Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C.Mining Incidents in 2009

During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 4 at crosscut 20. The fall was approximately 20 feet wide, 20 feet long, 6 feet high.

Two employees were using the Deer Creek escapeway hoist when the motor tachometer malfunctioned, resulting in an overspeed fault, stopping the hoist. Due to the remote location of the shaft, the employees were caught on the hoist for approximately 45 minutes until the fault could be cleared from the surface control panel.

A reportable roof fall occurred in E1 Headgate, entry 1, between crosscut 25 and 26. The fall was approximately 32' long, 18' wide and 8' high.

During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 7 at crosscut 78. The fall was approximately 18 feet wide, 13 feet long and 8 feet high.

Hoist would not operate due to an encoder failure.

A reportable roof fall was found in entry 4, crosscut 4 of F South Mains. The fall was estimated to be approximately 50' long, 30' wide, and 16' feet high.

While spinning a cable bolt to mix the resin, the plate was in contact with the ray mat, resulting in a frictional ignition of methane. The small flame was immediately extinguished with a fire extinguisher.

During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam Sly Gulch return, entry 7 to 8, crosscut 16. The fall was approximately 25' long, 12' wide and 7' high.

During the weekly examination, a reportable roof fall was found in Box Canyon Mains, entry 8, crosscut 0. The fall was approximately 20 feet long, 20 feet wide and 8 feet high.

A reportable roof fall was found in F-Seam, entry 5, crosscut 72. The fall was approximately 40' long, 19' wide, and 8' high.

EMPLOYEE APPARENTLY THOUGHT ELECTRICAL POWER HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED AND WAS USING TWO SCREWDRIVERS TO DISSIPATE ANY REMAINING CHARGE. THE SCREWDRIVERS CONTACTED ENERGIZED COMPONENTS, RESULTING IN SECOND DEGREE FLASH BURNS TO BOTH HANDS.

Employee states he was attempting to replace cover plate on petitto mule when cover plate slipped, striking employee on left foot.

Employee states he pushed vent tubing closer to roof with one hand. He pulled strap tight with the other. When he jerked on strap, he twisted, resulting in lower back pain. He continued to work until November 3, 2009, at which time an MRI identified a pinched nerve in his back. Doctor removed employee from work to allow treatment for the condition.

EE tried to catch a falling block.

EE was scaling rock when a rock fell striking him on the head and shoulder causing a fractured collar bone and a possible compression fracture.

EMPLOYEE STATES HE USED A JACKLEG HOSE TO PULL HIMSELF UP FROM A KNEELING POSISITON, CAUSING THE JACKELG TO FALL AND STRIKE EMPLOYEE'S THUMB, RESULTING IN A RIGHT THUMB FRACTURE AND LACERATION.

EE was removing loose rock in wire mesh when a rock fell striking his right 5th finger causing it to hit the man basket. EE received a laceration that required stitches.

EE WAS REMOVING SNOW OFF THE LORAIN CRANE WHEN HE SLIPPED OFF THE DECK AND LANDED ON CONCRETE SHAFT COLLAR CAUSING CONTUSION TO TAILBONE.

EMPLOYEE STATES WHILE LOWERING ATRS ON ROOF BOLTER, IT CAUGHT ON A MONKEY FACE, PUSHING THE MONKEY FACE INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S HAND AND ARM, CAUSING A FRACTURE TO TIP OF FINGER AND LACERATION TO ELBOW.

EE was installing a sleeve on the wing of the raise bore head bolt, when his left 5th finger was smashed into the wedge pin, causing a laceration that required stitches.

EMPLOYEE STATES SHE HAS PAIN IN LEFT THUMB, HAND AND ARM FROM REPETITIVE USE ON COMPUTER. SURGERY TO THUMB OCCURRED ON 01/20/2010.