McElroy Coal CompanyMining Incidents in 2004

125+51 #1 RETURN ENTRY - 5 NORTH - ROOF FALL. MINED IN FEB. 2004. 10-12' HIGH X 16-17' WIDE X 100' LONG. INITIAL FALL WAS NOT ABOVE ANCHORAGE, BUT MORE MATERIAL FELL OUT LATER.

#5 MAIN LINE BELT AT #43 CROSSCUT. ROOF FALL 12 TO 14 FEET HIGH, 16 TO 20 FEET WIDE AND 50 FEET LONG. ROOF FELL AT 3 WAY INTERSECTION ON 72"" BELT & STRUCTURE. 913 FEET OF COVER, AREA WAS MINED IN OCTOBER 1996.

1 LEFT-5 SOUTH #1 ENTRY. CREW STARTED MINING SECOND STRAIGHT OF BELT ENTRY. HEAD OF MINER SUMPING IN WHEN IGNITION HAPPENED. CREW SEEN IT AND THEN IT WENT OUT.

MAIN LINE BELT #5 AT 33 CROSSCUT, ROOF FALL 10 FT ABOVE COAL SEEM, 18 FT WIDE AND 35 FT LONG. WAS MINED NOVEMBER 1997.

FOREMAN WAS SHOWING EMPLOYEE HOW TO DISCONNECT CABLE FROM PAGER ON PANLINE DURING LONGWALL MOVE. RAM BAR FROM 158 SHIELD PUSHED OUT CATCHING HIS RIGHT LEG BETWEEN RAMBAR AND PANLINE.

Main east tailgate west, while building overcast, he bent over to pick up concrete slab and felt pain in lower back.

5 NORTH FACE - AT FEEDER. EE WAS OPERATING SHUTTLE CAR, GOING TO FEEDER. HE REACHED OUT TO PUSH OTHER SHUTTLE CAR'S ANCHOR AWAY FROM HIS CANOPY. HE GOT HIS RIGHT HAND CAUGHT BETWEEN HIS CANOPY AND ANCHOR.

Employee was applying Combowear 3300 Resin and experienced an allergic sensitization/reaction.

SCOOP OPERATOR USING CLAW SCOOP WITH HELP OF TIMBERMAN SETTING CANS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT, THE TIMBERMAN PUT MATERIAL UNDER CAN WHILE SCOOP WITH CLAW HELD IT TO SET IT STRAIGHT. AFTER THE CAN WAS SET, TIMBERMAN WENT BACK TO SECURE IT TO TOP & BOTTOM. SCOOP OPERATOR MOVED SCOOP OUTBY & THEN TRAMMED TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF ENTRY. THE CAST CAN FELL TOWARDS TIMBERMAN HITTING HIS KNEE.

MAIN EAST TAILGATE WEST. EE WAS HELPING THE MINER RIB PINNER LINE THE BOLT WRENCH UP WITH RIB BOLT. EE THEN PUT HIS HAND ON THE DRILL & STARTED TO TURN TO RETURN TO HIS MINER BOLTER POSITION. WHEN THE RIB DRILL WAS EXTENDED TO TIGHTEN THE BOLT, THE END OF 2 OF EE'S FINGERS WERE CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DRILL AND THE DRILL STOP.

5 NORTH FACE MAN WAS HELPING WITH RIB PINNING ON LEFT SIDE OF MINER. HE HAD BEEN ON ONE SIDE OF MINER TO CLEAR A PLACE FOR NEW SUPPLIES. AS HE WAS GETTING DOWN, HE FELL BACKWARDS & INJURED HIS WRIST.

#5 BELT - 21 WALL, PUTTING 12 FOOT CABLE BOLTS IN TOP BESIDE BELT. STOOD ON WATER LINE TO PUSH GLUE & BOLT IN HOLE. FELL AND HIT HIS SIDE AGAINST THE BELT STRUCTURE.

2 left-5 south belt entry. belt move tailpiece was set. man was using sight string to make sure tailpiece was straight, tailpiece jack fell from top hitting his left arm.

2 left - 5 south - crosscut, man was adjusting rib strap and plate when bolter lost control of breast drill. Drill hit him and as he fell backward, he tried to catch himself and strained his right shoulder.

Walking across the belt line, tripped/ slipped over spillage and tried catch himself, left hand went into the belt and between the belt and roller and came out the other side, hand cut 10-12 stitches from thumb to index finger web space. Conveyer was running.

1 left-5 south longwall-top bleeder entry. When pressurizing water rocprop support against roof, part of roof gave away - causing rocprop to slip hitting man in the chest.

Equipment dolly was off track. Motorman was pulling dolly with draw bar to get wheel close to track. When locomotive stopped suddenly, dolly slid to the side hitting victim's right foot.

EE WALKED UNDER A LOW WATER PIPE AND HIT HIS HEAD, JAMMING HIS HARD HAT DOWN ON HIS HEAD. EE'S NECK STARTED TO HURT LATER THAT DAY. EE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE FIELD FOREMAN ON 7/12/04, BUT DID NOT GO TO A HOSPITAL OR TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE UNTIL 8/23/04.

After installing water pipe from belt line through hole in stopping to track entry, water was turned on causing pipe to jerk, fingers were cut when hitting sharp metal of stopping hole.

LONGWALL SHIELDMAN OPERATING FACE SIDE WALKER PULLING GOB SIDE WALKER, RIGHT FOOT GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN RELAY BAR AND GOB SIDE TOE OF FACE SIDE WALKER WHEN ""F"" BAR WAS PULLED BACK.

The employee was carrying an oxygen bottle along the mainline, saw an oncoming light and began to hurry to the cross cut, slipped on loose material and fell injuring shoulder and back.

The employee was installing 3/4"" bolts to erect a hopper. He was using a bull pin to align the holes, the employee missed the bull pin ""smashing"" his finger between the hammer handle and the bin/hopper side.

INTAKE AIR ENTRY OFF OF BLAKES RIDGE PORTAL BOTTOM. EE WAS GOING THROUGH DOOR AT INTAKE REGULATOR WHEN AIR PRESSURE CAUSED THE DOOR TO SLAM SHUT, HITTING FINGERS OF RIGHT HAND.

The employee reports that he ""tripped on his own two feet"" after he had exited the mancage and was walking to the bunker location. Causing him to fall to his knees - right knee began to swell.

Installing extra bolts at future longwall recovery area at the neck of 6 right 5 south. As he was tramming center bolter, tram lever stuck pushing employee into a crib hurting his left shoulder.

WORKER BENT DOWN TO PICK UP A CABLE & FELT SOMETHING PULL IN MIDDLE LOWER BACK.

EE FELT PAIN NEAR LEFT RIBS AFTER LIFTING A JACKLEG DRILL.

MAIN EAST TAILGATE- CONTINUOUS MINER SETTING IN INTERSECTION READY TO MINE CROSSCUT WITH ATRS SYSTEM AGAINST ROOF. PIECE OF COAL/STONE FELL OUT, HIT SIDE OF MINER AND CAME DOWN ON VICTIM'S LEFT FOOT. EE WAS MAKING A ROOF BOLT & DIDN'T SEE LOOSE PIECE.

MEN WERE UNLOADING RAILS OFF THE SIDE OF RAIL CAR. TWO MEN ON THE OUTBY SIDE BEGAN SLIDING RAIL BEFORE VICTIM ON INBY SIDE WAS READY. RAIL SLID DOWN EASILY AND QUICKLY & HIT EE'S RIGHT ANKLE.

NEAR THE END OF THE SHIFT, EE WAS PUTTING HIS TOOLS AWAY BESIDE THE PARTS CAR. STONE AND COAL FELL FROM THE MINE RIB, HITTING HIS LEGS AGAINST THE METAL RAILING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PARTS CAR.

2 LEFT - 5 SOUTH # 2 ENTRY 4+72. CREW HAD STOPPED MINING AT THE END OF THE SHIFT. MAN HAD DRUG UP ROCKDUST HOSE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MINER TO BEGIN ROCKDUSTING. RIB FELL OUT KNOCKING HIM DOWN WITH ROCK AND COAL HITTING.

5 RIGHT-5 SOUTH LONGWALL RECOVERY FACE - CREW HAD PUT METAL BEAMS OVER SHIELD. MAN WAS MOVING BEAM OVER FURTHER WITH THE USE OF A SHOVEL. MESH (BAG) BROKE AND ROCKS FELL OUT HITTING TOP OF HIS LEFT HAND AGAINST TOP OF SHIELD.

FISH CREEK PORTAL BOTTOM, MAN WAS BESIDE SWIMMING POOL USED FOR DISCHARGED MINE WATER. HE HAD JUST FINISHED INSTALLING BLEEDER VALVE ON 4"" DISCHARGE LINE. THE 4"" PLASTIC PIPE BROKE APPROXIMATE LY 25 FEET AWAY. THE 4"" LINE SHIFTED AND STRUCK HIS HAND AGAINST POOL WALL.

WHILE OPERATING THE BATCH PLANT, EMPLOYEE TRIPPED ON A 2"" AIR HOSE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. ON THE GROUND WAS A BEAM THAT WAS PART OF THE BATCH PLANT STRUCTURE. THE BEAM HAD A PICKING EYE. EMPL OYEE LANDED AGAINST THE PICKING EYE.

While pulling steel out of the drill hole, the employee strained his lower back.

6 RIGHT - 5 SOUTH - BELT MOVE. HANGING CABLE WITH ANOTHER PERSON, GOT PAIN IN BACK. THIS REPORT IS BEING FILED TO ABATE CITATION 7123073 WRITTEN ON 10-5-04.

MAN WAS WALKING ON PORTAL BOTTOM FOOT WENT BETWEEN RAIL AND CONCRETE CAUSING HIM TO TWIST HIS LEFT KNEE.

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING SIDING ON BREAKER BUILDING WHEN FOREIGN BODY ENTERED LEFT EYE.

1 LEFT - 5 SOUTH LONGWALL AT PARTS CAR. RIB FELL AND PUSHED MESH AND POST AGAINST EE. HE HIT HIS MOUTH ON METAL COVER.

EE WAS GRINDING WHEN FOREIGN BODY ENTERED LEFT EYE.

Man was putting roof strap on roof jack of miner. it hung up on top of slider tubing, he was moving it to put it in the roof jack holder when it slipped and fell out of his hands, hitting his face, left forehead.

1A - 5 NORTH BELT DRIVE AREA, UNLOADING ""BLOWER"" FROM SCOOP. SCOOP RAM USED TO PUSH BLOWER OFF OF BUCKET. WHEN RETRACTING RAM, RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN RAM AND SCOOP BUCKET.

STEPPED ON EDGE OF CEMENT LEDGE & TWISTED RIGHT KNEE.

EE WAS LOADING BELT STANDS FROM SUPPLY CAR INTO SCOOP BUCKET. TWO OF THE STANDS SLID TOGETHER, PINCHING HIS RIGHT LITTLE FINGER.

ALONG #5 MAIN LINE BELT. MAN WAS INSTALLING SUPER BPOSTS ON SOLID SIDE OF ENTRY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT. MAN HAD LIFTED A POST AND WAS TURNING TO PUT POST IN PLACE WHEN HE HIT HIS RIGHT THUMB BETWEEN THE POST AND THE BELT STRUCTURE.

LONGWALL MECHANIC WAS REMOVING LEG SENSOR CABLE ON #128 SHIELD. CABLE WAS BENDED TOGETHER WITH OTHER CABLES AND HOSES WITH NYLON TIES. IN THE PROCESS OF USING A UTILITY KNIFE TO CUT TIES, MECHANIC CUT BACK OF RIGHT HAND.

WHILE REPAIRING EQUIPMENT, EE WAS USING A 3/4"" DRIVER WITH BREAKER BAR TO TIGHTEN A BOLT. THE TOOL SLIPPED ON BOLT AND EE SMASHED HIS THUMB BETWEEN BREAKER BAR AND EQUIPMENT.

MAN WAS HELPING UNLOAD 8 INCH ""I"" BEAMS FROM SUPPLY CAR ONTO A SCOOP CAR TO BE USED ON A BELT DRIVE TAKE UP UNIT. MEN WERE SLIDING IT OVER TO THE SCOOP AND MAN GOT HIS FINGER PINCHED BETWEEN B EAM AND EDGE OF SCOOP BUCKET.

EXCAVATOR WAS MOVING STEEL BEAM IN ROAD, BEAM WAS BENT AND HIT EE IN LEGS.

West Virginia hearing loss 12.10% award 10/13/04. Received letter 11/26/04.

WEST VIRGINIA OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS 3.11% - RECEIVED ON 11/9/04.

WEST VIRGINIA OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS 2.93% ON 7-15-04.

WEST VIRGINIA OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS 7.33% ON 03/02/2004.

WEST VIRGINIA OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS 6.28% - 2/19/04.

West virginia occupational carpal tunnel syndrome 12% permanent partial award on 1-8-04.

Employee alleges that he injured his left upper back (shoulder blade) while lifting a small reel of wire. 1/5/05: REPORT SUBMITTED IN ERROR - RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT LOCATION OF THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT ON BONDED MINE PROPERTY AND THEREFORE NOT REPORTABLE TO MSHA.

1 LEFT-5 NORTH TAILGATE IN A CROSSCUT BETWEEN RETURN AND TRACK ENTRY, MAN WAS PUTTING UP A CHECK CURTAIN WITH A SPAD GUN. COAL FELL FROM THE TOP STRIKING RIGHT HAND.

EE WAS POSITIONING TIMBERS LOCATED ON BED OF BOOM TRUCK. EE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT TIMBER WHILE IN AWKWARD POSITION CAUSING A LOWER BACK INJURY.