Independence Coal Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2002

A UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED BETWEEN 6 & 7 HEADGATE IN THE #2 ENTRY AT SPAD #8. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 20' WIDE AND 400' LONG WITH AN UNKNOWN HEIGHT.

THE ELEVATOR WAS DOWN AT THE JUSTICE MINE FROM 3:15 AM 8-30-02 TO 12:15 AM 8-31-02. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DRIVE CIRCUIT THAT SENDS POWER TO THE MAIN MOTOR WENT DOWN.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE INTAKE ONE BREAK INBY SPAD #0453 ON #4 BELT. THE FALL MEASURES APPROX 25'LONG, 20'WIDE & 8'HIGH. THE AREA WAS SUPPORTED BY 6' TORQUE TENSION BOLTS & CRIB S ARE BUILT UP TO FALL AREA. THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF PRE-EXISTING FALL. VENTILATION IS NOT AFFECTED. ADDITIONAL ROOF SUPPORT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THIS AREA.

ON JUNE 20, 2002 AT 8:35PM, 2 MEN WERE TRAPPED IN THE VERTICAL SHAFT ELEVATOR FOR APPROX.75MIN.WHEN THE ROPE BREAK HYDRAULIC PUMP LEAKED OIL OUT OF RESIVIOUR AND SET THE SAFETY BRAKES.

THE ELEVATOR AT THE JUSTICE MINE WAS DOWN FROM 11PM TO APPROX. 12:20AM ON 6/14/02 DUE TO THE LOWER LIMIT SWITCH TIPS GETTING STUCK IN THE PIT.

THE ELEVATOR WAS DOWN FROM 4:15 P.M. TO APPROX. 6:10 P.M. DUE TO A BAD DOOR SWITCH THAT WAS GROUNDED AND THE EMERGENCY STOP WAS GROUNDED.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE LONGWALL TAIL AT BREAK #61 IN-LINE WITH THE FACE. THE FALL MEASURED 20'X 20'X 5'. AREA WAS 10"" PROP SETTERS & 2 4PT. CRIBS.

UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON LONGWALL #1 ENTRY SPAD #69 + 25 STRAIGHT ACROSS FROM FACE TENSION BOLTS, 8' CABLE BOLTS, 9 POINT CRIB IN CROSS CUT PROPS 4' CENTERS. ALL ENTRANCES HAVE BEEN BRE KERED OFF. THIS IS ON THE 5 HEAD GATE.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE LONGWALL IN THE #1 ENTRY AT SPAD #66+00 ON THE TAILGATE MEASURING 18 FEET LONG X 16 FEET WIDE X 10 FEET HIGH.

INJURED WAS WALKING FOLLOWING SHEAR TO TAIL CHECKING THE HORIZONTAL BOLTS. WALKING WHILE LOOKING DOWN & STRUCK HEAD ON CAGE MOUNTED TO SHIELDS THAT HOLDS EMT BOXES SPRAIN NECK & POSSIBLE DAMAG E TO VERTEBRAE.

INJURED WAS CUTTING ANGLE IRON THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD THE BELT BOXX & COMMUNICATION BOARD FOR THE 4-B HEAD. WHEN HE CUT THE ANGLE SUPPORT THROUGH, THE RIB (BROW) 3' LONG BY 1' THICK BY 2' FE LL (ROLLED) CAUSING A LACERATION TO BACK OF HEAD.

INJURED WAS KNELT DOWN ON HIS KNEES WITHH HIS BACK TO THE RIB WORKING ON HYDRAULIC CHAIN SAW WHEN RIB ROLL OCCURRED MEASURING 15"" BY 24"" BY 20'.RIB ROLL STRUCK HIS LOWER LEGS PINNING HIM TO TH E GROUND. THIS SECTION WAS PILLARING AND HE AND CO-WORKER WERE SETTING BREAKER POSTS IN CROSSCUTBETWEEN #7 AND #8 ENTRIES.

EE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE BUCKET WHEN A RIB ROLL OCCURRED. A TIMBER WAS KNOCKED IN THE ROLL STRIKING EE IN THE RIGHT ANKLE.

EE WAS CHANGING A TIRE. AS HE WAS CHANGING THE TIRE, IT FELL OFF OF THE WHEEL STRIKING HIM IN THE RIGHT THIGH.

EMPLOYEE HAD PLACED A DEAD MAN BLOCK IN FRONT OF THE CAR THEY WERE PREPARING TO COUPLE AND STABILIZE. AS HE TURNED HIS BACK TO THE CAR FACING THE MOTOR HE TOLD THE OPERTOR TO PULL OFF AND WH EN HE DID, THE DEAD MAN BLOCK SLID AND THE DRAWHEADS PINCHED HIM IN THE RIGHT CALF AREA.

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING AT THE #1 PORTAL USING THE 1 1/2"" WASH DOWN WATER HOSE TO CLEAN OUT A DRAIN. ONCE THE DRAIN WAS CLEARED EE BEGAN PUTTING THE HOSE OVER HIS SHOULDER. AS HE PULLED THE HOSE THROUGH THE MUD, HE FELT PAIN IN HIS CHEST AND UPPER STOMACH. HE CEASED WORK IMMEDIATELY.

EMPLOYEE WAS HAND LOADING DRAWHEAD INTO THE MOTORDECK WHEN HE HIT HIS LEFT HAND (THUMB) WITH THE DRAWHEAD AGAINST THE MOTOR DECK.

INJURED WAS TRAMMING ROOF BOLTER UP THE ENTRY RESTING HIS HAND ON THE OPERATOR'S DECK, WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK KICKED UP CATCHING EE ON HIS LEFT RING FINGER TEARING OFF HIS NAIL AND MEAT FROM THE END OF HIS FINGER.

INJURED WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DROPPING CABLE & WATERLING WITH THE CMO. AS INJURED RELEASED THE WEIGHT OF THE CABLE & TURNED HE STEPPED IN A HOLE APPROX 6"" DEEP, THAT CAUSED HIM TO EXPERIENCE P AIN IN HIS BACK.

INJURED WAS GOING INTO #1 PORTAL AND PICKED UP A EMPTY OIL CAN THEN TURNED TO STEP IN THE SHOP AND PULLED RT CALF MUSCLE. X-RAYS REVEALED A MINOR RUPTURE.

INJURED WAS CHANGING THE CIRCULATING FILTER ON A PUMP WITH A PIPE WRENCH. AS THE FILTER FINALLY BROKE LOOSE EE'S DOWN PRESSURE BEING USED CAUSED HIM TO STRIKE HIS ELBOW ON THE PUMP. EE'S FIRST DAY AWAY FROM WORK WAS OCT 24TH 2002.

LIFTING AN AIRLOCK DOOR TO PLACE ON HINGES WITH CO-WORKERS WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK. INJURED STATES HE HAD INJURED BACK PREVIOUSLY. THE DOOR WAS ONE OF A SET OF AIRLOCK DOORS USED FOR S UPPLY LONGWALL. SPECIALIST PUT HIM OFF WORK.

INJURED WAS USING CHAIN RATCHET TO PUT LOWBOY BACK INTO TRACK. THE CHAIN RACHET CAME LOOSE AND STRUCK INJURED ON LEFT HAND. EE'S FIRST DAY AWAY FROM WORK WAS 10-22-02.

A CO-WORKER WAS BRINGING SUPPLIES FROM SURFACE TO SECTION #2. HE HAD CALLED FOR TRACK CLEARANCE. EE LEFT THE #1 SECTION WITH LOCOMOTIVE & A LOAD OF GARBAGE BUT FAILED TO OBTAIN CLEARANCE FROM SECTION TO SURFACE. THE 2 LOCOMOTIVES COLLIDED IN A SWAG ON #4 BELT. EE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL, TREATED & RELEASED WITH ONE WEEK OFF.

INJURED WAS WATCHING ANOTHER EMPLOYEE CLEAN AFTER THE BELT HAD BEEN PULLED BACK. AS THEY WERE CLEANING THE SCOOP CAUGHT A BELT RAIL AND KICKED IT UP STRIKING INJURED IN RIBS & HEAD.

INJURED WAS AT THE POWERCENTER. HE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A PIECE OF TRASH AND FELT PAIN IN HIS KNEE. HE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH OUTSIDE LIGAMENT TORN INTO AND INSIDE LIGAMENT TORN ON RIGHT KNEE. HE HAS A HISTORY OF REPEATEDINJURIES IN MEDICAL HISTORY TO RIGHT KNEE.

EE WAS UNLOADING B-BOND FROM FLAT CAR & LOADING IT ON SCOOP. HE REACHED UP W/RIGHT HAND & HIS ARM TWISTED. HE HEARD A POP & FELT A BURNING SENSATION.

INJURED WAS HELPING ANOTHER EE HANG MINER CABLE, & FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS CHEST.

INJURED WAS STANDING ON TOP OF MANTRIP TAKING IT OFF CHARGE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON SOME OIL. THIS CAUSED HIM TO FALL BACKWARDS STRIKING HIS LOWER BACK AGAINST THE CANOPY OF THE MANTRIP.

EE WAS LOADING WATER LINE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON A ROCK, TWISTED HIS ANKLE & THEN FELL.

INJURED WAS HOLDING 1/2""WIRE ROPE WHILE ANOTHER EE WAS STRIKING ROPE WITH 12 LB. SLEDGE HAMMER. A PIECE OF THE WIRE ROPE STRUCK HIM IN RT WRIST.HE WENT TO HOSPITAL TO HAVE WIRE REMOVED & RECEI VED 16 STITCHES.

EE ALLEGED HE STRAINED HIS BACK WHILE LFITING UP A FLUID COUPLING FROM THE CATWALK.

WHILE SITTING IN THE OPERATOR'S DECK OF 15 TON LOCOMOTIVE, INJURED STRUCK HEAD AGAINST CANOPY WHEN MOTOR WAS JARRED. TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH MUSCLE STRAIN IN NECK. ACCIDENT OCCURR ED A #10 BREAK ON #1 BELT.

EE WAS MAKING AN AIR MOVE ON INTAKE. HE WAS HANGING CURTAIN ON BOTTOM WHEN A TIMBER BLEW OUT & LANDED ON HIS LEG.

INJURED WAS CLEANING AROUND #8 BELTHEAD. HE WENTTO THROW A SHOVEL FULL OF GOB ONTO THE BELT AND HEARD SOMETHING POP IN HIS BACK. THE BELT IS APPROX. 10'-11'HIGH IN THIS AREA. HE BEGAN HAVING SHARP PAINS IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH AN ACUTE MUSCLE STRAIN.

INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO UNPLUG THE RAW COAL SILO FEEDER WITH WATER HOSE. THE MATERIAL BROKE LOOSE SUDDENLY AND A ROCK OF UNKNOWN SIZE SMASHED HIS LEFT HAND CAUSING LACERATIONS TO MIDDLE AND RING FINGERS. HE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 15 STITCHES.

INJURED WAS LIFTING A VULCANIZING PRESS WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK.

INJURED WAS WALKING RETURN AIRWAY IN OLD WORKS ON #1 SIDE. PIECE OF DRAW ROCK FELL (18"" X 15"" X 2"") STRIKING HIS BACK. CONTINUED WORKING BUT HAVING TROUBLE WITH NUMBNESS IN LEFT ARM. DID NOT M ISS ANY WORK UNTIL 2/11/03.

EE WAS WALKING SIDE A FORKLIFT AND THE PATH NARROWED. HE STEPPED UP ON A MUDDY EMBANKMENT TO LET IT PASS. THE EMBANKMENT GAVE OUT AS THE FORKLIFT WAS PASSING CAUSING EE'S LEGS TO BE RUN OVER BY REAR TIRES OF FORKLIFT.

INJURED WAS BUSTING A WATER COUPLING OFF A JOINTOF WATERLINE. A PIECE FLEW OFF AND STRUCK HIM ON THE RIGHT WRIST.

INJURED WAS MOVING MINER CABLE FROM ROADWAY AND FELT PAIN FROM THIS IN BACK. CALLED IN MONDAY & STATED THAT HE HAD A DR.'S APPT. ON APRIL 24TH, 2002, WE WERE NOTIFIED HE WOULD BE OFF WORK FOR THIS INJURY. HE HAD PRIOR BACK INJURY ACCORDING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

EE WAS IN A BOAT WITH ANOTHER WORKER CLEANING THE WALL OF THE THICKNER. A 3RD COWORKER CLIMBEDINTO THE BOAT, CAUSING THE BOAT TO TURN UNDER A LEAKING SULFERIC ACID LINE. THE EE GRABBED THE 3RD COWORKER SO HE WOULD NOT GET HIT WITH THE ACID & THIS MOTION CAUSED THE BOAT TO SHIFT AGAIN PUTTING THE EE DIRECTLY UNDER THE LEAKING LINE

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE 15 TON BROOKEVILLE MOTOR WHEN HE WRECKED IN THE SWITCH AT 5 BK 3D AT THE SPUR SWITCH. HE BRUISED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

INJURED WAS UNLOADING A FLAT CAR. HE LIFTED AN ACETYLENE TANK AND INJURED HIS BACK.

INJURED WAS DEANING THE CATWALK ONT HESTACKER BELT WHEN A SURGE OF MATERIAL CAME UP THE BELT. A ROCK APPROX. 15""X12"" CAME OFF BELTLINE AND HIT HIM CAUSING HIM TO FALL DOWN. HIS LEFT FOOT WAS C AUGHT UNDER SOME CONDUIT WHICH SPRAINED HIS ANKLE.

INJURED WAS LOADING FLY BOARDS INTOT HE SCOOP BUCKET WHEN THEY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WHILING DOING THIS HE TWISTED HIS BACK.

INJURED WAS LOADING BELT STRUCTURE INTO SCOOP BUCKET. HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN LOWER BACK AND THEN HIS LEG WENT NUMB CAUSING HIM TO FALL.

INJURED WAS LOADING CRIB BLOCKS INTO HAULER BUCKET. BAND HOLDING CRIBS TOGETHER BROKE AND CRIBS ROLLED OVER HIS RIGHT ANKLE.

#3 BELT HEAD HAD FILLED UP WITH WATER. EE & CO-WORKERS WERE GOING TO BREAK HOLE IN STOPING TO LET WATER OUT. EE WAS SHOVELING COAL/MUD & TWISTED HIS BACK.

EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING #3C BELT HEAD. HE WAS WALKING WITH A SHOVEL FULL OF GOB WHEN HE SLIPPED ON A PIECE OF BELT LYING ON THE MINE FLOOR. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR & WAS SCHEDULED TO S EE A BACK SPECIALIST ON MARCH 21, 2002. THE SPECIALIST DIAGNOSED HIM WITH A PULLED MUSCLE.

EE WAS SHOVELING OFF SIDE OF #2 TAKE UP. BELT WAS 8-9' HIGH. EE STRAINED RT SHOULDER W/POSSIBLE TORN ROTATOR CUFF.

INJURED WAS WALKING THE RAIL WHEN HE SLIPPED OFF AND STRUCK HIS RT. SHIN AND PULLED RT. GROIN MUSCLE. HE DID NOT MISS ANY WORK UNTIL 3-11-02, WHEN HE WENT TO THE DR.. DR. REFERRED HIM TO A SPECIALIST. HE SAW THE SPECIALIST ON 3-19-02 & WAS TOLD TO REMAIN AWAY FROM WORK.

INJURED WAS WATCHING THE CABLE TAKE UP ON THE SHUTTLE CAR. HE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE EXTRA SLACK AND FELL TO THE GROUND ON LEFT KNEE. HE WENT TO THE DR. AND LT. KNEE CAP WAS BROKEN.

EE AND COWORKER WERE FLIPPING BLOCKS OFF FLATBED. COWORKER LIFTED HIS SIDE AS FAR AS HE COULD, CAUSING EE'S TO SLIP & PIN HIM BETWEEN BAR AND OTHER BLOCKS.

LIFTING D10N SPROCKET SEGMENTS AND STRAINED LOWER BACK.

INJURED WAS OPERATING MINER ON SECTION IN #2 LEFT BREAK. A ROCK MEASURING 0-3"" THICK X 18"" LONG X 14"" WIDE FELL FROM TOP STRIKING HIM ON HEAD & NECK. HE WAS TREATED BY CREW & TAKEN TO CAMC-GEN ERAL.

EE WAS MOVING T-BAR BRACE FROM ONE SIDE OF CLIP TO THE OTHER. THE SLACK WASN'T OUT OF 2"" NYLON CHOKER WHEN COWORKER REMOVED SPUD WRENCH, LETTING BRACE FALL, HITTING EE ON RIGHT HAND & FOREARM.

INJURED WAS LIFTING THE BRITTNEE IN THE TROUGH &THE WIRE THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE BRITTNEE CUT HIS RT. MIDDLE FINGER. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE RECIEVED STITCHES.

EE WAS MOVING A PIECE OF ROCK (2' LONG - 1' WIDE ABOUT 6"" THICK) OFF THE CONTINUOUS MINER SO THE SPAD CREW COULD SHOOT STRAPS ACROSS THE MINER. WHEN EE MOVED THE ROCK HIS HAND SLIPPED CAUSING HIS 1ST FINGER ON HIS LEFT HAND TO BE CUT. REQUIRED STITCHES.

EE WAS CLIMBING ON TOP OF A SHIELD HAULER WHEN A ROCK FELL ON HIS HAND CUTTING HIS FINGER.

EE WAS OPERATING THE CONTINUOUS MINER WHEN A ROCK FELL IN #5 ENTRY STRIKING HIM IN THE RIGHT FOOT. THIS CAUSED A FRACTURE TO EE S RIGHT SMALL TOE AND PUNCTURED THRU HIS LEATHER BOOT.

INJURED WAS MOVING A BUNDLE OF CABLE BOLTS WITH SCOOP. AS INJURED WAS TRAMMING BACK BY THE BUNDLE, HE CAUGHT A BOLT AND IT FLIPPED UP & CAUGHT INJURED ON FOREHEAD.

EE WAS MOVING MINER WHEN A ROCK FELL BETWEEN BOLTS AND STRUCK HIM IN THE HEAD.

THREE MEMBERS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LOADING BELT INTO THE HAULER WITH THE ENDLOADER. ONE WAS USING A DUCKBILL WHEN IT SLIPPED AND HIT HIM ON THE FOREHEAD.

WHILE WORKING A CHAIN RACHET, IT GOT HUNG UP. HE KEPT WORKING RACHET AND CHAIN GOT TIGHTER UNTIL IT BROKE LOSE AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS LEFT RING FINGER.

EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF JACKING A WRECKED CAR BACK ONTO THE TRACK WHEN THE JACK CREELED OVER, HITTING HIM IN THE HEAD & CUTTING HIS LEFT EAR.

INJURED WAS REMOVING STEEL BAND ON SIEVE. WHILE REMOVING BAND, HE CUT HIS ARM WHEN HIS RT. FOREARM CAME IN CONTACT WITH BAND. (APPROX. 3""). HE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL & RECEIVED 4 STITCHES.

AT 70 BREAK ON 6 HEAD GATE, CUT LEFT THUMB WHILE TRIPPING DOORS ON GRAVEL CAR.

EE WAS CHANGING A BEARING WHEN IT SLIPPED & CAUGHT HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE BEARING & HOUSING.

EE SAFETY GLASSES CURD GOT TRANGLED UP IN A NECK WARMER. HE WAS WEARING AND THE EAR PIECE OF THE GLASSES CAME UP AND PUKED HIM IN THE EYE WHEN HE TOOK OFF HIS NECK WARMER.

EE WAS MAKING A BELT SPLICE WHEN HE CUT HIS RIGHT LEG WITH A UTILITY KNIFE.

INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A FUEL FILTER FROM REFUGE FUEL PUMP. THE PIPE WRENCH SLIPPED AND SMASHED HIS LEFT RING FINGER BETWEEN THE WRENCH AND THE FILTER HOUSING. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HO SPITAL WHERE XRAYS SHOWED THAT THE FINGER WAS BROKEN. HE ALSO RECEIVED 6 STITCHES TO CLOSE A LACERATION ON THAT FINGER.

INJURED WAS CUTTING HANGER HOLDING MINER CABLE. CABLE FELL STRIKING HAND & PUSHING KNIFE BLADE INTO LEFT LEG. WENT TO HOSPITAL & RECEIVED 4 STITCHES.

EE WAS HANGING BELT STRUCTURE. HE SLIPPED & FELL OFF ROLLER, LANDING ON MOTOR BLOWER.

EMPLOYEE HAS FILED A HEARING LOSS CLAIM WITH WEST VIRGINIA WORKER'S COMPENSATION. EE IS CURRENTLY WORKING REGULAR DUTIES.

THIS PERSON HAS FILED A REPORT OF OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS WITH WEST VIRGINIA WORKER'S COMP. ON 9/3/02. APPROVAL/DENIAL PENDING.

CLAIMANT HAS FILED AN OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIUSIS REPORT WITH WV WORKERS COMPENSATION.

CLAIMANT HAS FILED A REPORT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS WITH WV WORKERS COMPENSATION.

CLAIMANT HAS FILED A REPORT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS WITH WV WORKERS COMPENSATION.

CLAIMANT HAS FILED AN OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS CLAIM WITH WV WORKERS COMPENSATION.

EE WAS USING AIR LANCE WITH APPROX 200 POUNDS OF PRESSURE. HOSE SEPARATED FROM COUPLING.

EE ALLEDGES THAT WHILE HE WAS PULLING HOSE HE INJURED HIS NECK.