Excel Mining, LLC.Mining Incidents in 2006

A roof fall was discovered in #9 entry 1 break outby spad 373. The estimated size of the roof fall measured 6' high, 18' wide and 70' long. No injuries where reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered in #4 entry outby spad 31283. The estimated size of the roof fall measured 4 1/2' to 5' high, 18' wide, and 20' long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered 1 break out by spad 522. In #8 entry, the estimated size of the roof fall is 7' high X 18' wide X 20' long. No injuries where reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered at break 6 on B belt line. The estimated size of the roof fall measured 7 ft high and 18 ft width and 50 ft long.

A roof fall was discovered 1 break inby spad 972 in #3 entry. The estimated size of the roof fall measured 6' high, 18' wide and 20' long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered 1 break inby spad 279 in #9 entry, the estimated size of the roof fall measured 5' high X 18' wide and 40' long.

A roof fall was discovered in # 5 entry 1 break inby spad 605 the estimated size of roof fall is 6ft high 18ft wide and 40ft long. No injuries reported.

A roof fall was discovered in # 7 entry 1 break inby spad 647 the estimated size of the roof fall is 6ft high 18 ft wide and 50ft long. No injuries where reported as a result of this roof fall.

#3 Entry inby Spad 699 a roof fall was discovered. The estimated size of the roof fall is 7 ft high 18 ft wide 50 ft long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered in #4 entry 1 break inby spad 480 the estimated size of roof fall is 6ft high 18ft wide and 40ft long. No injuries where reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered at break 37 on I track entry inby spad 5111, the estimated size of the roof fall is 5 ft high, 19 ft width, 50 ft long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was found during a weekly exam on aug. 4th, 2006. The fall is located in the 1st intersection out-by the 1st north a seals, #4 entry. Measuring appro.x 7 to 8 ft. high, 20 ft wide, 40 to 50 ft in length. There was no equipment trapped, or injuries reportefd in connection with the fall.

A roof fall was discovered in the # 3 entry adjacent to 5 belt at brk 8 the estimated size of the fall in 6ft high 19 ft width and 60 ft long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered near spad 736, the approx size of the roof fall is 8' high, 70' long and 18' wide. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

Break 13 on 7b belt line, a roof fall was discovered. The approximate size of the roof fall is 8 ft high, 20 ft long, 20 ft width. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

Break 26 adjacent to 4 belt line a roof fall was discovered in the number 8 entry. The approximate size of the fall is 8 ft high, 18 ft width and 60 ft long. No injuries were reported as a reslut of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered adjacent to 7A belt line to 2 breaks inby the head drive. The roof fall measured 5 ft high and 18 ft wide and 30 ft. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered in number 4 entry at spad 419 to 415, the roof fall measure 10ft high 18 ft wide and 50 ft long. No injuries reported.

A roof fall was discovered on 1 section in #1 entry. The fall measured 5 1/2 ft high, 18 ft wide and 50 ft long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

After moving the explosive magazine out of an intersection, EE was resting on his knees, when another EE got behind him putting his arms around injured EE in a ""Bear Hug"" postion. As EE struggled to get free, he felt a sharp pain in his left ankle. He worked until 11/27/06 and went to a local ER. X-rays showed a fractured left fibula.

Employee was opening a set of metal air lock doors he had placed his left hand at the end of the door and was pulling on it to open when the other door started open and caught his fiinger between the doors resulting in some skin beening deprive from his finger.

Employee stated he was moving a piece of draw rock off the rail near company #4-b Belt drive when suddenly another piece of draw rock fell measuring approx 8""x 8""x 0-3"" thick striking him in the lumbar region of the back while he was bent over, causing a bruise in this area.

Employee was in the process of drilling a hole in the roof during roof bolting procedures. Ee placed his hand against the boom of the bolting machine to balance himself preparing to remove the drill steel from drilled hole. Suddenly a piece of draw rock fell measuring approx 1.5'x2'x1""-3"" thick striking him on side of index finger fracturing & lacerating his finger.

The employee was injured while tramming a battery operated scoop. While traming across the section the operator ran over some debris in the roadway causing sudden movement. Shortly afterwards the operator started experiencing lower back pain which continued to worsen over several months. After seeking medical attention on 4/17/07 He was taken off work due to lower back strain.

EE was in the process of changing top structure in a tail piece he was laying on his right side under the tail piece trying to lift the top structure when he felt a sharp pain between his blades.

EE was helping a scoop to cross the track rail he had placed some blocks to where the scoop tires would run up on the so the scoop could not cross the rail, The EE's was standing in the middle of the track rail so he could watch the tires as they cross while crossing the track the scoop caught the rail and pulled it to strike his left leg resulting in a bruise.

EE was driving a rubber tired, battery powered 4-wheeler. It was being operated in the track entry when the accident occurred. During the operation ee veered off the track to one side of the entry when the steering wheel suddenly started spinning. During the spinning process he struck his right hand against the steering knob causing a fracture of the ring finger.

Employee was helping other employees secure a 4"" poly discharge line to the roof. During the lifting process, employee stated he experienced sharp pain in his lower back, and radiating down his right leg. He visited his family Dr. two days later who diagnosed him having lumbar strain.

Employee was operating 4 wheel johnson ride when the front tire struck a piece of rock causing his right hand to be struck by the knob on the steering wheel resulting in a fracture to his right hand. *Upon revisiting his doctor, he began missing work on 8/17/06.

EE began missing work on 7/19/06 due to health problems (heart) while EE was off, he visited another dr. and began treatment in relation to an injury he had on 6/28/06 for which he obtained a full release to return to work on the following day. EE remains off work. Release from heart dr 8/21/06.

EE was in the procee of using a slate pry bar to try and free a stuck portion of an automatic temporary roof support. The employees working on the ATRS attached a chain rachet to the stuck portion to increase the pulling force. While use- ing a slate bar in downward force chain rachet fell causing sudden movement of the ATRS this caused bat to strike EE.

Employee was installing permanent roof support in number 4 heading. He had placed the roof bolt head into the drill pot and started to attempt to raise the boom, when he pushed the rotation lever resulting in a fracture in the right wrist.

Employee was hanging a ventilation curtain when a piece of draw rock fell striking him on the right forearm.

The miner operator was cutting number 2 heading into a worked out area. The scoop operator was pushing material toward a newly created opening. The cutter boom of the miner contacted the bucket of the scoop producing a jolting action resulting in the scoop operator's injury.

EE was attempting to remove a large rock off a bundle of roof bolts he placed his left foot on the front part of the scoop bucket and his right foot next to the bundle of roof bolts as he was starting to lift the rock his left foot slipped causing him to twist and fall on his left knee.

Employee was installing permanent roof supports in 6 right break. He had just installed the outside bolt in the last row & had swung the drill boom head in to install the inside bolt, when a piece of draw rock fell from the rib striking him on the left leg & ankle resulting in a fracture.

EE states he was working on top of silo with 3 others and there was grinding and welding in a small area. EE was taking up grating, when he was hit in the right eye with a foreign object.

EE was walking along the rear of a fletcher roof bolter and was unable to lift his leg was due to preexisting arthritic condition. EE was seen at local hospital & ER. Dr advised EE there was evidence of arthritis in the back of knee area. He is following up with his family DR.

EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING IN THE FRONT AREA OF A BATTERY POWERED RAIL RUNNER MANTRIP WHEN IT JUMPED RAIL CAUSING THE SUDDEN IMPACT OF THE FRAME OF THE MANTRIP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE RAIL. THE SUDDEN JOLT FROM THE IMPACT CAUSED A BACK STRAIN AS HE WAS SITTING IN A CROUCHED POSITION WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

EE STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAND A CONTINUOUS MINER CABLE ON THE COMPANY NO.002 SEC. WHILE PUSHING AGAINST THE CABLE TO SECURE IT AGAINST THE RIB, HIS KNEE HAVE WAY AND THE KNEE CAP WAS OUT OF PLACE. THE EE STATED THAT HE SET THE KNEE CAP BACK INTO PLACE.

EE was in the process of cleaning out the dust box out of roof bolter. EE was on his knee's cleaning out the box when a rib rolled off measuring appro. 51""X56""X6""thick striking him in the head area. The force of the rib roll forced his head into the bolter, causing several cuts to the scalp and facial area. It took several stitches and staples to close wounds.

EE STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO HANG A CONTINUOUS MINER CABLE ON THE COMPANY NO. 002 SEC. WHILE PUSHING AGAINST THE CABLE TO SECURE IT AGAINST THE RIB, HIS KNEE GAVE WAY AND THE KNEECAP WAS OUT OF PLACE. EE STATED THAT HE SET THE KNEECAP BACK INTO PLACE.

EE was assisting a roof bolting machine move from one heading to another by removing the cable ties that held the cable to the mine roof, allowing the operator to take up cable slack while tramming cable reel first. The cable struck the EE in the feet knocking him to the mine floor. He fell on his back and on top of his self-rescuer causing a simple fracture to the lumbar area.

EE felt pain in his lower back when he bent over & pulled the miner cable away from the continuous miner. He went to the local ER, was treated & released, however, he has continued having lower back pain since this injury. On April 27, 2007 he began missing work as a result of pain in his lower back associated with this injury.

EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING ON TOP OF A COAL AGE SCOOP, MODEL 488. THE SCOOP WAS GOING THROUGH A DIP AREA WITH UNEVEN BOTTOM. THE REAR OF THE SCOOP WAS SUDDENLY FORCED CLOSER TO THE ROOF BECAUSE OF THE UNEVEN BOTTOM AND DIP CAUSING EE TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 19"" HIGH CAUSING A FRACTURE OF THE L1 VERTEBRATE.

Employee was removing material off a idle conveyor belt when he suddenly tripped causing him to fall resulting in a hairline fracture of the left wrist.

Employee finished installing a mechanical belt splice on an underground conveyor belt. During the clean-up process of all hand tools he used his right hand to pull the splicing board out from underneath the belt line, mashing his index finger between the board and a rock lying near his work area. Force of impact caused a fracture of the distal joint. No lost time.

Employee was struck by a piece of draw rock on the left side of his face next to his cheek, resulting in a laceration that required 12 sutures to close.

Two EE's had lifted a drill pot and rotation motor together, as they were placing it inside the slope car, one of the EE's finger was mashed between the slope car and drill pot, resulting in a laceration the required 11 sutures to close.

Employee was injured while assisting with the repair of an electrical cable. Using a utility knife to remove the outer jacket of the cable the knife slipped causing a laceration to the left hand which required five sutures to close.

Employee was walking across the section when a small piece of draw rock fell measuring approx 6"" x 6"" x 0 to 1/2"" in thickness striking him on the back of the neck. The impact caused a laceration that required 4 sutures to close. Employee returned to work on his next scheduled shift.

EE was injured during roof bolting procedures. He inserted the drill steel into the drill pot of a dual head roof bolter, raised the boom to start the drilling process. When the drill steel came in contact with the roof a small piece of draw rock fell measuring approx 1' x 1' & 0 to 1"" thick striking him on the forearm causing a laceration that required four sutures to close.

Employee was working in the shop using a sledge hammer to knock out a steel pin. During the hammering process a small piece of metal broke off the pin impelling into his left leg, knee area. The small piece of metal had to be removed and approx. 4 stitches to close the wound. He returned to work on his next scheduled shift.

Employee was working on a section belt line tailpiece when suddenly water started spraying from the end of the 4"" water line lying next to the belt line. While moving suddenly out of the way to keep from getting wet, employee stumbled and struck his right hand against the side of the feeder frame causing a fracture to the ring finger.

Employee was swinging a half header board trying to bust it against the track rail. When striking the rail his finger got mashed between the board & rail, resulting in a fracture & laceration to his middle finger.

EE was adjusting the rocker assembly on the ATRS, when a piece of draw rock fell, striking him on the head, hand and ankle. The draw rock measured 44"" long X 42"" wide X 4.5"" thick. EE was transported to a local ER where he was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and a broken finger on his left hand.

Employee was moving in continuous miner. He placed a rope strap around the miner cable & hooked to the back of the miner boom. As the miner started to move forward he lost his balance & to keep from falling he placed his rt. hand on top of the miner boom as the miner was traveling over an undulation causing the boom to strike the mine roof. This resulted in a fracture to his hand

Employee was in the process of roof bolting procedures, inserting a section of drill steel into the drill pot of a double head bolting machine. Suddenly, a piece of draw rock fell striking him on the left hand causing a fracture of the ring finger between first and second joint and tip of the little finger distal joint.

Employee was installing permanent roof supports. He had finished drilling the hole and had laid his drill steel next to the rib. He finished installing the bolt. As he was reaching to get his drill steel a piece of draw rock fell and struck him on his right wrist.

EE was using a 10 ton lifting jack to raise a lowboy. He had pushed down on the jack bar to make the jack latch, when the lifting jack slipped a tooth and the jack bar came back up and struck him on the forehead, resulting in a laceration that required 6 sutures.

Employee was using a knife to cut a nylon rope hanger down that was holding a roof bolter cable. He placed his right hand on the cable as he cut the rope hanger. The cable jerked causing his left hand to strike his right forearm with the knife resulting in a laceration that required several sutures to close.

Employee was reaching to get a timber that had just been sawed that was laying next too a timber that was in the process of been sawed when the hyd saw that was beening used kicked and nicked him on the left forearm resulting in a laceration that required #7 sutures to close.

Employee was in the process of replacing a cable coupler for a continuous miner. He had placed cable on his right leg in order to skin the cable using a knife when the knife slipped striking his right leg resulting in laceration that required 3 sutures to close.

EE was searching by hand through some coal and gob material for a greasing device that was accidently covered up. While moving material his right hand came in contact with a sharp object which caused a laceration in the palm area. The wound was approx. 1.5 inches in length and re- quired 3 stitches to close.

Employee was in the process of opening the air lock doors at the bottom of slope he had placed his right hand on top of the door and was pulling, when his right hand middle finger rubbed a roof bolt resulting in a laceration that require 5 sutures to close.

The shift foreman walked up to the roof bolter canopy to talk to the roof bolter operators. When he placed his right hand on the edge of the canopy a piece of draw rock fell striking him on the right hand, resulting in a laceration that required several sutures to close.

EE was in the process of installing the emergency escape life line. In the process of moving the battery powered, rubber tired 4 wheeler out of their work area, the front tire came in contact with a 30""x6""x6"" wooden block, causing sudden movement of the tire to one side & spinning of the steering wheel. The steering knob struck ee on the back of the right hand causing a fracture.

Employee was exchanging handtools withanother employee. The tools slipped during exchange resulting in a laceration to left index finger requiring 10 sutures to close.

The employee was standing operating a remote control DBT continuous mining machine with the remote box in his hand. When suddenly a piece of draw rock fell striking him on top of the head knocking his hat off causing a laceration to the back of the head. The wound required 7 staples to close. The employee returned to work the following day.

EE stated that he propped up the steel lid covers of a scoop battery for maintence purposes. EE finished the maintainece work of the batteries and was in the process of lowering by hand the lids into place. While lowering one side of the lid back into place the opposite side battery lid fell striking him on left hand fractured little finger.

Employee was using a pair of 420 channel lock to tighten a fitting when the channel locks slipped and struck him in the mouth resulting in two front teeth being chipped.

Employee was nailing the end of a ventilation control curtain to the rib when a small sharp piece of drawrock fell striking him on the right forearm resulting in a laceration that required 4 sutures to close.

The employee was in the process of moving by hand an electrical receptacle when he slipped and fell to mine floor. During the fall he hit against another electrical receptacle with his right hand causing a laceration to the right thumb. The laceration took 12 stitches to close.

EE was in the process of set timbers along the rib. He had leaned over to remove a rock where the next timber was going to be set, he stood up and was turning around to get another timber, when his right ear caught the end of a curtain board that had been used for ventilation control. Resulted in a laceration that required 6 sutures to close.

Employee was putting a boomjack on a roofbolter. While moving the boomjack in place with his hand, the boomjack rolled mashing his right index finger. Employee went to the hospital and received stitches. He returned to work the next day.

Employee was cutting zip ties off of the leads of a conveyor motor for a miner when he cut his left hand with a utility knife. He received 3 stitches to his hand and returned to work the next day.

Injured and 2 other EE's were in the process of removing a miner cable that was secured to the roof by steel cable hangers. EE positioned himself under the cable attempting to release the steel hangers when suddenly the cable fell, causing the hanger to strike EE on the nose, causing a laceration which required stitches to close.

Employee had stuck the pick end of a pick hammer through a bolt hole in a metal shield that was on top of the continuous miner, to remove the metal shield. After removing shield he decided to try to put the metal shield on top of the continuous miner. The hammer slipped out of the hole & struck him in the upper lip. The resulting puncture wound required 14 sutures to close.

Employees where in the process of moving a roof bolter from #3 entry to #2 entry, as they were tramming the bolter backwards, the cable became fouled where it enters the eye on the cable reel. A cable hanger had been left on the cable & was sticking into the cable. When the employee attempted to remove the hanger he received an electrical shock.

While riding on a Mack 8 that was traveling under a curtain board that was used as ventilation controls, a splinter of wood struck ee's right ear. Rec'd medical attention.

Employee was in the process of making a high volt cable splice. After he had removed the outer cover on the cable, he was pulling his hand along the metal shielding that resulted in laceration to the palm of his left hand that required 6 sutures to close.

EE was installing permanent roof support in 3 left break, when the two piece drill steel that he was using got stuck in the hole. As he was pulling the bottom piece of drill steel out the top piece slid out of the hole & bounced off drill pot of roof bolter stuck his R elbow. Caused small laceration 2 stitches to close.

After drilling into the roof using a two piece drill steel, he lowered the drill boom to retrieve the drill steel. When the drill boom was lowered the top sectioin of the steel folded in the hole and the bottom piece fell to the mine floor. Retrieving the bottom section he stumbled and tried to balance on bolter boom. Drill steel fell out striking back of hand--fracture.

EE stated he was in the process of helping the roof bolter operator assemble roof bolts and place together. He looked up to examine the roof, when a small piece of rock fell striking him on the left side, corner of his mouth. The impact caused EE to bite the inside of his lip on the left side. The wound required 6 sutures to close.

EE WAS USING A PAIR OF 420 CHANNEL LOCKS TO PULL ON A PIECE OF CONVEYOR BELT, WHEN THE CHANNEL LOCKS HE WAS USING SLIPPED OFF THE BELT HE WAS PULLING AND STRUCK HIM IN THE MOUTH, RESULTED IN ONE BROKEN TOOTH AND ONE CHIPPED TOOTH.

Employee was in the process of using a utility knife to cut a piece of conveyor belt. While on his knees, he was pulling the knife with his right hand when the knife slipped and struck his right knee resulting in a laceration that required 3 clamps to close the wound.

EE was in the process of backing up a rubber tied battery operated personnal ride. While backing up the front tire caught the edge of the rib causing steering wheel to suddenly spin. While spinning the steering knob struck EE in the back of the left hand. Causing a simple fracture of one of the small bones in the back of his hand. EE went to hospital.

EE was moving by hand the cable of a DC powered shuttle car. During moving of the cable there was a short of the DC voltage current. The short caused a arching flash which caused a thermal burn to the L hand between the thumb and index finger. EE received first aid treatment for 1st & 2nd degree burn to the left hand and was released.

Employee was in the process of changing out wheel bearing on a underground supply car. The car was turned over on its top inside of the shop floor. He placed the inner bearing on the spindle and placed the wheel on. then while trying to place the outter bearing inside the wheel, the wheel suddenly slid off the spindle. He pull back quickly and cut his finger on sharp bur

Employee was using the umbilical cord to tram the continuous miner, boom first, out of 3 heading towards 3 left break. While negotiating the turn, he was walking outby the continuous miner boom when another employee called to him causing him to be distracted and the continuous miner struck his left foot resulting in a fracture.

EE WAS INSTALLING PERMANENT ROOF SUPPORTS IN #4 RIGHT BREAK. WHILE PUTTING THE FINISHER AND PUSHER DRILL STEELS TOGETHER, A SMALL PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL FROM THE ROOF. THE ROCK STRUCK HIM ON THE RIGHT INDEX FINGER, RESULTING IN A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED 12 SUTURES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

EE WAS INSTALLING PERMANENT ROOF SUPPORTS IN 1 LEFT BREAK. HE INSTALLED THE 1ST ROOF BOLT & WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SWINGING THE DRILL BOOM IN TO INSTALL THE 2ND BOLT, WHEN A PIECE OF SANDSTONE ROCK FELL OFF THE DRILL CANOPY. THE ROCK STRUCK HIM ON HIS RIGHT HAND WHICH WAS RESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE DRILL BOOM, RESULTING IN A SMALL HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN THE BACK OF HIS HAND.

EE was cleaning the scrubber duct on the continuous miner. He has raised the metal lid in order to clean the loose coal when the metal lid closed stiking him on the right hand causing a fracture to the right thumb.

EE was in the process of making a belt converyor splice, while using a utility knife in his right hand to cut the converyor belt, the knife slipped cutting his index finger on this left hand resulting in a laceration that required 9 surtures to close the wound.

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS USING A 9"" BLACK & DECKER HAND GRINDER TO REMOVE SOME EXCESS WELD. DURING THE GRINDING PROCESS A PIECE OF METAL HIT HIM IN THE RIGHT EYE. THE EE WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. EE WENT TO EYE SIGHT MEDICAL CENTER WHERE THE FOREIGN OBJECT WAS REMOVED AND HE RETURNED TO WORK THE SAME DAY.

The employee was drilling a hole to install a 6' bolt with half header. While spinning bolt to mix the glue he was holding onto the half header to keep it from spinning. When the resin was ready to hold against the top to finish the process, he had his finger over top of the header when pressing against the roof causing a fracture of the distal digit, middle finger of right hand.