All MSHA-reportable accidents at Canyon Fuel Company LLC operations in 2006. Fatalities appear first.
A bounce occurred around the longwall headgate area of the Gil-5 panel. The bounce separated top coal from the roof rock, measuring approximately 20' x 40' x 24-30"" thick. Production was interupped for more than one hour while the area was re-bolted.
A frictional methane ignition occurred at shield No. 37 in the Gil-5 longwall panel. The crew was cutting from the headgate to the tailgate at the time of the ignition. The Headgate shearer operator stated that he bumped the roof with the bits and noticed the flame between the drum and the roof. The flame lasted 3-4 seconds.
A frictional methane ignition occurred on the Gil-5 longwall face. The crew was in the process of cutting toward the headgate when the tailgate shearer operator noticed a small orange glow at the bottom of the tailgate drum. He estimated the flame lasting approximately 5 seconds.
At approximately 8:50 AM a frictional methane ignition occurred on the Gil-5 Longwall, at shield No. 15. The flame was described as a small orange glow at the bottom of the cutter drum. The flame lasted one to two seconds before it was extinguished by the cutter drum water sprays.
The shearer was operating at number 38 shield, cutting toward the tailgate. The headgate shearer operator was washing the toes of the shields when he reported seeing a small orangle glow. He immediately pointed the hose towards the shearer drum and stated that the glow lasted about 2 seconds.
A frictional methane ignition occurred in the No. 1 entry of the 2nd East section. The miner operator was trimming the bottom on the right side of the entry when he contacted the rock mine floor with the bits of the miner igniting methane gas.
At 8:10 am the underground AMS system alarmed comm. failure on the 4E#2 belt. Two mechanics were sent to determine the problem and within 60 min. the location of the fall was known. All persons UG were accounted for. Fall was app. 20'x30'x5'high in intersection on belt at #100xcut of 4E#2belt
Employee was operating the Shearer on the longwall face when he heard someone calling on the face phone. He bent down to answer the face phone (with his back to the face). A slab of coal fell from the face landing in the face conveyor. The top section of the slab broke off and came into the walkway, striking him on the ankle.
Employee was stepping out of mantrip and twisted his knee. Damage is strain / sprain to the left knee.
Inj EE and another employee were in the process of anchoring a set of stairs to an overcast. Inj EE was standing to the low side of the stairs. As he reached for bolts and nuts the stairs slid down the side of the overcast. As the stairs slid they pivoted to the side he was standing on. The stairs hit him and knocked him to the ground, landing on him.
Employee was holding a pry bar with his left hand and maintaining hydraulic pressure on the cylinder he was working on with his right hand controlling a hydraulic valve. As he reached with his left hand to push on the keeper pin of the cylinder, his right hand released the hydraulic pressure and the bar quickly moved, crushing his finger between bar and side plate of the shield.
Hitching a material trailer to mine LHD, raised trailer and blocked trailer to within 1 inch of height needed then tryed to hand lift with right hand. Trailer fell pinching right middle finger (tip of finger) between hitch and wv.
EE was assisting a continuous miner operator when a section of roof fell. The coal section broke into smaller pieces whe it came in contact with the shuttle car he was standing near. This caused a piece of coal approx. 3'x 3'x 6' to strike the injured EE from the side near his knee pushing his leg in a horizontal motion.
EE was operating a continuous miner when section of roof fell. The coal section broke into smaller pieces when it came in contact with the shuttle car he was loading. This caused a piece of coal approx. 3'x 4'x 6' to strike the injured EE from the side near his hip and upper leg.
Tripped and fell landing on his back on a chunk of coal. Several months later he sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a pre-existing degenerative back disease. He was placed on a therapy program. On July 27, 2006 surgery was performed to repair the degenerative disks in his back.
Stepping off flatbed-referred to orthopedic physician.
While backing the miner out of the face, cap rock fell in. The cap rock broke off at the last row of roof bolts landing on the miner. A portion of the slab measuring 3' x 4' x 6' broke off when it struck the boom. As the slab broke it pivoted back landing on his foot. He was standing at the 2nd to the last row of roof bolts facing the shuttle car when the incident occurred.
While clearing a setting on shield with left hand, EE placed right hand on inside of bretbe trough. At this moment, a large piece of coal coming down LW conveyor, caught right hand and caused injury.
Employee was installing a Kennedy stopping. He was installing the clips on a rail when the panel slipped off a 4"" lip. The edge of the panel cut through his gloves lacerating his finder.
Outby crew and longwall crew were setting roof and rib protection along stageloader and headgate. Injured person was between crib and meshed rib while topping crib. There was a bounce and employee was pushed into the crib.**Initial ER visit showed no injury. MRI taken 11/27/06 showed injury. Results received 11/30/06.**
Employee was chaining down motor on winch truck when chain binder rolled and smashed his left ring finger
Employee was helping change a drill thrust cylinder when an assembly part fell, striking his right hand. His right hand was resting on the drill mast at the time of impact which caused the closed fracture.
He was in the process of retrieving a small tool box from the inside of his big tool box. He lifted the lid on the large box with his right hand, as he lifted the smaller box with his left hand he let go of the lid on the large box, he then placed his right hand on the rim of the large tool box. The unsecured lid fell striking his right hand.
Employee was removing belt structure. He tripped and fell backwards, as he fell he landed on his hand resulting in a fractured finger.
He was standing at the feeder breaker talking to the shuttle car operator. He placed his right hand on the deck of the feeder while the car was unloading. A chunk of coal fell on his right hand from the conveyor while dumping.
EE was steadying a wood platform with his hands that another employee was standing on. They were working on the canopy side plate of a longwall shield. A piece of coal about 3' in diameter fell from top of the shield approx. 5' & struck the top of his right hand. Hand was caught between wood platform & the piece of coal. Coal was loose on top of canopy & not hanging from roof.
EE was helping install a ventilation tube in the face of #2 entry when a small piece (2"") of coal popped off the corner of the second cut and struck him on the right side of his face below his safety glassed. This caused a 1/2"" laceration to his right cheek area.
EE was preparing a trailing cable to be re-entered into a shuttle car. He was using pliers with his left hand and cutting with a knife with his right hand. He was trimming the cable jacket back toward himself when the knife slipped free of the jacket and struck the palm of his left hand, causing a laceration to his left hand. the laceration required 7 sutures to close.
Employee was checking the tail roller at the feeder breaker when a piece of coal rib (3"" x 13"" x 40"" long), fell and hit the floor. The piece of coal then rolled forward and pushed the employee into the side of the feeder breaker, causing pain to his rib cage.
EE was preparing to go home after shift ended, when he experienced chest pain. He was transported to Sevier Valley Hospital by ambulance, where treatment continued. Life flight helicopter transported EE to Utah Valley Hospital. EE passed away either in helicoper or at hospital, due to heart condition. EE's shift started at 2:30pm on 12/12/06.