All MSHA-reportable accidents at Canyon Fuel Company LLC operations in 2008. Fatalities appear first.
A methane ignition occurred in the 8th East development section. The left side roof bolter operator drilled a hole to a depth of 17"" in the mine roof, when his drill steel plugged (wet drilling). He was retracting the steel from the hole to clean the plugged steel, when the hot drill bit ignited a pocket of methane in the drill hole.
A frictional methane ignition occurred in the 8th East develpment section. The operator completed his final cut and was in the process of cleaning up when the miner bits contacted the mine floor, igniting a pocket of methane in the floor.
A frictional methane ignition occured in the 9th East CM section. Operator was turning a crosscut (15' depth) when the miner bits contacted fallen roof rock. The miner head was 1' above the floor when the ignition occurred. It appears that a spark was generated from the sandstone, subsequently igniting a methane floor feeder. The ignition lasted less than 10 seconds.
Upon inspection of the East Mains bleeder, a roof fall of approx 30' long x 14' wide was found between x-cut 10 & 11 in the #2 entry. This location is immediately west of the #1 entry at 44 x-cut on development of the 2LEM section. No witnesses. Area was previously bolted & screened with 6' resin bolts & 10' cable bolts with wire mesh.
The shearer cut into the tailgate entry of the longwall and the crew prepared to change direction, cutting back to the headgate. They were not cutting coal, but the drums were turning. At this time the tailgate corner of the longwall block bumped and methane was released. The crew noticed flames in the center of the body of the shearer.
A roof fall occurred in the #1 entry of the 3lem (mmu 002) section. The fall was approx. 40' in length x 18' wide x 6' high. The fall started 30' outby #50 intersection. The top was bolted with 5' resin bolts with wire mesh. The fall partially covered both lube truck #lt235 and fletcher roof bolt #rb002.
12"" Drisco pipe was being pulled by utility vehicle. Employee was standing next to parked Dodge truck. As pipe cleared Dodge truck it quickly slid over and struck EE on lower left leg.
He was using a com-a-long to pull a belt head roller and frame back into place, (that had broken free of its welds). A monkey face was then welded to an ""I"" beam to attach a com-a-long. As he was using the com-a-long, the monkey face broke free and struck his right knee.
Injured employee stepped across #3 shield draw bar and his left foot began to slip. He felt himself losing his balance and tried to plant his left foot more firmly on the ground when he felt pain in left knee.
Six men were hanging a drive through door. Employee was on one corner and while lifting the door he felt a pop in his left arm.
EE was tightening the top clusters during belt move. He was on the offwalk side and the rib blew out and in the process of getting out of the way he twisted his knee.
Injured was making a repair to a small pump cable. While making a cut on the cable, the cable and knife slipped and the knife struck the top of his left thumb. This caused a laceration of 1/2"".
Changing the left front tire on a shuttle car. As they were prying the tire off it came loose and fell on his right leg.
He was using a rock drill to bolt down the 7th East head roller steel. He had his left hand on top of the steel and the drill fell over and hit him on the left finger.
He was standing on shield No. 67, operating the side shield control lever when a rock, measuring 6""x8""x5"" fell between shields No. 67 & 78 striking him on the back of his right hand. The force of the rock striking his hand forced his hand into the leg cover, subsequently causing a small laceration to the palm of his hand.
Attempted to move a shuttle car. He thought the door was latched tight and started to move forward. The door swung open and he reached out and caught the door. As he was shutting the door he simultaneously let off on the tram lever, the inertia from this action caused the door to swing shut faster than anticipated subsequently catching his finger between the frame and door.
Installing a master link on a shuttle car. He was pounding a strap on the link when a small sliver of metal dislodged, passed through his leather glove and embedded in the back of his hand.
Prying on the bottom of a canopy cylinder on a Fletcher Roof Bolter when the bar slipped and struck his left hand.
He was in the process of installing an upper leg keeper pin on shield No. 141. As he was attempting to insert the pin the shield took weight and the pin blew out and struck two fingers on his left hand.
EE was helping cut the steel bands on a bundle of bottom idlers. Co-worker cut his band first and that band flipped over striking ee on the right arm causing a laceration.
Installing a length of 2"" Drisco pipe. The pipe needed to be cut to proper length to fit. Using a utility knife he exerted pressure on the knife. The knife slipped and struck the palm of his left hand,
Carrying a length of pipe, when he tripped and fell. His thumb was caught between the length of pipe and the floor when he landed.
Assisting an employee load a timber onto a timber trailer, when he caught his finger between the timber and an upright pipe on the trailer.
Unloading piping supplies out of truck. Picked up 6"" victaulic coupler with right hand. Lost grip and dropped coupler on tip of left finger. Skin was cut and required 4 stiches to close wound and tip of finger had mild benign fracture.
Injured had just finished installing a resin roof bolt and placed the drill steel in the drill box to drill the next hole. He then released his grip on the drill steel and activated the steel clamp lever to close the clamp. The clamp closed very quickly. The injured EE's left index and middle finger were closed inside clamp. 3 sutures to close index finger.
Employee was using a long handled sledge hammer to pound a pin in on shearer. He was in a lose quarters so he choked up on handle. When he swung he missed pin and his middle finger was cut on pin. (right hand)
Received notification from Department of Labor that employee exercised his right under Title 30 Part 90.