Independence Coal Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2011

An unintentional roof fall was discovered near spad number 4800. The fall measured approximately 20 ft. wide x 8 ft. high x 40 ft. long. No injuries resulted from this occurrence.

An unintentional roof fall was discovered in the #2 Entry, #3 Belt, Spad #2370. The fall measured approximately 80ft Long x 20ft Wide x 8ft High. No injuries resulted from this incident.

An unintentional roof fall was discovered in the Old Mains Section, Entry #1, approximately 20' inby spad # 6544. The fall measured approximately 70'L x 20'W x 6'H. No injuries resulted from this fall.

A roof fall was discovered in #4 entry inby spad 3106 and outby spad 3145 for a distance of approximately 420ft. No injury resulting from fall.

An unintentional roof fall was discovered in the Neutral Airway 1 break inby spad 1810. The fall measured approximately 25ft long x 18ft wide x 7ft high. No injuries resulted from this fall.

An unintentional roof fall was discovered on the Mains Section, #2 Entry, Inby Spad #6543. The fall measured approximately 60 to 70ft long by 18 to 20ft wide by 8 to 10ft high. No injuries resulted from this fall.

Injured employee was walking down the track entry when he stepped in a hole and twisted his right ankle. He was transported to the ER and diagnosed with a right distal tibula fracture. He was excused from work and referred to Orthopedics.

Injured employee was lifting belt structure when he suddenly began to experience lower back pain. He was transported to the ER. The ER physician excused him from work and referred him for a MRI due to the possibility of a herniated disc.

While cleaning the dozer the injured employee scraped left forearm. He continued to work his shift but the following day he was seen by his physician and excused from work for two days. He was excused from work due to the risk of infection secondary to history of cellulites. He returned to work on 10/10/11.

Injured employee was struck on the upper back and neck by a rock weighing approx. 6.3lbs that fell approx. 70 feet from above from the RC4 belt. Injured employee was treated by EMT's and EMS then airlifted to CAMC-General ED. He was admitted for observation and diagnosed with vertebrae fractures of the neck and tissue bruising.

Injured employee was accidentally shocked by another employee on the neck. An employee held a shooting battery next to the injured employee's ear and activated the detonator next to the injured employee's head causing a shock to the neck. Injured employee was transported to the ER by EMS.

Employee was shoveling 4 head trash pump @ 3 tailpiece when he slipped and struck hisself on back of his head and ear with shovel. Received 7 sutures on his ear.

It has been determined on this date (11/02/2011) that the employees injury resulted from an incident at work prohibiting him from working. On 07/27/2011 the injured employee was pulling on a wash down hose causing him to strain his left shoulder and neck. First day away from was 07/29/2011. He remains excused from work as of 11/02/2011.

Injured member was lifting supplemental roof support timbers when he twisted his left knee. He did not cease work and continued to work his regularly scheduled shifts until May 25, 2011. Due to continued discomfort, injured was evaluated and excused from work by his doctor and awaiting an MRI on his knee.

Injured member was stepping off a haulage car when he slipped in the mud causing his legs to split and injuring his left hip. He was diagnosed with a muscle sprain/strain and excused from work.

While attempting to pull gate shield the hook slipped off and struck member on left side of his face requiring 7 sutures.

Injured employee was building forms. Slipped on gravel and fell down bank on to shoulder.

Injured was shoveling the off side of the belt near the rock box when he began to experience lower back pain. He finished his shift but later went for medical evaluation and was diagnosed with a lower back strain and he was excused from work.

Injured member was changing the bits on the head end of the shear when a small piece of metal from the bit or hammer broke off and became embedded in his left hand. The metal was removed on 03/14 and he received 4 sutures. He was excused from work on 03/14 & 03/15. Returned to work on 3/16 with a full release.

Injured member was carrying a feeder jack and as he was stepping over the feeder cable his knee twisted causing him to fall to the ground. He completed his shift and the following shift. On 03/08 he went to the ER and was told by the physician that he could possibly have a Meniscus tear and scheduled an MRI and excused him from work.

Injured employee was adjusting the tail roller bearing when it slipped smashing the employees right little finger between the bearing and tailpiece frame. ER diagnosis: Fracture of right little finger and referral to specialty care. ER physician excused injured from work.

Employee was installing pipe stubs between floor beams. Picked up on end of pipe section and felt pain in low back.

Injured employee slipped into a muddy ditch on the offside of the belt between 3 Head and Drive Motors causing him to sprain his right ankle. He was transported to the ER for evaluation and diagnosed with a sprain. He has been referred to orthopedics.

Part 50 Audit. Employee was using a cutting torch when the oxygen hose failed causing the employee to receive 2nd degree burns to his abdomen and upper right arm requiring cleaning and medical treatment of the wounds.

While walking to the part sled, he twisted his right ankle on a rock, resulting in swelling to the ankle.

Injured member was cleaning out the dust box on the roof bolter when a rock measuring approximately 3'x3'x3-5"" fell from behind the curtain and struck injured left foot. Injured was diagnosed with two fractures of the left foot and placed on restricted duty.

EE was riding on the mantrip, while passing through the air lock doors one of the doors began to close, that's when the member attempted to push the door open with is foot getting his left foot caught between the door and the mantrip. He was transported to the ER and diagnosed with a sprain and swelling. Member was placed on light duty for 1 week by the ER physician.

Injured employee was using B-Bond/Mine Sealant to plaster a set of doors when he got the sealant in his left eye. The eye was immediately flushed and he was transported to the ER. He was treated for a chemical injury to the left eye, prescribed medication for his eye and referred to Optometry. He was released to return to work.

Injured employee was replacing a piece of tin when the corner of the tin punctured his glove causing a small laceration to the top of his left hand. He received 3 sutures.

Injured employee bumped against a broken door handle causing a laceration to his left forearm. He received 3 sutures at the ER and returned to work after treatment.

Injured employee slipped and fell while connecting a water hose causing him to strike a belt roller laying on the ground resulting in a laceration to the right hand requiring 2 sutures. Injured returned to work the same day.

Injured employee was walking across the parking lot when he was stung by a bee on the right side of his neck.

Injured employee was trying to catch a rat and when he jumped onto the rat it bit him in the right arm causing a puncture.

Employee was collecting Pre-Shift exams on the refuge impoundment when he noticed a red rash on his right forearm. The rash was itching and swollen. Insect bite

Injured was checking broken piece of angle on de-watering screens when right middle finger was smashed between screens and metal frame. Received 5 sutures.

Trying to raise rail to put blocking and gauge rod in and come-along came loose striking employee in mouth and lower right jaw. Chipped front tooth.

Employee was helping change out coal screen and thought a metal shaving might have gotten in his finger which became infected. Employer not aware of treatment until 7/22/11, at which time, employee prescribed antibiotic.

Injured employee while Pre-Op his shuttle car struck a sharp object and received a laceration to upper right arm and received 4 stitches.

Injured employee was drilling holes for monkey faces when the drill hit hard rock and the drill stopped and spun around and hit employee in mouth. He received 6 sutures.

Injured member cutting suction hose on roof bolter with utility knife when knife slipped causing a laceration to forearm Requiring 3 stitches

Part 50 Audit. Employee was struck in the left arm and wrist by a metal pipe causing an injury that required splinting of the left wrist.

While loading belt structure into mantrip he mashed his left little finger between two rollers requiring 7 sutures

Injured member was cutting a piece of belt when the belt knife slipped out of the belt and into the injured's leg. He received 8 sutures.