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 10,450 14 5 1339.7
2001 Q2 10,241 1 0 97.6
2001 Q1 8,761 4 2 456.6
2000 Q4 9,295 6 2 645.5
2000 Q3 8,892 3 0 337.4
2000 Q2 8,646 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 8,894 4 1 449.7
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

40 on file

2025 · 1 incident

January 22, 2025 KY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
4th Gen Fuels · Struck against a moving object

Truck trailer turned over while dumping.

2017 · 1 incident

February 21, 2017 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was lying on left side shoveling and strained right shoulder

2015 · 1 incident

May 4, 2015 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping down from the John Deere Backhoe when he felt a sharp pain/popping in his left hip.

2014 · 1 incident

September 6, 2014 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee pulled/strained back while removing a large piece of coal from the feeder.

2013 · 3 incidents

September 8, 2013 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting and pulling. Replacing the back on a flute liner for a pump. He felt a sharp burning pain in his stomach area.

June 8, 2013 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Struck by flying object

A loose bolt came loose from the dewatering vibrator and hit employee on the left thumb. Thumb was swollen.

2012 · 1 incident

August 31, 2012 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Ee was walking beside a belt line when he tripped and fell. On the way down, his hand hit a belt roller and broke a bone in his hand. With proper medical care and therapy, his hand healed well and he is back to work no restrictions.

2011 · 3 incidents

June 18, 2011 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

Ee stepped off a loader and hurt his leg. X-rays at the doctor's office revealed a bone cracked. He will be off for a while.

March 4, 2011 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was unloading a bucket of grease from the mechanic's truck when he slipped and fell. He hurt his right knee. The doctor has not made a diagnosis yet.

January 21, 2011 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE slipped and fell on ice while getting into a company vehicle. He fell on his buttock and back. It caused such a bruise that it set up an infection. He had to be hospitlaized and surgery was performed to remove the infection. He is now doing well and should be back to work in a few days.

2010 · 1 incident

March 6, 2010 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

Ee cut his finger on a best conveyor shield. It took two stitches and Ee returned to work on the next scheduled work day.

2009 · 1 incident

November 10, 2009 KY · Coal car dropper, car shake out operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Ee was closing a car door when he slipped and fell hurting his side and ribs. He had no real problems and came back to work after 2 days off.

2008 · 1 incident

2007 · 1 incident

May 12, 2007 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was operating a lathe, when his emory cloth got caught in the lathe and pulled his hand into the turning lathe. This broke one finger and dislocated two others.

2006 · 3 incidents

November 9, 2006 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

Ee was trying to close door on excavator, slipped and fell. He hit a vehicle before he hit the ground.

June 22, 2006 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

As EE was operating equipment, the windshield came out of frame and hit him on the head.

2005 · 1 incident

2002 · 2 incidents

October 7, 2002 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EE IS A CAR DROPPER AT THE TIPPLE. HIS BOOT HEEL CAUGHT ON A RUNG OF THE LADDER AND CAUSED HIM TO FALL. HE CAUGHT HIMSELF AND SWUNG AROUND HITTING HIS SHIN ON THE DRAW HEAD OF THE CAR. THIS CA USED A ONE AND ONE-QUARTER INCH CUT REQUIRING STITCHES AT THE LOCAL ER.

June 17, 2002 KY · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING DOWN BELT WALKWAY, SLIPPED AND FELL. HE TRIED TO CATCH HIMSELF BUT ENDED UP JERKING HIS BODY AND LEGS. THE FULLE EXTENT OF INJURY IS NOT KNOWN AT PRESENT TIME. HE IS OFF W ORK AND SCHEDULED FOR X-RAYS AND DOCTORS IN JULY.

2001 · 2 incidents

February 8, 2001 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING DOWN FROM CAB OF DOZER HOLDING ONTO THE HANDLES. HIS RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED AND HE TWISTED HIS BACK WHILE HOLDING ONTO HANDLES.

1999 · 1 incident

1996 · 2 incidents

March 22, 1996 KY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

THE INJURED WAS GETTING DOWN FROM CAT TRUCK. WHEN HE GOT TO THE BOTTOM STEP, HE SLIPPED AND FELL ABOUT FIVE FEET, LANDING FLAT ON HIS BACK.

March 4, 1996 KY · Coal FIRE
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

SPECULATION IS THAT THE FUEL LINE BROKE AND THE FUEL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT HIT THE HOT ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE TRUCK BEING DESTROYED BY FIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT THE TOTZ SLATE DUMP/IMPOUNDMENT AREA.

1995 · 1 incident

1993 · 1 incident

September 9, 1993 KY · Coal car dropper, car shake out operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BUSINESS OFFICE RECEIVED NOTICE OF ALLEGED COAL WORKERS PNEUMOCONIOSIS CLAIM ON SEPT 8 1993

1992 · 2 incidents

June 2, 1992 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING HYDRAULIC TANK FROM D-6 DOZER & EMPLOYEE DROPPED TANK ON HIS LEFT FOOT

1990 · 1 incident

December 7, 1990 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

STEPPING FROM DOZER OVER TO A HAULBACK TRUCK.FOOT SLIPPED AND LEG WENT BETWEEN CRAWLER FRAME AND PUNCH ARM OF DOZER.

1989 · 2 incidents

October 11, 1989 KY · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Struck by flying object

HE WAS BREAKING STEEL APART ON AIR TRAC AND PIECE OF COUPLING CHIPPED OFF AND HIT HIM IN RIGHT THIGH. METAL WAS APPROX. 1 INCH LONG.

August 14, 1989 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

HE WAS CLIMBING DOWN A CHUTE IN THE TIPPLE AND A PIECE OF METAL HE WAS CLIMBING ON BROKE OFF DROPPING HIM BELOW STRICKING SOMETHING ANC UTTING HIS LEG.

1988 · 1 incident

October 14, 1988 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A PIECE OF METAL OFF THE ELECTROMAGNET WITHOUT TURNING THE MAGNET OFF AND MASHED HIS RT HAND

1987 · 1 incident

February 3, 1987 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS STANDING3ON A 55 GALLON DRUM CUTTING STEEL WHEN THE STEEL FELL FALLING TOWARD HIM KNOCKING HIM OFF THE DRUM

1986 · 1 incident

1985 · 3 incidents

October 7, 1985 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS OP9RATING A HIGH-LIFT-LOADING TRUCKS HE CLIMBED ON FENDER OF LIFT TO GREASE BUCKET SLIPPED & FELL TO GROUND

June 17, 1985 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ON THE DRAG FLOOR AND EMPLOYER SPECULATION IS THAT EMPLOYEE CAUGHT HIS HAND IN THE GEAR OR DRAG.

May 20, 1985 KY · Coal MACHINERY
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS STANDING ON A 55 GALLON DRUM, CUTTING STEEL, WHEN THE STEEL FELL, IT FELL TOWARD HIM KNOCKING HIMM OFF THE DRUM.

1983 · 1 incident

September 2, 1983 KY · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Harlan Cumberland Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OFF GROVE CRANE WHEN HE SLIPPED AND CAUGHT LEFT FOOT BETWEEN OUTRIGGERS.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Totz Prep Plant

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.