Knight Hawk Coal, LLCMining Incidents in 2010

At approximately 4:20 pm the intersection at 42+00 in the Number 8 entry of Unit #1 Main East fell at a height varying from 6ft to 8ft. The fall is 84 ft long.

A roof fall occurred at Knight Hawk Coal LLC, Prairie Eagle mine on 7/6/2010 at 9:45p.m. The fall occurred in the Main East, #4 entry at the +1220 cross-cut. The travel road was re-routed and the fall has been secured from all sides. All agencies were notified and MSHA has released the area. No one was injured in the roof fall.

Was unplugging chute in prep plant using a 3/8" rod, the rod slipped out of his hand. He reached out for it and at that time he felt pain in his lower back. Started missing work on 1/11/11.

Examiner strained his groin and back while pulling a piece of curtain out of the #1 entry in the 1st West faces that had rock on top of it.

An examiner reported a loose rock to the section face boss. The face boss went and got a pry bar to pull it down with, when he pulled the rock down it landed on its end and tipped over, striking the boss on his left knee. This happened between the #1 and #2 entries in the last open cross-cut of the 2nd East panel.

While moving the miner cable out of the way he fell with the cable and hurt his lower back.

Lifting a cable felt a sharp pain in his lower back.

Section foreman was putting up sights in #2 entry of the 1st East panel and stepped in a hole and twisted his knee. He worked until 3/18/2010 and his knee is going to require surgery.

While walking to get bolts to supply bolter, employee stepped in a hole, twisting his knee. This accident was not reported to us until 10/27/2010 and he did not go to the Doctor until 11/1/2010. He remaind at work until then. He is currently working light duty on the surface.

Employee was setting a prop in #8 entry of the 2nd E. Panel. A piece of rock fell out of the top hitting him in the back of the head. This didn't hurt him but, when he twisted around to get away from the rock he twisted his knee which caused pain in his right knee. Report was filled out but didn't do anything until now. He is having surgery on 3/29/11.

Employee was assembling belt structure for a belt move and felt a pain in his right shoulder. He missed his first day of work over the accident on 12/20/2010.

While unloading bolting material out of scoop bucket onto the bolter a rock measuring 30 in x 48 in x 4 in thick fell out between bolt and hit the worker on the left shoulder and on the left hand resulting in a fracture of the left hand.

Mechanic was working on the brakes of a Coal Hauler when the brake retainer became lodged in the brake cavity. As he was attempting to un-lodge the retainer it came out striking him on the right had resulting in the middle finger on his right had getting a inch and ahalf laceration on it.

Truck Operator complaining of lower back cramping and nausea stopped and exited the equipment pain got worse and ambulance was called. Truck operator was taken to Sparta Community Hospital was diagnosed with kidney stones and given pain medication then was released two hours later. Operator was cleared to return to work on 06/09/20010.