Willow Lake Central Preparation Plant: 174 MSHA citations Coal

On 6/1/2017 Employee stated while washing the bottom floor of the plant - they drug the hose out the door, misjudged the single concrete step and fell on their left shoulder. On June 2, 2017 employee was examined and diagnosed with a torn muscle in their chest. Employee continued to work full duty until 8/9/2017 when surgery was performed to repair.

Two employees were changing center can on a troughing roller. The roller was prepared for removal. As IE pulled the roller to remove it, his plan was to stabilize his end, allow the other end to drop onto the belt, then pull it out. As the roller dropped, the end of his left ring finger was caught between the roller and angle iron. The injury required sutures.

IE was cleaning the inside of the rotary breaker with a pneumatic chipping hammer when he stepped back and lost his footing. IE said he reached for the breaker plow to brace himself and pinched his finger between the pneumatic chipping hammer and the plow. IE was diagnosed with a broken finger and the finger nail was removed to relieve pressure.

Injured employee and co-worker were installing a return roller at the load out. Injured employee was holding a nylon strap that was attached to one end of the roller. The roller slipped from the co-workers hands - jerking the strap the injured employee was holding. Injured employee continued to work - had surgery to repair a small rotator cuff tear 12/22/2014.

I.E. was working on the fine refuse vibratory screen, he was climbing into work area he felt a "pop" in his left knee,and continued working. On 9/12/2013, the injured sought medical attention and was initially diagnosed with a strain of the left knee pending MRI results. On 10/3/2013 the injured was taken off work. His first missed shift was 10/7/2013.

A prep plant mechanic experiencing pain in his abdomen in March of 2013. He later had a congenital weakness of the navel (umbilical hernia) repaired on 4/2/13. Doctor's notes and definition included. Illinois. W. C.. covers this condition.

Degenerative - walking See Attachment

Employee claims both hands are going numb and running up both arms. Diagnosed with carpel tunnel in the right hand. Started missing work on 8-9-12 when he went off for surgery on the right wrist.

Employee had just got off of the dozer and was walking on coal yard to the road. The ground was crusty (frozen), ground broke through and he lost his balance and fell on his right shoulder. Employee continued to work until 5-18-2012 when he went off for rotator cuff surgery.

Employee states he was swinging a sledge hammer breaking a rock on the refuge belt. He lost control of the hammer, it slipped out of his hands, and he struck his left thumb against the edge of the conveyor cover sheet metal lacerating his right thumb requiring sutures.

Employee was carrying a 4X8 sheet of plywood and attempted to set it down in a rack when he felt pain in his left knee. Employee continued to work, but still had pain. He was taken off work on 8/16/2011. Subsequent review of medical data was performed to properly classify the injury/illness.

Employee performed repetitive prying tasks at the rotary breaker head chute. On this day, employee states he pryed loose a rock in the head chute. Several days later, the employee states he found a lump on his groin area. It was diagnosed as an inguinal hernia. The employee is also a weight-lifter. Employee did not start missing time until June 22, 2011.

Employee stated to the Supervisor that his left hand (middle finger) has been hurting for some time. There was no specific incident that caused the finger to hurt. He has been to the doctor and diagnoised as Trigger Finger. He has worked several years as a welder fabricator at this mine and other surface shops. This is a Occup. Illness. Started taking off on 9/18/10.

Employee was helping with maint. in the Prep. Plant and had done several little things. He stated he had unhooked a small set of come-alongs and removed them. He felt some pain in his stomach. He went for medical treatment and was told he has a Umbilical Hernia. These are there from birth and can come out anytime. This must be a illness.

Removing a machinery guard at tail of clean coal stacker. Guard hung on a bolt and then broke loose suddenly, pinching little finger on right hand between the guard and the concrete foundation.

Employee was using a hydraulic wrench to tighten bolts on brealer plate at the rotary breaker. The location of the bolt was over his head and behind access door. The tool was slipping off the nut, when pressure would release. Employee's hand slipped a little enough while holding tool and his thumb came between the edge of the reaction arm of the tool and the I-beam.

Employee was sitting on the bench in the washhouse changing clothes when he said a basket fell and struck him on the back of his head. He has continued to work and was taken off on 06/03/2010. MRI's of the neck and back were done and showed Multilevel degenerative areas and Minor Lumbar degenerative changes. Spurring was also found.

Employee had been helping clean a sump out and afterward, complained of abdominal discomfort and wrist pain. He was seen by a doctor and diagnosed with umbilical hernia and Carpal Tunnel. Umbilical hernia (Birth defect) and Carpal Tunnel are Occup. Illness. he was taken off work 03/11/ 2009.

Employee stated he was walking around the shop to enter the back door. It was still dark and he tripped over a piece of conduit, stumbled and fell to the ground and landed on his right foot and leg. He also said his neck and low back were also hurting. There was no witnesses and the employee worked until 11/30/2009. MRI showed considerable degenerative anterolisthese.

Employee has had pain in his wrist and hand for a long time, at least 6 months. Seemed like around this time the pain got worse. He has been a dozer operator for 6 to 8 years. Repetitive motio ns/movements with this hand has caused this. (Occupational Illness). Employee started missing on 12/24/2008.

Employeewas inside a cyclone overflow box using a straight arm chipping hammer. He was in a congested area with restrictions of movement and was having to apply pressure on the hammerwhile chipping at the ceramic. The chisel slipped and his right index finger struch a piece of sharp ceramic causing a laceration.

Employee was cleaning (shoveling) under the raw coal belt head at the divider to the raw coal shakers. Employee first missed day was 05/09/2006

Employee was in the prep. plant shop and was dismounting a 553 Case Bobcat. He was doing repair on this piece of equipment, hung his toe of his boot and fell to the concrete floor. He tried to catch himself and he landed on his hand and shoulder. (Left). Employee has worked every day but underwent shoulder surgery 06/26/2006.

Employee was removing a rock that was hung in the Grizzly, using a pry bar and sledge hammer. He stated that when he got done removing the rock that he felt pain in his lower back. Employee did not miss work until 03/21/2006. He has a history of degenerative disc disease. Back surgery in 1975,1987 and 1997. MRI showed considerable degenerative problems.

EE was working at the breaker station. He was stepping down to a platform to clean the Grizzly when he slipped on a step. He caught himself before he fell down and had a strain to his abdomen. He continued to work and reported this to his supervisor on 01/11/06. He did not miss any time until 1/27/06. On 1/27/06 he had surgery for small hernia.

EMPLOYEE WAS CARRYING A CHAIN COME-A-LONG DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS. A LOOSE END OF THE CHAIN WAS DANGLING DOWN & DRAGGING. IT APPARENTLY CAUGHT IN A STEP & CAUSING HIM TO FALL.

EE WAS CUTTING A HOLE IN A PIECE OF RUBBER BELTING USING A UTILITY KNIFE. HE WAS HOLDING THE RUBBER WITH HIS OTHER HAND. THE KNIFE SLIPPED STRIKING HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER.

EE WAS CUTTING A RUBBER WEAR LINER FOR PLACEMENT IN COAL SCREENS. HE WAS USING A UTILITY KNIFE TO CUT WITH. HE PLACED HIS KNEE ON THE RUBBER TO HOLD IT. CUTTING TOWARD HIS KNEE HE SLIPPED & CUT HIS KNEE.

EE HAD JUST ARRIVED FOR WORK ON HIS REGULAR SHIFT. HE WAS WALING ON SIDEWALK ON SOUTH SIDE OF PREP PLANT. HE TRIPPED OVER STATIONARY CONDUIT THAT'S ATTACHED TO SIDEWALK.

EE WAS TIGHTENING UP A HOSE CLAMP, WHEN THE SCREWDRIVER SLIPPED OFF THE CLAMP & PUNCTURED EE'S HAND.

SUPERVISOR WAS HELPING PULL A LOWER DECK PROFILE SCREEN FROM A HORIZONTAL REFUGE SCREEN. THE SCREEN STARTED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM AND HE TRIED TO LEFT IT BACK UP AND HIS LEFT ARM GAVE WAY. DID NOT MISS ANY WORK UNTIL 4-22-03.

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING REMOVE A SIEVE SCREEN IN THE PLANT. WHEN SCREEN WAS LOOSENED IT SLID DOWN AND PINCHED OR CAUGHT HIS HAND BETWEEN THE SCREEN AND CHUTE. PLANT WAS IDLED FOR MAINTENANCE THIS DAY.

EE WAS HELPING PACK ELECTRICAL WIRE TUGGER UP STAIRWAY TO PUT BACK IN STORAGE.

EE WAS INSTALLING PIPE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON THE SNOW, FALLING AND FRACTURING HIS RIGHT ANKLE.

EE SLIPPED OFF A GOB TRUCK LADDER, LANDING ON LEFT ARM.

EE FELL 5 1/2 FEET OFF OF DRIER, CAUSED BY WET SURFACE.