American Energy CorporationMining Incidents in 2009

The elevator stopped running. An employee was ascending up the elevator. He was stuck in the elevator for more than 30 minutes until they were able to open the doors. He was removed at 11:15p.m. Cause of the interruption was a governor switch grounded out. After the ground was repaired the elevator was run empty, worked properly and was checked by MSHA.

A roof fall was found on the 22 East track entry at 49 cross cut. The fall was approx. 30 feet long by 17 feet wide and 2 to 10 feet high. Area was bolted with Install III bolts with resin assisted. The area was screened and we used bacon straps. Fall fell above anchorage point.

A roof fall was found on South B beltline inby xcut #23. Fall was approx. 35 feet long by 15 feet wide by 2 to 12 feet high. Area was bolted with Install II bolts and resin assisted. The supplemental support consisted of bacon straps, wire mesh screen, cribs and ""I"" beams. Fall was caused by deterioration of the mine roof through weathering.

A roof fall was found on the South Mains ""A"" mainline belt inby 54 cross cut. Fall approx. 30 feet long, 18 feet wide and 12 feet above the normal roof horizon. Area was bolted with Install II bolts and resin assisted. The supplemental support consisted of bacon straps, wire mesh screen, steel beams and metal jacks. Cause of fall age that is was mined and weathering of the roof.

Roof fall occurred in intake escapeway #4 entry blocking passage to the outside escape route, roof fell 10 to 12 feet above roof horizon at a four way intersection. Fall was 16 feet wide to 35 feet long.

A roof fall was found on the South Mains ""A"" mainline belt inby 51 cross cut. Fall approx. 50 feet long, by 15 feet wide by 2 to 12 feet high. Area was bolted with Install II bolts and resin assisted. The supplemental support consisted of bacon straps, wire mesh screen,wood cribs and wooden beams. Cause of this fall was weathering of the roof.

An alleged ignition occurred at the long wall face at or near shield #78 while mining coal. The ignition was described as a flash of orange around the shearer drum that lasted only about 2 seconds. The shearer was coming from the tail gate to the headgate. Power was immediately shut off. Methane readings were taken after, the readings were 0.01% with a hand held detector.

The elevator went to fault computer on the control screen making the elevator inoperative.

The elevator stopped running and the part that was changed out (door switch) was not the problem and by that time that occurred it exceeded 30 minutes. Cause of this interruption was a slack rope governor switch adjustment. After the governor switch was adjusted the elevator was run empty and worked properly.

An ignition occurred in #2 Entry of the 22 East section. The flash occurred at the center to the right side of the cutter head and came up over the head. Flash was described as yellow and orange/yellow. Miner was loading its 2nd car after doing parameters. Miner was found to have 21 of 35 sprays working after the incident. Cause was blockage of water sprays by rust.

Setting post on belt line, post struck top, dislodging a rock which slid down the post striking person in the forehead. Cause of the injury was concentration. Compliance with rules/regs was not a factor, mining equipment/system was not a factor, ppe not a factor, miner proficiency a possible factor.

Shear operator cutting bottom going to the tail at 140 shield, cutting through a clay vein. Rock came off drum striking his rt. hand middle finger. His hand was resting on handrail when rock hit him. Cause of this injury was habits, compliance with rules/regs was not a factor,ppe was not a factor, miner profiency could be a factor.

Walking to job located near elevator bottom slipped on level ground and hurt left knee. Cause was concentration be aware of mine floor conditions. PPE not a factor, Compliance of rules/regs not a factor, mining equipment/system not a factor, miner profiency a factor. Miner worked one day then did return to work scheduled 10/11/2009 afternoon shift.

Scoop car operator was unloading a piece of metal in an x-cut, dropped bucket down to unload a hidden post in the gob, got flipped up and struck EE's right foot. Cause is knowledge of knowing post was buried, PPE not a factor, Compliance of rules/regs not a factor, mining equipment/system not a factor, miner profiency was a factor.

While walking from the drill head of the roof bolter to the inch trams, slipped on a rock that was on the mine floor twisting right ankle. Cause is concentration; be aware of mine floor conditions. PPE not a factor. Compliance of rules/regs not a factor, mining equipment/system not a factor, miner proficiency was a factor.

Employee stated he was riding in a manbus, a track switch was left open and the trip ran into the side track and struck another trip. The employee worked the entire shift and worked the following day and then came back and said his lower back area was injured.

Raising and setting #2 shield using manual controls. Hose fitting broke which allowed the hose to fling back and forth striking right arm at the elbow area.

Lifting water tree for belt water line felt pain in upper back between shoulder blades. Cause is improper lifting technique. PPE not a factor,Compliance of rules/regs not a factor,mining equipment/system not a factor, miner profiency was a factor. This person worked after the incident and now is off due to injury 10/10/2009 was his last day worked.

While carrying a 55 ton shackle up the steps to the tool trailer, the employee experienced a sharp pain in his lower back on the right side.

While hanging curtain in #3 entry face slipped and stepped in a hole in mine floor sprained right ankle. Cause is concentration being not aware of mine floor conditions, Compliance of rules/regs not a factor, mining equipment/system not a factor, ppe was not a factor, miner profiency was a factor.

Injury was measuring the distance between 2 bolts while rib screening, when he turned to walk back to pan line the rib rolled striking him in back pushing him into pan line. Cause of injury rib roll, mining equipment was not a factor, compliance with rules/regs not a factor, ppe not a factor, miner profiency maybe a factor.

Walking from tail piece to feeder stepped over feeder timber support Lt foot slipped off belt bed rail twisting ankle severely to one side. Cause of injury slipping on material in travel way. Compliance with rules/regs was a factor, mining equip/system not a factor, miner profiency maybe a factor, ppe was not a factor.

After setting the ATRS went to drill the first hole and rock fell behind ATRS and in front of ATRS. Rock fell striking just below left elbow cutting arm. Cause of this injury was safety awareness. Compliance with rules/regs was not a factor. ppe was not a factor. mining equip/system not a factor, miner profiency was a factor.

Employee was tramming to miner through x-cut watching his cable and he thinks he ran over a rock bouncing up against the underside of the canopy striking head. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor. Mining equip/ systems a factor, protective equip. not a factor, Miner proficiency not a factor. Cause of the injury was safety awareness.

Removing bottom roller from belt his helper bumped bottom roller causing finger to be pinched between roller and structure. Cause was lack of communication. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor. Mining equipment was not a factor, ppe was a factor, miner proficiency was not a factor.

Employee was struck by a drag rail that a scoop was pulling as it swung around a corner. Cause of the injury was safety awareness. Compliance with rule/regs not a factor, Mining equip./systems not a factor, Miner proficiency a factor, protective equipment not a factor.

Adjusted drill pod on roof bolter, was discussing work with another employee and leaning hand on canopy post when the other employee bumped the canopy down pinching tip of left middle finger. Cause was concentration and communication. Compliance with rules/regs was a factor. Miner proficiency was a factor, ppe was not a factor and mining equipment systems not a factor.

Was grooving a fire suppression pipe, had hand on ratchet which turns groover, the groover handle came out of the main body taking right hand under the machine, breaking thumb. Cause knowledge and concentration. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor. Miner proficiency was not a factor. ppe was not a factor and mining equipment was not a factor.

While shoveling rock material at a belt line turned to put material on belt felt pain in back and while riding on a golf cart at quitting time back started hurting more.

Employee was attempting to get cable bolts by hand off a supply car, as he pulled on the cable bolt a metal band with ragged cut ends cut his finger through his glove. Cause of this injury was safety awarenss of the employee. Complaince with rules/regs not a factor, protective equip. was worn so not a factor, miner proficiency a factor, mining equip/systems not a factor

Employee was operating a roof bolter and a piece of rock fell through the wire mesh screen striking him on his elbow. Cause of this injury was safety awareness of the employee. Complaince with rules/regs not a factor, protective equipment not a factor, miner proficiency a factor, mining equipment/systems not a factor.

While grinding a screw type positioner, the injured employee got a piece of steel in his right eye. Safety glasses were being worn by the employee.

Removing guard from B side shute leg placed guard against I beam guard fell striking right leg shin, lacerating skin. Cause was concentration. Compliance with rules/regs was not a factor. PPE was not a factor. Mining equipment system not a factor. Profiency was a factor.

Helping scoop operator to load bacon straps on top of roof bolter, slid bacon straps through his hands while loading lacerated middle finger on edge of strap. Cause of this injury was safety awareness. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor, personnel equipment not a factor, miner profiencey a factor, mining equip and/or systems not a factor.

Employee was pulling cable off a piece of equipment and he struck his ear on a bent bacon roof strap, lacerating it. Cause of this injury was safety awareness. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor, personnel equipment not a factor, miner proficiency a factor, mining equip and/or systems not a factor.

Cutting shuttle car cable with utility knife. Holding cable approx waist high, cutting away from himself and cable twisted causing knife to slip off and he cut his left leg.Was approx 1 1/2 to 2""cut. Concentration was the cause of this accident. Compliance with rules/regs not a factor, ppe not a factor, miner proficiency not a factor, and mining equip/systems not a factor.

Employee was bolting in x-cut and bent over to pick up bolt, when a 3'x4'x4"" thick piece of coal and rock fell out between atrs and canopy striking him in the back of head, causing a 2""laceration. Cause of injury was safety awareness. Compliance with rules/regulations not a factor, protective equip not a factor, miner proficiency a factor, mining equip/systems not a factor.