Yellow Creek #21 has $78K in proposed MSHA penalties and $4K outstanding across 10 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
46
Years on record
2008–2020
Latest incident
Dec 2020
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2008
252
citations
78
significant & substantial
$77,520
proposed penalties
$63,909
paid to date
82% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $13,611 gap.
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.
252 citations across 3,073 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘA Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
1
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2015-08-12.
On record since 2015.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Yellow Creek #21 has $78K in proposed MSHA penalties and $4K outstanding across 10 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.
$78K
proposed penalties
$68K
current assessed
$64K
paid to date
$4K
outstanding
249 assessments are final orders; 10 contested dockets.
Of $38K in penalties contested before the Commission, $26K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2020-12-17.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
ⓘShares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
43citations taken to the federal commission · 17% of citations on record
Settled
42 · 98%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 2%
73%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 26 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
32%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$38K proposed, $26K after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2019-08-12.
Contested penalties
ⓘA reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
MSHA sampling at Yellow Creek #21 shows 100% of 235 respirable coal dust samples met the 1.5 mg/m3 standard.
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.
Last sampled: 2022-08-23, 4 years ago
100%
within 1.5 mg/m3
235
samples
1.41
dust max (mg/m3)
0
over MSHA ECV
ⓘThe excessive concentration value (ECV) is MSHA's own per-sample enforcement threshold, which builds in measurement uncertainty; a sample over its ECV can trigger a citation. The count covers only samples MSHA assigned an ECV.
159 samples taken by MSHA inspectors, 76 by the operator.
Noise
ⓘThe share counts noise samples whose measured dose exceeded the 90 dBA permissible exposure limit. It describes the sampled workplace, not what reached the miner's ear: hearing conservation programs and the hearing protection worn during the shift are recorded separately and are not reflected here.
Health sampling trend
ⓘ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 by year
ⓘ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.
Yellow Creek #21 recorded 8.42 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2019.
Injury rate, 2019
ⓘThis rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
8.42
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US coal mining average was 3.39 and the all-US-mining average was 2.32 cases per 100 workers.
In Kentucky, coal mining averaged 4.10 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2019 *
8.42
0.00
0.000
2018 *
5.07
2.53
0.000
2017 *
3.22
3.22
0.000
2016 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2015 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2012 *
49.81
0.00
0.000
2011
4.12
1.65
0.000
2010
0.67
0.67
0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
ⓘCoal production is reported quarterly and lags the current period; the most recent quarters may be incomplete.
Year
Employees
Coal produced (tons)
2022
2
2021
2
510
2020
4
2019
10
94,893
2018
31
291,169
2017
24
226,494
2016
11
91,860
2015
22
287,474
2014
2
2012
55
255,707
2011
111
823,199
2010
133
914,731
2009
112
954,780
2008
49
428,234
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Yellow Creek #21 sits in Knott County, Kentucky, where the Census mining category is 2.8% of county employment.
Local economic context
ⓘCounty figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Knott County, Kentucky · Population 14,046
2.8%
Mining share of county employment
$37,736
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
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
2022 Q4
1,335
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
725
0
0
0.0
2022 Q2
1,490
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
0
0
0
2021 Q4
0
0
0
2021 Q3
0
0
0
2021 Q2
1,569
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
1,569
0
0
0.0
Show 44 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2020 Q4
4,100
1
0
243.9
2020 Q3
764
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
2,359
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
2,331
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
1,633
2
0
1224.7
2019 Q3
4,897
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
5,038
7
0
1389.4
2019 Q1
12,198
4
1
327.9
2018 Q4
19,745
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
17,541
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
20,483
2
0
97.6
2018 Q1
21,163
3
0
141.8
2017 Q4
21,152
3
0
141.8
2017 Q3
18,186
16
1
879.8
2017 Q2
12,968
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
9,795
7
2
714.7
2016 Q4
9,683
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
4,647
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
4,321
6
1
1388.6
2016 Q1
4,297
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
14,484
3
0
207.1
2015 Q3
12,563
3
0
238.8
2015 Q2
15,414
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
8,696
5
0
575.0
2014 Q4
815
0
0
0.0
2012 Q4
4,659
2
1
429.3
2012 Q3
15,173
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
28,050
3
1
107.0
2012 Q1
44,470
39
7
877.0
2011 Q4
57,173
0
0
0.0
2011 Q3
59,424
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
60,478
21
7
347.2
2011 Q1
65,361
0
0
0.0
2010 Q4
71,989
16
8
222.3
2010 Q3
74,549
14
2
187.8
2010 Q2
74,549
2
2
26.8
2010 Q1
76,100
5
1
65.7
2009 Q4
71,281
1
0
14.0
2009 Q3
67,098
5
0
74.5
2009 Q2
59,928
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
41,705
7
3
167.8
2008 Q4
33,418
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
27,564
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
17,378
2
1
115.1
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
46 on file
2020 · 1 incident
December 29, 2020KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
The employee was injured while observing the roll out of track for a Caterpillar D10R dozer. As the track unfolded a thin 1"x1" piece of metal broke loose from the track rail and struck the employee in the groin area. The employee was taken to the hospital for an examination and was placed on light duty.
The employee was removing an oil filter. As the employee applied pressure to the oil filter in a twisting motion the oil filter broke loose causing pain in the employee's right shoulder. On July 12th, 2018 the employee was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff and placed on light duty.
January 8, 2018KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techMACHINERY
When a 992G loader was cleaning the base of a highwall. The bucket of loader knocked a section of rock lose that fell onto the bucket. The loader was jolted around causing the employee to hit their right side on the arm rest. Seat belt was being used.
At 1:20pm EE was operating a Caterpillar 345C excavator when EE noticed black smoke. EE immediately exited the machine and seen large amounts of oil on the ground. This supports the idea that a major hydraulic hose blew causing the fire. EE and other company personnel attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful.
2013 · 5 incidents
October 22, 2013KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Employee has filed a hearing loss claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Worker's Claims. According to the audiologist's report, employee suffers from "mild sloping to severe loss." ***There are no accidents associated with this claim.***
October 22, 2013KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Employee has filed a cumulative trauma claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Worker's Claims. ***There are no accidents associated with this claim.***
Employee has filed a cumulative trauma claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Worker's Claims. ***There are no accidents associated with this claim.***
October 21, 2013KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Employee has filed a hearing loss claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Worker's Claims. ***There are no accidents associated with this claim.***
Employee has filed a hearing loss claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Department of Worker's Claims. ***There are no accidents associated with this claim.***
2012 · 23 incidents
October 23, 2012KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Received a cumulative trauma diagnosis on 12/23/13. Employee last worked on 9/11/2012 and is no longer employed with the company. Accident date of 9/11/2012 is to accommodate online reporting per MSHA (Denver) instructions
September 11, 2012KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Received a hearing loss diagnosis on 12/23/2013. Employee last worked on 9/11/2012 and is no longer employed with the company. Accident date of 9/11/2012 is to accommodate online reporting per MSHA (Denver) instructions.
September 11, 2012KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Received a CWP diagnosis on 12/23/2013. Employee last worked on 9/11/2012 and is no longer employed with the company. Accident date of 9/11/2012 is to accommodate online reporting per MSHA (Denver) instructions.
August 2, 2012KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Employee has filed a claim for Black Lung Benefits with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation. The notice is dated August 2, 2012. This notice was received by our company on August 14, 2012. *****THERE IS NO ACCIDENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CLAIM.
June 18, 2012KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Received a hearing loss diagnosis on 12/23/13. Employee last day worked on 4/3/2012 and is no longer employed with the company. Accident date of 4/3/2012 is to accommodate online reporting per MSHA (Denver) instructions.
Received a cumulative trauma diagnosis on 12/23/2013. Employee last worked on 4/3/2012 and is no longer employed with the company. Accident date of 4/3/2012 is to accommodate online reporting per MSHA (Denver) instructions.
February 12, 2012KY · Coaldrill operatorDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
EE started short term disability in April 2012. He filed a claim with the U.S. Department of Labor under the Black Lung benefits Act. In August 2012 the U.S. Department of Labor determined that the employee is entitled to Black Lung benefits. There is no accident associated with this claim.
February 3, 2012KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Note: On October 4, 2011, employee filed a notice with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C.
September 27, 2011KY · Coalhaul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driverSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
The driver was attempting to straighten a bent hand rail to dismount truck, when the hand rail broke, causing him to fall head first to the pit floor. The driver sustained simple, compound, and hairline fractures, and cuts and abrasions.
April 1, 2011KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Enterprise Mining Company LLC was notified on 4/1/2011 that EE, was awarded a hearing loss. Employee continues to work in his present job classification , at this time
Employee was removing drill bit when he lost his balance and his left cheek hit the sharp edge of the drill steel in use leaving a small cut on his left cheek. Required three (3) stitches.
January 7, 2011KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Employee was exiting a 993K loader, when he reached the bottom step he slipped jumping to the ground, resulting in strain to the neck and lower back. (Employee continued to work until 1-14-2011).
2010 · 1 incident
July 21, 2010KY · Coalfront-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
Employee was loading rock with loader while traveling into the overburden the loader bucket struck a rock stopping the loader suddenly causing pain in employee's lower back and left leg.
2009 · 4 incidents
August 24, 2009KY · Coalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was attempting to loosen a brake line fitting on a surface drill when the fitting suddenly broke loose causing him to strike his right elbow on the roller frame of the drill.
Employee was helping install ladder on powder bin. He was trying to align the sections with a bar and the first section fell and struck him on his hard hat.
March 29, 2009KY · Coalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerDUST DISEASE OF LUNGS