Pinnacle Mining Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2008

Elevator had a problem with the bottom door switch mechanism from 12:12AM until 12:34AM. No injures. Was back in operation at 12:35AM.

The elevator went down at 8:03AM with a burnt up coil and relay in the electrical system. Production was stopped, Ventilated and power pulled. People were pulled back outby the loading point.

Roof fell on the 9F section #1 entry, between #11 and #12 breaks. 35'L x 23'W x 12'H. Area has been breakered off and has not affected the ventilation. No injuries or entrapment. Fall is outby the tailpiece.

Roof fall was found during the normal fireboss check. area approximately 5'x'5'10' on the West Mains #2 belt at #147 Break. Area has been breakered off and supportted.

Roof fall in the 8HLG bleeders 8K#1 entry was found by the fireboss making his weekly walk. Was reported to the surface at 12:00PM 10/22/08. No one was trapped and ventilation was not affectted.

Roof fall was discovered at Break #45 #1 entry adjacent to #3 belt line. No one was injured, trapped, no excapeway was blocked or airway affectted. Area has been breakered off.

Roof fall in the 8N bleeders between 8N and 8O. Approximately 18'WX20'HX60'L. This area was bolted with 5' jenmar combination bolts. We are installing 5' jenmar bolts in working sections and supplementing them with 8' cable bolts where needed.

Roof fall at the 9Eto9F recovery face #2 entry, #2to#3 CC approximately 40'Lx20'Wx10'H. No affect on ventilation or escapeways, no one hurt or trapped. Area has been breakered off.

Roof fall had occured on the 8N section #2 heading #24 Break. Approximately 20'to 30'Wx40'Lx10'to15'H. Fall area was mined Jan, 2006, bolted with 5' jennmar combination bolts with supplemental cribs, and is 16, 731' from the closest working face.

8R section #15 1/2 Break angle entry #1 to #2 fell approximately 6' to 10' high 18' wide x 20' long. Pulled 3 rows of bolts out. This was found while firebossing . Area has been breakered off. Will continue to watch the area and install additional support when needed.

8P longwall recovery face #5 to #8 recovery face fell out approximately 5' to 6' high x 3' to 5' wide x 20' long. Area has been breakered off, had no effect on ventilation and no escapeways are blocked.

Hoist went down due to a blown fuse. Men were pulled out with emergency hoist. Hoist was repaired and back in service at 10:30 A.M.

At 6:32AM, the fireboss walking the bleeders reported a fall at #33 break. 20'Wx100'Lx5'T. area is 8990' from the active face. Travel way nor ventilation was not affected.

The fireboss discovered #43 intersection, #2 entry of 8N Bleeders had fallen approximately 30'lx20'wx15'h while making his weely walk. Quanity and quality of air was not affected. The area has been breakered off and routed over into #1 entry and around the fall. It is 5600' from 9E cm section.

Accident was reported at approximately 2:00PM. by the fireboss making the area 8P bleeder system. The intersection at #38Brk 8N had fallen from #1to#2 approximately 40'lX15'hx20w. This area is 8290' from the working section of the lw tail, and was mined 06/06/08.

A new operator was being trained on the 4Shaft escape hoist. The starter box had drawn mositure the hoist could not be operated properly. An electrician was called for and the hoist was operating at 11:35AM.

Escape hoist for the alternate escapeway was being tested and stopped operating at approximately 7:00 PM; production was stopped and people pulled back, and was back operating at approximately 7:45 PM. It had a relay that was stuck. Day shift went back over the hoist 06/18/2008 to check it out.

At 11:00PM distpatcher reported that at the CO sensor located at the 8HLG#2 Tailpiece. EE was sent to the area to check out the high alarm. When he came around #66 Break he saw flames. There was a fire extinguisher at a pump. He put the flames out. The tailroller bearing failed, it was changed out.

Employee was operating #30 bus when the cable on the resistor grounded causing a small fire for approximately 2 minutes. Employee used rock dust to extinguish the fire. No one was hurt.

Employee was operating #74 scoop when he saw a flash that lasted approiximately 2 minutes coming from the scoop breaker box. No injuries occured. After investigation it was determined that the tree of leads coming from the control box to the Jct box had shorted together causing the flash he had seen.

Roof fall at 8N Bleeders, #1 entry, #30 - #31. Approximately 18'WX12'HX30L. This area was bolted with 5'jenmar combination bolts. We are installing 5' jenmar bolts in working sections and supplementing them with 8' cable bolts and straps where needed.

roof fall in the 8N bleeders, #1 entry, #30-#31 break. Approximately 18'WX12'HX30L.

Elevator went down at 7:56AM Thursday 02/28/2008. There were 2 people on te elevator at the time. Got the elavator operating at 12:00PM

Break #64 roof had fallen. 18'wide x 10'high x 50'Length. Roof is shale and sandstone. Falling out above the anchors.

Roof fall at #19 break on the 8P Section in the #1 belt and track entry 10'hx60'lx18'w. Employess were removed from the affected area.

Injured went through a man door at #27 8R section. She tripped on some stopping block pieces in the walkway falling to the floor striking her right forearm. After working 01/02 and 01/03/09 She went to the doctor on 1/05/09 where they are treating her for contusions to the right forearm.

Injureds co worker struck his foot with a rail. When injured twisted suddenly, straining his middle back area. He went to the hospital where he was treated for middle back pain.

Injured got on the bolter to get something and stepped off. Area was about 1' off the bottom. He twisted his left ankle falling to the bottom. Injured was transported to the hospital. He was being treated for a sprained ankle.

Injured bent over to pick up 4 bolts, when he straightend up he felt pain and cracking in his lower back. Injured was transported to the hospital where he is being treated for a strained back.

Injured was trying to remove the cover on the rear of the scoop. She was on top of the scoop using her legs and feet to brace herself when her feet and legs slipped causing her to fall into the scoop and the cover to fall on her legs. Injured finished the shift and worked the next day. Contusions to left leg.

Injured stepped on a crib block and his foot slipped off causing him to twist his Left Knee. He went to his family Doctor. He was treated for a sprained left knee.

Injured was walking #2 entry through a water hole 6"deepx18'widex20'L when he twisted his left knee. He was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a sprained left knee.

Employee was unpinning a power unit from a belt booster drive, when the unit slipped and came in contact with his right shoulder.

Injured was walking and stepped on a rock twisting her left ankle. She was transported to the hospital where she was treated for a sprained left ankle.

Injured reported that he had ran his head into a roof bolt while walking to elevator. It was reported that he went to the hospital and have not heard from him since.

Injured was exiting motor and stepped on a piece of coal 4" x 4" twisting his left ankle. He was transported to Welch Emergency Hospital. He was treated for a sprained left ankle.

Injured was driving miner bits with a hammer when the bit burst and a piece embeded into his left hand above the thumb. He was sent to the hospital where they sent him to a specialist to remove the metal.

Injured was shoveling belt line when he felt something give in his right shoulder. He stated that he had previously hurt the shoulder. He was transported to Welch Emergency Hospitol.

Injured was walking and stepped into a hole approximately 8" deep by 12" wide by 24" long fracturing his right leg at the ankle. He was transported to the hospital where they are treating him for a factured leg.

Injured was carrying 2 metal ties around a scoop parked in the track entry when he stepped on a soft part of the walkway causing him to lose his footing and twisting his left knee. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a sprain to the left knee.

Employee was lifting a vibrator with a set of come alongs. The come alongs slipped and the injured felt pain in his neck and shoulder.

Injured was tramming shuttle car to the face when he hit a hole in the roadway causing his head to strike the canopy injuring his neck.

Employee was shoveling on beltline when his foot became hung in the mud causing him to sprain his left knee.

Employee injured his lower back when the seat he was sitting on came in contact with an exposed power lead knocking him off the mantrip.

Injured was tramming shuttle car to the miner, when he hit a hole in the roadway, causing his head to come in contact with the canopy and injurying his neck.

Injured was cleaning beside the belt and track at the Y when a rock 16"x5"x1" fell from the roof striking him in the middle of the back.

Injured was operating a scoop and while tramming, injured jammed his head against the scoop canopy.

Injured was pulling loose roof with a slate bar when he felt pain in his groin area.

Injured was using a set of 3/4" come alongs to slew a wrecked jeep over to the rails when the roof bolt plate they were attached to pulled out causing the chain hoist to strike injured in the back of the head and neck. Injured was transported to the hospital where he was diagnozed with a whiplash of the neck area.

Injured was using a 3/4" water hose to clean out the tail roller on 8HLG#1 belt when the hose slipped spraying materials in injureds' left eye. He was transported to the hospital where he was sent to a specialist. for scratches of the eye.

Injured was backflushing the high pressure filters and a 3/4" hose was not secured when it struck him on the right knee and right forearm causing contusions to both areas. He went to the doctor for treatment.

Injured was climbing down off the top of a eimco scoop when he slipped in some mud and gob causing him to sprain his right ankle. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a sprained right ankle.

Injured was walking over to a crib to install wedges when he tripped over a piece of high voltage guarding twisting his right knee. He was transported to the hospital where

Injured came up from behind layed his right hand on the rib jack of the machine. The operator shut the machine off and when he turn he apparently pushed the lever pulling the jack in trapping the right hand and little finger causing lacerations to the right hand and little finger. Hospital referred him to a specialist.

Injured stepped on a lump of coal during ventilation tearout. His right ankle gave way (weak ankle from a previous injury) causing pain to right knee. Injured continued to work until 08/09/08. He went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with blood on his right knee.

Injured was pulling up #161 shield and a rock 40"16"x10" fell from #612 shield striking injured on his right knee and foot. He was transported to the hospital where he was x rayed and treated for a bruised knee.

Injured was removing a piece of rock from the shield skids from a crouched positon. The rock weighed approximately 30lbs. Knee pad slipped causing a twisting motion causing pain to groin area. Employee worked 11 days and went to the doctor AUG. 13, 08. and was diagnosed with a double hernia.

Had a set of come-alongs hooked to dolly on the belt takup. Dolly was picked up. The hook broke allowing the come-alongs to strike the injured on the right leg and thigh. He was taken to Wlch Emergency Hospital where he was diagnosed with a deep bruise. Treatment is several days off his feet.

Injured was bent over when he lifted the cable up his chest popped and took his breath. A knot came out on the lower part of his chest. He went to the Doctor and was reported as being off Aug 1, 2008 for the accident.

Injured was repairing a belt splice at #5 belthead. He was using come alongs to pull the belt. The clamp came loose striking him in the mouth. He went to Welch emg. He hand a broken tooth.

Injured was crawling though shields on 8P longwall. When he pushed off with his right foot it slipped and twisted his right knee. Area was tight. Went to the doctor where he was treated for a sprained right knee.

Injured was puling charger cable 4/3 cable from break #5 to the electrics. The cable got caught on a crib, pulling him down, straining his groin. Injured was taken to a medical facility. He is being treated for a srained groin muscle. Employees have been contacted to get help.

Injured was walking by the lights for the #23 Drail on 8Q when the light exploded. The glass made several puncture wounds to the right ear area. Injured was taken to medical facility. Investigating why the light exploded.

He was told to wait until the motor stopped, before he lined the draw heads up. The motorman pulled up 4' and stopped. The motorman told injured that he would pull up again and wait until he stopped before he lined the draw heads up. He then heard injured holler. employees have been contacted about working around moving equipment.

Pushing buckets to be loaded. Foot slipped on rock. Felt pain in left shoulder.

Injured was hanging ventilation tubing 8R section, 40' outby #10 break in #1 entry. He went outby the LOB to get a piece of tubing 20"x10' he bent over twisted left handed and jerk. Felt something pop and felt pain in lower back. He reported numbness in his back 20 min. later. He went to the hospital where he was treated for back pain. Therapy and medication.

Injured was using a 12" crescent wrench to take and oil filter off on the continious miner. He felt a pull in his right arm bicep area. He went to the hospital where he recieved medication and time off for the strain.

Injured and other ee picked up a piece of top belt structure and moved it 8' and sat it back down. Injured reported his left shoulder was hurting and may have twisted it. He went to the doctor where they treated him for a strained shoulder with medication and time off.

Injured reported he had injured his back while lifting belt structure and refused to fill out a accident report on 5/10/08. On 05/16/08 he reported that his back was hurting and went out at 9:35 PM with back pain again refusing to fill out a accident report. He went to Welch hospital and was treated for a strained back. They gave medication and time off.

EE was taking tubing down in #3 to #4 break. Was on the 2 step of the ladder when a piece of tubing fell catching her tool pouch knocking her off the ladder.EE fell on her right side causing pain to her right hip and leg.EE went to the hospital.X rays showed no fractures.Gave pain medication and sent home for a few days off.

Injured was traveling #1 entry in #1 monkey butt and stepped in a rut made by a scoop twisting his right knee. The hole was dry and clear. Injured went to the hospital. He was released but I have not been able to get in touch with him at this time.

Injured was helping a co worker lift the rub rail of the miner. They were using a bar to help lift with. Injured was bent over and felt a pain in is his lower back. Has gone to the Doctor where they are treating him for a strain to the back.

Injured was walking through #1 X #2 cross cut by the Shuttle Car when he stepped on a piece of coal twisting his left ankle. Went to the hospital had x rays, sprained left ankle prescribed pain medication.

Injured had sat down on the roof bolter. He slid himself off the bolter that was 39" off the bottom. When he came off he landed on a rock 2"to3"X 49"X80" twisting his left ankle causing pain. Injured had xrays done. No signs of broken bone. Ankle is sprained and will go back to the doctor Monday 04/28/08.

Injured was operating a scoop while pushing a disabled scoop to the charger. The scoop he was operating slipped off the disabled scoop after he had ran up ontop of it causing him to hit the canopy when it fell off. Injured is taking treatments for a compressed disc in his neck.

Injured was in the face of the longwall removing tools used to drill face. He was at #111 shield when the face and draw rock 8' wide gave way falling into the conveyor striking him on his left shoulder. This caused a hairline fracture to his left shoulder area.

Injured was removing 2 pieces of drill steel from the drilled hole. When the steel got down next to the drill pot, the steel fell out striking his left hand ring finger against the drill pot. Roof bolters have been contacted to watch where their other hand is at when bolting.

Injured was crossing the #6 tailpiece when his foot got tangled up on a turn buckle anchoring the tailpiece. This twisted his left ankle. Causing a sprain to the left ankle.

Injured was loading lincoln lock crib blocks on a scoop by hand. Reported his testicles started hurting while loading the crib blocks.

Injured was walking over to the thickener to close a valve when he stepped over a rock and tripped hitting his head on the thickener overflow chute going to the classifier tank

Injured was laying drill steel on power center. It had a burr on it that lacerated his little finger on his left hand. Went to the hospital where he had 3 stitches.

Injured had layed down a piece of drill steel on the power center. There was a burr on the piece of steel that lacerated his left hand little finger. Drill steel was taken out of service. (Injured was taken to the hospital where they put 3 stitches in it to close the wound. by 220080840022)

Injured was riding in portal bus #33. His right knee was outside of the bus and struck a fire valve along the West Mains track. Causing a contusion to the right knee.

Injured lifted an acetylene tank up on one end to slide it into a carrying sleeve that was on a jeep. Walked aroung and lifted the other end and slid it into the sleeve. He raised up and felt pain in middle of back. Weighed approximately 90 pounds.

Injured was roof bolting. The drill steel hung in the top when he dropped the drill head down. The steel fell out striking the injured's right hand little finger between the steel and the drill head. Causing laceration to the finger.

Injured stepped backwards tripping over the welding cable he was working with. He fell on his left side landing on his rescuer causing pain to left side ribs and was having a hard time breathing.

Injured was walking back to his supply motor when he twisted his ankle.

Injured had his hand touching a shuttle car and received a electrical shock which knocked him to the ground.

Injured was riding in an open mantrip when a piece of rock fell from the roof and struck the injured on the neck and shoulder.

Injured was cutting a piece of chain with bolt cutters when a piece of metal flew off and struck the injured in the face. The laceration required 4 stitches.

Injured was releasing the stuck door on the gravel car when it broke loose and handle struck him in the mouth. He lost several teeth; several lacerations occurred.

Injured was unloading pans, unhooked the chain and shut the plowguide door. The weight of the plow guide door shut on his left hand pinching the left thunb. This caused a laceration to the left thumb. He was transported to the hospital where it took six stitches to close the wound. He missed no work.

Injured was walking to drop curtain and stepped on a nail that went thru his boot and punctured his right foot. He went to Welch Medical and was treated for a puncture wound.

Injured was removing a metal strap from a bundle of 16' straps. Using a mason hammer, When the metal strap came free his left forearm got into another strap that had been cut. This lacerated his left forearm. He had to have 5 stitches interally. Looking at a different type strap.

Injured was using a utility knife to trim the plastic from a knee pad that was irritating his knee. The knife slipped, lacerating the anterior side of the right palm. He was transported to a medical facility where the wound took 16 stictches to close the wound. Employees have been contacted to always cut away from the body.

Injured was pumping glue into the plowblock. The glue pushed down on the block of coal pushing the rib causing it to roll out striking him across his waist, knees and legs and pinning him against the stageloader and tailpiece area. The rib was 15"x5'x'8'. Injured was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured right knee cap.