Knight Hawk Coal, LLCMining Incidents in 2020

A roof fall occurred on the 3ME at 146 crosscut between entry 4-5. The fall was 40'L X 19'W X 4'H. Ventilation was not interrupted and no one was injured from the fall.

Smoke was observed coming from the north end of the raw coal storage pad near the Prairie Eagle east portal. Steps were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

Smoke was observed coming from the north end of the raw coal storage pad near the prairie eagle east portal. Steps were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

A roof fall occurred on unit 5 (3N/3ME) at 17+50' mark in entry #9. The fall measured 40' long x 19' wide x 7-8' in height. No one was injured, no equipment was damaged, and ventilation was not interrupted.

Smoke was observed coming from the northwest side of the raw coal storage pad near the Prairie Eagle Wash Plant. Steps are taken to treat and remove the affected material.

Smoke was observed coming from the north side of raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

Smoke was observed coming from the northeast side of the raw coal pile located near the Prairie Eagle East Portal. Actions were taken to treat and remove the affected material.

A roof fall occurred on the 2nd South travelway in entry #6 at 64 crosscut. The fall was 19' wide x 10' long x 3-4' high. There were no injuries and the fall did not affect ventilation.

Walking along examiners route in the return. I.E. stepped in a rut along the route and tripped and fell to the ground. When tripped I.E. heard a pop in their right knee along with pain. I.E. continued to work until doctor restrictions took them off work on 12-28-2020.

I.E. was servicing the CM in an intersection. While servicing the CM a coal hauler came through the crosscut and did not see the I.E. servicing the CM. I.E. was struck by the coal hauler and sustained injuries that took them off work.

While installing a 6' roof bolt the bolt became stuck on the side of the drill pot. As the I.E. was freeing the bolt up they felt a pop in their left shoulder creating a sharp pain. I.E. was taken off work until an MRI could be conducted. First shift missed was 12-7-2020.

I.E. was lifting standing support jacks to move to another area. Upon lifting the jack from the mine floor I.E. felt a pain in their lower abdomen. Employee continued to work until doctor took them off for hernia surgery. First missed shift was 12-6-2020.

I.E. was picking up trash in the unit 5 intake. While picking up trash to put in the mantrip I.E. twisted their body and felt a pain in their left knee. Employee missed the following shift due to their injury.

I.E. was cleaning up pile of coal chunks next to a belt line. When the I.E. went to throw a chunk a coal onto the belt when they felt a pull and sting in their stomach. I.E. went to the doctor and had hernia surgery the next day.

I.E was coming from the plant with a load of gob headed east down the haul road to the gob dump in a haul truck. When another truck driver pulled up to the truck it was discovered to have drove on the berm provided and tipped over on its passenger side. I.E. suffered head lacerations and broken ribs from the injury.

I.E. was lifting high voltage cable during a power move. While lifting the cable the I.E. felt a "pop" in their right shoulder along with pain. I.E. has continued to work and is currently working. Reporting due to I.E. receiving an injection shot for pain and starting therapy on the shoulder the week of 10-5-2020.

EE was attempting to change batteries on coal hauler in the battery barn. While moving the battery jumper cable it became caught on the edge of one of the batteries. EE attempted to move the cable by whipping and pulling the cable. The cable suddenly came loose causing the EE to stumble twisting their knee. EE continued to work until doctor took them off 10-1-2020.

I.E. was cutting #2-#3 crosscut with the CM. I.E. heard the top above I.E. making some noise. While attempting to get away from the area a rock measuring 11'L x 4'W x 6"Th came from the roof and struck the employee in the lower part of their right leg causing a tib fib break in the leg.

I.E was brooming dust along the 2N #2 beltline. While doing so I.E. got close to the ledge of an underpass cut underneath the beltline. I.E. fell from the ledge (approx 4') causing an injury to head. Doctor restrictions have the employee off work starting 03/23/2020.

I.E. was attempting to reach for a tool outside of EE's coal hauler from the operators compartment. While reaching out of the cab the equipment was trammed ahead and caught the I.E.'s right hand between the bottom of the coal hauler cab and the mine floor. Lacerations to middle, ring, and pinky fingers requiring stitches and tendon repair surgery.

While backing down spoil to get another push with dozer, I.E. ran over rock that employee did not see come from a wind row of the previous push. Dozer jerked after hitting rock jarring the employee's neck. I.E. has worked until taking a week off for pain from 4-20-2020 to 4-23-2020. I.E. is back to work. I.E. did not report the injury to the operator until 4-27-2020.

While lifting a pack of 6' glue to put on the roof bolter, employee felt a pull in their lower back. Employee continued to work until doctor restrictions took them off work on 01-29-2020.

IE was using sledge hammer while making a repair on a roofbolter. As IE went to swing hammer, felt a pop in left shoulder area. IE has not missed any work. Reporting due to add'l treatment in form of pain shot given 02/21/20. Amendment: I.E is scheduled for surgery 5/12/20 & will be off work till released. Hasn't missed any work between inj date & surgery date.

EE and another employee were moving the timbers from the side to the top of the tailpiece to start moving belt. Employees stacked first timber on tailpiece and while turning to pick up the next timber EE felt a pain in their mid to lower back. Doctors weight restrictions have the EE on Restricted Duty starting 8-19-2020.

Employee was putting the spray block cover back onto the continuous miner. Employee felt slight pain in lower back when lifting. Employee has continued to work with restrictions from doctor given on 01/09/2020. Restricted Duty.

I.E. was loading 6' roof bolts on the roofbolter. While loading the bolts I.E. felt a sharp pain on the inside of left elbow. I.E. continued to work and received lifting restrictions from a doctor on 10-13-2020. I.E. is continuing to work. Reporting as a restricted duty case.

I.E. was hanging high voltage cable. While lifting cable felt a pop in their right shoulder. I.E. has continued to work. Doctor put them on restricted duty on 11-4-2020 and they are continuing to work.

I.E. had just advanced the roof bolter to begin the next bolting cycle. As the I.E. started drilling the hole a rock 4'x2'x6" fell out and struck the I.E. in the head. The I.E. was complaining of neck pain. I.E. did not miss any work, reporting due to restricted duty.

I.E. was shearing down with the continuous miner cutter head. While cutting coal at the face a piece of rock was thrown from the drum and struck the I.E. in the nose, causing a laceration that required 3 stitches. I.E. did not miss any work due to the injury.

EE was attempting to pick up a rock out of the walkway while cleaning a belt drive. While picking up the rock to throw it on the belt, EE felt a pull in their lower back. Rock measured 18"L x 10"W x 8"Th. Employee continued to work until doctors restrictions took them off work on 06/08/2020.

While operating a coal hauler employee got dirt or some other substance in their eye. Caused a corneal abrasion (eye scratch) and was prescribed eyedrops. Employee did not miss any work.

While roofbolting, a piece of rock fell out on the outside of the screen wire and struck I.E. on the left hand, pinching it between the rock and the bolt tray. Caused a laceration to left ring finger that required 6 stitches. Employee did not miss any work.

While loading belt structure I.E. and other employee attempted to stack a top roller frame, when the I.E. caught their left index finger between the two frames. Finger required stitches and no work was missed.

I.E. has developed pain in wrists and numbness in wrist and fingers. Condition is progressively getting worse. I.E. has underwent surgery that took them off work on 6-1-2021.

I.E. has been experiencing pain in the tendon in their right thumb. They believe this is from the repetitive motion of roof bolting. Employee has continued to work until a doctor performed surgery on the tendon on 9/14/2020 taking them off work.