Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C.Mining Incidents in 2004

Encoder shaft slipped on drive coupler, resulting a rope speed fault. When HSS control power was reset to clear the fault, the encoder entered a faulty value for the lower limit overtravel, making the hoist inoperable until the corrected value could be entered into the computer programming system. Due to travel time, the hoist was inoperable for more than 30 minutes.

A bounce occurred, resulting in damage to several stoppings between entries 2 and 3 in Panel 23 tailgate return, affecting the ventilation system.

While mining on longwall face in Panel 23, a bounce occurred. This resulted in damage to several stoppings in the bleeder system, effecting longwall face ventilation. An MSHA inspector was present on the surface when the bounce occurred. He was immediately notified and informed of the actions being taken to restore proper ventilation.

THE #1 HYDRAULIC PUMP FOR THE BRAKE GOT WEAK AND COULD NOT PUMP THE REQUIRED 2300 PSI TO SHUT OFF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN, CAUSING THE SYSTEM OT OVERHEAT. THIS CAUSED THE TANK PLUG TO MELT AND DAMAGED SENSORS, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO FAULT OUT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE HOIST WAS INOPERATIVE FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES.

IN THE BOX CANYON MAINS SECTION, ENTRY 5, CROSSCUT 54 TO 55, THE CONTINUOUS MINER OPERATOR WAS GRADING FLOOR INTO THE FACE. AS THE CUTTING HEAD APPROACHED THE FACE, A METHANE FEEDER WAS IGNITED APPARENTLY WHEN WATER PRESSURE WAS LOST TO THE CONTINUOUS MINER. THE FLAME WAS IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED WITH ONE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. NO INJ. OR PROPERTY DMG. OCCURRED.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER A BOUNCE, THE ROOF FELL IN 22 HEADGATE, ENTRY 1, CROSSCUT 24 TO 25. THE ROOF FALL WAS NOT ABOVE THE ANCHORAGE ZONE OF THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, THE FALLEN ROOF MATERIAL IMPEDED THE PASSAGE TO THE LONGWALL FACE. THE FALL WAS APPROX. 85 FEET IN LENGTH AND 4 TO 5.5 FEET IN HEIGHT.

THE EE STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO FIND THE LOCATION OF AN EMULSION LEAK ON SHIELD #48. HE WAS RUNNING THE PAN PUSH FUNCTION WHILE RUNNING HIS HAND DOWN A HOSE, WHEN THE PRESSURE WAS ACTIVATED; IT INJECTED EMULSION INTO THE MIDDLE FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND.

EE STATES THAT HE WAS CROSSING THE PARKING LOT TO COME TO WORK AND ANOTHER EE ARRIVING FOR WORK DID NOT SEE HIM & STRUCK HIM WITH VEHICLE. THIS DID NOT TURN INTO A LOST TIME ACCIDENT UNTIL 10/06/04

Employee states jackleg leaned causing him to lose balance, jackleg fell catching thumb between jackleg and belt structure resulting in fracture and laceration on right thumb. EE DID NOT BEGIN LOST TIME UNTIL 9/25/04.

EMPLOYEE STATES HE WAS PLACING A CRIB BLOCK UNDER THE PANLINE. THE PANLINE FELL, CATCHING HIS HAND BETWEEN PANLINE AND CRIB.

Ee states while climbing on a scoop to drop tubes, his foot slipped & he fell catching himself w/his left arm. This caused ee to have pain although he continued to work. On 7/9/04 he received an MRI & on 7/14/04 the results were provided to ee & co. to be that he had a torn rotator cuff requiring surgery. Surgery is scheduled for 7/21/04.

EE was driving vehicle from bathhouse to main road on his way back to shop. The ee came around a corner and there was a 5 yard loader pulling out onto the roadway, as the ee braked and tried to change lanes the loader did the same. The truck hit the load damaging the right front side of the vehicle. the driver hit the mirror with his head causing a lacertion

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING WALKWAY TO FEEDER. THE FEEDER PLATE WAS LEANING AGAINST FEEDER. WHEN HE BEGAN MOVING THE FEEDER PLATE HE SET IT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN IT FELL BACK CATCHING HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE RIB AND FEEDER PLATE.

Employee states he blocked in the mantrip throttle to build pressure on compressor. When he drove forward with blocked throttle, the mantrip lunged forward striking another machine. He hit steering wheel with mouth. This did not turn into a reportable until 10/08/04.

Ee states after vent tube was hung he went to get back on right side platform of bolter. He grabbed hold of vent tube holder arm when a piece of rib fell hitting rib protector plate causing plate to rock forward which caught his finger.

EE STATES WHILE DRILLING WITH SINKING HAMMER, THE STEEL TENDER BROKE, THE HAMMER JUMPED OFF THE DRILL STEEL. EE TRIED TO CATCH HAMMER, CATCHING THUMB BETWEEN STEEL AND HAMMER.

EE STATES WHILE SERVICING A SHIELD, HE PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON. THE HOSE WAS NOT HOOKED UP, ALLOWING EMULSION TO SPRAY INTO FACE.

RUNNING JACK LEG WHEN WHERE DRILLING A PIECE OF ROCK FELL STRIKING LEFT ARM. WAS INSTALLING TRUSS LEG.

The mine operator was notified by MSHA that the employee exercised his rights under 30 CFR Part 90.

EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE TYPING ON COMPUTER OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SHE DEVELOPED PAIN IN BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WRISTS.

The operator was notified by MSHA that the ee exercised his rights under 30 CFR Part 90.

THE OPERATOR WAS NOTIFIED BY MSHA THAT THE EE EXERCISED HIS RIGHTS UNDER 30 CFR PART 90.