Mining Incidents

White Flame Surface Mine Coal

Ragland, Mingo County, WV  ·  Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 4608632

White Flame Surface Mine has $157K in proposed MSHA penalties and $13K outstanding across 14 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
47
Years on record
1997–2020
Latest incident
Feb 2020
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
349
citations
179
significant & substantial
$157,425
proposed penalties
$111,170
paid to date
71% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $46,255 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
76
inspections on record
3,805
inspection hours
9.2
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.
349 citations across 3,805 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

White Flame Surface Mine has $157K in proposed MSHA penalties and $13K outstanding across 14 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.
$157K
proposed penalties
$125K
current assessed
$111K
paid to date
$13K
outstanding
346 assessments are final orders; 14 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2022-10-26.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.

MSHA sampling at White Flame Surface Mine shows respirable coal dust averaging 0.10 mg/m3 (100% compliant) across 206 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.
0.10
dust avg (mg/m3)
0.99
dust max (mg/m3)
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
206
samples
Most recent sample: 2024-02-20.
Silica (quartz)
20.1
silica avg (%)
38.7
silica max (%)
4
samples
Most recent sample: 2022-11-07.
Noise
1%
over PEL
74
samples
Most recent sample: 2024-02-20.
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 0 0 0
2025 Q3 1,154 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 1,238 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
2024 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q1 0 0 0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 1,575 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 1,996 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 1,484 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 1,346 1 0 742.9
2022 Q3 594 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 1,097 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 539 1 0 1855.3
2021 Q4 1,164 4 0 3436.4
2021 Q3 1,162 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 1,438 2 0 1390.8
2021 Q1 1,172 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 1,172 8 0 6825.9
2020 Q3 1,154 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 1,055 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 12,161 15 4 1233.5
2019 Q4 13,809 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 14,053 1 1 71.2
2019 Q2 14,230 6 0 421.6
2019 Q1 10,274 13 4 1265.3
2018 Q4 6,905 27 5 3910.2
2018 Q3 6,931 10 1 1442.8
2018 Q2 6,318 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 6,887 2 0 290.4
2017 Q4 2,844 1 0 351.6
2017 Q3 3,191 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 3,914 1 0 255.5
2017 Q1 1,700 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2016 Q3 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 0 0
2016 Q1 0 0 0
2015 Q4 198 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 540 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 706 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 2,203 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 2,073 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 2,396 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 3,110 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 3,921 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 3,978 1 1 251.4
2013 Q3 5,940 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 6,287 3 2 477.2
2013 Q1 6,676 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 6,021 6 5 996.5
2012 Q3 19,079 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 22,802 6 2 263.1
2012 Q1 13,983 3 1 214.5
2011 Q4 30,014 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 35,546 9 2 253.2
2011 Q2 38,765 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 35,783 20 9 558.9
2010 Q4 33,971 4 3 117.7
2010 Q3 35,388 9 4 254.3
2010 Q2 38,014 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 39,511 12 3 303.7
2009 Q4 39,503 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 41,584 15 15 360.7
2009 Q2 47,586 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 74,872 28 24 374.0
2008 Q4 73,136 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 72,629 29 6 399.3
2008 Q2 73,594 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 72,520 26 10 358.5
2007 Q4 58,694 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 60,009 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 64,711 3 3 46.4
2007 Q1 62,556 1 1 16.0
2006 Q4 58,243 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 61,461 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 61,229 14 13 228.6
2006 Q1 70,389 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 64,161 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 69,045 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 64,355 2 2 31.1
2005 Q1 75,113 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 68,462 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 59,787 3 1 50.2
2004 Q2 75,090 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 64,614 3 3 46.4
2003 Q4 70,684 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 57,372 1 1 17.4
2003 Q2 70,046 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 63,288 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 64,480 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 54,422 7 7 128.6
2002 Q2 67,743 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 61,524 10 10 162.5
2001 Q4 58,935 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 55,225 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 65,603 4 3 61.0
2001 Q1 62,113 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 57,555 1 0 17.4
2000 Q3 62,442 20 16 320.3
2000 Q2 52,546 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 57,977 17 17 293.2
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

47 on file

2020 · 1 incident

February 12, 2020 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee stated hip area started hurting while operating the end-loader.

2013 · 6 incidents

November 7, 2013 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee worked from 02/20/1989 thru 07/19/2012. He has been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis on 11/07/2013. The company was notified on 01/22/2014.

September 3, 2013 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

On September 09, 2013, this mine was notified that this employee has been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis.

July 22, 2013 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee returned to work Monday morning at 5:00 am after having the weekend off After approx 30 min into his shift he was attempting to climb a 345 Cat excavator and felt a pain in his right upper arm. Surgery was performed to repair a ruptured tendon on his arm. We feel this injury was not a result of this incident because there was no event to result in this type of injury

April 15, 2013 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Has been diagnosed with a degree of Pneumoconiosis.

February 19, 2013 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Helping change a suspension cylinder on a 785 rock truck. The press kit being used starting to fall and employee caught it out of reflexes and pulled a muscle in his upper back.

January 7, 2013 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was replacing a tube to transmission filters, which weighs approximately 40 pounds on a 992K Loader. He was pushing and holding it over the frame. This is a small location which is hard to get to which resulted in a muscle strain in the bicep/shoulder area. He was being assisted by another employee.

2008 · 6 incidents

November 9, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While removing rear cover on cab of 789 rock truck, felt sharp pain in back.

October 16, 2008 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee stated that he was using a 12 lb. hammer installing new teeth on the 992G loader bucket and felt pain in his back.

September 9, 2008 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from machine

EE was dismounting the rear end of the international grease truck, when he slipped and fell to the ground, catching himself with his right hand. This resulted in a strain/sprain to the arm and shoulder.

May 24, 2008 WV · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from ladders

Employee stated that he missed a rung while descending a step ladder and fell about three fell about two or three feet to the ground. he was examined by a dr and the x ray revealed a crack in his left heel.

May 15, 2008 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE was dismounting his 793 rock truck. When he stepped to the ground, he placed his foot on a small piece of rubber, causing him to sprain his ankle.

January 7, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was in the process of hooking up a chain to place tracks back on a D-11 dozer. He slipped causing him to strike his head on the rear fender of the dozer.

2007 · 2 incidents

December 10, 2007 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from machine

Employee was dismounting his 992G loader when he slipped and fell to the ground landing on his back and side. He fell approximately 58" to the ground. It was raining when he fell causing the steps and handrails to be wet. No problems were noted with the steps or handrails after the accident.

August 1, 2007 WV · Coal outside foreman, leadman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was carrying a case of drinking water into the Foreman's office. As he stepped from the parking lot to the steps he slipped and dropped the water. When he reached to get the case of water he felt pain in his lower back.

2006 · 2 incidents

February 14, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was making aroad thru a shot when a small rock struck the side window of his dozer causing a small laceration to his left index finger receiving 3 stitches.

January 10, 2006 WV · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS GETTING MATERIAL OUT OF THE BACK OF UTILITY TRUCK, SLIPPED ON BUMPER, GRABBED CANE HOOK FOR SUPPORT, JABBED HOOK IN RIGHT WRIST. REQ'D 3 STITCHES TO CLOSE WOUND.

2005 · 4 incidents

August 5, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against stationary object

EE was stepping down off of a D11 dozer. He stepped half on and half off a rock and twisted right ankle.

March 1, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While dismounting fuel truck, employee scraped left leg. Started missing time on 3-9-05. EE did not go to Dr until 3-9-05 - leg became infected.

February 26, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STRIKING OR BUMPING
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was coming out from under a service truck and hit his head on a block.

February 17, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by flying object

EE WAS PREPARING RIMS ON NEW 785 TRUCK FOR NEW TIRE. WHILE CUTTING PART OF NEW RIM, RIM CAME OFF AND HIT LEFT HAND

2004 · 4 incidents

November 17, 2004 WV · Coal drill operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE CAUGHT HIS FINGER BETWEEN TWO ROCKS WHILE MARKING OFF A SHOT - TRYING TO MOVE ROCK OUT OF WAY.

July 23, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Working on belly pan on a d11rcd & it slipped off chain & hit ee on head & cut it in a shape on front of head.

April 1, 2004 WV · Coal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING ON MAIN HAUL ROAD IN HIS COMPANY TRUCK AND CLAIMED HIS NECK WAS JARRED AND CAUSING NECK PAIN.

March 1, 2004 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS PUSHING A SHOT AND HE BACKED INTO A ROCK CAUSING A JOLT. EE FINISHED HIS SHIFT THE DAY OF THE ALLEGED ACCIDENT. EE MISSED THE FOLLOWING 2 DAYS OF THE ACCIDENT. EE WENT TO DOCTOR ON 3/3/04 AND NOTIFIED EMPLOYER ON 3/4/04.

2003 · 6 incidents

October 22, 2003 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING A HYDRAULIC PUMP ONTO A TRUCK. WHEN HE BENT OVER TO LIFT, EE STRAINED LOWER BACK.

August 11, 2003 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

WHILE CLEANING COAL, LOADER SLIPPED OFF EDGE OF COAL AND JOLTED OPERATOR.

July 28, 2003 WV · Coal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

HE WAS SITTING IN SEAT OPERATING MACHINE. STARTED SWINGING MACHINE AROUND AND DROPPED BUCKET ON THE GROUND CAUSING A JOLT.

May 28, 2003 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall onto or against objects

AFTER STARTING TRUCK, EMPLOYEE DISMOUNTED AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON STEP CAUSING HIS BACK TO HIT THE SIDE OF TRUCK CAB.

March 26, 2003 WV · Coal truck driver MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

WHILE O&K SHOVEL WAS LOADING ROCK TRUCK, ROCK DROPPED AGAINST BED CAUSING JOLT.

March 21, 2003 WV · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey OTHER
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING A SHOT, DUST BLEW IN HIS EYE. EMPLOYEE WENT TO HOSPITAL AND EYE WAS WASHED.

2002 · 3 incidents

September 10, 2002 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from machine

WHILE DISMOUNTING THE REAR OF THE GREASE TRUCK, EMPLOYEE SLIPPED ON REAR STEP AND FELL TO THE GROUND STRIKING LEFT ARM & SHOULDER.

August 15, 2002 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from ladders

WHILE FILLING A CAT TRUCK WITH HYD OIL, EE FELL OFF A LADDER. THE LADDER FELL MAKING HIM FALL TO THE GROUND HURTING HIS WRIST.

April 7, 2002 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by falling object

EE WAS SETTING METAL IN ROCK TRUCK BED. WHILE SETTING THE METAL BAR IN PLACE THE LIFTING LUG BROKE LOOSE FROM THE BAR & FELL ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

2001 · 3 incidents

December 5, 2001 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
White Flame Energy, Inc · Fall from machine

EE WAS CLIMBING DOWN FROM LOADER WHEN HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND SLIPPED AND FELL TO THE GROUND.

October 13, 2001 WV · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler OTHER
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STRONG WIND BLEW TRUCK DOOR STRIKING EMPLOYEE INHIS HEAD.

2000 · 3 incidents

March 24, 2000 WV · Coal truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING FROM ROCK TRUCK TO A LOADER TO EAT LUNCH. AS HE WAS CLIMBING UP LOADER HE BUMPED HIS HEAD ON METAL BAR LOCATED ON THE LOADER.

January 14, 2000 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS

January 11, 2000 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REMOVING CHAIN BINDER FROM DOZER ON TRAILER, BINDER KICKED AND STRUCK EE ON FOREHEAD.

1999 · 5 incidents

July 24, 1999 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STANDING ON LADDER IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT DRIVING Y PIN BEARING FROM BORE WITH BAR, SMASHED LEFT PINKY FINGER WITH BAR.

May 20, 1999 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

JARRING & BOUNCING WHILE DRIVING A ROCK TRUCK

April 23, 1999 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS SPREADIG GRAVEL AND AS HE CROSSED THE ROAD, HE WAS JARRED WHEN HIS DOZER RAN OVER AROCK IN THE ROAD.

March 21, 1999 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
White Flame Energy, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INSTALLING PAD ON TRACK. TRACK PRESS ROLLED OVER AND SMASHED LEFT FOOT BETWEEN PRESS AND ROCK, EE WAS STANDING ON.

1998 · 1 incident

December 1, 1998 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver MACHINERY
White Flame Energy, Inc · Struck against a moving object

HE WAS INSIDE CAB OF ROCK TRUCK, ROCK ROLLED OUT OF BUCKET AND HIT TRUCK BED, CAUSING JARRING OF TRUCK.

1997 · 1 incident

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on White Flame 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.