Thunder Basin Coal Company LLCMining Incidents in 2017

Smoke was discovered in the 5W coal pit on the highwall. The smoke was not able to be extinguished in 30 minutes. No miners or mine equipment were at risk during this event.

Smoke was discovered on the west high wall in the 5 1/2 West entry. The smoke was not extinguished in 30 minutes. No miners or mine equipment were at risk during this event.

Smoke was discovered on the west high wall in the 6 West entry. The smoke was not extinguished in 30 minutes. No miners or mine equipment were at risk during this event.

Smoke was discovered on the 4W end wall, in the upper coal seam. The smoke was not extinguished in 30 minutes. No miners or mine equipment were at risk during this event.

Smoke was discovered in the 4W coal fender near the bottom of the ramp. The smoke was not extinguished in 30 minutes. No miners or mine equipment were at risk during this event.

Team member was climbing the ladder on the locomotive. Team member reported that EE heard popping noise in the right wrist. Poor body mechanics.

Employee walked out of bldg. with sample and slid on rock salt on the cement, falling on both knees. EE continued to work until 2/21/2017 when Dr. restricted EE to no work.

IE twisted Left Knee, complained of pain. On 1/11/2018, IE was diagnosed with torn ACL, which will require surgery.

The employee walked near an open blast hole when the collar of the hole caved, resulting in the employee's foot and leg falling into the hole. The employee grabbed the discharge auger of the truck, which was positioned to load the hole. The employee received 1st Aid for a shoulder strain and returned to work. On 8/7/2017, the employee was placed on leave by the medical provider.

employee was removing sample from sampling system. As employee pulled the sample out, it was too heavy for employee and employee strained lower back

Removing fittings with a crescent wrench. While pulling on the wrench the employee felt a pop in left elbow. Initial diagnosis is muscle strain.

The IE was working in an engine compartment of a 795 haul truck when ee lost balance. When ee grabbed the deck of the truck to catch balance the twisting motion on shoulder caused it to pop.

Crew was dipping center pin of shovel in liquid nitrogen when it started to bubble out of the tank coming into contact with employee's left hand.

Two millwrights were removing a dragline swing pinion retainer plate when the plate slipped from their grip, resulting in a crushing/fracture of the left little finger for one of the technicians.

The mechanic was guiding the left front spindle assembly into position on a motor grader when the assembly suddenly slipped into place pinching the mechanic's gloved left ring finger between the spindle and the frame. This resulted in a laceration requiring stitches.

The equipment operator was assisting electricians remove a cover from on top the RPC cabinet when the cover fell to the floor, bouncing and hitting the operator. This resulted in a laceration to the inside of the right calf muscle requiring stitches.

The IE tripped on a forklift pocket of a stand. When EE fell EE landed on left knee. Other than a little pain and some initial swelling the employee was feeling fine and able to walk and move the knee as normal. About 3 weeks later the knee had some fluid build up in a bursas sack and the employee had it drained. It became reportable when EE had the knee drained on 6/26/17.

Employee was assisting another employee with the dovetail of a trailer to add an extension to lengthen the trailer when the incident occurred. There is a handle on the dovetail but it was stuck so employees put hands underneath to pull up on it and the stand that is underneath came swinging back pinching employee's left middle finger. This resulted in a nine stitch repair.

An equipment operator slipped on the dozer tracks while pulling on a pry-bar causing the bar to hit EE in the mouth, chipping EE's upper left front tooth.