All MSHA-reportable accidents at Canyon Fuel Company LLC operations in 2004. Fatalities appear first.
A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE 6-LEFT MAIN HAULAGE WAY. FALL MEASURED 20' X 70' X 23'. AREA WAS BOLTED WITH 6', 16' & 24' RESIN BOLTS. DETERIORATION TO THE STRATA FROM WATER, AIR AND POSSIBLE MOV EMENT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FALL. ALL PERSONS CHECKED IN THE MINE WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. WORK IS LIMITED TO THE CLEAN-UP AND SUPPORT OF THE FALL AREA.
VICTIM WAS HELPING MOVE AN IRON-BOUND SHIELD ON THE 3LPE LONGWALL FACE. CHAIN SLINGS WERE CONFIGURED TO ATTACH THE IRON BOUND SHIELD TO THE CONVEYER. THE VICTIM GOT ONTO THE IRON-BOUND SHIELD AND ATTEMPTED TO OPERATE A FUNCTION. AS PRESSUREWAS APPLIED, A HOOK ON THE CHAIN ASSEMBLY FAILED, AND THE CHAIN SLING ASSEMBLY HIT THE VICTIM. MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA AND FRACTURED NECK.
Two employees were in the process of changing out a two-stage hydraulic pump on a Fletcher Roof Bolter. The injured employee was working on the old pump in the rear walkway of the bolter. The other mechanic was working on the new pump on the top of the bolter (bolting tray). The pump fell from the tray and landed on the victims hand.
EE was moving the continuous miner from cut A to cut B in a mining cycle. He had stopped the machine to move the waterline. A piece of the rib fell and struck him on the back. The striking force of the rib pushed him into the miner tail face first causing lacerations to his forehead to his forehead and right forearm and fracturing his top left rib.
Swinging a sledgehammer and he pulled a muscle in his back
Roof bolter operators were positioning a 4 1/2' roll of welded wire mesh screen in preparation for the bolting cycle. The mesh was positioned parallel to and under the last row of permanent roof support, when a roof fall occurred. The roof rock sheared off at the last row of permanent roof support striking injured EE.
Shuttle car operator was operating the shuttle car when his right rear tire dropped into a hole. He struck his head on the cab of the shuttle car straining his neck. He returned to work for one week, however, on 11-08-04 he reported off work due to a neck strain which resulted from the injury.
Employee stepped through a set of double doors and slipped and fell, spraining his ankle
Employee was attempting to climb down off a belt line when his right foot became caught between a 2"" aluminum pipe and a timber. he fell to the ground landing on his back with his foot still caught by the timber and pipe. employee said he felt pain in his thigh area when he fell.
EE WAS MOVING A 12' LONG CABLE BOLT AND AS HIS RIGHT HAND GRABBED THE BOLT NEAR THE COUPLING COLLAR, A METAL BURR ON THE COLLAR PENETRATED THROUGH HIS RUBBER GLOVE AND MADE A SMALL PUNCTURE WOUND IN THE RIGHT RING FINGER. THIS RESULTED IN INFECTION IN HIS FINGER AND SWELLINGIN HIS LOWER RIGHT ARM. HE WORKED TWO DAYS BEFORE SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION.
EE WAS WALKING ON THE SURFACE WITH ANOTHER EE. THE CONDITIONS WERE ICY. HE STEPPED IN TIRED RUT THAT WAS FROZEN AND HIS LEFT FOOT BUCKLED AND HIS LEG WENT OUT FROM UNDER HIM.
He was in the process of connecting two high voltage cable couplers together, using a spanner wrench. He was pullling the wrench towards him when the wrench slipped off and struck him on the mouth.
EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING A BROKEN WELD FROM A PIVOT POINT ON A FRONT END LOADER WITH A 4 1/2"" HAND HELD GRINDER. HE WAS WORKING IN A SEMI-CONFINED SPACE. THE GRINDER WAS FITTED WITH A GRIP HANDLE ON LT. SIDE, BUT THE GRINDING WHEEL GUARD WAS NOT BEING USED. THE GRINDING WHEEL JUMPED & HIS LT. INDEX FINGER CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL.
After performing trouble shooting and repair work the injured ee was helping reinstall the top drive train covers on #12 u.v. while standing on top of the machine the ee took a step backwards and lost his balance causing him to fall landing on a piece of protruding metal.
Employee was operating the shearer on the longwall face. His eyes became irritated due to dust/hydrogen sulfide generated during the cutting cycle. He finished his shift and sought medical attention later that evening. The doctor prescribed eye drops for his eyes.