Highland Mining Company LLCMining Incidents in 2010

At 9:00 pm a roof fall was discovered by an examiner on the Main North Belt Line at XC 38. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

Mine slope car/hoisting system inoperative due to moisture in e-stop connection in middle slave car. Moisture was producing nuisance tripping of e-stop. Found and repaired.

At 1:00 a.m. a roof fall was discovered by an examiner in the Main West Intake at xc 160 between #7 and #8 entries. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

At 2:00 a.m. a roof fall was discovered by an examiner in the old works of old #4 unit in the # 9 entry of #6 panel near the last cut thru from the 5th to 6th panel. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personel.

At 7:22 a.m. a roof fall was discovered by an examiner in the Main East at xc 83 at old 4A header between #5 and #6 entries. The fall measured 18' W X 30' L X 8' H. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personel. The Main East Belt Line was affected.

At 12:45am the hoist was not working properly. At 12:47am EE examined the hoist and changed a battery. At 12:48am EE called MSHA with the information. At 1:22am the hoist was back in operation.

Two roof falls were discovered at 1:30 PM in the 4th Panel North in #1 entry (old works). The first is between XC 2-4 at spad #28+08. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel. MSHA Inspector was inspecting air course at the time of discovery.

Two roof falls were discovered at 1:30 PM in the 4th Panel North in #1 entry (old works). The second is between XC 7-9. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel. MSHA Inspector was inspecting air course at the time of discovery.

A roof fall was discovered at 5:55a.m. on the #1 unit intake 3 crosscuts outby the tail piece in the # 9 entry. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to the ventilation or passage of personnel.

A roof fall was discovered at 2:30 pm off of the Main North Travel Way by an examiner. The fall was located in the #7 crosscut between the #4 and #5 entries. There were no injuries or witnesses. Also no disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

A roof fall was discovered at 10:40am on the main north. The fall was located at x-cut 23 between #5 & #6 entry at spad 16 & 32. The fall was 50'L X 18'W X 8'N. The were no injuries (or witness), or disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

The hoist would not work when called. The hoist was down from 2:15 a.m. to 6:35 a.m. At 2:32 a.m. the warehouse was notified regarding the hoist. At 2:33 a.m. MSHA was called with the information. The hoist was running at 6:35 a.m.

Roof fall - main north at spad #4100, intersection #6 (belt entry) approx 19'wide X 19'long X 9'high

Hoist would not work when called. Power pack went out on hoist and was replaced. The hoist was down from 12:25 am to 1:18 am.

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry at XC50 in the 6th sub panel north then continued thru XC51 for 80'X20'X8' high and included a 20'X20'X8' high part of XC51 between #5 and #6 entries then continued thru #1 entry fo 250'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #4 entry at XC13 in the 6th sub panel north then continued thru #1 entry for 200'X20'X8' high then inby in the #1 entry for 40'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry at XC26 for 40' X 20' X 8' high, then continued thru the #1 entry measuring 260' X 20' X 8' high, then continued inby thru XC29 measuring 240' X 20' X 8' high, also inclued the 3rd cut thru into the 7th panel and XC28 to the edge of #2 entry measuring 130' X 20' X 8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #1 entry of the 6th sub panel north at XC20. The fall measured 180' X 20' X 8' high and continued into the XC thru the #3 entry measuring 160' X 20' X 8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #2 entry at XC14 in the 6th sub panel north then continued thru XC15 for 60'X20'X8' high then thru #1 entry for 60'X20'X8' high then to the outby edge of XC16 for 40'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the 5th cut thru at XC44 in the 5th sub panel north at the edge of #1 entry for 100'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #9 entry of the 7th sub panel north at XC18. The fall measured 60' X 20' X 8' high and continued into the XC 10' X 20' X 8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #2 entry at XC44 in the 5th sub panel north and continues thru the #1 entry then inby to the outby edge of XC27 for a total of 120'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #3 entry at XC43 of the 6th sub panel north thru the #1 entry then inby thru XC44 for 200'X20'X8' high, then continued thru the 4th cut thru into the 7th panel n the #9 entry for 100'X20'X8' high then inby thru XC47 for 200'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry at XC10 in the 6th sub panel north in the intersection for 25'X25'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #1 entry of the 6th sub panel north at XC53 and continued thru XC55 for 160'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #2 entry at XC32 in the 6th sub panel north then continued thru XC35 for 210'X20'X8' high then thru #1 entry for 60'X20'X8' high then to the outby edge of XC36 for 30'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry at XC47 in the 6th sub panel north then continued half way into #3 entry for 80'X20'X8' high then continued inby #4 entry for 40'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall occurred in the 6th cut thru at XC52 in the 6th sub panel north, at the edge of #1 entry for 40'X20'X8' high.

A roof fall was discovered at 2:20am in an old panel by an examiner. The fall was located in the # 5 entry of the old 3T panel. The fall was located between cross cuts 64-65. There were no injuries (or witnesses) or disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

A roof fall was discvoered at 12:46 AM in an old panel by an examiner. The fall was located in the #5 entry of the 2nd Subpanel No. off of the 4th Panel No. - Old #4 Unit. The fall was located between spads 28+76 & 29+23 (47' L X 18' W X 8.5' H). There were no injuries (or witnesses), or disruptions to ventilation or passage of personnel.

A roof fall occured int he No. 7 entry of the 2nd subpanel north off the 4th panel north. The fall is located at x-cut 40 spad 20 + 32 approx. 10' high x 20' wide x 30' long. The were no injuries, withesses or disruption to ventilation.

A roof fall occurred in the neutral entry of the main North at X-Cut 37. No injuries or disruptions to ventilation. The fall was approx. 20' long X 8' high X 20' wide. Fall was at Spad 26+40 X-Cut 37 on Main North.

A roof fall occurred on the 6th Panel NOrth off 3B. The fall was approx 8' high, 20' wide and 100' long. The spad location is 20+16 and 20+88.

The brakecar was frozen to the track and the slack in the rope after the brakecar was sent in. This shut the hoist down at the top of the track slope. The hoist was down from 3:50a.m. until MSHA released the trip at 8:30a.m.

Stated: While reclaiming belt rollers (48"" top), was pitching roller on top of pile and felt a pop in his right shoulder. He had been loading rollers for approximately two hours.

Stated: The employee was moving the bolter cable while the bolter operator was backing the machine up. The operator turned on the cable reel, jerking the cable out of his hand and causing pain in his shoulder. He bolted 10 places and finished his shift. Medical evaluations show tendinopathy and joint separation.

Stated: EE was cleaning off #17 roof bolter. The top lids were slid off to the side. He was trying to push the lids back onto the top & into place. While pushing on one of the lids, he strained his right knee. He finished his shift & worked a complete shift on 9/21. He works 4 days per week.

Employee was installing roof bolts in the #7 entry of unit #4. As he was raising the boom, he lost his balance. He placed his left hand on the boom to steady himself and continued the upward movement with the boom. His ring finger of his left hand was caught between a bolt head used to adjust the canopy post and the boom, slicing the fingernail off the top of the finger.

EE drilled a bolt hole to the depth of the 1st drill steel & then joined the 2nd steel to the 1st one. He raised the bolter's boom to meet the lower end of the 2nd steel. He did not have the lower end of the 2nd steel completely engaged in the chuck. As he raised the boom further, the steel sprung laterally striking his right thumb causing a laceration.

Stated that he was walking beside his parked scoop when he stepped onto a piece of round rock. The size of the rock was between a golf ball and a tennis ball. Stepped onto the rock with the arch area of his right foot. Caused immediate pain on the bottom of his foot and has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. His 1st work day missed was 7/14/10.

The employee stepped down off a 4 foot ledge onto loose rock. The rock scooted out from under his foot causing him to twist his knee. The injury occurred in June. He has had steroid injections and physical therapy with continued swelling. He has not missed any work. An MRI revealed a medial meniscus tear which he had repaired on 10/28/2010, which was his first day missed.

EE stated he and 6 other EE's were reclaiming a belt structure. The EE bent down to remove the roller off of the chain that was securing the load and a co-worker dropped a belt side rail onto his left thumb. This caused a fracture to his left thumb, EE was wearing gloves at the time of the incident.

EE stated that he was roofbolting in #6 entry, and was partially under the canopy when he was struck by a piece of rock (2'X 3'X 2"". The rock struck the canopy then rolled off the edge of the canopy. EE had neck pain and tingling in his left hand. EE RTW on hi snext shift,but began missing on 5/25/10.

EE stated: He was shoveling in the area near the 3B header/3A tailpiece. He attempted to use his shovel to pick up 1/2 of a kettlebottom that he estimated at a weight of 10 lbs. He said that the floor area was wet and he slipped and fell onto one knee. This caused pain in his lower back on the right side. He stated that he picked the rock up by hand afterwards.

EE had been removing concrete blocks from a brattice in order to create a regulator opening. He was using a sledge hammer to remove blocks. He removed his hard hat to wipe perspiration from head/face. While wiping his face, a piece of roof rock struck him on top of his head. He doesn't know how big it was. Received cut on top of head, needed 4 staples. EE missed 4 days.

Went in early on this day. Walking across the section to see what areas needed cleaning. Walked in the crosscut between #2 & #3 entries, he stepped across a rut in the floor made by a scoop tire and hyper-extended right knee. Continued working and did not seek medical attention until 3/26/10 on scheduled day off. Saw dr. due to pain, 1st day missed was 3/29/10.

Employee stated: He was standing at the side tram controls of his roof bolter, when he was struck by a piece of roof rock. The rock pushed him down and his lower left leg was caught beneath the rock - fracture to left ankle. His first scheduled work day missed is 3/12/2010.

EE stated that he and a co-worker were driving rivets into a belt using a spicing machine. They were using hammers to drive the rivets and were both kneeling on the ground at the same side of the spicer. The injured EE had a muscle cramp that made him move forward placing his hand on top of a rivet that was being driven. EE's left ring finger was struck by the co-workers hammer.

EE stated that he was roof bolting in #9 entry where some loose shale was on the ground. He was installing the second row of bolts in this working place. He was walking towards the rear of the bolter when he stepped into a hole in the ground. EE cont. working until 3/5/10. EE stated he went to Dr. on 3/5/10 and was diag. with knee strain. He began missing 3/5/10.

EE had been operating the miner & a piece of roof rock (approx 5'L x 3 1/2'W x 6"" thick) was on top of the machine. The rock was on the miner overhanging slightly over the right side. He backed the miner up under supported roof to the left side of the entry to remove the rock. As he approached the mid-point of the miner, the rock slid off on its own striking his left foot.

Stated: He had walked to his personal vehicle in the parking lot to get in after the end of his shift. As he started to get into his vehicle, his foot slipped on snow/ice and he landed on his right leg/hip. He has been diagnosed with lumbar and right hip contusions. He started missing scheduled work days on 2/17/10.

Helping coworkers assemble FCT. Had been lifting conveyor flights across to a coworker as part of the assembly when he experienced pain to his low back region. Did not recall one specific flight that caused his pain, thinks repetition may have caused the muscle strain. Contacted the mine the following morning he was going to family Dr. his 1st day missed was 2/17/10.

EE stated that he was walking down the slope belt deck in order to examine the slope belt while carrying his lunch bucket. He said he stepped on some black ice in the walkway at about 7:00 down from the top of the slope causing his feet to slide out from beneath him, and he landed on his hips and lower back, Missing scheduled days on 2/9/10.

Attempting to lower batter off of joy ram car, he failed to have car properly positioned. Car was titled and battery slid off the rear of car. This allowed the car to bounce causing his head to strike against the canopy of the car. On the following Monday, on the 2nd shift at mid shift stated his neck was sore and he wanted to be taken from the mine.

EE reported: During the normal work shift, when bending at his waist a sharp pain was experienced to his lower back region. He had been regularly receiving chiropractor treatment for low back pain for 6 months prior to the date of the alleged event. RTW on 2/1/10, on 3/16/10 having same problem. Began missing again on 3/17/10.

After helping coworkers hand high voltage cable, pain was experienced to low back region. Contacted the mine on 1/20/10 and reported the incident. This was the initial date the mine was aware of the event. The investigation determined he was under a doctor's care and being treated for a muscle strain.

Employee was standing 5' from the head of the miner while the operator was changing bits. He was struck in the chest by a piece of metal. He was wearing a Kevlar collar, it went thru the collar. He was taken to the ER where they were unsuccessful in removing the sliver. He went to another doctor on 11/26/2010 where they removed the metal. Sutures were required. No work missed.

Stated: The employee was installing a roof bolt. The roof bolt plate had a curtain hook on it. He was holding the plate to keep the hook on the correct side of the plate while keeping upward pressure on his boom. He mashed his finger between the plate and the roof.

Employee stated: He was installing 8' bolts for the refuge chamber. He had drilled his first steel and left it in the roof. He put his second steel in the pot. They did not line up. He was pulling on the bottom steel when it slipped, hitting the index finger on his right hand, which was holding the top steel in the roof.

Stated: Employee was operating continuous miner. He looked over his left shoulder to check his clearance as he backed out of a cut. When he looked back, a rock 1'X 1'X 1"" thick fell from the roof onto his right hand, pinning it on the remote box.

Stated: Employee was cutting high voltage guarding with a utility knife when the knife slipped causing a laceration to his right knee. He was holding the guarding down across his right leg.

Stated: Employee was operating a continuous miner. After finishing the cut, he backed the miner up with the cutting edge engaged to trim the roof. While doing this, a piece of material struck him on the right cheek. The object material is unknown by the injured or the supervisor. He received a laceration on the right cheek requiring 5 sutures.

Stated: Employee was tramming a ram car down #9 entry (#5 unit) & hit a hole in the road and his hard hat struck against the canopy. He felt pain in the right side of neck. He was treated by a chiropractor April 30, 2010 for neck pain and did not miss any scheduled work.

EE stated that he was roof bolting #4 unit. As he started the drill steel against the roof, a small piece of rock )approx. 2"" diameter and thin) was slung back by the rotation of the drill steel and it struck him between the upper lip and nose. He received 3 sutures and returned to work on his next scheduled shift.

He was cutting a piece of ventilation curtain off of a roll. He was standing bent over holding the curtain and pushing down on the knife. The blade met resistance at the overlapping curtain seem and he jerked the blade and cut the outside of his right shin. He was pushing down on the knife and his right leg leg was in close proximity.

Employee had an MRI performed on 7/12/2010 revealing degenerative disc changes in the cervical spine area. He continued working (including through the vacation period) until 7/14/2010, when he began missing work. He is being evaluated for physical therapy and referred to a neurosurgeon for evaluation. This is a report of illness.

He had been roof bolting in the 2L crosscut. He had drilled the hole for the rib bolt and was bending a bolt between his top tray for steels and the bottom of the tray for roof bolts. While bending the bolt he said he felt pain in his right elbow. He was diagnosed with tendonitis, an illness. He missed 1 scheduled work day.