Excel Mining, LLC.Mining Incidents in 2004

A MINE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AT OR NEAR THE CONVEYOR BELT SLOPE ENTRY NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOPE. NO ONE WAS UNDERGROUND WHEN SMOKE WAS DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE MINE. FIREFIGHTING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEGUN AND ARE CONTINUING. THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IS THE APPROX. TIME SMOKE WAS DISCOVERED. NO ONE WAS SCHEDULED TO WORK ON THIS SHIFT.

ON 12-08-04 A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON 030 SECTION. THE FALL MEASURED 6' HIGH, 20' WIDE & 20' LONG. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED IN RELATION TO THIS ROOF FALL.

A roof fall occurred in the #3 entry of the #3 working section, 1 crosscut inby survey station #15609, approximately 800 feet outby the working face. The fall started in the intersection and measured 30 feet long, 18 feet wide, 8 feet high. The area will not be rehabilitated.

A roof fall occurred int he track entry approx. 1500 feet outby the number two section. the fall measured approx. 20'l x 20'w x 8-10' thick. the area will not be rehabilitated.

ON 9/27/04 A ROOF FALL WAS DISCOVERED AROUND 10:30 PM ON MMU 007. THE ROOF FALL WAS LOCATED IN AN INTERSECTION IN #6 ENTRY, 3 LINES OUTBY THE FACE. THE FALL MEASURED 70' LONG X 20' WIDE X 5' THICK. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FALL.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT RETURN OF THE #3 SECTION APPROXIMATELY 2000' OFF OF THE SECTION. THE FALL MEASURED 40' LONG X 8' THICK X 18' WIDE. THE AREA WILL BE REHABILITATED.

A roof fall occurred at break #15 on the 4-c belt line. The fall measured 40' long by 18' wide and approx 8' thick. The area was developed several months ago and did have cribs installed on the belt line. The fall will be rehabilitated.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON BREAK #13 ON 3-B BELT. THE FALL MEASURED 60' LONG X 18' WIDE X 6' THICK. THE AREA WAS BOLTED WITH 6' RESIN BOLTS. THE FALL HAS BEEN CLEANED UP.

ON FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2004, A ROOF FALL WAS DISCOVERED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOPE AT A PREEXISTING OVERCAST ON THE MAIN LINE. THE FALL MEASURED 4' WIDE X 8' LONG X 15' HIGH. THE FALL HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY MSHA INSPECTOR.

A roof fall occurred in the #2 neutral entry approximately 2500' outby the faces of the #3 section. The fall measured 25' long x 18' wide x 7 1/2' thick. The area will not be rehabilitated.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE 6 B BELT LINE. THE FALL WAS LOCATED 3 BREAKS INBY 6 B CONVEYOR BELT DRIVE. THE FALL MEASURED 7' THICK X 2 1/2 BREAKS LONG X 18' WIDE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THIS FALL OF ROCK.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE #3 SECTION RETURN SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK OF 5/24/04 TIL 6/3/04. THE FALL MEASURED 40' LONG X 18' WIDE X 7' THICK. THE AREA WILL NOT BE REHABILITATED. THE FALL WAS 1 BREAK OVER FROM SPAD #13203.

A ROOF FALL OCCURED IN THE LEFT RETURN APPROX 2000' OFF OF THE #2 SECTION. THE FALL MEASURED 70'L X 19'WIDE X 7' HIGH. THE AREA WILL NOT BE REHABILITATED.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE #5 INTAKE ENTRY ON THE #2 SECTION. THE FALL WAS ONE X-CUT OUTBY THE FEEDER. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 6' THICK X 20' LONG X 20' WIDE. THE AREA HAS BEEN DANGERED OFF & WILL NOT BE REHABILITATED.

A roof fall occurred int he trakc entry on #2 belt at break #44. the fall measured approx. 16' wide x 22' long x 7' thick. the area had laminated shale roof. the area will be rehabilitaed.

A ROOF FALL OCCURED IN THE BELT ENTRY, ONE BREAK OUTBY SPAD #13856. THE FALL MEASURED 20'WIDE, 20'LONG, X 8' THICK. THE AREA WILL BE REHABILITATED.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE #2 ENTRY, 1200' OFF OF THE SECTION ON THE 004 UNIT. THE FALL MEASURED 20'WIDE X 25'LONG X 6 1/2'THICK. THE AREA WILL NOT BE REHABILITATED.

ON 3-2-04 A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON BELTLINE. THE FALL MEASURED 20' BY 20' BY 9' IN BREAK NO. 47. NI INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FALL OF ROOF.

ON 1-14-2004, THE HOIST ROPE, 1.5"" IN DIAMETER SHOWED STRUCTURAL DISTOSTION OVER A LENGTH OF 12 FEET BETWEEN THE DIRECTIONAL SHEAVE AND THE ROPE GANTRY. THE ROPE WAS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM S ERVICE BY THE CHIEF ELECTRICAN AT THE MINE.

EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SCALING LOOSE MATERIAL FROM THE MINE ROOF WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL BEHIND HIM STRIKING HIM IN THE BACK & FORCING HIM TO THE MINE FLOOR. THIS REPORT WAS DELAYED WHILE AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING RESULTS.

Employee was cutting #7 right crosscut when the rib rolled off hitting the employee in the right leg and right foot. This action caused a fracture of two bones in the employee's right foot.

EMPLOYEE WAS HOLDING THE CATHEAD OF A MINE CABLE WHILE THE CABLE WAS BEING PULLED BY A 4-WHEELER. THE ROPE SLIPPED CAUSING HIS THUMB TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN THE CATHEAD & THE 4-WHEELER - RESULTING IN A FRACTURED RIGHT THUMB.

EE had put up his outside bolt and began drilling the hole for the inside bolt when the place fell in, the atrs broke the rock but a piece fell back under the atrs striking him on the right leg, fracturing his leg. the cut was approx. 7 1/2 feet high. the piece of rock that struck him was approx. 40""w x 60"" l x 4"" thick.

WHILE HANGING THE MINER CABLE, EE FELT SOMETHING ""PULL"" ALONG HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. ON 8/6/04 HE VISITED A LOCAL PHYSICIAN AND WAS REFERRED TO A NEUROLOGIST. AFTER VIEWING THE RESULTS OF HIS EXAMS, HIS PHYSICIAN REFERRED EE TO PHYSICAL THERAPY. THIS REPORT WAS DELAYED DUE TO THE LACK OF A DEFINITE DIAGNOSIS OF THE AILMENT.

EE WAS PICKING UP BOTTOM CONVEYOR BELT ROLLER THAT WAS LYING IN THE ROADWAY, AS HE BENT OVER TO GET HOLD OF THE ROLLER, HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS BACK. EE WORKED UNTIL 6/3 WHEN HE BEGAN MISS ING WORK.

EE HAD FINISHED HIS 3RD ROLL OF BOLTS IN #3R. AS HE WENT TO SWING OUT HIS HEAD A PIECE OF ROCK FELL BEHIND HIM & STRUCK HIM ON THE LEG RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE LEG. THE ROCK MEASURED 4' LONG X 3'WIDE X 3""THICK.

STEPPED ON A PIECE OF COAL & TWISTED RIGHT KNEE. REPORT DELAYED WAITING FOR DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM HIS DR. HE WAS DIAGNOSED ON 4/7/04. EE WORKED UNTIL 3/15/04.

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING BESIDE THE ROOF BOLTER WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL OUT FROM THE ROOF STRIKING HIM ON THE LEG, JUST ABOVE THE ANKLE. THE EMPLOYEE SUFFERED TWO BROKEN BONES IN HIS LEG.

WHILE SETTING THE ROOF BOLTING MACHINE'S ATRS, EE WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT SHOULDER BY A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK MEASURING 34"" X 34"" X 3"". EE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 2-29-04. AT THAT TIME HE VISITE D HIS FAMILY PHYSICIAN. EE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MUSCLE STRAIN TO HIS LOWER BACK AND IS SCHEDULED FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY.

EMPLOYEE REACHED INSIDE THE DECK OF THE ROOF BOLTER TO START THE PUMP MOTOR SO THAT HE COULD PUT OIL IN THE MACHINE. EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON A LOOP OF CABLE THAT HAD BEEN PULLED OFF OF THE MACHINE AND WHEN HE STARTED THE MACHINE, THE CABLE STARTED TO REEL UP AND IT CAUSED HIM TO FALL DOWN LANDING ON HIS RIGHT WRIST, FRACTURING IT.

RIGGING CAME LOOSE & HIT EE IN THE MOUTH

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A UTILITY KNIFE TO OPEN A SHIPPING BOX WHEN THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT THE MIDDLE FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND. ADHESIVE WAS APPLIED BY A PHYSICIAN TO CLOSE THE WOUND. NO SUTURES WERE APPLIED.

Employee was throwing shackle attached to a rope over a telephone line and tore bicep muscle.

EE WAS HELPING CARRY A PIECE OF 4"" WATER LINE UP THE SLOPE AND AS EE WENT THROUGH A MANDOOR, OTHER END WAS DROPPED CAUSING EE TO FALL ON MANDOOR BREAKING LITTLE FINGER AND CAUSING A LACERATION ON LITTLE FINGER THAT REQUIRED SUTURES.

EMPLOYEE REACHED UNDERNEATH THE DECK OF HIS SHUTTLE CAR TO CLEAN OUT THE CLEAN-OUT HOLE & THE CAR ROLLED BACK CATCHING THE EE'S HAND BETWEEN THE CAR & ROCK/COAL IN THE ROADWAY.

EE WAS HELPING TO MAKE A CABLE SPLICE AND A PIECE OF THE END OF THE HAMMER BROKE OFF AND STRUCK THE EE IN THE LEFT WRIST, CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED SUTURES.

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING ON A BELT MOVE. THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING THE TAILPIECE. A 10' BELT RAIL BECAME FOULED UNDERNEATH THE TAILPIECE. THEY LIFTED THE TAILPIECE WITH A SCOOP AND THE EMPLOYEE PICKED UP ONE END OF THE RAIL TO PULL IT OUT. WHEN HE DID THE TAILPIECE SLIPPED OUT OF THE SCOOP CAUSING THE BELT RAIL TO STRIKE HIS RIGHT LEG CAUSING A LACERATION REQUIRING STITCHES.

Employee was putting a plate on a roof bolt when it slipped out of his hand and struck him on the arm causing a laceration that required sutures.

EE WAS BOLTING SEVEN RIGHT CROSSCUT. HE WAS DRILLING THE HOLE FOR THE INSIDE BOLT ON THE THIRD ROW WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL, STRIKING HIM ON TOP OF HIS RIGHT FOOT. EE SUFFERED A HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO ONE OF THE BONES ON THE TOP OF HIS FOOT. EE WAS WEARING HARD-TOE BOOTS.

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING THE INSIDE BOLT OF THE FOURTH ROW IN NUMBER TWO ENTRY WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF STRIKING HIM IN THE SHOULDER AND LEFT ARM. THE EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED A LACERATION ON HIS LEFT FOREARM THAT REQUIRED TEN SUTURES.

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BESIDE THE FEEDER WHEN HE STUMBLED AND FELL ON THE FEEDER. WHEN HE FELL, HE STRUCK HIS FACE ON THE FEEDER CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES.

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING THE OUTSIDE BOLT IN #8 HEADING. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ADDING HIS PUSHER STEEL WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL OUT AROUND THE STEEL STRIKING HIM ON HIS LT. HAND. THIS ACTION CAUSED A LACERATION ON HIS LITTLE FINGER THAT REQUIRED 5 STITCHES.

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO KNOCK A HOLE IN AN OMEGA BLOCK STOPPING TO RUN A WATER LINE THROUGH. HE WAS HITTING A PICK HAMMER WITH A BALLPEIN HAMMER AND THE PICK HAMMER BOUNCED BACK AND STRUCK HIM IN THE EYE CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED SUTURES.

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A CONTINUOUS MINER & WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING UP THE #8 HEADING. HE WAS STANDING BETWEEN THE 3RD & 4TH ROW OF BOLTS FROM THE FACE WHEN A PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM BETWEEN THE BOLTS STRIKING HIM ON THE HEAD & COMING TO REST ON HIS RT. FOOT. THIS ACTION CAUSED A FRACTURE OF 2 OF HIS TOES ON HIS RT. FOOT. THE ROCK MEASURED 52""LONG X 23""WIDE X 2""THICK.

EMPLOYEE WAS TRYING TO GET A ROCK OFF OF THE FEEDER AND HIS HAND SLIPPED CAUSING A LACERATION ON HIS LEFT HAND. THE LACERATION REQUIRED NINE SUTURES.

EE WAS TAKING A PIN OUTO F CHAIN HOOK. HE HIT THE PIN WITH A HAMMER & A PIECE BROKE OFF & STRUCK HIS HAND

Ee was installing his last bolt in the last row of the #4 heading when a thin piece of draw rock fell and struck him on the arm causing a laceration that required five sutures.

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING A PIECE OF CONVEYOR BELTING WITH A UTILITY KNIF AND THE KNIFE SLIPPED OFF OF THE BELT AND CUT HIS LEFT ARM. THE LACERATION REQUIRED 3 SUTURES.

EE WAS BOLTING TOP & HIS DRILL STEEL GOT STOPPED UP. HE TOOK ANOTHER PIECE OF STEEL AND HIT IT TO TRY AND UNSTOP IT. THE DRILL STEEL BOUNCED BACK & HIT HIM OVER THE EYE, CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED 3 SUTURES.

EE WAS BOLTING TOP,PUT 2 WRENCHES TOGETHER AND WAS HOLDING ONTO THE MIDDLE OF THEM. HIS GLOVE GOT CAUGHT WHEN HE ROTATED THE WRENCHES & PULLED HIS HAND AROUND THE WRENCHES. THIS ACTION CAUSED A BONE TO BE BROKEN IN HIS WRIST.

EE WAS PUTTING THE RUB RAIL BACK ON THE MINER & DROPPED IT ON HIS FINGERS. THIS INCIDENT REQUIRED SUTURES.

WHILE WALKING TO MANTRIP FROM SLOPE CAR, EMPLOYEE HIT A ROOF BOLT PLATE CUTTING HIS EAR. REQUIRED 7 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

EE CAME IN CONTACT WITH AN ENERGIZED TRAILING CABLE. EE MOMENTARILY LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. EE WAS ADMITTED OVER NIGHT FOR OBSERVATION AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

EE WAS CHANGING DRILL STEEL. WHEN HE SWUNG HIS DRILL POT WHILE HOLDING THE STEEL WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, HE HIT HIS HAND WITH THE CANOPY CAUSING A CUT THAT REQUIRED 15 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

REMOVING BAND FROM BUNDLE OF ROOF BOLTS. BAND FLEW BACK STRIKING HE ON REQUIRED 6 STITCHES TO CLOSED.

EE WAS USING A PRY BAR TO HELP CHANGE A STEERING JACK ON A SHUTTLE CAR. PRY BAR SLIPPED LETTING STEERING JACK FALL HITTING EE ON LEFT INDEX FINGER CAUSING A CUT THAT REQUIRED 7 STITCHES TO CLO SE.

EMPLOYEE BEGAN MISSING WORK DUE TO TREATMENT FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. THE TIME & DATE OF THE ACCIDENT REFLECTS THE BEGINNING OF HIS DISABILITY PERIOD.

Mine management and local MSHA personnel have investigated this event and have come to a mutual agreement this event is best classified as an occupational illness. The date of accident reflects the employee's first day away from work.

MINE MANAGEMENT AND LOCAL MSHA PERSONNEL HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS EVENT AND HAVE COME TO A MUTUAL AGREEMENT THIS EVENT IS BEST CLASSIFIED AS AN OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS. THE DATE OF ACCIDENT REFLECTS THE EE'S FIRST DAY AWAY FROM WORK.