All MSHA-reportable accidents at Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C. operations in 2013. Fatalities appear first.
A roof fall occurred in inactive works that damaged an adjacent stopping in active works, resulting in impaired F-Seam ventilation. The fall occurred in F Seam, South Main Returns, entry 6, between crosscuts 14 and 15. The fall was approximately 5' high, 30' long, and 18' wide.
Operator was working to unbridge #26/27 feeders on R-5 Reclaim. He was working the south side of the feeders, pushing toward #24/25 feeders. He was backing up for another push, when he misjudged his location and got too close to the bridged #26/27 feeders. As a result the dozer broke through and fell into the #26/27 feeders.
A reportable roof fall was found in E South Mains, entry 6, crosscut 28. The fall was approximately 10' high, 20' wide and 25' long.
Hoist became inoperable at 8:15 p.m.. Upon investigation it was found that switch synchronization would not occur properly. Programming was corrected making the hoist fully operational at 11:45 p.m.
A power surge on the feed line tripped circuit breakers to the hoist. The main external circuit breaker was reset but not the internal circuit breaker. A qualified person was sent from the mine site to reset the internal circuit breaker but due to travel time, the hoist was down for more than 30 minutes. When the internal breaker was reset at 10:10, the hoist was fully functional.
A roof fall occurred in inactive workings in F-Seam, entry 7, crosscut 14 to 15 in the Southwest Main Returns. The roof fall in inactive works partially damaged an adjacent stopping.
Employee experienced sharp pain in sacrum area and numbness in toe/foot after pulverizing. This claim is being disputed. It may be related to a previous injury.
Employee alleges that he has occupational asthma as the result of being exposed to dust and fumes in the working section.