All MSHA-reportable accidents at Alpha Coal West, Inc. operations in 2008. Fatalities appear first.
While changing crows and retract ropes on a shovel.EE strained his bicep while lifting the rope to reset it into the drum. Upon further exam it was determined surgery was required to repair the damage to the bicep. The EE worked without restriction until his surgery on 9/17/08, he was unable to return to work on his next scheduled shift on 9/18/08.
At the time of the incident the technician was moving a workbench in order to clean under it. As the tech was pushing on the bench one of its wheels dropped into a divot in the floor. As he pushed harder to dislodge the wheel his left foot slipped on some oil causing him to fall against the bench and twist his back.
Mechanic was straightening sheet metal on a Terex MT5500 haul truck with a small porta-power. The porta-power ram slipped and pinched thumb against sheet metal.
Grinding particulate entered left eye sometime during process of welding, grinding, switching PPE, and moving place to place.
During set up for repairs to a 4100 shovel, employee stepped off of the 24" high cribbing ramp onto scorio pad. He twisted his left knee as he stepped onto the loose scorio.
While mounting backhoe, employee lost his footing and stepped back to the ground. When he did, his right foot was in pain. He went to EMT and then to ER.
While performing an inspection of the conveyor belt, EE's index finger contacted the moving belt, resulting in a laceration that required medical treatment.
While collecting samples for plant tech EE opened Sample System Cabinet doors and coal dust flew into her eye
The final cut had been made on the 96" conveyor belt in prep for vulcanization. Employee stood up, remaining in a bent over position in the 42" space. While he was backing out from under the belt he inadvertently pressed the blade of his razor knife into his thigh causing a puncture wound about 2 cm long through the epidermis, stopping barely into the dermis (2 sutures).
A dirt particle or small piece of debris entered the employees left eye. The particle was flushed out, but the eye became infected, requiring prescription medication for treatment.
A welder was attempting to attach a 3/16 steel sheet. The steel slipped 14 inches resulting in a laceration requiring stitches. The welder was wearing leather gloves at the time of the incident.
At the time of the incident the tech was installing an oil filter base on a CAT 793 truck. As the tech was starting the first bolt the ladder he was standing on partially folded up causing him to quickly step off the ladder. On the way off the ladder the tech's left hand was caught between the fill tube and the filter housing and lacerated.
At the time of the incident the technician was removing the wheel bolts from a CAT 793 truck. When the technician engaged his impact wrench, the socket came free from the wrench and struck him in the upper lip.
A fork lift was being used to assist in the installation of a shovel track pad. A shovel maintenance technician was struck in the head by the fork lift arm when the shovel track shifted, causing the fork arm to shift upwards.
Slipped on the ice and hit the back of the head causing a slight concussion. No lost time accident, but was given a prescription for pain medicine.
The employee is a haul truck driver who has been diagnosed with a degenerative back condition. Repeated trauma from equipment operation has caused increase pain.