American Energy CorporationMining Incidents in 2003

AT 20 XCUT IN THE NO. 1 ENTRY OF SOUTH MAINS ""B""MAIN RETURN A ROOF FALL WAS FOUND. FALL IS APPROX. 8-10'HIGH X 20'LONG X 23'WIDE. AREA WAS SUPPORTED BY 8'INSTALL III BOLTS AND RESIN WITH WIRE MESH SCREEN. FALL DID NOT AFFECT VENTILATION BUT DID AFFECT ALTERNATE ESCAPEWAY WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY TIMBERING OVER TOP OF FALL. CAUSE WAS ROOF DETERIORATION.

A FALL OCCURRED IN THE #1 ENTRY OF THE 2 WEST TAILGATE. FALL LOCATION IS APPROX. 40 FT OUTBY SURVEY STATION 26 & 00. FALL IS APPROX. 5' HIGH BY 17' WIDE BY 10' LONG. AREA SUPPORTED WITH 8' RES IN ASSISTED ROOF BOLTS AND 12' CABLE BOLTS. ROCK FELL AROUND THE BOLTS THUS PREVENTING SAFE TRAVEL OUT THE TAILGATE ENTRY. CAUSE OF THIS SMALL FALL WAS BEAM FAILURE. COMPLANCE WITH RULES/REG.

FOUR SHIELD CARS WERE BEING LOADED INTO THE MINE, ONE ELECTRICAL FUSE BLOWN TO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR, WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ELECTRIC BRAKE WAS INOPERATIVE THEREFORE THE MANUAL BRAKE CAME INTO PL AY. THE CARS STARTED TO GO FASTER DOWN THE SLOPEAND STRUCK A MOTOR PARKED AT THE BOTTOM AND DERAILED THE BRAKECAR. THE HOIST OPR DID GET THE TRIP SLOWED DOWN TO PREVENT DAMAGE.

A REPORTED GAS OR DUST IGNITION OCCURRED IN THE SOUTH MAINS SECTION AT THE FACE OF #3 ENTRY OF THE FUTURE 6 EAST GATE PANEL. THE MINER WAS MINING IN A CLAY VEIN WHEN A ORANGE BALL CAME FROM TH E CUTTING HEAD. LAST APPROX COUPLE OF SECONDS. THE MINER WAS ON THE AIR CURTAIN SIDE OF THE CUT AND WAS CUTTING HARD ROCK. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS INCIDENT WAS METHANE SNIFFER PLUGGED WI

THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR FOR THE 100-TON HOIST FAILED THUS PREVENTING THE HOIST TO BE USED AS A BRAKECAR. THE HOIST OPERATOR WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LOWERING LONGWALL EQUIPMENT WHEN THE MOTOR FIRED INSIDE AND SMOKED. CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS SHORTING OF MOTOR.

A ROOF FALL WAS FOUND IN THE #2 ENTRY OF THE OLD 1 WEST MAINS AIRCOURSE OUTBY MP 2 STATION. THE FALL IS APPROXIMATELY 25' LONG BY 25' WIDE AND 8' HIGH. AREA WAS REBOLTED WITH 8' INSTALL II RE SIN ASSISTED ROOF BOLTS WITH SCREENS & HEADERS. FALL CAUSED BY BROKEN ROOF ABOVE THE BOLT ANCHORAGE. VENTILATION NOT AFFECTED BY IT DID AFFECT PRIMARY ESCAPEWAYS. WORK STARTED TO SUPPORT FALL.

A METHANE IGNITION OCCURRED AS INFORMED BY THE MINER OPERATOR WHILE CLEANING UP THE CUT AT THE FACE OF #2 ENTRY OF 3 WEST GATE SECTION. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MACHINE WHILE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF T HE CUT IS WHERE AN ORANGE BALL OF FLAME APPEARED ACCORDING TO THE MINER OPERATOR. THE FLAME WAS SHORT DURATION AND TRAVELED ONLY A COUPLE FEET. CAUSE WAS MINING THROUGH VEIN & METHANE BUILT U

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING AN EMICO SCOOP IN SOUTH MAINS, AS HE WAS STEERING THE SCOOP AROUND A TURN HE HAD HIS FINGERS IN A PINCH POINT OF THE MACHINE AND THE STOP BLOCK CAUGHT HIS FINGERS. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AN UNSAFE ACT OF THE EMPLOYEE THROUGH AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS A FACTOR. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFIENCY A FACTOR, MINING EQUIP/SYSTEMS

SUPERVISOR WAS TRYING TO PULL BELT OVER WHILE PULLING ON IT WITH A ROPE & SHEAVE. HE GOT HIS FINGERS IN THE SHEAVE WHEEL. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWARENESS & AN UNSAFE ACT. COMPLIANCE WITH RU LES/REGS WAS A FACTOR; PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS A FACTOR; MINER PROFICIENCY & ATTITUDE WAS A FACTOR; MINING SYSTEMS IS A FACTOR.

EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK BY A BOLT THAT FELL OUT OF THE ROOF WHILE GETTING HIS BOLT TIGHTNER WRENCH TO TORQUE THE BOLT. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS SAFETY AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS NOT A FACTOR; PROTECTIVE EQUIP. WAS BEING WORN. MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR; MINING EQUIP/SYSTEM COULD BE A FACTOR.

ALLEDGED INCIDENT WAS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE SUPERVISOR WAS HANGING A NO.1 SHUTTLE CAR CABLE. WHILE LIFTING CABLE HE SAID HE FELT A ""POP"" IN HIS BACK. HE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 11/19/03. HE DID NOT REPORT THIS INCIDENT UNTIL 11/26/03. CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS IMPROPER LIFTING. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUP OK, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

WHILE SETTING A POST A STONE DISLODGED AND FELL AGAINST THE RIB THEN BOUNCED TOWARD EE. HE RAISED HIS ARM TO PROTECT HIMSELF FROM BEING STRUCK IN THE FACE.

PICKING UP 2 30"" CRIB AT ONE TIME AND FELT SOMETHING PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK.

THE SUPERVISOR WAS GETTING A WOOD TIMBER AWAY FROM THE BELT AND A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING HIM. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS POOR ROOF EXAMINATIONS AND SAFETY AWARNESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGS NOT A FACTOR, MINING SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

EMPLOYEE & ANOTHER CO-WORKER WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING A BLOCK WALL STOPPING WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS SAFETY AWARENESS & INEXPERIENCE. RULES/REGULATIONS NOT A FACTOR; PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR; MINER KNOWLEDGE COULD BE A FACTOR; MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR.

ALLEDGED INCIDENT WAS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THIS EE WAS HELPING INSTALL A FEED JACK ON A ROOF BOLTER. HE CLAIMS TO STRAINED A ABDOMEN MUSCLE WHILE LIFTING. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS SAFE LIFT ING TECHNIQUES. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES /REG NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR. MINER PROFIENCY A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS OT A FACTOR MINING EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR.

EMPLOYEE STANDING UNDER SUPPORTED ROOF WAS WATCHING THE ATRS GO UP TO THE ROOF. A LARGE PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE UNSUPPORTED AREA LANDING ON TOP OF THE CANOPY OF THE BOLTER BOUNCING BACK AN D TURNING VERTICAL PINNING HIS ANKLE. CAUSE WAS SAFETY AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS NOT A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIP NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFIENCY/ATTITUDE COULD BE A FACTOR, MINING EQ

SUPERVISOR'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE THROW HANDLE OF A TRACK SWITCH AND HE HURT HIS BACK. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS LACK OF SAFETY AWARNESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIP. NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIP/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, MINER ATTITUDE A FACTOR. EE WORKED AFTER INCIDENT AND DID NOT START TO MISS WORK UNTIL 8/19/03.

EE AND CO-WORKER WERE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN A DAMAGED EQUIPMENT DOOR ON THE SOUTH MAINS HAULAGE. THE DOOR WAS DRAGGING ON THE TOP OF THE RAIL & AS THEY WERE PUSHING IT THE DOOR WENT FREE, HE STUM BLED AND HURT HIS FOOT.

EE WAS STRUCK BY HIGH PRESSURE SOLENIC OIL IN THE TIP OF HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER. AN INFECTION OCCURRED RESULTING IN TREATMENT THAT CAUSED THIS EE TO MISS WORK. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWARENE SS AND THE LEAKING FITTING. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR.

PULLING DUAL HEAD BOLTER WITH SCOOP CAR, SCOOP BECAME HUNG-UP IN MUD, WHILE MANEUVERING SCOOP THE BACK END SLID IN A HOLE, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO SWING AROUND, PINCHING RIGHT FOOT BETWEEN SC OOP SHOVEL AND THE MINE FLOOR.

EE WAS MOVING THE WALKER SHIELD ON LONGWALL RECOVERY FROM THE CONTROLS OF THE OTHER WALKER WHEN THE RIB ROLLED OUT & LANDED ON HIS FOOT. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS SAFETY AWARENESS OF SURROUNDIN G CONDITIONS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS COULD BE A FACTOR.

ALLEDGED INCIDENT WAS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THIS EE WAS PICKING UP A 60"" BOTTOM ROLLER. HE SAID HE FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS NOT ASKING FOR HELP AND IMPROPER LIFTI NG TECHNIQUE. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS NOT A FACTOR, PERSONNAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIP/SYSTEMS COULD BE A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

WAS PUSHING SPOOLS OFF OF MONORAIL, BUMPER ON SPOOL RAISED UP WHEN 1ST ROLLER DROPPED OFF END OF RAIL, PINCHING FINGER BETWEEN RAIL AND SPOOL.

ALLEGED INCIDENT WAS TO OCCUR WHILE THIS EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A SCOOP WHILE PULLING TOOL SKID. TOOL SKID THAT HE WAS PULLING LIFTED THE REAR OF THE SCOOP AND LET IT DROP. CAUSE OF THIS INJUR Y WAS AWARENESS AND NOT PUTTING THE SKID IN THE BUCKET OF THE SCOOP TO PULL. ROUGH ROADWAY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

EE WAS STRUCK & SQUEEZED BY CANOPY OF A ROOF BOLTING MACHINE. EE WALKED ALONG THE MACHINE & SWUNG OUT THE HEAD, HIS CO-WORKER MOVED THE MACHINE & STRUCK THE VICTIM.CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWA RENESS AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN WORKERS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEM A FACTOR.

ALLEGED INCIDENT WAS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THIS EE & CO-WORKER WERE PULLING PUMP OUT OF BIN. HE SAID HE STRAINED HIS BACK WHILE PULLING. CAUSE OF INJURY WAS OVER-EXERTION & NOT USING MECHANIC AL MEANS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

INCIDENT WAS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THIS EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BEHIND THE SCOOP. HE SAID HE TRIPPED OVER A CRIB BLOCK LAYING ON THE MINE FLOOR COVERED UP WITH ROCKDUST. WHEN HE FELL HE LANDED O N HIS ELBOW. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWARENESS AND NOT PICKING UP TRIPPING HAZARDS LAYING AROUND. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS NOT A FACTOR; MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR. EQUIP. NOT A FACTOR.

WAS PULLING MINER CABLE SLACK, AND INJURED LOWER BACK.

MINER WAS WALKING IN SECTION, STEPPED IN A HOLE IN BOTTOM AND TWISTED KNEE.

EE WAS STANDING ON TOP OF A 590 SCOOP AND HE JUMPED DOWN OFF THE SCOOP ONTO THE BUCKET AND LANDED ON SOME DIRT ROLLING HIS ANKLE OVER. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AN UNSAFE ACT OF THE EE. RULES/R EGS WERE A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE DEVICES WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS WAS NOT A FACTOR.

WALKING FROM SECTION TO ELEVATOR, WALKED INTO A METAL PLANK (BACON STRAP) THAT HAD BEEN BENT DOWN ON THE END.

EE WAS WALKING ALONG THE DOZER AND HE SLIPPED TWISTING HIS KNEE. CAUSE OF THE INJURY WAS AWARENESS AND WEATHER. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REG NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MININ G EQUIP/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

PERSON INVOLVED WAS BOLTING ON A COAL PRODUCING SECTION, WAS REACHING FOR THE DRILL STEEL WHEN IT BROKE STIRKING HIM IN THE HAND.

EE WAS GIVING HIS CO-WORKER A BACK SIGHT WHILE SURVEYING THE SECTION. HE HAD TO GET INTO THE FEEDER TO GIVE THIS SIGHT,UPON GETTING OUT OF THE FEEDER HE SLIPPED ON LOOSE COAL & TWISTED HIS KNEE. CAUSE OF INJURY WAS SAFETY AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REG. WAS NOT A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPMENT NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROF. A FACTOR, MINING EQUIP. SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR.

SUPERVISOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET TO STUCK DRILL STEELS APART. WHEN THEY CAME APART THE STEEL THAT WAS IN THE ROOF FELL OUT STRIKING HIS FINGER. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS SAFETY AWARENESS. COMPL IANCE W/RULES/REGS WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINER ATTITUDE A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS BEING WORN, MINING EQUIP./SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR.

EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING BELT WHEN A PIECE OF SLATE FELL FROM THE RIB STRIKING HIM ON BACK OF HIS HEAD AND FOREHEAD. CAUSE WAS SAFETY AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES WAS A FACTOR, SAFETY EQUIPM ENT WAS NOT A FACTOR, MINING EQUIP/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFIENCY A FACTOR.

SUPERVISOR WAS WALKING ALONG THE MONARAIL BY THE BELT, HE SLIPPED AND HE STUCK OUT HIS HAND TO CATCH HIMSELF. THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING DOLLIES ON THE MONARAIL, HIS FINGER WAS CA UGHT BETWEEN THE MOVING PARTS.

EE WAS HANDLING METAL ROOF CAPS AND HE DID NOT HAVE HIS GLOVES ON THUS LACERATING HIS INDEX FINGER ON HIS LEFT HAND. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS IAN UNSAFE ACT DUE TO NOT FOLLOWING COMPANY POLIC Y. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS WAS A FACTOR, MINING EQUIPMENT /SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR, PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WAS A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.

SUPERVISOR HAD JUST FINISHED BUILDING A CRIB ALONG THE BELT IN 3 WEST LONGWALL WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF KNOCKING OFF HIS HARDHAT & A SECOND PIECE FELL STRIKING HIM ON THE HEAD.

EE ALONG WITH OTHER CO-WORKERS WERE TRYING TO GET A SKIRT RUBBER OFF A TAILPIECE. HE HAD AHOLD OF THE RUBBER WITH CHANNEL LOCKS, THE LOCKS SLIPPED AND HE LOST HIS BALANCE FALLING BACKWARDS. HE RAISED HIS ARMS UP IN THE AIR AND STRUCK A ROOFBOLT PLATE. CAUSE OF THE INJURY WAS AWARENESS AND NOT USING PROPER TOOLS. COMPLIANCE NOT AN ISSUE, MINER KNOWLEDGE A FACTOR.

EE WAS THROWING FISH PLATES OFF A SUPPLY CAR. HEHIT HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE FISH PLATE AND FRAME OF THE CAR. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWARENESS. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGS NOT A FACTOR, SAFETYY DEVICES NOT A FACTOR, MINER PROFICIENCY A FACTORMINING EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS NOT A FACTOR.

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET A STUCK DRILL STEEL OUT OF THE ROOF WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FELL AROUND THE DRILL STEEL THAT PUSHED THE STEEL AND PINCHED HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DRILL STEEL & THE CANOPY. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS AWARENESS, COMPLIANCE WITH RULES/REGULATIONS WAS NOT A FACTOR, PROTECTIVE EQUIP. WAS OK, MINER SKILL COULD BE A FACTOR.

PERSON WAS WALKING DOWN THE SLOPE TO WORK REMOVING ICE BUILD UP, AND TRIPPED ON A LUMP OF COAL FROZE TO BOTTOM. CAUSING HIM TO FALL ON HIS RIGHT SIDE.

EE HAS FILED AN OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS CLAIM WITH THE WV WORKER'S COMP DIVISION. CENTURY MINE WAS THE LAST MINE EE WORKED WHILE EMPLOYED WITH US FROM DEC 1995 TO MARCH 2001.

EE WAS OPERATING A ROOF RANGER II ROOF BOLTER. THIS MACHINE WAS RECENTLY WORKED ON & THE HYDRAULIC HOSES WERE SWITCHED FOR THE UP & DOWN MOTION OF THE DRILL HEAD. EE WENT TO DROP THE HEAD & IT WENT UP INSTEAD & SPUN. THE TIGHTNER WRENCH HIT HIM ON HIS FOREARM. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS KNOWLEDGE. MINER KNOWLEDGE A FACTOR, PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIP NOT A FACTOR, MINING/SYSTEM WAS NOT A F

EE STOOD ON THE DRILL BOOM OF A FLETCHER ROOF BOLTER TO INSTALL A ROOF BOLT, HE HIT THE JOYSTICK WITH HIS OTHER FOOT TO RAISE HIM UP HIGHER. HIS TOES OF HIS FOOT BECAME CAUGHT BETWEEN BOOM AND CANOPY POST. CAUSE OF THIS INJURY WAS PERFORMING AN UNSAFE ACT. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGS WAS A FACTOR, PERSONNEL EQUIP NOT A FACTOR, PROFICIENCY A FACTOR.