Mining Incidents

Tuscarora Breaker Coal

Controlled by David B Kuperavage
Middleport, Schuylkill County, PA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3606428

Tuscarora Breaker has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
22
Years on record
1984–2015
Latest incident
Mar 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
121
citations
38
significant & substantial
$13,183
proposed penalties
$12,883
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $300 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
96
inspections on record
3,472
inspection hours
3.5
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.
121 citations across 3,472 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Tuscarora Breaker has $13K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 5 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.
$13K
proposed penalties
$13K
current assessed
$13K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
119 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-11-07.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at Tuscarora Breaker shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.34 mg/m3 (97% compliant) across 299 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.
0.34
dust avg (mg/m3)
3.38
dust max (mg/m3)
97%
within 1.5 mg/m3
299
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-05-26.
Silica (quartz)
1.8
silica avg (%)
6.4
silica max (%)
19
samples
Most recent sample: 2017-11-20.
Noise
9%
over PEL
144
samples
Most recent sample: 2025-10-28.
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 1,455 1 0 687.3
2025 Q3 1,537 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 1,423 3 2 2108.2
2025 Q1 1,593 1 0 627.7
2024 Q4 1,500 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 1,391 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 1,417 1 0 705.7
2024 Q1 1,693 1 1 590.7
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 1,128 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 1,480 1 1 675.7
2023 Q2 1,135 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 1,473 3 2 2036.7
2022 Q4 1,438 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 1,517 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 1,477 1 0 677.0
2022 Q1 1,398 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 1,498 1 0 667.6
2021 Q3 1,200 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 1,332 1 0 750.8
2021 Q1 1,508 4 2 2652.5
2020 Q4 1,768 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 1,420 1 0 704.2
2020 Q2 1,404 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 1,447 1 0 691.1
2019 Q4 1,410 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 1,458 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 1,478 1 0 676.6
2019 Q1 1,259 1 0 794.3
2018 Q4 1,878 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 1,473 1 0 678.9
2018 Q2 1,478 1 0 676.6
2018 Q1 1,988 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 2,093 1 0 477.8
2017 Q3 1,734 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 2,436 1 0 410.5
2017 Q1 1,528 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 947 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 738 1 0 1355.0
2016 Q2 2,733 2 0 731.8
2016 Q1 3,304 2 0 605.3
2015 Q4 4,656 2 0 429.6
2015 Q3 7,277 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 7,803 1 0 128.2
2015 Q1 8,502 2 0 235.2
2014 Q4 6,828 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 5,189 2 0 385.4
2014 Q2 6,546 2 1 305.5
2014 Q1 8,641 2 0 231.5
2013 Q4 6,672 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 6,748 2 1 296.4
2013 Q2 7,161 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 7,130 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 5,196 1 0 192.5
2012 Q3 5,691 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 5,618 3 0 534.0
2012 Q1 5,744 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 3,296 3 2 910.2
2011 Q3 4,124 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 4,537 1 1 220.4
2011 Q1 5,068 5 1 986.6
2010 Q4 5,649 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 4,874 1 1 205.2
2010 Q2 5,630 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 6,163 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 6,792 18 7 2650.2
2009 Q3 5,311 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 6,199 5 4 806.6
2009 Q1 5,696 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 5,676 4 3 704.7
2008 Q3 4,821 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 5,699 2 0 350.9
2008 Q1 5,314 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 5,796 1 0 172.5
2007 Q3 5,154 2 2 388.0
2007 Q2 5,843 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 4,790 2 1 417.5
2006 Q4 4,794 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 4,745 5 2 1053.7
2006 Q2 6,333 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 6,484 1 1 154.2
2005 Q4 5,851 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 5,922 2 0 337.7
2005 Q2 5,467 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 5,949 1 0 168.1
2004 Q4 6,547 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 6,043 2 0 331.0
2004 Q2 5,590 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 5,062 3 1 592.7
2003 Q4 3,557 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 3,527 2 1 567.1
2003 Q2 2,309 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 3,321 4 1 1204.5
2002 Q4 2,881 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 1,947 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 2,780 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 3,899 5 0 1282.4
2001 Q4 6,522 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 5,758 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 7,111 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 7,353 1 0 136.0
2000 Q4 6,272 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 3,499 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 6,251 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 8,994 2 0 222.4

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
October 3, 1988 PA · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck by falling object

IT IS BELEIVED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO UNCLOG THE RAW COAL FEED HOPPER. HE WAS STRUCK WITH A SURGE OF NEW COAL.

Reportable incidents

21 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2015 · 2 incidents

March 20, 2015 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
South Tamaqua Coal Pockets, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While cleaning a railroad car for loading, employee slipped and injured his left knee.

2013 · 2 incidents

August 29, 2013 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Tamaqua Coal Pockets, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standing next to bin loading a truck with slate and something flew in to his eye

August 16, 2013 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
South Tamaqua Coal Pockets, Inc. · Struck by falling object

While replacing a return idler on the raw coal feed conveyor, the new idler slipped off the mounting bolts and struck the left forearm.

2008 · 1 incident

December 22, 2008 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE and another EE were moving 50lb bags of magnatite. He said he felt a twist, thought he must have pulled his back. Worked a full day and did not report until following day.

2003 · 1 incident

January 15, 2003 PA · Coal truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS SORTING ROCK FROM COAL WHEN RIGHT HAND BECAME CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO ROCKS, INJURING THUMB & RIGHT HAND.

2000 · 2 incidents

January 12, 2000 PA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Fall from machine

EE WAS LOOSENING BOLT ON ENGINE REMOVAL ON D9 DOZER.. TOOL SLIPPED OFF NUT, EE LOST HIS BALANCE, FALLING TO GROUND. PAIN ON RIGHT SIDE--RIB AND SHOULDER BRUISED.

January 6, 2000 PA · Coal grader operator, roadgrader operator MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS LODDING MUD FROM MUD DAM USING A GRADE ALL. WHIEL DUMPIN BUCKET OF MUD, IT SPLASHED BACK INTO WIDNOW SPLASHING HIM IN THE EYES WITH MUD. ADMINISTERED FIRST AID ON JOB SITE. WEN T TO EMERGENCY ROOM AT GOOD SAMARITON HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER CLEANING. WAS SENT TO DR. FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

1997 · 1 incident

February 28, 1997 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech FIRE
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Fall from machine

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START MACHINE. PUTTING GAS INTO CARBURATOR TO PRIME IT. IT BACK FIRED, CAUSING IT TO CATCH FIRE. EE JUMPED OFF THE MACHINE, LANDING ON HIS RT ARM.

1995 · 3 incidents

September 7, 1995 PA · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE WAS CUTTING OUT A STEEL PIN FROM THE CYLINDER ON A DRILL USING AN ACETYLENE/OXYGEN CUTTING TANK. HOT SLAG FELL INTO HIS GLOVE CREATING A FLASH, BURNING HIS RIGHT HAND (THE PALM AND TOP AREA OF HIS HAND).

August 22, 1995 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS OPENING TAIL GATE ON INTERNATIONAL TRI ANKLE DUMP TRUCK. HE ALLEDGEDLY WAS PUSHING DOWN ON ROD TO OPEN GATE WHEN HE RELIZED HE CUT THE PALM AREA OF HIS RIGHT HAND, CAUSING IT TO BLEED. IT REQUIRED 7 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

May 15, 1995 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SERVICING A MACHINE IN THE HEADHOUSE BLDG HE LOST HIS FOOTING WHEN A SECTION OF GRATING GAVE WAY & DE-TACHED HE GRABBED ONTO A HAND RAIL FOR BALANCE TWISTING HIMSELF WHILE HOLDING ON A FEW DAYS LATER HE EXPERIENCED SORENESS IN HIS BACK & WENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT

1994 · 2 incidents

October 12, 1994 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED THAT HE WAS WORKING ON A D-9 DOZER, TAKING OFF PARTS FOR REPAIR, WHEN SOMETHING ENTERED HIS EYE.

1993 · 1 incident

May 28, 1993 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNCLOG THE FEED HOPPER WITH A BAR EE PUT THE BAR BETWEEN THE MOVING PLATE & FEED PLATE IN ERROR CAUSING THE BAR TO PINCH HIS FINGER AGAINST THE HOPPER

1991 · 2 incidents

August 22, 1991 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

I NAME STATED THAT THE HAMMER SLIPPED FROM HAND AT THE PICKING TABLE HE REACHED DOWN TO PICK UP THE HAMMER & WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT HAND BY ANOTHER ROCK TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL DISPENSARY WILL RETURN ON MONDAY FOR A CAST TO BE APPLIED

April 2, 1991 PA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances

HE SUFFER CUT AND FUMP TO THE SAME FINGER X RAYED BY DR ON CALL. NOTHING BROKEN BUT PAIN AND SWELLING WAS PERSISTANT. BURN ON APRIL 2, WENT UNDETECTED. HE CUTTER STEEL WITH CUTTING TOUCHES AND SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE MIDDLE FINGER ON LEFT HAND.

1990 · 2 incidents

August 28, 1990 PA · Coal MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE LACING THE CABLES ON THE 4600 MANITOWAC DRAGLINE, ONE CABLE SLIPPED OFF THE BACK PULLEY AND CAUGHT HIM ACROSS THE LEFT ANKLE.

August 12, 1990 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE STATED THAT APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO HE WAS WORKING ON THE 2400 DRAGLINE. HE CAUGHT HIS LEFT FOOT AND HIS RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED AND TWISTED HIS KNEE.

1989 · 1 incident

May 25, 1989 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Contact with hot objects or substances

THE INJURED STATED HE HAD COMPLETED ACETYLENE WELDING THE OIL PAN OF THE MACK TRUCK(WHICH HAD BEEN DRAINED)WHEN HE PASSED THE OIL DRAIN HOLE AND THE FUMES IGNITED.

1984 · 1 incident

October 15, 1984 PA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Kuperavage Enterprises Inc. · Struck by flying object

WHILE OPERATING BACKHOE IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING UP LARGE LUMPS OF COAL A PIECE OF COAL FLEW CAUSING A CUT TO RT SIDE OF CHEST

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Tuscarora Breaker

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.