Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLCMining Incidents in 2008

The roof failed above the anchorage zone causing 3 roof bolts to fall out adjacent to the block side of the headgate just inby crosscut 14. The fall initially measured 4 ft wide by 15 ft long and was 11 ft high. The following day this area fell again resulting in a headgate blockage.

The roof between the last shield on the face and the supplemental supports installed in the tailgate failed resulting in a blockage of travel off the face through the tailgate. The entry outby the face area remained open.

Discovered a tailgate blockage. Investigation revealed that the majority of the TG entry was open, roof fell between last shield on face and the installed roof to floor supports, thereby blocking travel off the face.

During an onshift inspection of the tailgate area the examiner observed deteriorating roof conditions. The area was dangered off and work to install additional support began outby. A short time later the roof fell. The location was XC33, between entry 1 and 2. No injuries or property damage occurred.

An area located in x-cut 2, entry 2 in the LW-202 section was seen to be deteriorating during the shift. The area was dangered off and the intersection fell in around 1 AM.

A unplanned roof fall occurred in LW202 tailgate xc 4 from #2 entry to #3 entry. This fell toward the seal. This area was isolated by moving the isolation stopping outby from roof fall.

The roof above the last shield on the face flushed in and blocked egress off the tailgate end of the longwall. The tailgate entry remained intact with no roof failure involved in the entry.

Injured stepped on rock & turned left ankle.

While pouring concrete, the injured person got concrete inside his rubber boots causing concrete burns to both lower legs.

Employee was helping pour concrete, small amount got inside his rubber boots. Caused small burn to his foot/ankle and heel. First Aid was rendered on site at the time and sought medical attention on 7-22-08. Reliance Medical Group diagnosed him with 2nd degree burn to the right dorsal.

Employee smashed finger while throwing structure for belt move. Reliance Medical Group diagnosis left hand crushed/fracture #2 digit. Required stuture and released to partial duty.

The condition that contributed to the accident is placing a ladder on the side of a fuel tank to get stick readings.ladder was placed in a bad location and was not stable.EE steped on the ladder to come down the tank it slipped out from under him and the employee fell. The employee fell on his shoulder and broke his clavical.

Employee fell from the motor-grader while cleaning the windows. Employee struck his head on the ground, resulting into a laceration and required some sutures.

A mechanic was working underneath a service truck when the truck rolled backwards onto the mechanic; coming to rest on his upper right arm. A D-11 dozer was used to push the truck forward off of the mechanic. The mechanic was transported to San Juan Regional via Aircare 1 where he is undergoing observation. Preliminary indications are that he sustained no serious injury.

Concrete block fell crushing right hand on ladder rung. Index finger fractured.

An operator slipped and fell on ice after he had gotten out of their crew cab to head to his assigned equipment. The ice was hidden under the fresh snow that fell that morning. He was seen by company doctor and placed on restricted duty. The restriction did not allow him to return to his normal duty this date.

Employee was lifting the roof bolt to place it in the wrench, the bolt was accidentally spun. the spinning bolt caught onto employee's gloved hand & twisted & pulled his finger around the bolt. Employee was diagnosis with dislocation to left ring finger and received stiches. Employee was released to restricted duty from Reliance Medical Group, LLC.

Employee's right pinky finger was smashed by a piece of oak being used to set a duke jack. The oak fell from the top of the duke approximately 8' smashing finger resulting in 7 stitches.

Employee stepped on a coal that was on the step ladder while coming off. employee lost his balance and fell to the ground, causing him to sprain his right wrist.

while moving water trap into position to hook up. employee pinched left thumb between prybar and water trap. causing to fracture thumb.

An employee was moving some cribbing in the longwall and experienced some pain in his lower back. Employee received treatment from the chiropractor and was released to restricted duty.

As employee reached around to pull the steel out of the roof, it slipped out of the roof, smashing employee's finger between the steel and the drill box. This resulted in fracture of right ring finger.

While unloading structure from trailer, employee fell backwards and caught herself with right arm resulting in right wrist fracture.

While towing a disabled Terrapro to the shop, the strap being used broke on an uphill grade. The vehicle rolled backwards down the grade. The service brakes were not functional and the vehicle collided with a guard rail causing damage to the vehicle and the guardrail. One employee experienced a back strain injury as a result.

Transmission was being installed inside a shop environment. The hoist was attached to one side of transfer case housing. Top of case was pulled off by hoist and broken piece cut the palm and two fingers.

Employee was hanging vent pipe when he felt a pain in his lower back. Employee was examined at Reliance Medical and released full duty. He had a follow-up appointment today (2-26-08) and released to restriced duty.

Employee was carrying a sheet-rock and slipped on snow covered ice and mud. He stated he was fine and applied band aid and did not seek medical treatment at the time. Until 3-3-08 he sought medical treatment at Reliance Medical, he was diagnosed with right ring finger fracture and released to partial duty.

Employee attempting to get away from a falling piece of coal rib, fell and struck his face on a piece of coal, causing contusion to lip and chipped front tooth

employee's left hand was lacerated against a metal plate guard after his hand slipped free of the wrench used to break some fittings loose on hydraulic control valve. Employee was transported to Reliance and received sutures.

While in apprenticeship diesel class at San Juan college, employee smashed right pinky finger while removing a brake rotor from a pick-up. Employee reported injury 11-13-08 and was taken to Reliance Medical Group. Diagnosis of fractured right 5th finger was splinted and employee was released to full duty.

While employee opened the man door, he struck his head on unknown object causing a laceration requiring sutures.

Employee hit his left hand with oak, while sliding the oak under the brattice, causing laceration and requiring sutures.

Employee was cleaning battery carousels with Dysol II Solvent cleaner, employee was exposed to vapors and was found unconscious by another employee. Reliance Medical Clinic diagnosis him with inhalation and was released back to full duty.

Employee pinched right finger while moving an air operated pump in the warehouse yard, he received first aid the same day. He went for an appt for other treatment-date unknown and doctor treated to be minor. On 5-23-08 he was transported to Reliance Medical and was diagnosis with right, 4th finger fracture and cellulitis, he was released full duty.

While dusting beltline, dust hose surged and dust got into employee's right eye. Employee was diagnosis with corneal abrasion and was prescribed a medication with a full duty release.

Employee was struck by a miner cable that had fallen from its trolley on the employee's right hand. Employee was taken to Reliance Medical and x-ray indicated a fracture to the right index finger. The digit was splinted and employee was released to full duty.

employee was taking hoses off seal and dirt debris enter employee's eye.