ICG Beckley LLCMining Incidents in 2008

An unplanned roof fall occurred on the 002-0 MMU in the #8 entry one crosscut inby Spad # 960. The fall occurred in an intersection. The fall measured approximately 40'W x 25'L x 8'H.

After evening shift went down at the start of their shift, the elevator went down and electricians went to work on the problem right away. It was discovered that the governor rope needed to be tightened up. Noone was on the elevator at this time, back up and running at 1745.

The switch on the elevator brake was out of adjustment, chief electrician was called in from home and it tool some time for him to get to mine site.. The elevator was operantional at 0145 on 12/5/08.

The resistor for the elevator brakes was open. Had to order parts. No one was on the elevator at this time, corrective action, resistor was ordered as well as spares. Elevator was opertional around 9:00 AM on 12/3/08.

Elevator stopped working at 8:30 pm. Discovered the governor cable had come off of shieve wheel. Lakeshore representative was called in to install a new cable. The elevator was back in service around 6:00 pm on 10/23/08.

While transporting a Wallace 14 man diesel mantrip (on the flatcar) to the slope bottom, the hoist rope broke allowing the brake car, supply car & diesel mantrip to crash into the rib & destroy all 3 pieces of equipment.

Lakeshore representatives were called in & figured out a slow down switch had to be replaced. Elevator was operational around 6:00 p.m. on this date.

Evening shift was preparing to go underground after a safety meeting and the elevator would not return to the surface from shaft bottom. Maintenance personnel had to adjust the normal stop sensor on the bottom of the elevator car. No one was in the elevator at the time of the incident.

Upon daily inspection of the elevator, it was noticed that one wheel of the guide roller assembly was damaged. The elevator was immediately taken out of service and both agencies were notified. Federal Kemper Rep. stated that the reason for the damaged wheel was a result of being ""too tight."" Repairs were made and elevator was put back in service at 1:10 pm.

1 cc inby spad 243 on north east mains, #7 entry fell in for app. 70' & 7 rt fell in for app 15', (7rt was in 1 cut and not bolted). The intersection of #7 did not fall. Additional support had been installed. Both approaches to the fall area have been breakered off crib blocks.

Lifting swivel from 321 excavator. Umbilicas Hernia, lifting. Light duty for 2 weeks, no lifting.

Employee was at the discharge chute of the raw coal screen removing trash from the grizzley when he observed a feeder flight coming across the raw coal screen. He tried to catch the flight to keep it from going into the heavy media vessel. The flight was too heavy and caused a pain in his left elbow.

Employee was installing a roof bolt in 2LT x-cut. When he pushed the bolt up a piece of rock was dislodged from the top(measuring 16"" long, 8"" wide & 6"" thick tapering to a point)& hit him in the face lacerating his upper lip (left side) & breaking one of his teeth. The injury required 12 stitches to close.

EE was operating a scoop, ran over a rock in the road way and EE struck his head and shoulders on underside of canopy. Accident occurred in #5 entry between spad 279 and 286 along roadway on 1st right.

A rock fell from between bolts and scraped down injured's back. Examined by ER and no treatment given. Injured was unable to RTW next scheduled shift due to ER Dr.'s refusal to grant full release to RTW and injured being unable to see family physician (who granted full release to RTW) until 2 days later.

Employee was operating miner in 5 rt x-cut when a coal hauler struck employee on the right ankle. Employee was treated & released to return to work. He experienced continued pain & swelling. Follow up visit with specialist on 10/20/08 revealed torn tendon in foot. This became lost time & reportable on 10/20/08.

Roof bolt got fouled in top, upon dislodging bolt EE accidentally hit rotation which spun bolt casusing bolt to strike EE on the right forearm. EE right forearm was fractured.

EE was removing a block from a return stopping at spad 573 to install a mandoor. A block fell from the top row of the stopping catching the EE's left jand between the falling block and the lower layer. The block fell approx. 30"".

EE was assisting in building a crib to support 8' water line at #6 belt head in order for equipment to pass under this area. EE stepped in a hole, lost his footing and fell to the ground striking his head in a crib block. This resulted in a laceration above hie left eye brow, requiring 5 stiches to close the wound.

Employee was operating miner in #5 Rt crosscut. Rib rolled from face of #5 entry (which was flush) behing the blowing line curtain, striking employee on left knee and upper leg. X-rays were negative, but employee was referred to specialist. He was off work awaiting specialist visit. Examined by specialist and placed off work on 8/26/08. (knee)

Injured employee was unaware that the bit & insert had come off of drill steel & lodged in hole. As he shoved bolt into hole, it stopped abruptly when the bolt hit the bit & insert. Employee felt severe pain in lower back.

Two belt rollers came out of the belt line and got jammed in the belt. Belt was locked out. EE pulled out one of the rollers causing the other to fall. It struck his left hand, fracturing his fifth finger.

Employee stated he ran over a rock in the roadway causing the coal hauler to bounce. His hat bounced off and then he struck his head on the underside of the hauler canopy.

Employee stated he was plastering a stopping when some of the liquid from the plater shot out from his gloves, went over top of his glasses and landed in his right eye

EE (along with 2 other men) was hanging miner cable. Conditions were muddy and the cable was pulled tight. When EE raised cable over his head, he felt his back ""shift"". Initial diagnosis is slipped disk in lower back.

Employee had just finished bolting. He was preparing to move up to a new place. He went back to get a drink of coke when a piece of rib rolled out and hit his right leg just behind the knee.

EE was dropping miner cable from dual hook nylon hangers. When he released one side of the hanger, the weight of the cable caused the free end of the hanger to spin around the cable and strike the EE in the mouth, breaking one of his teeth. Accident occurred in #3 intersection, north mains section.

Employee was leaned over talking to his foreman (who was in a vehicle). When employee straightened up, he stated he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. The employee has not missed any work. After a follow-up visit with his physician, it was recommended that the employee start physicial therapy on Monday 11-10-08.

Injured was scaling mine roof, while doing so another rock fell and struck EE's little finger. Tip of finger was lacerated and required 6 stitches.

EE stated he was attempting to close airlock doors leading to 1st right section. As he was closing right door and holding it to prevent slamming, left door closed unexpectedly, pinning left arm between doors. X-rays negative. Follow up visit with different dr on 3/18/08. 2nd X-rays negative also, but was prescribed therapy, but is clear to work.

Injured was walking through curtain when a pogo stick became dislodged and struck him in upper lip required one stitch to close. Originally reported electrically on 1-8-08, but does not appear on MSHA web-site. refiling now for that reason