Mining Incidents

VFC-Washer Coal

Keokee, Lee County, VA  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4406230

VFC-Washer has $131K in proposed MSHA penalties and $28K outstanding across 32 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
28
Years on record
1991–2014
Latest incident
Nov 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
621
citations
284
significant & substantial
$130,938
proposed penalties
$90,501
paid to date
69% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $40,437 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
228
inspections on record
4,702
inspection hours
13.2
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.
621 citations across 4,702 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

VFC-Washer has $131K in proposed MSHA penalties and $28K outstanding across 32 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.
$131K
proposed penalties
$118K
current assessed
$91K
paid to date
$28K
outstanding
612 assessments are final orders; 32 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2024-07-08.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at VFC-Washer shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.34 mg/m3 (99% compliant) across 159 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)
2.14
dust max (mg/m3)
99%
within 1.5 mg/m3
159
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-03-17.
Silica (quartz)
7.0
silica avg (%)
15.9
silica max (%)
6
samples
Most recent sample: 2015-04-24.
Noise
3%
over PEL
72
samples
Most recent sample: 2026-03-17.
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 96 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 120 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 623 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 0 3 0
2024 Q2 96 2 0 20833.3
2024 Q1 48 0 0 0.0
Show 90 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 1,920 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 1,880 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 1,800 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 180 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 160 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 0 0 0
2022 Q2 1,680 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 0 0 0
2021 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q4 2,320 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 1,440 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 1,440 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 1,580 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 1,260 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 1,820 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 1,440 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 0 3 0
2018 Q1 840 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 1,207 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 556 1 0 1798.6
2017 Q2 1,512 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 1,320 9 0 6818.2
2016 Q4 960 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 4,044 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 6,384 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 11,659 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 15,905 1 0 62.9
2015 Q3 18,089 3 0 165.8
2015 Q2 16,567 20 7 1207.2
2015 Q1 17,018 2 1 117.5
2014 Q4 12,006 9 4 749.6
2014 Q3 9,509 5 3 525.8
2014 Q2 8,335 8 2 959.8
2014 Q1 18,382 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 11,413 10 4 876.2
2013 Q3 1,049 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 1,078 2 1 1855.3
2013 Q1 1,587 10 2 6301.2
2012 Q4 480 11 5 22916.7
2012 Q3 1,169 29 16 24807.5
2012 Q2 1,219 18 7 14766.2
2012 Q1 3,892 36 14 9249.7
2011 Q4 14,189 3 0 211.4
2011 Q3 10,350 2 0 193.2
2011 Q2 12,993 12 4 923.6
2011 Q1 26,143 6 1 229.5
2010 Q4 20,743 14 4 674.9
2010 Q3 14,108 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 28,705 30 17 1045.1
2010 Q1 26,675 2 1 75.0
2009 Q4 26,159 19 6 726.3
2009 Q3 25,520 16 0 627.0
2009 Q2 26,722 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 27,159 56 26 2061.9
2008 Q4 28,732 3 0 104.4
2008 Q3 24,847 46 23 1851.3
2008 Q2 23,650 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 22,880 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 21,134 37 25 1750.7
2007 Q3 24,867 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 26,425 29 13 1097.4
2007 Q1 25,587 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 27,932 11 7 393.8
2006 Q3 28,410 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 29,609 22 15 743.0
2006 Q1 27,858 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 28,204 14 4 496.4
2005 Q3 27,560 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 27,482 6 4 218.3
2005 Q1 26,933 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 25,350 18 12 710.1
2004 Q3 26,087 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 29,100 9 4 309.3
2004 Q1 28,288 21 16 742.4
2003 Q4 27,565 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 27,322 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 27,705 9 8 324.9
2003 Q1 26,944 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 30,301 16 7 528.0
2002 Q3 26,835 5 2 186.3
2002 Q2 30,628 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 29,364 3 1 102.2
2001 Q4 1,300 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 1,300 4 2 3076.9
2001 Q2 650 1 1 1538.5
2001 Q1 650 3 1 4615.4
2000 Q4 650 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 650 14 8 21538.5
2000 Q2 650 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 650 7 6 10769.2
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

28 on file

2014 · 1 incident

November 19, 2014 VA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Fuels Corporation · Fall down stairs

Employee was walking down a flight of steps, when he stated he slipped and fell, falling backwards, landing on his back and R elbow. Employee is working light duty since (11-28-2014) (Missed 5 days work)

2013 · 2 incidents

November 22, 2013 VA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Virginia Fuels Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was helping carry a piece of medal when he said his left foot slid sideways causing him to twist his left foot. Dr. report said he had a broken bone going to his little toe.

February 8, 2013 VA · Coal pumper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Virginia Fuels Corporation · Struck against stationary object

The employee was using a crescent wrench to tighten some blots when the wrench slipped and his right hand came in contact with a piece of expanded metal. The sharp edge of the metal cut his right hand around his knuckle area.

2011 · 2 incidents

May 4, 2011 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Virginia Fuels Corporation · Struck against stationary object

Employee was using a wrench, the wrench slipped off the bolt, he cut his left hand when it struck a piece of metal.

March 8, 2011 VA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Virginia Fuels Corporation · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was assisting the core drill operator and as the drill started he was loosening a bolt up, it spun around and mashed the little finger of his left hand.

2010 · 1 incident

February 16, 2010 VA · Coal FIRE
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Due to inclement weather two trucks were parked behind Sigmon Coals Shop without Mgt. permission. This area was not intended nor designed for coal truck parking. During the night the trucks caught on fire & were destroyed.

2009 · 2 incidents

September 24, 2009 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE had back pain while carrying a small log at the impoundment.

July 13, 2009 VA · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Fall from machine

While dismounting the rock hauler, the employee slipped on the ladder and fell to the ground.

2007 · 1 incident

2005 · 2 incidents

September 27, 2005 VA · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

A metal box shute was being cut loose when the final cut was made the box moved forward catching Ee's two middle fingers ont he left hand at the nail mashing off the tips of the two middle fingers.

2003 · 1 incident

February 15, 2003 VA · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REPLACING SPRINGS IN A COAL VEBRATOR. THE SPRINGS JUMPED OUT OF THE HOUSING, STRIKING EE ON THE THUMB OF THE RIGHT HAND, RESULTING IN A SIMPLE FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT THUMB.

2002 · 1 incident

June 4, 2002 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEEM WAS CARRYING A BALE OF HAY, WHEN HE FLT PAIN IN HIS BACK, THE DR REPORT STATED STRAINED MUSCLE IN BACK.

2001 · 3 incidents

October 4, 2001 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Fall from machine

EE FELL OFF OF THE COAL LOADER INJURING HIS BACK BETWEEN THE SHOULDERS.

July 16, 2001 VA · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Flash burns (welding)

EE WAS WELDING ON VIBRATOR IN SIGMON WASHER. HE STRUCK AN ARK BEFORE PUTTING DOWN HIS EYE SHIELDRESULTING IN A FLASH BURN TO HIS LEFT EYE.

January 31, 2001 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING LADDER TO REPAIR HOLES IN PIPE OF PREPARATION PLANT. EMPLOYEE LOST HIS GRIP ON LADDER AND FELL APPROX. 8', FRACTURING RIGHT ANKLE AND HEEL.

2000 · 2 incidents

September 23, 2000 VA · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS RETURNING TO THE WASHER FROM THE SLATE DUMP. THE SLATE TRUCK HE WAS DRIVING LEFT THE ROADWAY AND TRAVELED APPROX. 100' DOWN THE SLOPE. HE RECEIVED A SMALL CUT BEHIND HIS EAR AND BRUISES ON HIS BODY.

February 25, 2000 VA · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING AN END LOADER, FEEDING THE RAW COAL BIN. HE STATED HE EITHER DID NOT ENGAGE THE CLUTCH OR APPLIED THE WRONG PEDAL CAUSING THE ENDLOADER TO GO INTO THE BIN.

1999 · 1 incident

January 11, 1999 VA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLISING FROZEN RAILCAR DOORS WHEN THE CLOSING BAR SLIPPED AND HIT EE ON HIS LEFT KNEE RESULTING IN BRUISES TO THE LEFT KNEE.

1998 · 1 incident

October 14, 1998 VA · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Fall from machine

EE WAS STEPPING DOWN FROM A DOZER--EE SLIPPED & FELL RESULTING IN A BROKEN WRIST BONE IN HIS LEFT ARM

1997 · 2 incidents

November 7, 1997 VA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS INSTALLING A SIDE BOARD ON STRIP COAL COLLECTOR BELT. THE MAGNET ATTRACTED THE PIECE OF METAL CATCHING HIS LEFT THUMB BETWEEN THE METAL SIDE BOARD AND THE MAGNET CAUSEING CUTS TO HIS LE FT THUMB.

June 23, 1997 VA · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOADING A PIECE OF METAL IN A END LOADER BUCKET. EE MADE A TWISTING MOTION WHICH RESULTED IN A PULLED MUSCLE IN HIS BACK.

1996 · 1 incident

March 27, 1996 VA · Coal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

PULLED MUSCLE OR TWISTED BACK WHILE CLEANING ANDSHOVELING DIRT AND ROCK FROM UNDER THE ROCK CRUSHER PLANT. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 3-27-96. WAS NOT REPORTED UNTIL 4-9-96.

1995 · 1 incident

May 17, 1995 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck by falling object

A METAL DOOR USED AS A CLEAN OUT DOOR WAS OPENEDBY THE INJURED UPON CLOSING THE DOOR THE HINGES BROKE. LETTING THE DOOR DROP ACROSS HIS RIGHT FOOT-BROKEN BONE IN FOOT.

1992 · 3 incidents

September 21, 1992 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS CUTTING METAL LEG OFF OF CYCLOE, LEG FELL STRIKING HIM ON LEFT THUMB AT JOINT BEHIND FINGERNAIL CUTTING IT REQUIRING 10 SITCHES.

September 11, 1992 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INJURED WAS STARTING TO BEND OVER AND PICK UP A PIECE OF STEEL AND STRAINED LOWER BACK WHILE STARTING TO BEND OVER.

July 23, 1992 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Fall from ladders

33942ING LADDER SLIPPED AND FELL 10 FT AND LANDED ON FEET BREAKING R ANKLE

1991 · 1 incident

December 9, 1991 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Sigmon Coal Company, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS WORKING AROUND TRUCK SCALES BACKHOE WAS TAKING UP DECKING BOARDS ONE BOARD SPRANG UP STRIKING INJURED IN LOWER LEFT SIDE OF RIB CAGE, FRACTURING THREE RIBS.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on VFC-Washer

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.