Big Ridge, Inc.Mining Incidents in 2009

An unintentional roof occurred on the 4C panel, station 32+90 entry #4 in the neutral on the backside of the belt. Ventilation was not affected. It did not cause personal injury or affect the passage of men. The fall measured 18foot x 18foot x 6 foot high. The area had been bolted with 4 and 6 foot fully grouted roof bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred at 49 crosscut on the 5A travelway station 26+60 entry #5. The fall did not affect ventilation or cause personal injury. The fall did affect the secondary escape route which will have to be re-routed. The fall measured 20 feet x 25 feet x 6 feet. and was in a 4-way intersection.

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the 2B intake at crosscut #31 entry #4. The fall did not affect ventilation passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall measured 40 feet x 18 feet x 12 feet high. The intersection had been bolted with 6 foot fully grouted roof bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred on the old 1A return @ station 31+80 between entries 9 and 10. The fall did affect the ventilation on the #4 unit which was idled until all work was completed and ventilation re-established. The fall did not affect passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall had been bolted with 6 ft. fully grouted roof bolts and 12 foot cable bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the 2nd East panel off of the 1st South sub main in the #8 entry at station 23+75 in one of the return entries. The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall will not be cleaned up and was timbered off and dangered out.

An unintentional roof fall occured in the 2C intake in entry #2 at station 6+75. The primary escapeway re-routed around the fall area. The fall did not affect ventilation or cause personal injury. The fall measured 40 foot x 19 foot x 8 foot. The area had been supported with 6 foot roof bolts prior to the roof fall.

An unintentional roof fall occured on the 4C travel road at 46 crosscut. The fall did not affect ventilation or cause personal injury. The secondary escapeway was re-routed around the roof fall area. The fall measured 30 foot x 30 foot x 12 foot high. The area had been bolted with 6 foot fully grouted roof bolts and 12 and 16 foot cable bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred on the 4C return at 9+80 station in the #2 entry. The roof fall measured 24 foot x 25 foot x 6 foot. The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall occurred in a 4-way intersection. The fall had been bolted with 6 foot roof bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the Old #3 worked out panel (1st West off of the 1st North Sub Main) at 20+00 station entry #6. The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall measured 20foot x 20foot x 6foot high. It occurred in an 4-way intersection and will not be cleaned up.

An unintentional roof fall occured in a 3-way intersection on the 1st East return in the #11 entry at station 34+30. The fall did affect ventilation so the unit was shut down and the stopping line re-routed. The area had been bolted with 6 foot roof bolts. The fall measured 24 feet x 20 feet x 10 feet.

An unintentional roof fall occured at #71 cross cut on the Main North Entry #3. The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. The fall measured 20 feet x 20 feet x 6 feet. The area had been roof bolted with 6 ft. fully grouted roof bolts.

An unintentional roof fall occurred between 7+80 and 8+40 in the #9 entry in the 7th West Submain (return). The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. The area was mined in September of 2004. The area had been bolted with 4 foot fully grouted roof bolts. The fall measured 35' x 20' x 6'.

An unintentional roof fall occurred on the 4C at station 22+40 entry #1. The fall measurd 93 feet x 20 feet x 8 feet. Since the fall was located 2 entries over in the return from the examiners route this is not a reportable fall. approximate date of developent was 10-15-2007. It will not be cleaned up.

An Unitentional roof occurred on the 4B at station 30+20 entry #10. The fall measured 38ft x 20ft x 6ft high. Since the fall was located 2 entries over in the return from the examiners route this is not a reportable fall. Approx date of development was 1/28/06, it will not be cleaned up.

An unintentional roof fall occurred in the old 5D worked out panel (Return) at station 10+30 between entries 1 and 2. The fall measured 50 feet x 19 feet x 6 feet high. The fall did not affect ventilation, passage of men or cause personal injury. It will not be cleaned up. The crosscut had been bolted with 4 foot fully grouted roof bolts.

Employee stated he was helping hang the Miner cable and his left shoulder started hurting. This shoulder has been bothering him for a while, but this time it seemed like it was worse. He continued to work until he was taken off by the doctor on 02/22/2010. Imsending the operative report to show that this was a illness. They had to trim a bone and spur off.

Employee stated he had just finished drilling a hole and was removing his two pieces of drill steels. These steels were stuck together and he was trying to pull them apart. He had to use a lot of pulling force to get them apart and when they did, the bottom steel jerked backwards and struck employee in the mouth. Causing Laceration to his lips. Stitches required.

Employee stated he was roof bolting on his knees and when he swung the boom over to install a rib pin he lost his balance. When this happened he grabbed the controller in such a way that he let the drill pot down on his leg/knee. Employee was taken to medical services and reported to have a severe contusion to his Lower thigh and knee.

Employee was trying to dislodge top section of pinner steel by pulling on it with hand, he had left bottom steel in the drill pod, when his right hand was pinched between the two sections of steel, causing a laceration to right hand requiring 10 stitches in it.

Employee stated he had got out of the scoop and had started walking, when he stepped in a tire rut and twisted his knee. Employee continued to work until 11/30/2009, when the doctor took him off work for possible surgery.

Employee stated that after his normal work shift, at his home, his arms started to hurt. The only thing he could relay it to was removing/handling concrete blocks from pallet in the process of building brattice. There is no distinct means for arms hurting, after doctor's visit he was diagnosed with tennis elbow/ tendonitis.

Employee walking into x-cut off the travelway to get rock dust for bolter, the dust was thick and a pallet was cover with dust. The employee caught his right foot on the pallet and twisted his right knee and fell to the ground.

Employee was swinging bolter boom over to install rib bolt when the boom pushed up a piece of rock and struck employee's left ankle. His foot was in a hole when he started to swing the boom.

Employee stated he was helping move and hang the Cont. Miner cable when his shoulder which had been hurting started hurting worse. On the night of 12/06/2009 he left the mine with his shoulder hurting again and was taken off work on 12/10/09. MRI that was done showed Tendinosis.

Employee was examining the CO monitor areas and the conveyor tail area. He grabbed a belt hanger chain and stepped up on the frame to look at the monitor. When he did this his foot slipped and he twisted his knee. He started missing work on 11/04/2009.

Employe was trying to pull scubber door shut by pulling on chain attached to door. He grasped the chain with both hands to pull door shut. He felt pain in his stomach and belly button as he pulled the door shut.

Pulling miner cable out of perimeters, there was a wind row of gob, cable got tight and came over wind row and struck employee on the left ankle.

Employee stated he was resting with his foot up on the bumper of the scoop. A piece of roof rock fell and struck him on the head and knee, broke and fell to the ground. He continued to work and then had a MRI done. His doctor took him off work on 12/16/2009. MRI showed a prior ACL surgery and degeneration throughout the meniscus.

Employee was pulling on the miner cable with wet gloves. While pulling on the cable his hands slipped off the cable causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards on his back and straining it. Employee is off awaiting an MRI.

Employee was struck by rock that fell out between roof bolts, laceration to right knee which required stitches.

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 was changing batteries on 516 scoop. He was trying to pick up the charge battery, when the jumper cable got pinned between the scoop and the battery. The employee then tried to remove the jumper by hand. The cable arced and the employee's left arm was burned.

Employee was drilling a hole in the roof with a roofbolter when a piece of rock broke loose and slid down the drill steel. The rock flew off of the drill steel and struck employee in the mouth causing him to receive stiches in his bottom and top lips.

Employee was unloading a big bag of rockdust when the corner of the bag gave way causing the employee to fall backwards onto the scoop. This caused a injury to the lower lumbar area.

Mantrip slid into hole while employee riding in back, bounced him up, he landed on rescuer, pain left hip/lower back. Dr put him on physical therapy, didn't miss any work from accident, later sent to receive spinal injections, injection sites began to leak fluid, patches placed over holes,started missing 9-14-09. patches applied on 9-16-09. We feel this qualifies as an illness.

Employee stated he was helping more the miner cable and had some discomfort in his shoulder. Has had pain before.

Employee stated he was starting to push a roof bolt up in a hole and his shoulder started burning. Employee has just had surgery on this shoulder about 6 to 8 months ago. He didn't return to work until late Nov. 08. We are waiting on the scan/MRI. This is a re-occurrance of the prior Shoulder injury, stated the Dr.

Employee stated he maybe stepped on a uneven place in travel road which caused him to fall to the ground early in the shift. He also stated later that he was building a stopping, tripped & fell backwards hurting his back. Injury he claimed is his knee which shows Osteoarthritis, Floating particles and Giant benign Deg. subcortical Geode which is an Illness. Didn't just happen.

Employee is a examiner and stated that while making his route which is walking he slipped going under an underpass and had pain in left and right ankle. Started missing work 6/6/09.

Employee stated he was carrying a 1/2 bag of rockdust walking backward dusting the face area. As he twisted around he stepped in an uneven place on the floor, stumbled and this caused his leg to buckle under him straining his knee. He was transported to Medical facility. Was taken off work on 03/31/2009.

Employee was removing a tie down strap from a tool box and was lifting a metal tongue up and pulling on the strap. Felt pain in his lower back.

Employee stated he was picking the miner cable up and walking it out of the roadway. After he got done he said it felt like his shoulder poped. Employee was unsure of the injury so have been waiting on the MRI to see if it wasn't an Illness.

Employee stated he had gotten out of his Shuttle Car to walk away, when he stepped on uneven ground and sprained his ankle. Employee started taking off work on 03/06/2009.

Employee was throwing a crib tie under the belt when he smashed his right index finger between the crib tie and a bottom roller. He had a fracture and laceration to the tip of his index finger and required stitches.

Employee has had discomfort for a while in the lower abdomen. The dicomfort has progressed and with his normal activities on this day and the progression of discomfort he wanted to turn in a report. Employee has worked until 7/7/2009 when he entered the hospital for inguinal hernia surgery. This type is related to birth defects, other surgeries or wear and tear.

Employee stated he was operating a cont. Miner and turning a left handed slider. A rock fell from between the bolts and struck him on the head. He has continued to work until taken off by a doctor on 07/26/2009. Possible neck surgery for herniated cervical disc.

Employee stated he was driving the slinger duster down a travelway, when he thinks he hit a hole and caused him to be bounced up and hit his head on the canopy. He felt in his neck and head. Employee had prior neck surgery and the MRI showed degenerative stenosis and cervical spondylosis. Employee was taken off work on 02/20/2009.

Employee was walking beside a parked ramcar. The parked car was sitting a little out in the intersection and another car came through from the other direction, hit the parked car and knocked it sideways, causing the wheel guard to strike the victims ankle and foot against the rib.

Employee stated that he was getting out of the cab of the roof bolter and tripped over a curtain. He fell backwards and hit his right elbow on the machine canopy and also fell on his right leg. Employee did not start missing work until 10/04/2009.

Employee stated he was walking around a power box when he apparently tripped over a 3/4'' water hose. He stated he fell to the ground but tried to catch himself with his hand. His shoulder was dislocated. Investigation showed that approx. 6 mos. ago he dislocated this shoulder at home. Doctors report stated this could happen again, will need surgery. Occup. Illness

Employee was taking a golf cart down to position it for an Examiner. As he went around the corner at the bottom, he lost control of the golf cart and struck the metal wing wall, causing him to jerk his shoulder. He has worked until 06/17/2009 and has been taken off work for shoulder surgery.

Employee stated he was helping move the Cont. miner cable over out of the way when a piece of tie wire hung in an ear ring. Not realizing it was caught in the ear ring he continued to walk on moving the cable. It ripped his ear lobe into two pieces. Medical services glued it at first but then he had to go back and get stitches.

Employee stated he was bolting and was straightening a 6' bolt for installation when it slipped in the grip of his hand. The bolt spun around causing the employee to jerk and fall foward injuring his shoulder.Employee started missing work on 5/7/09 by 220091320026

Employee stated that he was driving a Ramcar and ran over a 4-5"" timber causing him to bounce up and hit his head on the canopy. He continued to work and then was taken off work on 01/13/2009 with a back injury. Employee has had two prior surgeries and a Doctors report showed degenerative disc disease and had back problems before this incident.

Employee stated he was walking over to the left side of the section, when he stepped in a hole twisting his right ankle. He also fell on his face and blooded his nose. Did not miss any work but was put on transitional duty for 1 day.

Employee stated he was attempting to install a 6'roof bolt. He had inserted the bolt into the drilled hole and started pushing on it to straighten it. As he was pushing away he felt pain in his lower back. Employee was treated in the ER and returned to work on transitional duty.

Employee was drilling a hole in the roof with a roof bolting machine. As he was retracting the drill steel out of the roof a piece of rock slid down the drill steel causing a laceration to the his right upper arm. He did not miss anywork but did require stitches.

Employee was walking to location to monitor CM tools on Joy 14-15 miner. While en route, he experienced a severe cramp in his left foot. He noticed he was walking differently and went to the doctor on 7/1/09 who said he injured his L5 vertebrae.

Employee was removing a conveyor (belt) cutter after cutting the belt for splice installation. As he removed the hold down the other employee was cranking the cutting blade out of the way and the injured employee got his little finger under the lip and in the way of the knife being moved to the side. The blade struck his little finger and caused a severe laceration to the tip.

Employee complained of his hands going to sleep and hurting when he had to hold onto something. He has been a roof bolter for 25 years+. He is claiming Carpal Tunnel in both wrist.

Employee stated while roof bolting he was removing steel from the roof. His shoulder which had been bothering him started hurting more intensely. He continue to work till 9-30-2009 when he was taken off work by his doctor. MRI was perform on shoulder which showed tendinopathy (tendinitis), which is tendon inflammation. Inflammation- illness.

Employee is a mechanic and has been for 30+ years. He has had wrist pain and weakness for some time. He was repairing on a personel carrier and his wrist couldn't hold up a trailing arm and it fell. This caused his hand to swell and start hurting more. He continued to work and was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syn. He was taken off work on 12/11/2009.

Employee stated that he was kneeling down to move the miner cable out of the roadway and felt pain in his lower back.

Employee was using a 3/4"" drive ratchet taking bolts out of a Wheel Unit. The ratchet malfunctioned and broke loose while he was applying pressure. When this happened, he said both wrists started hurting. He was seen by a specialist and diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel. He started missing work on 10/27/2009.

EE stated he was walking beside the roof bolter, when his left knee gave way, causing him to go down.

Employee stated that he was having some tingling and numbness in his right hand for quite some time. After years of repetitive use of the domanant hand he was diagnoised with Carpal Tunnel Syn. and started taking off work on 06/22/2009.

Employee stated he was walking & apparently slipped & said he hurt his lower back. After investigation, he has had back problems for some time according to him. CT Sacn shows mild bulging disc which everyone has. It also showed degenerative spurring, spinal stenosis & degenerative facet. Also Arthritis.

Employee was overseeing a Fire Brigade training session underground. His lower back had been hurting and as the day progressed the pain got more intense. He has had prior back surgery( 2 times).He continued to work until 9/21/2009 when he was taken off work for another surgery. MRI showed severe Spinal stenosis, Bilateral Recess Stenosis. Degenerative disc disease.

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 stated he was walking checking out the mining unit when he felt a little pain in his knee. When he got on top and was taking a shower the knee started hurting terribly, causing him to almost fall to the floor. He can't remember anything as far as hurting it. He has had prior knee surgery on this knee. Lot of degenerative problems. (Knee replacement.)