Excel Mining, LLC.Mining Incidents in 2007

on 11-16-07, around 6:30 am a roof fall was discoved at number 9 break on number 1 belt line. The fall measure 4'x18'x18'. no injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered on Break 27 on Number 1 belt, in the neutral between the track and belt entries. The area has been cribbed, timbered and dangered off. This fall will not be cleaned up. The fall measured 6' high x 20' wide and 30' long. No injuries were reported as a result of this roof fall. This fall was discovered on 10/15/07.

Changed starter on the emergency hoist motor.

A roof fall was discovered at break 43 on 3a belt line. The estimated size of the roof fall is approx. 6' high by 20' wide and 25' long. no injury where reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered by a mine examiner. The fall was located at the number four seal of the L2 of the set seals. The fall measured approx 40"" thick X 20' wide and 10' long. No injuries wer reported as a result of this roof fall.

A roof fall was discovered on Break 47 on #3 belt, right return. Time and date roof fell is unknown. Fall measured 8' high X 18' wide X 30' long. All sides have been timbered off. The fall will not be cleaned up and no injuries were reported as a result of this fall. Ventilation and travel in this mine has not been affected.

A roof fall was discovered at the #2 seal of the third south set of mine seals. The fall measured approx 15'h x 20'by 30'. No injuries resulted from this fall. The time of accident is listed as the start of the shift.

Injured employee was in the process of placing his body inside the battery powered scoop compartment. He placed his hands on top of the scoop canopy and was pulling his body inside the scoop deck when he experienced pain in his right shoulder.

Employee stepped into a hole in the mine floor and twisted his right ankle as he was getting off a rubber tired 4 wheeler.

While attempting to get a supply motor back onto the rail after it had de-railed, employee was struck on the left foot by the track motor resulting in 4 broken bones.

Employee was in the process of supporting the continuous miner cable from the mine roof when he felt his left shoulder pop. He was transported to a local emergency room where he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. The amount of time he will be away from work has not been determined at this time.

Injury ee was attempting to hang the continuous miner cable by himself, when he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. He was seen by the local emergency room physcian and removed from work.

EE was operation a shuttle car in an area where the continuous miner cable was supported from the mine roof. He turned a curve the mine cable was jerked loose from the mine roof, falling onto the operation deck of the shuttle car. The cable struck him on the neck and shoulders. He was transported to a local E.R. where he was told not to return to work.

Injury ee was walking around the front of the section feeder when he stepped on some loose coal causing him to loose his balance and fall on his right foot, he was seen by his family dr and removed from work 11-13-07.

Injured employee and another employee where in the process of hanging the continuous miner cable and water line when injured employee felt a sharp pain in his lower back. He was seen by a local ER physician and removed from work.

Injured EE was in the process of getting ready to install permanent roof supports in #6 heading. While in the process of placing the plate over the resin rod and tossing them toward the front of the roof bolter, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Injured EE was seen by the local ER physician and removed from work.

Employee was sitting against the coal rib watching the roof bolter operator tram the machine backward when the machine jerked toward him grazing his left knee. A sharp piece of steel on the machine made a laceration on the top of his knee that required numerous stitches.

Employee was building a brattice. When he put a concrete block against the rib completing a course a concrete block from the course above fell striking his right pointer finger resulting in a fracture and a laceration that required several stitches to close.

On 11-21-07 employee brought to the attention of the Safety Dept. he had missed a day of work due to a work-related injury he received 10-27-07. He was struck by a piece of draw rock while bolting top. He finished his shift, went to a local E.R. the next day (Sunday) and was instructed by the E.R. physician to take the next day off work.

Employee was sitting on his knees on the mine floor, when he stood up he struck his right elbow on mine roof cap coal resulting in a laceration.

EE was holding an air lock door open until a scoop trammed past. When the rear tire of the scoop rolled past the door it struck the metal door pushing it upward. This upward movement of the door pinned his hand against the top causing 3 of his fingers to be fractured & 2 received lacerations. He was taken to a local hospital, examined & transferred to another hospital for surgery.

Injured employee was installing the last row of permanent roof bolts in the 3 heading. As he was inserting the roof bolt into the hole he was applying pressure with his hands to push up on the roof bolt, while doing this he felt a sharp pain in his lower back.

Injured employee was helping two other employees pull a continuous miner cable along the rib when he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Employee was seen in a local ER and was released to his family doctor's care. Employee is currently awaiting the results of an MRI scan. He has received no medical tratment to date.

While hauling seal supplies the deck of the scoop struck a loose coal rib causing the rib to fall striking ee on the left side of his head (jaw). He was transported to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with bruising to the left side of the head. EE was placed off work over the concern of infection. He has a follow up appointment on October 31, 2007.

Injured employee was positioned at the end of the line curtain in no. 3 heading when he stepped into the path of a shuttle car that was in the process of backing up, pinning him between rib and shuttle car, resulting in a contusion and laceeration to his left leg.

Injured employee was standing next to the section power center. Injured employee stated that he stepped forward with his right foot placing his weight on his left foot when he heard something pop in his left knee.

Injured employee was operating battery powered scoop when the front tire struck a pothole in the mine floor causing his head to strike canopy of machine. He was seen in local ER & issued full release to return to work. Later visited family dr for follow up where MRI was ordered. After reviewing the results of the MRI the family dr. ordered regimen of physical therapy.

While riding to the section, Employee was struck by a piece of draw rock. He was transported to a local hospital where he was examined, released and returned to work but was scheduled to see a specialist. On Tues. 9/17/2007 he was diagnosed with a broken collar bone and is scheduled to be off work for four to six weeks.

Injured EE was bending a 6' resin grouted roof bolt to install, when he felt a sharp pain in his groin area.

On August 29, 2007 Employee was hanging a continuous miner cable when he felt a pain in his lower back. On 9/17/2007 he informed the mine superintendent he will be off until 10/25/07.

While installing roof support, EE activted the rotation lever when a roof bolt bent as he was pushing it into the top, resulting in a laceration to his wrist and palm that requires several stitches to close.

Injured employee was positioned in number 7 intersection when a piece of draw rock fell striking his left foot. Injured employee was examined at the local emergency room and released to return to work. Employee was seen by his family doctor on 8-9-07 and was removed from work at this time.

Employee stated that he was assisting in replacing a 6"" pipe. He stepped on a piece of angle iron which bent and his foot slipped. This resulted in his foot going between two pipes, causing a possible strain to his lower back and right thigh. Did not start missing work until 7/30/07. Doctor has him off work pending an MRI.

Employee was struck by a piece of draw rock while checking supplies on a roof bolter. He was transported to a local ER where x-rays and a CAT scan indicated he has a compression fracture of a vertebrae in the lumbar area of his back. He was released and is scheduled to begin physical therapy. He is expected to return to work in 4 to 6 weeks.

While installing roof support employee activated the lever by mistake causing the roof bolt to bend striking him on the right thumb. X-rays indicated no broken bones. Employee released to return to work. Pain persisted and employee went to another ER where a 2nd x-ray indicated a broke bone in right thumb. EE scheduled to have a cast put on and began missing work July 16, 2007.

While cleaning a break, employee injured his neck & shoulder when the front tire of scoop he was operating ran over a steel jack.

Two employees were using pry bars installing a rail onto a series of track ties. When force was applied to the rail, the pry bar slipped out of one employee's hands causing the weight of the rail to shift onto the bar the other was using, causing the bar to slip out of his hand striking him on the right foot. X-ray showed no broken bones. He began missing work 7/9/07.

Employee was unloading rail from a supply car when the bar he was using slipped causing him to fall, twisting his left knee in the process. He began missing work on July 9, 2007.

Employee was installing a ventilation curtain when he felt a burning pain in his right groin. EE was examined by a physician and diagnosed with a hernia. Employee worked until August 7, 2007 when he under went surgery to repair hernia.

Employee was injured when a battery powered scoop came into contact with his foot. EE later complained of lower back pain & and independent medical exam was requested. On 7/17/07 a medical dr., stated it was reasonable to relate the back pain to the incident.

EE was injured while handling material performing roof bolter duties. During the drilling process of bolt installation He drilled approx. 6 ft deep hole & attmpted adding a middle section of drill steel when the all ready inserted top section of drill steel fell striking him on the left hand. Impact from the drill steel caused fracture to the left hand and little finger.

EE was installing a set of air lock doors. While walking over to check a brace he walked past a rubber tired four wheel personnel carrier that was sitting on a slight incline. While in front of the four wheeler, the operator released the brake which allowed the four wheeler to roll forward, striking ee on the right leg.

Employee stated after hanging continuous miner cable to the mine roof he went back to operating a joy shuttle car when he started experiecing lower back pain. He was seen at a local area emergency room and was released to full duty. His back pain continue to worsen until he went back to the hospital to seek medical attention on 4/2/07.

Injured employee was helping two others hang a continuous miner cable. They had started lifting the cable and had placed one rope hanger on the cable to hold it up. One employee pulled on the cable causing the rope hanger to slip resulting in the cable falling on the injured employee striking his neck and shoulder. He was seen by his doctor and continued to work until 7-9-07.

Employee was injured while opening a set of steel air lock doors. He opened one door & went on the back side of the other door to open it. While he was pushing on the 2nd door the 1st door blew shut against the 2nd door. His fingers were caught between the two doors during the impact of the doors. The impact caused fractures of the index and middle finger on the left hand.

Employee was cleaning around an underground conveyor belt drive when he slipped and fell, twisting his right knee. He did not receive medical attention until 3/4/07 when he visited the local E.R. where x-rays were performed but did not show any damage. He was advised to follow up with his family physician and was taken off work for further testing.

Employee was installing permanent roof support in #7 heading. He had drilled the hole for the roof bolt & was sliding the drill pot back in order to have room to install the roof bolt into the hole, when he was struck by a piece of draw rock on his right hand resulting in a fracture to his first finger on his hand.

Employee was helping to unload parts to repair a shuttle car when a roller shaft slipped out of the packing tube and struck him on the right hand resulting in a fracture to his pointer finger.

Employee was changing the brake pads on a rubber tired 4 wheel mantrip when the wrench he was using slipped causing his right hand to be cut by the brake rotor. Seven stitches were required to close the laceration.

EE stated that he was helping break down hydraulic hoses to relocate them from along the floor to the wall. They had bleed the pressure off the accumulator and thought there was no pressure on the closed side. One hose had some pressure on it and a fine mist of hydraulic oil got in his eyes. He went to the dr 11/23 but did not report dr visit until 12/12/07. No lost time.

Injured employee and a fellow employee were engaged in horse play. As a result of horse play, injured employee received a laceration to his right forearm requiring several sutures to close. Horse play is a violation of company policy. Both employees have been terminated.

Two employees were in the process of making a belt splice. The injured employee placed his hand on top of the nail plunger to move it, when the other employee swung the hammer striking injured employee's right hand, resulting in a fracture to the index finger.

Injured EE was operating a battery power scoop that was pushing on the high line sled assisting another battery power scoop that was pulling the section power center to maneuver a turn, when the injured EE scoop front tire ran over a 1 1/4"" water line. This resulted in the water line striking his right eye, resulting in a fracture to his eye socket.

Injured employee was removing drill steel from the drilled hole, when a small piece of draw rock struck him on his cheek, resulting in a laceration that required 4 sutures to close.

EE was installing roof support when a piece of draw rock fell striking the rotating drill pot causing a small piece of rock to be thrown striking him over the right eye resulting in a laceration that required two stitches to close.

Injured employee was using a utility knife, cutting a piece of conveyor belt when the knife slipped and struck his right leg resulting in a laceration that required 4 sutures to close.

Injured employee was using a utility knife, cutting a plastic bucket, when the knife that he was using struck his left hand resulting in a laceration that required 6 sutures to close.

Injured employee was using a lifting jack. While applying pressure to the jack bar his hands slipped on the bar resulting in the bar striking his chin causing a laceration that required 6 sutures to close.

Injured employee was positioned at the inch tram on a roof bolter. He had placed his left hand on top of the machine when a piece of draw rock fell striking his hand resulting in a laceration that required several sutures to close.

EE slipped and fall, striking his right on an open utility knife that was he had laid on the tail piece where he was working. The laceration required two stitches to close. NOTE: the knowledge that he had received two stitches was not brought to the attention of the Safety dept. until 11-19-07

While removing a rub rail from a continuous miner, employee got his left hand caught between the rub rail and the tram controller resulting in a fracture to the left middle finger.

Employee was helping to unroll a roll of 2"" poly pipe. When they got to the end of the roll of pipe the end broke and struck the employee across the right ear causing a laceration. Sutures were required to close the laceration.

This form is being submitted so citation 6644419 can be terminated. Management has conducted an investigation into this alleged event, conferred with medical professionals, and determined no reportable injury occurred.

EE was installing permanet roof supports in number 3 left break. He had swung the drill boom out, and was in process of placing starter drill steel into drill pot, when he was struck by piece of draw rock on his left elbow. Resulting in small fracture.

Employee was installing permanent roof supports in number 4 heading. He claims that a piece of draw rock fell and struck him on the head, causing him to momentarily lose consciousness. Height of area where rock fell measured 60"". Rock measured 18"" x 16"" and 1/2 thick.

EE stated that he was helping cut out steel beams. He had taken off his safety glasses to wipe his face & got something in his eye. We didn't know that he went to the doctor until dr's billing came over 2 weeks later. He stated that his eye had continued to irritate him so he went to the E.R. a couple of days later & they removed a particle from his eye & prescribed medication.

Employee was working on a brattice. He had removed some blocks in the middle of the brattice to install a man door. As he was picking up the blocks that he had removed he placed his left hand on the brattice when a block fell from the row above and struck him on his left hand resulting a laceration to his middle finger. Requiring 2 sutures.

While making a convyer belt splice, EE received a laceration that required 3 sutures to close.

EE was removing a roof bolt from the supply tray, when his right forearm came into contact with a sharp object, resulting in a laceration that required several sutures to close.

Employee was operating a supply motor attempting to pull a derailed supply car back onto the tracks. The chain attached to the supply motor and supply car broke, flew back into the operator's compartment striking his forehead causing a laceration requiring several stiches to close.

Employee was supporting a shuttle car anchor from the mine roof when he was struck on the right hand by a piece of draw rock, resulting in a laceration requiring several stitches to close.

Employee was injured while recovering 4"" plastic water line that was partially suspended from the mine roof. When the coupling was taken off the water line, the suspended joint suddenly moved upward striking the employee over the right eye causing a laceration that required 15 sutures to close.

EE was installing 5' fully grouted resin bolts at time of injury. After inserting the resin & roof bolt into the drilled hole he pushed the bolt toward the roof using the boom of the bolting machine. The head of the bolt wasn't fully inserted into the drill chuck when he engaged the rotation of the pot, the bolt was suddenly thrown to one side striking & fracturing his right thumb.

Injured employee was reaching to remove a feeder flight that was lying between a portapower and slope belt brake. Another employee released the pressure on the portapower causing the feeder flight to fall, strike the injured employee on his right hand and left foot, resulting in fractures to his hand and foot.

Injured employee was positioned on the right side of the roof bolting machine when the operator moved the machine backwards, injured employee did not reposition himself, resulting in the right front tire rolling over his left foot.

Employee was standing observing a continuous miner cutting a head hole for a belt conveyor belt when he was struck by a piece of draw rock that fell from the rib to the 1st roof bolt next to the rib, resulting in a contusion to the left side of his head.

Employee was exposed to welding and/or cutting flashes throughout the day. Time of accident reflects the end of his work shift.

Two employees were lowering a belt stand on 5b belt head. One employee was adjusting the chain that holds the belt stand when the pry bar being used to raise the stand slipped resulting in a laceration requiring 5 sutures to close.

Two employees were loading pin supplies on a roof bolter. One of the employees tossed a bundle of roof plates that bounced off the roof bolter and struck the other employee on his left forearm, resulting in a laceration that required sutures to close.

EE noticed pain in his wrist while installing permanent roof supports. He was seen in a local ER and later by a family physican. He received a full release to RTW. His pain continued, so he sought the advice of an orthopedic surgeon, where he was diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome.

The above date indicates the day that the employee went off work for surgery to both wrist. His physician contributes the carpal tunnel condition to the repeated movement of his wrist from years of using hand and other tools as a machinec and electrican.

Injured EE was positioned next to a fellow EE that was using a sledge hammer to strike a feeder flight link. A piece of metal came off the sledge hammer striking the injured employee in the left thumb. The injured employee was seen by local emergency room physician to remove the piece of metal. No sutures were required.