Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining CompanyMining Incidents in 2004

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURRED IN THE #1 ENTRY OF OUR WEST MAIN SECTION BETWEEN SPAD 87+75 AND 86+65. THE FALL MEASURES 20' WIDE X 30' LONG X 8' HIGH. THE FALL IS LOCATED BETWEEN CROSSCUT 81 AND 82 APPROX. 700 FT. OUTBY WEST #1 SECTION.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROXIMATELY 4:15 PM TO 7:30 PM ON 11/23/04 DUE TO DIODES ON POWERBOARD.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX. 8:00PM (11/16/04) TO 7:00PM (11/17/04), DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER SUPPLY BOARD.

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURED IN WEST MAIN SECTION (MMU014-0)IN THE #2 ENTRY AT SPAD #71 & 25. THE FALL MEASURES APPROX 20FT LONG, 20FT WIDE, 12-13 FT HIGH. THE FALL APPROX 21OO FT OUTBY THE FACE

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURRED AT OUR WEST-MAIN SECTION (MMU 014-0) IN THE #6 ENTRY AT SPAD 24+90. THE FALL MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 8' HIGH X 20' WIDE X 20' LONG. THE FALL COVERED THE ENTIRE INTERSECTION. THE FALL IS APPROXIMATELY 5600' OUBY THE FACE.

A roof fall has occurred in our West Main Section (MMU 0140) in the #2 entry at spad #66+75. The fall measures approx. 20 feet long x 20 feet wide x 8 feet high. The fall is approx. 1700 feet outby the face.

THE CEDAR CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX 9:40 PM UNTIL 10:45 PM DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE GOVERNOR OVERSPEED.

A ROOF FALL OCCURED AT THE WEST-MAIN (MMR-014-0) SECTION'S #3 ENTRY. THE ROOF FALL IS LOCATED AT SPAD #84 + 45 & COVERS THE ENTIRE INTERSECTION APPROX. 55' OUTBY THE FACE. THE FALL MEASURES APPROX. 8'HIGH X 20'LONG X 24'WIDE.

A roof fall occurred at the west main (mmu 014-0) section's #4 entry. The roof fall is located at spad 83+35, approximately 50' outby the face. The fall measures 8' H x 20' L x 20' W, covering the entire area of the intersection.

The Cedar Creek elevator was out of service from approx. 9:30 pm until 5:15 am due to problems with the leveling switch & 48 volt relay.

The cedar creek service elevator was out of service from 1:30 am until 12:15 pm. A power supply board had to be replaced.

A roof fall occurred on our west 3 section in the #4 entry at spad 1 and 20. It measures 20 ft long and 20 ft wide and approx 9 ft high. It is located approx 150-175 ft out by the face.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN OUR WEST MAIN SECTION (MMU 014-0) IN THE #5 ENTRY. THE FALL IS AT SPAD 65+65 BRATTICE 61 APPROXIMATELY 1000' OUTBY THE FACE. IT MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 20' LONG, 35' WIDE AND 7' TO 8' HIGH.

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURRED IN OUR WEST MAIN SECTION (MMU 014-0) IN THE #2 ENTRY. THE ROOF FALL STARTS APPROX 15 FEET OUTBY SPAD 74 + 00 TO 15 FEET INBY SPAD 74 + 56. THE FALL IS APPROX 100 FEET OUTBY THE FACE AREA AND IS APPROX 18'W X 90'L X 7'H.

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON WEST MAIN DEVELOPMENT SECTION, 130'OUTBY THE FACE IN #3 INTERSECTION AT SPAD 73+15. THIS AREA HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PINNED WITH 6'POINT ANCHOR RESIN BOLTS. THE AREA IS APPROX. 9'HIGH & 29'WIDE & 33'LONG.

The tyro creek service elevator was out of service from approx 2:04 pm until 5:00 pm due to broken drive blocks on outside door in bottom.

Creek service elevator was out of service from approx 1:35 pm- 4:20 pm. the wires in door switch was pulled out.

THE TYRO CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX. 7:13 P.M. UNTIL 8:00 P.M. DUE TO A GROUND FAULT TO THE BUILDING.

The cedar creek service elevator was out of service from approx 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The elevator stopped near the top landing. The door locked and floor height were adjusted.

The Cedar Creeks service elevator was out of service from aprox. 12:15pm - 5:00pm due to a bad power board. The electrician who conducts the inspection was conducting his inspection at the time of the board failure.

The Tyro Creek service elevator was out of service from approx. 5:10pm - 7:30pm due to a problem with the governor rope causing the tail sheave switch to trip.

THE TYRO CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM APPROX 2:00 PM UNTIL 4:30 PM DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH GOVERNOR TAIL SHEAVE AND THE FINAL LOWER LIMIT.

A ROOF FALL HAS OCCURRED ON L-MAIN BETWEEN #1 AND #2 ENTRIES (OLD L-4 BELT ENTRY) AT SPAD 43 AND 39. THE FALL IS APPROX 15' W BY 30; LONG BY 5' HIGH.

THE TYRO CREEK SERVICE ELEVATOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FROM 11:30PM UNTIL 4AM, DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO THE CAR TOP SWITCH CAUSING THE SAFETYCIRCUIT TO OPEN.

Employee was placing walking cam lube bags on the 1370-W walking cam frame while the dragline was walking. While placing a bag on the cam frame, he slipped and the roller passed over his right hand. The right hand was partially, traumatically amputated from the tip of the right index finger to the knuckle of the pinky finger.

EE STATED THAT HE WAS ASSISTING A BAGBY ELEVATOR TECH WITH GREASING A BEARING. THE HOSE ON THE GREASE GUN RUPTURED CAUSING GREASE TO BE INJECTED INTO EE'S FINGER. EE'S FIRST LOST WORKDAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 11/01/04.

Walking down slope conveyor lifting cable sled over rollers and slipped on loose materials on the slope floor.

EE WAS POSITIONING THE MINER WHEN A PIECE OF THE RIB FELL, STRIKING HIM ON HIS BACK AND HEAD. THIS RESULTED IN A FRACTURE TO TWO RIBS.

EE STATED HE WAS UNLOADING A BOX OF RESIN OFF OF THE CANOPY OF ROOF BOLTING MACHINE WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS BACK. AN MRI SHOWED A DISC HERNIATION OF THE L4-L5 EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 1/7/05.

EE stated that he was loading a spool of 1 1/2"" hose on a trip when he felt a pain in his lower back. his first lost work day did not occur until 12/6/04 due to surgery.

EE STATED HE WAS HELPING JACK RAILCAR BACK ON THE TRACK AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED IN LOOSE GRAVEL. EE'S FIRST LOST WORKDAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 8/5/04. MEDICAL REPORTS ATTACHED.

Dismounting left shoe of dragline and stepped on indentation left by the shoe impression. Received a left ankle and groin sprain.

EE STATED HE WAS WALKING FROM CEDAR CREEK ELEVATOR TO GET A LOCOMOTIVE (APPROX. 2 X-CUT) AND SLIPPED WHILE WALKING AND INJURED HIS RIGHT ANKLE. EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY OCCURRED ON 6/28/04.

Employee stated he was roof bolting in the face area and when starting the drill steel a piece of scale rock fell, striking him on the left knee. EE's first lost work day did not occur until 6/21/04. EE LOST AN ADDITIONAL 17 DAYS FROM 11/18/04 UNTIL 12/13/04 DUE TO A 2ND MINOR SURGERY ON HIS LEFT KNEE.

EE STATED HE LAID THE END OF A PIECE OF 3"" METAL PIPE ON A PIECE OF COAL APPROX. 6-8"" HIGH & IT ROLLED OFF ONTO THE TOP OF HIS R. FOOT. EE SAW ORTH. SURGEON ON 9/2/04 (EE'S FIRST LOST WORKDAY) WHO PLACED EE'S FOOT IN A CAST BOOT. DIAG.: CHRONIC STRESS REACTION WHICH IS A PRECURSOR TO A STRESS FRACTURE TO THE 2ND METATARSAL. WAITING ON MED. NOTES TO DET. IF IS WORK-RELATED INJ.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS OPENING INBY AIRLOCK DOOR GOING TO MOTOR PIT WHEN THE DOOR HUNG ON GRAVEL CAUSING HIM TO BE CAUGHT OFF BALANCE TWISTING HIS RT. KNEE. HIS FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 5/11/04 DUE TO SURGERY.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS PULLING ON CONVEYOR BELT IN ORDER TO PUT BELT BACK TOGETHER AFTER SPLICING AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER. HIS FIRST LOST WORK DAY OCCURRED ON 4/6/04.

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON A TANK TO INSTALL A HEATER ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING. WHEN PULLING THE HEATER UP ON TOP OF THE TANK IT TIPPED AND EMPLOYEE GRABBED IT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND. WITH HIS LEFT HAND HE ATTEMPTED TO PUSH DOWN ON HIGHER END TO LEVEL IT OUT. EMPLOYEE FELT PAIN IN GROIN AREA.

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING IN WATER AT THE HEADGATE WHEN HE STEPPED OR TRIPPED ON A PIECE OF COAL OR ROCK AND TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE. HIS FIRST LOST WORKDAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 4/1/04 DUE TO SURGERY.

Ee stated after installing 12' roof bolts, which is a part of his normal job duties, his arm became sore and has continued to stay sore. He is currently undergoing conservative treatment for an aggravation of an underlying condition. Ee's first lost work day did not occur until 4/1/04.

EE STATES THAT HE WAS CHANGING CLEANING OUT THE LEG POCKETS ON THE SHIELDS AND WAS BENDING OVER AND SQUATTING. AS HE BEGAN BACKING OUT, HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS RIGHT KNEE. FIRST LOST WORK DAY WAS JAN 31, 2004.

EE WAS WALKING PARALLEL TO THE TRACK LOCATION WHERE EMPLOYEES BOARD MANTRIPS. THE EE WAS GOING TO RETRIEVE A MANTRIP & NEEDED TO CROSS THE TRACK TO DO SO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE TRACK, THE EE STEPPED ON TOP OF THE TRACK RAIL & SLIPPED. AS A RESULT, EE ""TWISTED"" HIS KNEE IN THE INCIDENT. EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 3/16/04 DUE TO SURGERY.

EE STATED HE WAS WALKING ALONG BELT LINE AND STEPPED ON A ROCK AND TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE. EE'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 1/21/04 DUE TO SURGERY.

EE STATED HE WAS OPERATING A RAM CAR THROUGH LUNCH BREAK & RAN OVER A ROCK AND INJURED HIS BACK. THIS INCIDENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION DUE TO CONFLICTING STORIES. MANAGEMENT WAS UNAWA RE WHY EE WAS OFF WORK UNTIL HE RETURNED TO WORK ON 2/2/04.

Employee stated that he was getting into the oil truck to go to lunch when another employee struck him with a metal thermos bottle. The EE required 15 stitches across the bridge of his nose. Incident is currently under investigation.

Cutting with oxy/acetylene torch on chute to be removed when hot slag popped into left ear. Possible hearing loss pending doctor report.

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING INSTALL COVERS ON THE HEAD DRIVE OF THE LONGWALL FACE CONVEYOR WHEN HER FINGER GOT PINCHED BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE GEAR BOX. THIS RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO HER RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

Ernest was placing plates in the adjustable jack stand. While pushing plate in the emergency latch was moved and the top plates of the stand came down on top of his right thumb. Crush injuries resulted in partial avulsion of right thumbnail and thumb tip tissue.

Returning to pit, right front wheel left haul road and struck culvert and embankment at intersection in haul road. Truck jacknifed, turned sharply to left and struck berm. Employee received laceration to left side of head, requiring stitches. Window and steering cylinder damage to haul truck.

EE was ""breaking"" with a hammer to clear the walkway. A piece of the rock slipped in the ee's hand causing a laceration to the right index finger. No lost work days occured as a result of this accident.

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING OUT THE LONGWALL SHEAR BITS ON THE DRUM WHEN A PIECE OF METAL STRUCK HIM IN THE LOWER LEFT ARM. NO LOST WORK DAYS RESULTED FROM THIS ACCIDENT.

Attempting to remove a water bottle from the A/C unit in his drill. Left ring and index fingers contacted the unit's blades. Lacerations to ring and index fingers. Fracture partial amputation of tip of index finger.

EE WAS RIDING OPEN MANBUS OUT OF MINE WHEN A PIECE OF SCALE ROCK FELL, STRIKING HIM ON THE CHEST AND RIGHT HAND. THIS RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO HIS RIGHT RING FINGER.

EE stated he was pulling coupler around on diesel manbuss and got his thumb between coupler and cutter bar connection. This resulted in a laceration and fracture to his right thumb.

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING. RUST GOT INTO LEFT EYE CAUSING IRRITATION. RTW NEXT SCHEDULED SHIFT.

EE WAS SITTING DOWN WELDING AND WAS BITTEN IN LOWER NECK AREA, LEFT REAR.

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS TRYING TO OPEN ONE AIRLOCK DOOR WHEN SOMEONE HAD LEFT THE OTHER DOOR OPEN INSTEAD OF GOING AROUND & CLOSING THE OTHER DOOR. HE HAD PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN & HAD HIS LT.HAND ON METAL DOOR FRAME WHEN THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT. THIS RESULTED IN A CONTUSION AND LACERATION TO HIS LT. MIDDLE FINGER & RING FINGER.

EE STATED THAT HE WAS UNLOADING A BOTTOM BELT ROLLER OFF A TRIP WHEN ANOTHER ROLLER FELL OFF THE TRIP AND STRUCK HIM IN HIS RIGHT FOOT. EE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UNTIL 5/13/04 AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURE TO HIS SESAMOID BONE IN HIS RIGHT FOOT.

EE WAS HELPING INSTALL GUARDS AROUND SUMP. EE WAS STANDING IN SUMP AREA WHILE ANOTHER EE WAS USING HAMMER DRILL. THE DRILL BIT STUCK CAUSING THE DRILL BODY TO SWING AND STRIKE EE ON THE FOREHEAD. THIS RESULTED IN A LACERATION.

The employee was working in the service bay, approximately 10 feet from where a mechanic was trying to remove a toothcap from the bucket of a loader. A piece of metal struck the employee in the left bicep. He was taken to RMCH emergency room and the metal was removed and the wound was sutured.

EE STATED HE WAS REMOVING A PIECE OF BROKEN WOOD TIMBER FROM GRIZZLY CHUTE AT THE ROTARY BREAKER WHEN A ROCK APPARENTLY CAME LOOSE AND STRUCK EE ON THE LEFT HAND. THIS RESULTED IN A CONTUSION AND LACERATION TO HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER.

EE STATED HE WAS CUTTING 2"" PLASTIC PIPE W/POCKET KNIFE WHEN THE PIPE SLIPPED RESULTING IN LACERATIONS TO HIS FINGERS.

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING DOWN CABLE WHEN THE COAL OFF OF A CORNER OF A PILLAR ""ROLLED"" ONTO EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT FOOT. THE INJURY RESULTED IN A FRACTURE TO THE ""BIG"" TOE ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

WHILE SHOVELING ON BELT, HE STOPPED TO PICK UP A PIECE OF COAL/ROCK AND THE COAL BROKE OFF CAUSING HIM TO JAM HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER INTO ANOTHER PIECE OF ROCK. HE WAS SENT TO DOCTOR ON 2/25/04 AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO THE TIP OF HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER.

EE WAS GETTING ON BACKHOE, FOOT SLIPPED, CAUSINGHIM TO FALL ON ARM (RIGHT) CAUSING BRUISING.

Employee alleges his normal work routine while on the job contributed to his carpal tunnel illness.

Employee alleges continuous operating of equipment over several years caused numbness in hands and wrists resulting in the need of carpal tunnel surgery.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT YEARS OF REPETITIVE STRESS AND JARRING WHILE OPERATING HEAVY EQUIPMENT RESULTED IN A DEGENERATIVE CONDITION THAT CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. ON AUGUST 23, 2004 HE APPLIED FOR COMPENSATION IN THIS CASE. WE WERE NOTIFIED ON SEPTEMBER 27TH THAT AN AWARD OF COMPENSATION HAS BEEN MADE.

EMPLOYEE SAYS THAT CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY IS REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF REPEATED TRAUMA CAUSED BY OPERATING HEAVY EQUIPMENT OVER THE YEARS.

EE stated he was walking from dinner hole to face area & twisted his rt knee. This incident is currently under investigation. EE is currently undergoing conservative treatment for rt knee arthritis with severe degenerative changes with degenerative meniscal tears. EE's first lost work day did not occur until 5/26/04.

EE ALLEGES THAT HIS DRIVING HEAVY TRUCKS AT MINE CAUSED HIS CARPAL TUNNEL ILLNESS.

EE STATED HE WAS THROWING A TRACK SWITCH & SWITCH HANDLE CAME BACK UP & STRUCK HIS RT.KNEE. EE 'S FIRST LOST WORK DAY DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL 8/23/04. THIS ALLEGED ACCIDENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION & IS PENDING ON THE TREATING PHYSICIANS REPORT WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE WORKERS COMP COMPENSABLE.

MOVING HOIST EQUIPMENT. CABLE SLIPPED - MASHED THUMB BETWEEN 2 PCS OF METAL CAUSING LACERATION & FRACTURE.