Mining Incidents

West Cazy Surface Mine Coal

Clothier, Boone County, WV  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4608549

West Cazy Surface Mine has $71K in proposed MSHA penalties and $316 outstanding across 5 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
39
Years on record
1996–2022
Latest incident
Mar 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2001
143
citations
63
significant & substantial
$71,149
proposed penalties
$68,732
paid to date
97% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $2,417 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2001
63
inspections on record
1,315
inspection hours
10.9
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.
143 citations across 1,315 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

West Cazy Surface Mine has $71K in proposed MSHA penalties and $316 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.
$71K
proposed penalties
$69K
current assessed
$69K
paid to date
$316
outstanding
137 assessments are final orders; 5 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2021-12-14.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at West Cazy Surface Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.21 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 53 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.
0.21
dust avg (mg/m3)
0.91
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
53
samples
Most recent sample: 2022-12-28.
Silica (quartz)
39.7
silica avg (%)
39.7
silica max (%)
1
samples
Most recent sample: 2004-06-08.
Noise
8%
over PEL
12
samples
Most recent sample: 2007-11-13.
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
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 0 0
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2023 Q1 178 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 350 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 198 0 0 0.0
Show 87 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2022 Q2 558 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 1,040 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 0 2 1
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 0 0 0
2021 Q1 0 0 0
2020 Q4 0 0 0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
2020 Q1 0 0 0
2019 Q4 0 0 0
2019 Q3 0 0 0
2019 Q2 0 0 0
2019 Q1 0 0 0
2018 Q4 0 0 0
2018 Q3 0 0 0
2018 Q2 0 0 0
2018 Q1 0 0 0
2017 Q4 0 0 0
2017 Q3 2,233 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 1,676 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 1,109 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 544 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 224 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 54 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 0 0 0
2015 Q4 0 0 0
2015 Q3 0 0 0
2015 Q2 0 0 0
2015 Q1 0 0 0
2014 Q4 0 0 0
2014 Q3 0 0 0
2014 Q2 0 0 0
2014 Q1 0 0 0
2013 Q4 0 0 0
2013 Q3 0 0 0
2013 Q2 0 0 0
2013 Q1 0 0 0
2012 Q4 0 0 0
2012 Q3 0 0 0
2012 Q2 0 0 0
2012 Q1 0 0 0
2011 Q4 0 0 0
2011 Q3 0 0 0
2011 Q2 0 0 0
2011 Q1 0 0 0
2010 Q4 0 0 0
2010 Q3 0 1 0
2010 Q2 0 0 0
2010 Q1 0 0 0
2009 Q4 0 0 0
2009 Q3 2,317 6 2 2589.6
2009 Q2 18,070 24 8 1328.2
2009 Q1 46,209 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 5,608 12 0 2139.8
2008 Q3 10,843 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 22,766 4 2 175.7
2008 Q1 36,488 1 0 27.4
2007 Q4 29,073 5 2 172.0
2007 Q3 10,760 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 2,815 15 12 5328.6
2007 Q1 4,910 3 1 611.0
2006 Q4 13,100 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 5,821 1 1 171.8
2006 Q2 22,487 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 0 0 0
2005 Q4 0 1 0
2005 Q3 29,972 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 64,153 6 3 93.5
2005 Q1 45,074 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 50,695 23 11 453.7
2004 Q3 47,064 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 39,368 23 13 584.2
2004 Q1 0 2 0
2003 Q4 0 1 1
2003 Q3 0 1 0
2003 Q2 0 1 1
2003 Q1 0 0 0
2002 Q4 0 0 0
2002 Q3 10,495 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 16,298 2 2 122.7
2002 Q1 18,415 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 17,291 3 2 173.5
2001 Q3 15,831 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 23,232 6 1 258.3
2000 Q2 0 0 0
2000 Q1 0 0 0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

39 on file

2022 · 1 incident

2009 · 5 incidents

August 14, 2009 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While moving some old hoses , one end came around and struck injury in the mouth causing a laceration. He received 4 stitches in his lower lip.

April 30, 2009 WV · Coal grader operator, roadgrader operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall onto or against objects

Injury stated that he was exiting the grader cab when his foot slipped and his arm and hand was still on the handrail which in turn, pulled his shoulder muscles.

January 22, 2009 WV · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall onto or against objects

EE was exiting the mechanic truck bed, when his foot slipped, causing him to strike his mouth on a hydraulic hose.

January 20, 2009 WV · Coal grader operator, roadgrader operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was running the grader in the members parking lot, when he saw another member fall in the parking lot. EE then stopped the machine and went to help the member, he then slipped also. Both men went back to work and finished the day. EE missed the next two days and called in stating he had a broken hip.

January 14, 2009 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was getting into pickup truck when his knee "came out of the socket".

2008 · 10 incidents

October 18, 2008 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Endurance Mining · Struck against a moving object

EE states that he was hurt while driving a water truck. He stated that he hit a bump in the road and the seat bottomed out, causing him lower back pain. On 10/20/08, he was diagnosed with a strained lower back.

September 9, 2008 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall down stairs

EE was walking down the stairway, when he slipped on the second step from the top of the lanch of the HWM. As he fell, his leg went under him, causing his right knee to twist. He then contacted his supervisor and was transported to Boone Mem hospital, where he was diagnosed as having torn ligaments in his right knee.

August 18, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was stepping down from the bumper of the service truck and slipped, twisting his knee. EE tried to finish his shift, but couldn't due to the pain. He then went to the boone memorial hospital where he was refered to a specialist. He then met with the specialist on August 28, 2008. He was put off work until Sept. 2, 2008. He was diagnosed as having a bruised bone.

August 11, 2008 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was mounting dozer when he lost his footing, he caught himself by grabbing the handrail and twisting his wrist.

July 10, 2008 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was cutting trees, when EE was walking from one tree to another, he fell on his chainsaw.

June 24, 2008 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was filling up a bulk tank on service truck, when he started to exit the back of the truck he lost his footing and fell striking his rib cage against the top of the ladder. He was transported to hospital and diagnosed with two broken ribs. This accident was discovered in an internal audit as not being reported.

May 22, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Contact with hot objects or substances

While brazing fitting on 5230 hot hydraulic oil came out of a line and hit left knee causing a 2nd degree burn.

May 8, 2008 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall from machine

EE was putting anti-freeze into the radiator of a D-11 dozer. He was standing on the dozer cowl platform when he stepped down, slipping on the track pad on the dozer and fell to the ground, causing a laceration to his right elbow, a twisted knee and a sore back.

April 22, 2008 WV · Coal outside foreman, leadman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was standing on rock, loading primers into a boulder. Lost footing and fell on tailbone, hurting back.

January 10, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Endurance Mining · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Member was at the end of his shift and apparently had a heart attack.

2007 · 6 incidents

December 27, 2007 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall from machine

EE was adjusting side mirror while holding onto grab handle of truck. Grab handle support failed, allowing EE to fall to the ground.

November 13, 2007 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was opening hood on bulk truck when he felt "pain in his left side". Worked throughout the day, but went to hospital the next day as the pain was getting worse.

October 31, 2007 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Endurance Mining · Struck against a moving object

N/A

October 17, 2007 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Endurance Mining · Struck by flying object

While using an air gun to install bolts in a 992G, dirt blew into right eye.

February 15, 2007 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Endurance Mining · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that he was attempting to stand from a prone position, as he stood and moved to his right side his knee twisted and popped. He stated that he immediately experienced pain and swelling.

January 12, 2007 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Endurance Mining · Struck against stationary object

Member squatted down to pick up a cylinder, stepped on rock causing ankle to twist

2006 · 4 incidents

November 15, 2006 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Endurance Mining · Struck against a moving object

Employee stated that while traveling in roadway entering into a right-hand curve, a right rear inside tire blew out. She further stated that the incident caused the truck to shift to the left, causing her to bump her left arm and side of head against the window.

October 10, 2006 WV · Coal POWERED HAULAGE
Endurance Mining · Accident type, without injuries

Employee stated that she was driving down a steep grade. The truck began gaining speed. She applied brakes but could not slow truck. She attempted to steer the truck into the escape ramp, but failed to do so turning vehicle onto its side.** No injury Reported**

August 26, 2006 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Struck by falling object

He was installing a drill tower stand on a Drill Tech Drill the stand slipped & mashed his left hand. Resulting in a cut.

March 25, 2006 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Endurance Mining · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The adapter from the boom slid off bucket and hit into the EE's side. Bruised his ribs.

2005 · 2 incidents

April 8, 2005 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall to the walkway or working surface

He was walking the flag line of the cut and fell over a tree and twisted his ankle. The ankle was believed to be broken.

February 2, 2005 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Endurance Mining · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was loading blast holes. He stepped on a slick rock, fell and twisted his ankle. Treated at local E.R. X-rays, given anti-inflammatory meds, light duty.

2004 · 1 incident

December 3, 2004 WV · Coal welder (shop) POWERED HAULAGE
Endurance Mining · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE MAKING PLANS TO REPAIR TAILGATE, TAILGATE BROKE FREE FROM BED STRIKING INJURED ON LOWER LT.LEG

1998 · 1 incident

July 16, 1998 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Coal Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS PICKING UP A RIPPER SHANK PROTECTOR WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 100 LB. HE FELT A BURNING SENASATION IN THE MUSCLE OF HIS BACK.

1997 · 2 incidents

March 21, 1997 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
Independence Coal Company Inc · Struck by flying object

WIND BLEW ROTTEN LIMB FROM TREE AND ALLEGED TO STRUCK EMP IN BACK. TWO EMPS WORKING WITH INJURED NEVER SAW HIM GET HIT. ANOTHER EMP LOOKED AT INJUREDS BACK AND COULD SEE NO INJURY.

February 18, 1997 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Coal Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A 785 CAT ROCK TRUCK WHICH WAS BEING LOADED WITH OVERBURDEN BY A CAT 992 ENDLOADER WHEN THE HYDRAULICS ON THE ENDLOADER MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BOOM TO FALL RAPIDLY ST RIKING THE ROCK TRUCK'S BED VERY HARD.

1996 · 7 incidents

December 4, 1996 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Coal Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS RETURNING SUPPLIS TO POWDER MAGAZINE AT END OF SHIFT, DOOR HAS 2 LOCKS, THE TOP LOCK WOULDN'T WORK SO DOOR WAS OPEN. EE HIT THE DOOR WITH LEFT SHOULDER SO LOCK WOULD GO IN PLACE. HURT UPPER LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER.

October 16, 1996 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Coal Company Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STEPPED IN HOLE IN ROAD GOING TO GET BULK TRUCK, HURT RIGHT ANKLE AND RIGHT HIP, BROKE BONE IN TOP OF RIGHT FOOT.

September 21, 1996 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver MACHINERY
Independence Coal Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

INJURED WAS DRIVING 777 ROCK TRUCK WHICH WAS BEING LOADED BY 285 DEMAG BACKHOE OPERATED BY ANOTHER EMPLOYEE.AS OTHER EMPLOYEE WENT TO SWING TO LOAD THE TRUCK THE BUCKET CAUGHT THE CORNER OF TH E TRUCK.INJURED COMPLAINED OF NECK AND HURTING.

September 5, 1996 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Coal Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

RAIN- DECK SLICK. FOOT SLIPPED AND EMPLOYEE FELL BACKWARDS ACROSS TRUCK FRAME BRUISING BACK.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on West Cazy Surface Mine

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.