Canyon Fuel Company LLCMining Incidents in 2007

Sloughage of rib coal and floor heave continued in the 2LEM tailgate entry inby #43 crosscut.

A cave in the gob behind the shields of the 2LEM longwall (MMU001) occurred that impaired ventilation by blowing down 2 curtains. This was corrected by re-hanging the 2 curtains in the intake entries. Further evaluation revealed that the floor heaved and material fell from the ribs into the tailgate walkway and escapeway. The material in the escapeway impeded passage.

A frictional methane ignition occurred on the Gil-6 longwall at shield No. 138

A frictional methane ignition occurred on the Gil-6 longwall panel around shield No. 136.

A frictional methane ignition occurred on the Gil-6 longwall panel. The ignition occurred at shield No. 19. The flame lasted approximately one minute.

Following a cave in the gob behind the longwall face elevated levels of CO were detected at the tailgate end of the longwall face. The Mine Evacuation Plan was implemented, all underground personnel evacuated. Management personnel immediately investigated the incident. Less than 5 PPM CO was detected along the longwall face, return and bleeder entries of the affected area.

A frictional methane ignition occurred on the longwall face, shield No. 32. The flame was extinguished within a minute.

A frictional methane ignition occured on the longwall face, shield No. 130. The flame was extinguished in 3-5 seconds.

A shuttle car operator was spelling the regular bolter operator through lunch. He tightened a conventional pin (in the rib), and noticed that the friction created by the wrench/bolt head ignited methane. Water immediately extinguished the flame.

A roof fall occurred in the bleeder entry behind the longwall face. The roof fall was not above the anchorage zone on the installed roof bolts, however ventilation controls were damaged, disrupting ventilation.

EE was building a new dumpster in the shop. While turning the dumpster over something popped in the bend of his elbow. During a follow-up examination on 11/16/07 it was determined that a tendon was detached, surgery is required to repair the damaged tendon.

Employee was removing weld from the rodent screens of the motor to gain access to the inside of the motor from cleaning. The employee was using a hammer and chisel to dremove the weld. When he hit the chisel it broke off a piece of welding slag that struck his right eye. EE had been using safety glasses, however he removed them due to fogging & continued to work.

He was tramming the Shearer to the tailgate when a bump occurred. A chunk of coal struck the left side of his Airstream helmet face shield, striking his cheek. He did not go to the doctor and continued to work. On 9/21/07 he was diagnosed with a fractured bone below his left eye, surgery is required.

Injured was dismounting utility vehicle by stepping off backward with his left foot. His left knee twisted when his foot stepped into a tire-track rut. Injured stated he had a hand hold on the UV as he was stepping down.

HE WAS LIFTING A DRILL PIPE AND PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS GROIN WITH A POSSIBLE TORN TENDON.

Tailgate drive cover came off. Cover came down coveyor to shearer. Cover jammed into shearer gear box and sprocket. Gear box bolts sheared sending bolts flying. One bolt hit back of employee's left hand against shield leg ram.

Employee was adjusting supplies on the roof bolter when a piece of coal approx. 2'x4'x2' struck him on the right forearm fracturing his ulna mid shaft.

Inj EE was preparing to instll a cable roof bolt into the roof. As injured employee reached to remove drill steel from drill box, he activated the wrong hydraulic lever & this action closed the drill steel clamp on his left thumb.

While roof bolting a shot area for overcast, a rock fell and struck EE on the shoulder.

Injured employee was working with another employee taking down ventilation tubing in a fully bolted entry. When the tub was released from the roof, a piece of loose coal struck the injured employee on the top of the right foot, resulting in a fracture of his right foot. Employee was wearing steel toed metatarsal guard boots.

He was walking on a belt on the ground that was covered in coal dust & slipped twisting his right knee.

Injured employee was troubleshooting an over-temperature problem on a head gate gear box. When the hose going from the gear box to the motor was removed, excess water from inside the hose spilled out onto his L arm saturating 3 layers of long-sleeve clothing causing severe burn.

Cleaning cap rock off the taildrive, when a small piece of rock fell between the shields and landed on his finger.

While pulling up shield, high pressure hose fitting broke. Hose and emmulsion hit employee in Air-stream helmet.

Standing on tire of Gehl bobcat forklift, resting hand on arm of bucket. When operator raised forks, his hand was pinched between the arm of the forklift and the cab lacerating his finger behind the nail of the right middle finger.

EE was lifting bolter cable while another employee was hanging cable to roof mesh with sealing bar. Bar slipped off hook and struck ee in the mouth chipping teeth.

While loading 8"" by 10' I-beams, the beam he was handling rolled against another beam causing a fracture and laceration to the tip of his middle right finger.

Assisting with the removal of cap rock from the top of the continuous miner. As they lifted a slab of rock it slid pinching the tip of his finger.

Injured was helping remove water line from area of mine. He was using a sledge hammer to break water line couplers. A piece of a coupler broke away from the coupler being removed and struck injured on the face causing a 1/2"" laceration. Sutures were used to close the wound.

He was in the process of installing a belt hanger with a Fletcher Roof Bolter. He was guiding the bolt wrench onto the head of the roof bolt when his hand slid and his little finger was pinched between the belt hanger and the auger clamp.

Employee had been training on the bolter for 2 days. He had drilled a hole and was preparing to put the resin bolt into the hole. Employee stated that he thought the sleeve on his rain coat caught on the top of the drill mast and that brought his left hand in line with the steel clamp at the same time he activated the lever which closed the steel clamp. Sutures required.