All MSHA-reportable accidents at Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC operations in 2019. Fatalities appear first.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in 7N Mains at 44 Wall #6 Entry. There were no injuries or damaged equipment as a result of this incident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall are adverse geological conditions in the stack rock layer in the mine roof.
The Elevator for the Sparta Portal was down due to the Carlock Door Switch was out of alignment.
4 persons were entrapped due to an electrical fault at Sparta Elevator, stopping unexpectedly 10' from the top landing. They were entrapped for approximately 30 minutes with no injuries. The Mechanics had to reset the power and the elevator continued to the surface. Once at the top landing the persons exited the elevator and the door sensors cleaned as a precaution.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the G1 Headgate longwall section located at 33 wall in the number one entry. The fall measured approximately 6'high X 15'long X 8'width. This was due to a sagging roof, Stage loader caught roof strap causing material to fall.
The 5 South #4 Escape capsule was out of service for an extended period of time. The overwind switch was stuck. The switch was replaced. The defect was found during normal inspection.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in 5B TG section at 10 Wall #2 Entry Intersection. There were no injuries or damaged equipment as a result of this incident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall are adverse geological conditions in the stack rock layer in the mine roof and horizontal stress in the mine roof.
At approximately 6:15 PM, E31 Longwall intersected an uncharted gas well at 39 shield at 104+25. *Accident Code for inundation was chosen because there is no option for uncharted gas well.
The Crabapple slope hoist was not operational for an extended period of time. The Contactor for the main VFD broke due to metal fatigue. The broken contactor caused the hoist to fault with an electrical failure. The hoist was taken out of service until the issue was diagnosed and the contactor replaced
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the #2 Entry in the 6 south mains. The fall occurred at 56.5 crosscut. The fall occurred as a result of adverse geological conditions that deteriorated over time. The fall dimensions were 64' long, 7' high, and 16' wide. The fall occurred outby the active section with no equipment damaged or injury as a result of this event.
The automatic door sensor for the Pleasant Grove Elevator was not working and needed replaced. No one was on elevator during time of repair.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the #7 entry of 6 south mains area. The fall occurred at the 59 x-cut. The fall occurred as a result of adverse geological conditions that deteriorated over time. The fall dimensions were 8ft wide by 6ft high by 50ft long. The fall occurred out-by the active section with No equipment damage or injury as a result of this event.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the 3 North area #5 Entry 187 wall. The fall measured 16' Width X 24' Length X 13' High. There were no injuries as a result of this incident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall is adverse geological conditions in this area.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the Oak Springs bottom 1-2 entry at 119 wall. The fall measured approx. 65'X16'X16"". There was no injuries as a result of this accident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall is adverse geological conditions in this area.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the 7L longwall section. The fall occurred in the belt entry at 39 x-cut. The fall measured approx. 46ft long by 16ft wide by 15 ft high. The fall occurred due to adverse geological conditions in this area. No injury or equipment damage as a result of this incident.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in 5B HG miner section 27 Wall #2 Entry Intersection. There were no injuries as a result of this incident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall are adverse geological conditions in the shale layer in the mine roof.
The BMX slope hoist was taken out of service when the brakes on the brake car locked up. The brake contactor malfunctioned and was replaced and the hoist went back into service.
A inby corner rolled out and was reported in the exam books on the G1 longwall #13 crosscut on 8/6/2019. This did not impede passage or impair ventilation, therefore it is not reportable. This is being submitted to abate citation 9200587. No other 50.20(i) criteria applies.
The 1A capsule at the 1A Shaft was out of service due to a malfunction with the PLC processor. The PLC processor had internal switches that became non-operational, the PLC processor was replaced and the capsule returned to service.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in 6A miner section 2 Wall #4 Entry on the solid side of the intersection. There were no injuries as a result of this incident. Conditions contributing to the roof fall are adverse geological conditions and high humidity.
A inby corner rolled out and was reported in the exam books on the G1 longwall #10 crosscut on 7/21/2019. This did not impede passage or impair ventilation, therefore it is not reportable. This is being submitted to abate citation 9200585. No other 50.20(i) criteria applies.
The elevator at BMX portal was out of service due to the brake pump malfunctioning. The brake pump was replaced and the elevator returned to service.
Sparta elevator was down with 12 men 6"" from bottom. It was diagnosed with a bad encoder switch. A new encoder switch was installed the elevator was back in service at 4:25 am.
The Crabapple Hoist Car became inoperable do to electrical issues. It was determined that the Phoenix communication card that controls the communication between the hoist house and the hoist failed to communicate properly. The hoist was able to be used for shipping supplies but was unable to transport personnel during this extended time.
The steel structure that the electrical brake is mounted to was damaged during normal operation. The car was taken out of service to repair the car.
The BMX slope hoist was taken out of service during an MSHA inspection for a broken center left brake assembly's inby guide spool. This condition is in conjunction with MSHA citation #9078996. The MSHA District Manager was on-site and promptly investigated the accident.
The Crabapple hoist was inoperable for an extended period of time due to a blown surge protector fuse that was caused by a possible spike in incoming power. The Phoenix digital card that controls the communication from the hoist to the control system also faulted.
The crabapple hoist car (break car) was taken out of service for an extended period to make normal repairs to the car found during inspection.
The elevator at BMX portal was out of service due to the bottom door sensors malfunctioning. The sensors and the door track were cleaned and the elevator returned to service.
The Hoist car was inoperable for an extended period of time. There was a malfunction in the cars braking sensors that caused the breaks to lock up. The sensor wires became damaged and the manufacture was contacted and made the necessary repairs
The Archer portal elevator was having issues with the programming of primary and secondary slow down sequence switch. The switch was replaced.
The Archer portal elevator was inadvertently put into inspection mode.
The Crabapple hoist was taken out of service for an extended period of time. An abnormality/slight bend in the hoist rope was found approx. 15 feet from the hoist car. It is unknown what caused the bend in the rope. The tension in the rope was released prior to finding the bad spot. No reports of issues on the slope bottom. An outside engineering company has been contacted
The Dry Ridge Elevator was inoperable for an extended period of time. The elevator stopped in the shaft due to a ""Governor Fault"". After investigating it was found that a grease build up on the governor wheel caused the elevator to fault. The wheel was cleaned and the fault was reset.
While performing the weekly drum break accumulator test on the oak springs hoist. It was determined that the accumulator failed the test due to low nitrogen pressure. Nitrogen was added to pass the test.
The G1 Headgate section experienced a probable face ignition in the #3 entry survey station #13+32. During the investigation MSHA cited 4 sprays inoperative in the 8-spray block located top left side cutting drum.
During routine inspection of the Crabapple Hoist, a deformation in the hoist rope was found approx. 25 ft from the car. The Hoist was taken out of service and the rope was reterminated. It is possible that the tension in the rope when the cars are coupled caused this deformation.
The Crabapple hoist was taken out of service to replace the bearings on the hoist rope drum. During the bearing repair, damage to the hoist drum shaft was noticed. It is unknown what caused the shaft damage but it was subsequently changed.
The elevator at BMX portal was out of service due to the door track for the bottom door breaking. The door track and alignment was fixed and the elevator returned to service.
The bottom door latch switch froze and interfered with the use of the elevator for over 30 minutes. The switch was replaced allowing the elevator to resume normal operations.
An ignition was reported in the G1HG section, located at survey station #31+84.59. The cause of incident was due to geological anomalies. A return spray was added to miner to prevent any further occurrences.
An ignition was reported while mining in the G1 Set-up, located at survey station #7+50 that lasted approximately 1-2 seconds. The incident occurred due to geological anomalies. Vented sprays were ordered to prevent re-occurrences.
An ignition was reported while mining in the E30 Longwall located at #90 Shield. The incident occurred due to geological anomalies.
The 1A capsule at the 1A shaft was out of service due to a malfunction with the brakes properly opening. The brake switch was properly adjusted and returned to service.
The door opener drive needed reset located on top of the car.
The elevator at BMX portal was out of service due to a malfunction of the top landing switch. The switch was fixed and the elevator returned to service.
The batteries on the brakeman car drained due to extreme freezing temperatures causing the brakes to lockup on the car.
An unplanned fire occurred in the #55 conveyor belt transfer building. The taper lock on the #5 roller failed causing the belt to run out of alignment. The roller rubbed against the frame until it stopped and the friction of the belt continuing to run caused the belt lagging to catch on fire.
During normal inspection, the rope gripper pads were found to need repair. The Hoist was taken out of service for an extended period of time to repair.
The elevator at Patterson Creek portal was out of service due to the limit switch on the cage malfunctioning. The switch was replaced and the elevator returned to normal service.
An unintentional roof fall occurred in the #1 entry (belt) of the 6L longwall section. The fall occurred on top of the stageloader approx. 15 feet from the longwall face. The fall was 70ft long by 12ft high by 12ft wide. The fall was caused by adverse geological conditions in the form of laminated sand stone in the anchorage zone.
An aluminum hydraulic filter housing on the hoist rope winch cracked causing an oil leak. This oil leak caused the mine management to remove the hoist from service until repairs could be made.
The employee was walking off the face at the G1HG longwall section. As employee passed the head gate drive, the previously bolted and meshed rib unexpectedly failed and the material struck employee resulting crushing type injuries.
Employee was obtaining a strap ready to be thrown across the miner. When employee lifted it up to pivot the strap the miner began to sump back catching employee's right index finger between the strap the employee was getting ready to throw and one of the previously installed straps. Employee was diagnosed with an amputation of the right index finger to the first knuckle.
Employee was center bolting, employee was retrieving the bolt wrench when they stumbled and contacted the lower ATRS control causing it to lower. This pinched their left index finger between the ATRS and the bolt wrench causing a laceration.
Employee was side bolting along the continuous miner in the G2 Section #2 Entry, when a rock fell from the rib protector and struck employee in upper back/neck. Employee moved away from that area when a second rock struck employee on top of head. Employee was diagnosed with concussion like symptoms on 1/10/2020.
Employee was taking down a stopping and a rock fell out and hit EE on the hand causing injury.
An injury to an employee occurred in 7L longwall section involving an electrical shock. Employee was trouble shooting an electrical issue on the 4MVA power box when employee received an electrical shock from an unknown location. Employee received electrical burns on right arm. Employee did not lose consciousness & walked on own accord out of the mine. Investigation ongoing.
Employee was operating a steam power sprayer in the Dry Ridge shop, when a line blew off causing the steam to come in contact with employee's right arm. Employee suffered small burns to right forearm as a result.
Employee was trying to remove an accumulator from a hydraulic valve bank. While trying to remove super stecko staple from fitting, employee inserted pointed end of pick hammer between staple and fitting. Employee hit pick hammer with ball peen hammer to dislodge staple. Metal shard broke off and lodged in employee's left wrist.
Employee was carrying vulcanizing equipment and felt pain in stomach area.
Employee was moving structure around the bucket of the scoop and got ha finger caught between the structure and the scoop bucket causing injury.
EE was walking through 2' mud from 777G to a pickup at end of shift-20' away. Right leg became stuck in mud, lost balance & fell on left side. Got up and went to pickup, felt pain in right leg. That night pain not bad. Next morning could not walk very well. Called Console Monday morning at 7 am to report accident. Contractor notified 10/30/19.
Employee was walking to move a vent tube along the continuous miner, when a rock measuring 6' in length, 3' wide, and 18"" in thickness fell from the mine roof. The rock struck EE on the back causing fractures to EE's femur, ribs and vertebrae.
Employee was bolting along the Continuous Miner located in the 2 South Left Mains #2 Entry, when they were walking over a pile of coal and felt a sudden pain in the left calf. Employee was diagnosed with a torn calf muscle.
While carrying a door frame, the frame dropped on IE's right foot, causing contusion.
EE was at the first tire of the rear axle on drivers side. As EE was directly facing the tire, EE bent knees and squatted down to remove the wheel chock. EE reached approximately eight inches directly in front of self with right hand to pick up the wheel chock. EE was unable to stand up. EE felt a sharp pain in the lower back and went down onto EE's knees.
Employee was in the bathhouse showering when they tripped on a non-slip mat causing right arm to bend back. Employee was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff to the right shoulder and had surgery to repair on 10/8/2019.
Employee was exiting the operators compartment of a locomotive when they tripped on the safety chain causing then to fall out of the loco. They caught themselves with the right arm causing them to dislocate the right shoulder. Employee also complained of leg pain after the fall and an x-ray revealed a hairline fracture to the left leg.
A Bailey Prep Plant employee rolled right ankle while exiting a pick-up truck.
Employee was putting scoop on charged and smashed EE's fingers while opening battery lids.
Employee was struck in the ear by a board causing a laceration.
Employee was drilling for a 16' cable bolt, connecting a third steel in the roof when EE felt a sudden pop in the right shoulder. EE was diagnosed with a severe strain to the rotator cuff.
While driving a haulage jeep, a piece of rock fell from between the roof straps and struck the employee's left hand causing a fracture and a laceration to the left hand.
Employee was rib bolting on the left side of the miner in 5B TG. EE grabbed a roof strap from the top of the miner and flipped it so EE could slide it over to the right side of the miner. EE's right pinky finger got stuck in the tip-out bolt hole when EE flipped the strap. Diagnosed with a fracture to EE's right pinky finger.
A Bailey Prep Plant employee was setting up a 480V breaker when it suddenly arc flashed and the employee received burns to EE's left and right arms.
While re-lining bunker feeder, employee slid backwards twisting right knee.
Employee was using a come-along to move the outby end of the 5B HG tail piece. The Come-Along was hooked to a 5/16 chain that was secured in a belt clip. The chain broke causing the employee to fall backward therefore hitting their head, causing injury. Received four sutures to the left cheek and a fracture to the occipital bone.
Employee was bolting off of the miner when struck by a piece of rock that caused them to fall against the miner. Employee injured their right shoulder and was diagnosed with a bruised back. Employee was taken off of work.
Employee was hanging communication cable along 7 North Track, when EE tripped on a track tie and fell on EE's left hand. The incident resulted in a fracture to the left pinky finger.
Employee was pinned by the boom of the Continuous Miner in the 2 south right section. Injuring employee's back and ribs.
Employee was trying to get the winch rope out from behind the ram of the scoop. When the ram of scoop was pulled back, employee got fingers caught between the bucket and ram of scoop causing injury.
While working in the G1 #1 entry, employee was side bolting on tube side of miner, when a rock fell from top and struck employee on neck and back of head. Employee was diagnosed with a concussion.
Employee was trying to unclog line and lost control of it when it was re-pressurized which blew shotcrete toward EE's face and into EE's left eye.
Employee was assisting with installation of an equalizer bar on a bulldozer and smashed finger.
Employee was knocking out block and block fell hitting employee in hand causing injury.
Employee was trying to remove a cable bolt that was stuck in the roof, while the employee tried to pull the bolt from the roof while reversing the head of the drill the bolt head struck EE in the left arm causing a laceration and shoulder pain. EE received three sutures on left arm.
Employee was cutting a suction hose with a utility knife when the knife slipped and cut EE's left hand.
A Bailey Prep Plant Employee was filling a reservoir for the pumps at the load out facility, when Employee stepped down in between two pallets and twisted right knee. Employee became a lost time on 11/22/2019.
Employee was walking and stepped on a piece of coal injuring foot
Employee was lifting a relay bar, which was laying on the hand rails and toe of the shield, with a come-along. The relay bar slid off of the toe of the shield and rolled onto the employees right ankle. EE was diagnosed with a fracture.
Employee was rib bolting in the two east mains, when EE's right hand caught between two drill steels causing a laceration to the right middle finger. EE received six sutures.
Employee was struck in the head by a water bottle that fell from above.
Employee was Pre-shifting the F29 Longwall belt at 6 1/2 wall walkway side, when left arm was injured by a moving roller.
Employee was moving the cable reel cover back into place on the mule when they pinched their left middle finger between the mule and the cover. Fracture to the left middle finger.
The injured employee attempted to cross a supply car when EE rolled EE's right ankle on the car, causing EE to trip and fall. EE landed on the same ankle EE twisted on the supply car.
Workers hanging the feeder cable on the rib. The cable was muddy & the cable slipped out of a worker's hands & fell the length of the cable that was hung. Our employee was standing near the cable when it fell and it hit our EE in the right arm and knocked EE down. EE tried to catch self and injured right wrist and hand. A Sprain as of now.
Employee was working on belts and twisted knee in the mud.
Employee was walking through water dragging rock dust hose, slipped on a crib block and fell causing injury to right knee. Employee began losing time as of 8/3/19 due to injury & is scheduled for surgery on 8/14/19.
Employee was pulling on a slate bar and slipped causing injury to right arm.
While working inside of a chute, employee was lifting part of a belt scraper when they felt a pop/snap and pain in the right shoulder between the bicep and upper shoulder area
Employee was dropping the gate on the rail truck when EE's hand slipped and got caught between the gate and steel bar causing injury.
Coworker was removing conveyor belt roller from frame when roller broke and struck the conveyor belting material that was pulled up to provide slack for conveyor belt splicing. The impact caused the slack conveyor belting material to strike the injured employee causing a laceration to the left elbow and a contusion with swelling in the lower left thorax area.
Employee was operating a gopher drill on the 5A Section belt when a piece of rock came from the mine roof and struck employee's right hand causing a laceration to the right middle finger. Employee received 13 stitches.
Employee was working on a 4"" compressed airline. After draining the pressure of the pipe they began to remove the end cap and was struck by material stored in the air line. Causing material to get into EE's eyes.
Employee was hosing along belt line and a rock came off the belt causing injury to EE's head.
Pushing a roller under conveyor, pinched right index finger between roller and steel causing a laceration.
Employee was handling mononrail and tripped and fell and grabbed the rib. A piece of rib rolled out and hit EE on the ear causing injury.
Employee was cutting a piece of conveyor belt with a utility knife. The knife slipped and cut EE's left arm. The laceration was treated with 6 stitches to close. The employee returned to work next schedule shift.
Employee was in the process of putting up a tube, EE turned to grab a tube and when EE turned around EE's face struck the tube resulting in a laceration above EE's left eye. EE received four sutures.
Employee was sumping the miner in when a 12"" cc bolt sprung loose off of the top of the miner, striking the employee in the mouth chipping EE's front two teeth.
Employee was carrying a top section roller from the ride to the beltline. The roller was swinging around and it pinched EE's thumb between the wing and the middle roller.
Employee was lifting a re-railer, weight shifted, crushing tip of left thumb.
Employee was using a slate bar to remove a broken roller. The bar slipped as EE was prying the roller out and pinched EE's right ring finger between the bar and the belt structure. Employee was treated with 4 stitches.
Employee was handling rail ties with a pry bar. The bar slipped and caught employee's finger between rail and bar causing injury.
Employee was exiting a Brookeville mantrip when employee stepped on the rail causing employee to slip and fall. The employee's face area struck the side of the mantrip during the fall causing a laceration requiring 3 sutures.
Employee was handling crib and got a finger caught between two cribs causing injury
Employee was holding ladder when EE was struck by an object from overhead
Employee finished installing a roof bolt located in the 8 north section, when a rock fell from the rib, striking employee, causing employee to fall to the ground. Employee received six sutures in the right forearm.
Employee was throwing a crib through a man door and got a finger caught between the crib and the door causing injury.
Employee was pulling belt together with a sheave wheel assembly and got hit in the arm causing injury
Employee was handling a K panel when it slid causing injury to their finger.
Employee's hard hat was knocked off and hit head on roof bolt
Employee was cutting with a razor knife and cut leg above the knee.
Employee was hooking up with rope to separate pan and got hand caught between rope and pan causing injury.
Employee was carrying roller and slipped and fell injuring finger.
Employee was off loading mesh and got finger caught between sled and mesh causing injury to finger.
Employee began to feel pain in both wrists while performing normal duties. Employee was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and was scheduled for surgery. The carpal tunnel was due to repetitive motion and it was determined that it was work related. Employee became a lost time on 12/9/19
Employee experienced increasing pain to the left shoulder while pushing 16ft cable bolts into holes while side bolting off of the miner. EE continued to perform normal job until being diagnosed with impingement syndrome. EE was taken off of work to repair.
Employee began to feel pain in both wrists while preforming EE's normal duties. EE was diagnosed with carpal Tunnel syndrome and was schedule for surgery. EE's carpal Tunnel was due to repetitive motion and it was determined that it was work related. EE became a lost time on 5/7/2019
While preforming normal duties as a mechanic. Employee began to feel pain in both wrists. This condition continued to get worse. Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel syndrome on both wrists. It was determined that this illness was work related.
A fatality occurred due to natural causes, specifically a cardiac event, while employee was working at a surface transfer building. Confirmation of the cause of death was provided by the Washington County, PA Medical Examiners office.
CB Mining employee was assisting with the assembly of an Armored Face Conveyor Chain on the head gate. While in a prone position a rock approx. 24"" X 18"" X 3"" dislodged from the roof and fell approximately 4 feet striking the back of the right knee. Employee experienced sharp pain and knee was immobilized.
While installing a concrete form, employee had form drop on left foot.