Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining CompanyMining Incidents in 2003

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURRED IN OUR WEST MAIN SECTION (MMU014-0) IN THE #6 ENTRY AT SPAD 39 & 15. THE FALL IS APPROX. 110 FEET OUTBY THE FACE AREA AND IS APPROX. 20' W X 30' L X 8' H.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM 11:45 PM UNTIL 1:00 AM 11/14/03 DUE TO DEBRIS AND SWELLING OF THE BOTTOM DOOR SEAL.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX 1:10 AM UNTIL 4:30 AM DUE TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH OUTSIDE DOORS.

THE CEDAR CREEK ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX. 11:00 PM ON 7/10/2003 UNTIL 2:00 AM ON 7/11/2003 DUE TO BAD AUXILIARY CONTACTOR ON MOTOR STARTER.

AT THE TIME THE FIRE STARTED THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT THE WORK AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 DEGREES F. THE PROBABLE FUEL SOURCE WAS HYDRAULIC OIL AND THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL AND IGNITION SOURCE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. ALL COMPONENTS WILL BE EXAMINED AND TESTED WHERE POSSIBLE. THE FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM IS ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM 3:00AM ON 6/4/03 UNTIL 6:00AM ON 6/4/03 DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DOOR CIRCUIT.

THE TYRO CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM 3:00 AM UNTIL 7:00 AM DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN AN LB BOX.

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURED IN OUR LONGWALL SECTION (L-7 MMU 018-0) IN THE NO. 3 ENTRY AT SPAD 101 AND 60. THE FALL IS APPROX 700' OUT BY THE FACE AREA AND IS APPROX 18' W BY 18' L BY 18' H.

THE CEDAR CREEK ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM 1:215PM SUNDAY 1/26/2003 UNTIL 2:00PM MONDAY 1/27/2003 DUE TO ICE FALLING AND BREAKING OFF MAIN JUNCTION BOX ON CAGE.

THE TYRO CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX 2:30 AM UNTIL 4:00 AM DUE TO THE DOORS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN OLD WORKS IN OUR A-MAIN ENTRIES OUT BY A-MAIN #13 SEAL. THE FALL IS APPROX 12' WIDE BY 12' LONG BY 3' HIGH.

AFTER BUILDING SOME DRAGLINE ROAD, HE GOT OFF THE DOZER AND MOVED THE ELECTRICAL TRAIL CABLE TO GIVE MORE ROOM TO CONTINUE BUILDING ROAD. AS HE STEPPED BACK HE FORGOT ABOUT THE MUD WINDOW HE CREATED WITH THE DOZER BLADE AND TRIPPED BACKWARDS. HE PUT HIS HAND OUT TO BREAK FALL. WHEN HIS HAND CONTACTED GROUND HE FELT HIS WRIST POP AND FELT PAIN FRACTURED HIS WRIST.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS HELPING UNLOAD LARGE BAGS OF ROCK DUST FROM TRACK CAR TO SCOOP BUCKET. EMPLOYEE HAD CUT THE BAG ONCE IT WAS LOADED IN SCOOP AND WAS TRYING TO REMOVE IT. EMPLOYEE WAS PUL LING ON THE BAG WHEN IT CAME LOOSE CAUSING HIM TO FALL BACKWARD LANDING ON HIS LT. SHOULDER. HIS FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTUL 10/2/03.

EMPLOYEES WERE DRIVING A PIECE OF 6"" PIPE IN THE GROUND. PIPE KICKED BACK CAUSING INJURED TO LOOSE FOOTING AND FALL DOWN. *DOCTOR REMOVED FROM WORK 8-15-03.

HE WAS MOVING A STRAW BALE & TRIPPED OVER A ROCK.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS FIREBOSSING WALKING THE BELT SLOPE WHICH IS ON A 17 DEGREE INCLINE AND STEPPED ON AN PIECE OF LOOSE COAL/ROCK AND SLIPPED/TRIPPED CAUSING HIM TO STRAIN HIS LOWER BACK. E MPLOYEE HAS A HISTORY OF BACK RELATED PROBLEMS. HIS FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 7/16/03.

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING PAST HEADGATE DRIVE ON THE LONGWALL AND APPARENTLY BUMPED HIS ELBOW ON THE HEADGATE DRIVE UNIT COVER. HE STATED THAT IT SWELLED UP LATER. EMPLOYEES FRIST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 6/13/03.

EMPLOYEE WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM SUPERVISOR ON THE PROPER OPERATIONS OF THE HEADGATE CONTROLS WHEN A SMALL PIECE OF ROCK OR COAL WAS THROWN FROM THE CRUSHER AND STRUCK HIS LEFT EYE. FI RST LOST WORK DAY OCCURRED ON 4/28/03.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS HELPING UNLOAD #4 CABLE FROM THE SCOOP BUCKET ONTO A SUPPLY CAR AND AS HE PICKED UP A LOOP OF CABLE HE FELT A SHARP PAININ HIS LOWER BACK. FIRST LOST WORK DAY OCCURED O N 3-5-03.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS WALKING FROM SHOWER ROOM IN BATHOUSE TO HIS BASKET AND GOT TRIPPED UP ON HIS OWN FEET AND FELL STRIKING HIS LEFT KNEE ON THE FLOOR AND FOLDED UNDER HIS BODY. FIRST LOST WORK DAY OCCURED 2-17-03.

EE WAS LOADING 777 CAT END DUMP TRK WITH A 992 LOADER(60053)AT THE PROSPECT AREA WITH ROCK & DIRT. THE EE ALLEGEDLY TWISTED & JERKED LOWER BACK WHEN A ROCK ROLLED UNDER THE LOADER FRONT TIRE WITH THE BUCKET APPROX 2/3 FULL IN THE RAISED LOADING POSITION. THE LOADER LEANED SEVERLY TO THE LEFT (SOUTH) CAUSING OPERATOR OF THE LOADER TO QUICKLY TURN THE LOADER TO THE RIGHT.

EE STATED HE WAS HELPING REMOVE HIGH FREQUENCY PUMP. THEY HAD ALREADY DISCONNECTED DRISCO PIPE FROM PUMP & WHILE WALKING AROUND PIPE HE BUMPED HIS HARD HAT AGAINST VALVE LOCATED ON DRISCO PIPE . EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 1/14/03.

EE STATED HE WAS SHOVELING OUT A HOLE IN THE L MAIN BLEEDER ENTRY TO SET 3"" PUMP WHEN HIS SHOVEL STRUCK A LEDGE IN THE MINE FLOOR AND JAMMED HIS LEFT SHOULDER. FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCU R UNTIL 2-25-03.

WHILE CUTTING A PIECE OF ELECTRICAL TAPE, THE UTILITY KNIFE SLIPPED & LACERATED HIS LT HAND, MIDDLE FINGER, DISTAL END. LACERATION WAS 1""LONG & REQUIRED SUTURES TO CLOSE. THE TAPE BEING REPAIR ED IS USED BY SHOOTERS TO MEASURE HOLE DEPTHS LOADING OF HOLES FOR BLASTING. HE WAS HOLDING THE ELECTRICAL TAPE IN LT. HAND BETWEEN THUMB & THE PALM OF HAND.

WAS LEAVING WORK, HE WAS DRIVING HIS PERSONAL VEHICLE & DRIVING INTO THE SUN. HIS VEHICLE STRUCK A RED DOG PILE, AT A GLANCING BLOW. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF HIS CAR. HE ALSO RECEIVED A VERY MILD COMPRESSION FRACTURE TO HIS T-12 & L-5 VERTABRAES.

HE WAS REMOVING AXLE FROM MOTOR GRADER USING AIR IMPACT WRENCH TO REMOVE FRAME. BOLT BACKED OUT PINCHING LEFT LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN FRAME AND IMPACT WRENCH. LACERATION & FRACTURED FINGER.

EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE WAS ADDING ENGINE OIL TO D10 CATERPILLAR DOSER AND HE BENT OVER AND STRUCK TOOTH AGAINST HAND RAIL AND BROKE TOOTH.

EE STATED HE WAS PULLING SPROCKET UP PANLINE WITH WIRE ROPE WHEN THE SPROCKET HUNG CAUSING ROPE TO BREAK STRIKING HIM IN THE MOUTH. THIS RESULTED IN A SMALL CHIP FROM HIS FRONT TOOTH.

EMPLOYEE WAS ROOF BOLTING IN HIGH TOP WHEN A PIECE OF SCALE ROCK FELL STRIKING HIS LEFT FOREARM, RESULTING IN A LACERATION.

EE WAS WORKING IN THE LUBE BAY. HE WAS REELING UP THE 90W LUBE HOSE AFTER USE. THE 40W HOSE NEXT TO THE 90W FELL OFF IT'S REEL AND THE NOZZLE STRUCK HIS SAFETY GLASSES. THE PLASTIC STEM LACERA TED HIS RIGHT CHEEK. SUTURES WERE REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE CUT. THE 40W HOSE WASN'T REPLACED PROPERLY ON THE UP REEL.

EE WAS CUTTING A PIECE OF CARDBOARD FROM A BOX. INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE KNIFE AWAY IN A PROPER MANNER, HE STUCK KNIFE INTO THE BENCH WHERE HE WAS SITTING. THE FOLDING KNIFE SHUT CUTTING EMPLOYE E'S THUMB CAUSING HIM TO BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR STITCHES.

EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING MANTRIP TO SECTION AND HAD HIS ARM LAYING ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT WHEN THE MANTRIP WRECKED AND THE BATTERY COVER MOVED FORWARD PINCHING HIS ARM BETWEEN THE COVER AND MANTRI P FRAME RESULTING IN A LACERATION.

EE WAS ASSEMBLING BIT HAMMERS FOR CRUSHER AND WHILE STRIKING ROLL PIN WITH HAMMER A PIECE OF METAL FLEW OFF AND EMBEDDED IN HIS LEFT HAND.

EE WAS HELPING MOVE TOOL BOX BY PULLING WITH CHAIN AND MANTRIP AND GOT HIS FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN CHAIN AND TOOL BOX RESULTING IN A LACERATION.

EMPLOYEE REPORTED DISCOMFORT/PAIN IN HIS KNEE. MEDICAL EVALUATION AND TREATMENT INDICATE THAT YEARS OF REPETIVE MOTION (STOOPING, WALKING, BENDING, KNEELING, ETC) COMBINED WITH AN ARTHRITIC CO NDITION OF THE KNEE LED TO PROGRESSIVE WEAKENING OF THE MENISCUS. EMPLOYEE UNDERWENT ORTHOSCOPIC SURGERY. ALTHOUGH THIS CASE COULD BE A PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUE & NOW WORK RELATED WC AWARD COMP

CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY, EE ALLEGES ILLNESS OCCURRED FROM OPERATING EQUIPMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

EE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN BOTH HANDS. HIS RIGHT HAND BEING WORSE THAN HIS LEFT. EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY WILL OCCUR ON 10-15-03 DUE TO SURGERY. HIS LT HAND MAY BE DO NE AT A LATER DATE.

EE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BILATERAL CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (WORK RELATED). HE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT BUT MAY REQUIRE SURGERY AT A LATER DATE.

EE ALLEGES THAT DRIVING A TRUCK AT THE MINE HAS CAUSED CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN HIS WRISTS

EE STATED HE WAS WALKING AROUND RAMCAR AND STEPPED ON A PIECE OF COAL OR ROCK AND TURNED HIS LEFTANKLE OVER. THIS RESULTED IN SOME LIGAMENT DAMAGE AND REQUIRED SURGERY TO CORRECT. HIS FIRS T LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 8-4-03 DUE TO SURGERY.

EE STATED SHE WAS OPERATING A RAMCAR & NEAR THE END OF HER SHIFT SHE INFORMED HER SUPERVISOR HERBACK WAS HURTING. HER FIRST LOST WORKDAY DID NOTOCCUR UNTIL 5/20/03

EE WAS LOWERING AUGER ON EXPLOSIVES TRUCK. HE PUT ARM UNDER THE AUGER TO GAIN ACCESS TO AUGER CONTROL. WHEN LOWERING AUGER IT CAME DOWN ON EE'S ELBOW AND BROKE HIS ARM.