Independence Coal Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2003

ON 10/13/03 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED AT THE SHUMATE POWELLTON MINE. THE FALL HAPPENED AT 12:01 AM & WAS IN THE 002 SECTION AT #2 ENTRY 1 BK INBY SPAD #4680. THE FALL MEASURED 80'X 19'X 6-7'.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED AT THE MINE. THE FALL MEASURED APPROXIMATELY 35'- 40' X 20' X 7'-8'.

THE ELEVATOR AT THE JUSTICE NO.1 MINE WAS DOWN DUE TO THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN (ELECTRICAL)

ON JULY 19, 2004 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED AT THE JUSTICE NO.1 MINE AT #4 BELT, BRK 22. THE FALL MEASURED 20' X 25' X 8' TO 12'.

ON JULY 17, 03 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED AT THE JUSTICE NO. 1 MINE ON #3 BELT, #3 ENTRY/ CONVEYER AT SPAD #18 CROSSCUT. THE FALL MEASURED10' BY 20' BY 2-3'.

ON JULY 11, 03 A UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED AT THE JUSTICE NO.1 MINE. THE FALL MEASURED APPROX 10' BY 20' BY 2-3'. THE FALL PULLED PLATES OF THE BOLTS AND PULLED BOLTS FROM THE ROOF. IT DID NOT FALL ABOVE ANCHORAGE.

ON MAY 3, 2003 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED AT THE SHUMATE POWELLTON MINE. THE FALL MEASURED 20' BY 20' BY 4-5'.

ON APRIL 11, 2003 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED AT THE BUFFALO CREEK MINE, THE FALL MEASURED 140' BY 19' 9-10'.

THE ELEVATOR AT THE JUSTICE NO. 1 MINE WAS DOWN FOR APPROX. 2 HOURS ON 4-2-03 DUE TO THE E-STOP AT THE BOTTOM BEING BURNT UP.

ON 3/31/03 AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED AT THE SHUMATE POWELLTON MINE'S #8 BELT TRACK #4 ENTRY AT 1 BK INBY SPAD #4096. THE ROCK MEASURED 20' X 20' X 6"".

A MINER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE ELEVATOR AT THE JUSTICE NO. 1 MINE FOR APPROX. FOUR HOURS DUE TO THE MAIN POWER BEING DOWN.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE #1 SECTION AT THE # 11 ENTRY AT SPAD # 4077. THE FALL MEASURED 20 FT BY 20 FT BY 10 FT.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURED IN THE #2 ENTRY AT SPAD #0719 JUST ACROSS FROM THIS SPAD LOCATED IN THE #1 ENTRY. THE FALL MEASURED 20'X 20'X 4 1/2'.

THE ELEVATOR AT THE JUSTICE NO. 1 MINE WAS DOWN FROM 9:45 AM TO 10:18 AM DUE TO A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

AN UNPLANNED ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE #1 ENTRY JUST INBY THE #1 NAVY SEAL. FALL MEASURED 20'LONG X 15'WIDE X 6'HIGH. AREA WAS SUPPORTED WITH 4'RESIN BOLTS & TIMBERS AND CRIBS.

THE EE HAD MOVED A LADDER AND SET IT UP. HE STARTED UP THE LADDER TO TIE THE TOP OF THE LADDER OFF. WHEN HE REACHED THE 3RD RUNG THE LADDER SLIPPED ON THE DECKING AND HE FELL, STRIKING HIS LEFT SHOULDER ON THE DECKING.

OTHER, ANOTHER, AND EE WERE UNLOADING SUPPLIES ONT HE TAILGATE SECTION WITH A SCOOP. HE WAS ON THE CAR BOOKING THE CHAIN END. OTHER WAS OPERATING THE SCOOP. WHEN HE TRAMMED FORWARD THE RAM DRO PPED PINCHING EE FOOT BETWEEN THE RAM AND THE CAR. EE WAS TREATED BY GMTS AND TRANSPORTED TO BONE MEMORIAL WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONTUSITON, RELEASE AND INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH A

EE GOT ONTO MANLIFT. HIS CO-WORKER PUT A BELT HOIST ONTO MANLIFT. INJURED WAS ON 4TH FLOOR. THE HOIST CAUGHT ON THE 5TH FLOOR, FELL DOWN TO THE 4TH FLOOR STRIKING EE ON THE HEAD.

EE WAS CLEANING ON #2 BELT AT 5 BRK WHEN HE FELT BURNING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT ARM.

EE SQUATTED DOWN TO PICKUP A 20-25 LB. PIECE OF CHANNEL ABOUT 2' LONG & STRAINED HIS BACK. THIS WAS ORGINALLY TREATED AS A REOCCURRENCE OF A PREVIOUS INJURY, BUT LATER WAS DETERMINED TO BE A N EW INJURY BY THE TREATING PHYSICIAN BECAUSE THE STRAIN OCCURRED IN THE THORACIC REGION OF THE SPINE VERSUS THE LUMBAR FOR WHICH HE AS RECEIVING CHIROPRATIC TREATMENT AT THE TIME.

EE WAS ON HIS KNEES PUMPING OIL INTO THE ROOF BOLTER. A PIECE OF ROCK MEASURING APPROX 18"" X 8' X 0-2"" THICK FELL FROM THE MINE ROOF STRIKING HIM IN HIS RIGHT LEG. EE ALSO STATED HIS LEFT KNEE WAS EXPERIENCING SOME DISCOMFORT. MINING HEIGHT WAS APPROX 8 FT HIGH.

EE WAS HAULING POND SEDIMENT FROM ORE MICKNER POND TO THE TOP OF ELISA FORK IMPONDMENT. AFTER COMING OUT OF TURN #4 THE TRUCK ENDED UP DROPPING INTO THE DITCH. WHEN HE TURNED THE WHEEL TO GET IT OUT OF THE DITCH, IT LAYED OVER ON IT'S SIDE. TRAVELING UPHILL.

IN THE PROCESS OF TRAVELING TO THE FEEDER IN SHUTTLE CAR, EE MAY HAVE RUN OVER A ROCK WHICH BOUNCED HIM HARD INTO HIS SEAT. THIS CAUSED HIM EXTREME PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK AND HIS LEFT LEG.

EE WAS PICKING UP PALLETS TO TAKE TO THE TRASH HOLE WHEN HE TWISTED HIS LOWER BACK.

INJURED WAS THROWING THE TRACK SWITCH LOCATED AT THE SPUR ONE CROSSCUT IN BY #10 BELT LINE. IT WOULDN'T COMPLETELY LATCH SO HE USED HIS LEFT FOOT TO PUSH IT ON DOWN. THE SWITCH CAME BACK SUDDE NLY AND STRUCK HIS LEFT ANKLE RESULTING IN CONTUSION, WENT TO HOSPITAL, X-RAYS NEGATIVE.

EE WAS WALKING DOWN THE TRACK ON 7HG CARRYING HYDRAULIC OIL WHEN HIS FOOT BECAME CAUGHT ON THE TRACK TIE CAUSING HIM TO FALL INJURING HIS LEFT LEG/ ANKLE. X-RAYS REVEALED A FRACTURE TO THE L EFT FIBULA. HE WAS TOLD TO REMAIN AWAY FROM WORKAND SCHEDULED TO RETURN FOR RE-EXAMINATION 8-21-03.

THE EE INDICATED THAT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WHILE ENGAGING IN BOLTING UP AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THAT HE BEGAN TO FEEL PAIN IN HIS LOW BACK THAT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. WHEN ASKED HE COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR TIME OR EVENT WHEN THE PAIN STARTED.

EE WAS CALLED ATTSCILE DUE TO AN EMERGENCY AT HOME. AS HE WAS WALKING TO MANTRIP AND STEPPED OUT FROM #1 SHIELD A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM THE TOP STRIKING HIM IN THE BACK. THE ROCK MEASURED 28 ""X24""X4"". HE SAW A DR DUE TO BACK PAIN AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MUSCLE STRAIN AND SCHEDULED TO SEE A SPECIALIST ON 7-8-03, WHICH ADVISED TO TAKE ONE WEEK FROM WORK, EE DID NOT BECOME ON L.T.A

EMPLOYEE STRUCK HIS HEAD AGAINST THE SHUTTLE CAR CANOPY WHEN HE TRAMMED OVER A DISRUPTION IN THE MINE FLOOR INJURING HIS NECK. HE BEGAN HIS VACATION ON 6-19-03. HIS FIRST SCHEDULED DAY OF WORK MISSED WAS 6-27-03.

EE WAS PULLING SLACKUP ON THE ROOF BOLTER WHEN HE BENT OVER A RIB ROLLED OFF HITTING HIM IN THE HEAD AND RIGHT SHOULDER. THE ROCK MEASURED TO BE APPROX 6'LONG X 3'WIDE X 2'THICK. HIS FIRST DAY AWAY FROM WORK WAS 6/5/2003.

EE WAS MOVING THE MINER CABLE OUT OF THE ROADWAY WHEN A ROCK FROM THE RIGHT RIB FELL AND STRUCK EE ON HIS RIGHT LEG.

HE WAS WORKING ON CLEANING GOB OUT FROM UNDER BELT TO CHANGE BEARING ON SNUB ROLLER, WHEN A ROCK FELL FROM CATWALK STRIKING HIM IN BACK OF HEAD.

EE WAS PREPARING TO CHANGE THE COWLHOSE ON THE TAILEND OF THE SHEARER. ANOTHER EE STARTED TO PULL THE SHIELD IN TO CATCH SOME BAD TOP. HE ADVANCED THE SHIELD 6"". A PIECE OF ROCK 8'-10'LONG BR OKE OFF STRIKING THE CUTTER DRUM. WHEN THE ROCK HIT THE DRUM A ROCK 6""-8""THICK HIT EE ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING THE OVERLOADED SILO BELT WHEN HE TWISTED HIS BACK GETTING OFF OF THE BELT, EE WALKED TO THE TAIL WHERE HE FELL DOWN TO THE GROUND.

EE WAS MOVING THE BOLTER UP WHEN HE RAN OVER HIS LEFT FOOT WITH THE OFFSIDE TIRE.

SETTING COOKERS. SLIPPED & FELL & HURT BACK.

HE WAS WORKING ON PUTTING WEAR STRIPS ON MINER. A PIECE OF ROCK FELL FROM TOP AND HIT HIM ON TOP BACK PART OF HEAD. HE HAD PAIN IN HEAD AND NECK.

EE INJURED HIS BACK ON SUNDAY MARCH 30TH, WHILE INSTALLING 60"" BELT STRUCTURE. HE STATES HE LIFTED STRUCTURE WITH A CO-WORKER (200 LBS) TO WAIST HIGH THEN PLACED ON A BELT RAIL WHEN HE FELT PA IN. THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR AND WITNESSES SAID HE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING OF BACK PAIN OVER A PERIOD OF 3 DAYS.

EE LEFT B PLANT TO ASSIST CO-WORKER WITH A PUMP THAT WAS ""ON AIR"" AND HOT. THE PUMP HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE SUCTION LINE FROM THE SEDIMENT WHEN IT WAS BLOWN APART FROM THE PUMPHOUSE CAUSING TWO-DEGREE BURNS TO BOTH ARMS BELOW THE ELBOWS.COLD WATER WAS APPLIED TO THE AFFECTED AREAS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

EMPLOYEE WAS BOLTING IN #5 FACE AND WAS PREPARING TO PUT UP THE RIB STRAP. A PIECE OF RIB MEASURING 24"" LONG AND 12"" WIDE AND 8"" THICK FELL AND STRUCK HIM IN THE LEFT ANKLE, EE WAS ON THE FIRS T ROW OF BOLTS.

EE AND CREW WERE RIDING IN THE MANTRIP OF THE SURFACE,AT APPROX.25 CROSSCUT ON #3 BELTLINE. OPERATOR OF THE MANTRIP WARNED THE CREW THAT THE BRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NOT SLOW THE MANTRIP. AT SOME POINT ON #3 BELTLINE MR MCKINNE JUMPED FROM THE MANTRIP CAUSING MULTIPLE STRAINS AND CONTUSIONS. THE MANTRIP DERAILED IN CURVE AT #2 BELTDRIVE STRIKING #1 BELTLINE

EE AND #2 SECTION CREW BOARDED THE MANTRIP TO THE SURFACE. AT APPROX. 25 CROSSCUT ON #3 BELTLINEOPERATOR OF THE MANTRIP WARNED THE CREW THAT THEBRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NOT SLOW TH E MANTRIP. AT SOME POINT ON THE #3 BELTLINE EE JUMPED FROM THE MANTRIP CAUSING MUSCLE STRAINS. THE MANTRIP THEN DERAILED IN A CURVE AT #2 BELT DRIVE STRIKING THE #1 BELTLINE.

EE WAS ASSISTING THE REMOVAL OF STRUCTURE TO GAIN PROCCESS TO A FALL THAT OCCURRED OFF OF THE #1 SECTION. WHILE LOADING THE TOP STRUCTURE. HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST A PIECE OF STRUC TURE. HE CONTINUED WORKING AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT ON THE END OF HIS SHIFT.

EE WAS THROWING SWITCH WHEN HE STEPPED BACK ON AN OLD PIECE OF RAIL, TRIPPING HIM. EE LANDED ON HIS LEFT FOREARM.

EE WAS PULLING A LOOP OF FEEDER SLACK WHEN HE HIT A ROOF BOLT THAT KNOCKED HIS HARD HAT OFF. EE HIT HIS FOREHEAD WHICH KNOCKED HIM UNCONSIOUS FOR APPROX. 1 MINUTE, HE JAMMED HIS NECK AND LANDE D FACE DOWN ON THE GROUND.

EE RAN OVER A LARGE ROCK IN THE ROADWAY WHILE RUNNING THE SCOOP. HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE CANOPY AND JAMMED HIS BACK WHEN HE CAME DOWN ON THE SEAT.

INJURED HAD WENT TO THE R-1 REFUSE BELT TO RESETTHE PULL CORD. AFTER RESETTING THE FLAG, HE WALKED UNDER THE BELLYPAN OF THE B PLANT COARSE REFUSE BELT AND AN UNKNOWN SIZE OF MATERIAL FELL FRO M THE BELLY PAN STRIKING HIM IN THE HEAD.

EMPLOYEE WAS OUTSIDE THE PORTAL SPRAYING OFF TAILPIECE. HE SLIPPED ON ICE THAT HAD FORMED & STRUCK HIS LEFT ELBOW ON AN I-BEAM.

EE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE BOLTER. HE REACHED INSIDE TO START THE BOLTER. WHEN HE HIT THE START BUTTON THE BOLTER KICKED AROUND AND PINNED HIM BETWEEN THE COAL RIB AND THE BOLTING MACHINE.

EE WAS PUSHING ON THE SPEED REDUCER WITH HIS LEFT FOOT SO A CHAIN RATCHET COULD BE HOOKED UP. THE SPROCKET SHIFTED AND STARTED TO ROLL CATCHING HIS LEFT FOOT PULLING HIM OVER TOP OF THE SPEED REDUCER. HE WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED WITH CONTUSION AND WAS SCHEDULED TO SEE A SPECIALIST ON 12/29/03. ON JANUARY 2ND HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A HAIRLINE FRACTURE & ICC SAFETY WAS NOTIFIED.

EE WAS INSTALLING A HARD BAR BEARING. WHILE POUNDING THE BEARING WITH A #5 HAMMER EE MISSED, HITTING HIS RIGHT THUMB. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO BMH WHERE HE RECEIVED PROPER MEDICAL TREATMENT (10 S TITCHES).

EE FINISHED BOLTING CUT AND TURNED THE MACHINE OFF. AS HE TURNED TO WALK OFF THE OPERATORS SIDE PLATFORM HE SLIPPED ON THE PLATFORM STEP STRIKING THE RAILING HE RECEIVED A CUT ABOVE HIS LIP AN D ALSO ON THE INSIDE OF HIS LIP HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO B.M.H. BY AMBULANCE.

EE WAS PENCILING INSULATION ON LEAD WHEN HIS KNIFE SLIPPED CUTTING HIS LEFT FOREARM.

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING BOTTOM HEADERS OUT AND 2 PROPS ROLLED OFF STRIKING HIM ON RIGHT KNEE.

EE WAS MOVING CABLE. WHEN HE LIFTED IT IT SLIPPED AND CAUGHT THE CORNER OF THE I BEAM CAUSING A LACERATION.

EE WAS REMOVING A BATTERY BOX ON THE TRACK MOTOR HE CUT A WIRE PIECE THAT WAS STICKING OUT OF TH E BRUNDY CONNECTOR WHEN THE KNIFE SLIPPED CUTTING HIM ON HTE INSIDE OF HIS LEFT FOREARM CAUSING A CUT 1""-1 1/2"" LONG AND APPROX. 1/4""DEEP. EE RECIEVED 4 STITCHES.

EMPLOYEE WAS CARRYING A CABLEBOLT ALONG THE OFFSIDE OF THE ROOF BOLTER WHEN HE TRIPPED OVER DRAW ROCK ON THE MINE FLOOR. EE INJURED HIS LEFT HAND AND WAS TAKEN TO BOONE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE X-RAYS REVEALED A SMALL FRACTURE ON THE OUTER BONE OF HIS HAND.

EE PULLED THE WASHDOWN HOSE DOWN ON THE MINER WHEN THE END OF THE HOSE CAME AROUND AND STRUCK HIM OVER THE LEFT EYE CAUSING A KNOT ON HIS FOREHEAD AND A CUT OVER HIS LEFT EYE.

EE WAS SQUARING UP A SPLICE WITH A KNIFE WHEN IT SLIPPED AND CUT HIM ON THE BACK SIDE OF HIS LEFT WRIST.

EE WAS SETTING A SLURRY PUMP AT #4 TAKEUP WHEN EE'S HAND SLIPPED. THE PUMP HIT HIS LEFT HAND & 2 MIDDLE FINGERS.

EMPLOYEE WAS SHAVING PLASTIC OFF OF A KNEE PAD WHEN THE UTILITY KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS LEFT INNER THIGH. EE RECEIVED 7 STITCHES.

EE WAS GOING TO WORK ON COWL TO REPAIR A BUSTED HOSE. HE WAS SITTING ON THE SIDE BOARDS. A COWORKER WENT TO ADVANCE A SHIELD TO ENSURE SOME OF THE LOOSE ROCK IN THE FACE WAS SUPPORTED. WHEN HE BEGAN TO ADVANCE THE SHIELD A PIECE OF ROCK 8' TO 10' LONG FELL STRIKING THE SHEAR DRUM IT BROKE AND A PIECE OF ROCK 2'X2'X8"" STRUCK EE.

EE WAS INSTALLING A DRAWHEAD ON A 12 TON MOTOR. EE LIFTED UP THE DRAWHEAD TRYING TO ALIGN THE PIN WHEN HE PINCHED HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE DRAWHEAD AND THE FRAME OF THE MOTOR.

EE HAD THE RAMJACK HANGING BY CHAIN RATCHETS WHEN HE LET THE RATCHETS OFF THE JACK THE JACK GOT STUCK. HE WENT TO TIGHTEN THE CHAIN RATCHETS & THE JACK FELL PINNING HIS RING FINGER & PINKY FIN GER ON HIS LT. HAND BETWEEN THE CHAIN & THE JACK RESULTING IN A LACERATION TO EE'S RING FINGER AT THE KNUCKLE ON THE LEFT HAND.

EE WAS REMOVING A LOAD LOCK BLOCK WHEN THE WRENCH SLIPPED OFF AND STRUCK THE MEMBER IN THE RIGHT EYE.

EE OPENED A BOX OF BELT NAILS AND PLACED HIS RIGHT HAND ON THE LID TO FORCE IT OPEN. THE RAZOR KNIFE BLADE PROTRUDED THROUGH THE LID CUTTING THE PALM OF EE HAND.

I DIDN'T REC. AND ACCIDENT REPORT FROM CO. BUT THE INJURED EE INFORMED ME THAT HE QUIT 3-12-03 TO GO FOR ANOTHER COMPANY.

EMPLOYEE LOST FOOTING - FELL ON ROLLER HE WAS INSTALLING BOTTOM BELT ROLLERS.

EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING A PIECE OF SHEET METAL WHEN IT PINCHED HIS LEFT LITTLE FINGER, CUTTING IT.

EE HAD JUST STARTED INSTALLIG A BOX OF FACE CHAIN. THREE FLIGHTS WERE TWISTED AT THE END OF THE BOX UPSIDE DOWN. HE AND A CO WORKER WERE FLIPPING THE FLIGHTS BACK OVER. HE W/LEFT HAND AND THE RIGHT HAND RESTING ON TOP OF THE CHAIN BOX AND AS THEY FLIPPED THE FLIGHTS OVER ANOTHER FLIGHT ON TOP OF THE BOX SLID OVER AND DOWN SMASHING RIGHT FINGER.

THIS EMPLOYEE FILED AN OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS CLAIM WITH WEST VIRGINIA WORKER'S COMP. BUT HAS NOT BEEN EMPLOYED WITH US SINCE 2/28/00.

EMPLOYEE HAS FILED A REPORT OF OCCUPATIONAL PNEUMOCONIOSIS WITH WV WORKER'S COMPENSATION. HE HAS BEEN LAID OFF SINCE 7/21/01.

EE WAS OPERATING THE SHUTTLE CAR WHEN HE ARRIVED BEHIND THE CONTINUOUS MINER. THE MINER OPERATOR BACKED THE MINER UP & IT COLLIDED WITH THE SHUTTLE CAR. EE WAS BOUNCED UP AND THIS CAUSED HIM TO STRIKE HIS HEAD AGAINST THE CANOPY. HIS 1ST DAY AWAY FROM WORK WAS 5/6/03.

EE AND #2 SECTION CREW HAD BOARDED THE MANTRIP TO THE SURFACE. AT APPROX. 25 CROSSCUT ONT HE #3 BELTLINE OPERATOR OF THE MANTRIP WARNED THE CREW THAT THE BRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD N OT SLOW THE MANTRIP. AT #2 BELTDRIVE IN A CURVE THE MANTRIP DERAILED HE WAS RIDING ONT HE OUTBY END AND DID NOTJUMP. HE STUCK ONLY REMEMBERING WOAKING ON THE MINE FLOOR SHORT DISTACNE FROM MA