Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLCMining Incidents in 2009

The intersection of No. 1 Entry, at XC-11 in LW-304 had been dangered off due to poor roof conditions. Crews were progressively installing roof to floor supports toward the intersection. As pumpable cribs were pumped, they observed the roof sag. The roof eventually fell, 18ft W by 60 ft L by approx 15 ft high.

A tailgate blockage occurred at approximately 12:45 am. No injuries or property damage occurred. Ventilation on the longwall face remained within plan parameters.

A roof fall was discovered in XC-39, between entries 1 & 2 in the LW-304 tailgate. This fall is an extension of one that occurred on 6/05/09. The fall was rib to rib, measuring approximately 19ft W by 9 ft H. The length could not be determined as it closed off access to this x-cut. The next isolation stopping was installed to remove this from the active workings.

During an inspection an area in the tailgate was discovered where the roof had fallen between the Cans and the rib. The entry remained open. The fall was approximately 7 feet long by 7 feet wide and went above the anchorage of the roof bolts.

The roof between the last shield canopy and the first row of bolts in the tailgate, fell out making it unsafe to travel off the longwall face into the tailgate. The tailgate entry was not affected. The bad roof measured approximately 3 ft wide by 3 ft high and 6 feet long. The face retreated past it after two passes.

EE was hanging J-Channel at 62 xc 5-6 with a co-worker. They had the J - Channel on shoulder lifting it to roof to strap the J - Channel off. EE slipped on uneven ground falling to his knees. He continued working until lunch time, he sat down for lunch, when he got up after lunch he noticed his right knee was sore.

Raining & muddy roads. Mud had collected on the steps to the driver's compartment while driving to fill location. Driver was dismounting while facing the cab, stated he had hold of grab bar & the steering wheel but his foot slipped & he fell 3 to 4 feet to the ground onto his left hip. Initial exam & x-rays were negative for fractures but CT-Scan showed hairline fractures at hip.

While pre-operational inspection on Terra-Pro unit, employee caught her little finger between the machine frame and an engine cover. She was evaluated at Reliance where it was discovered that the finger tip is fractured. the fracture did not required treatment however a small laceration did required the use of a butterfly bandage. She was released to restricted duty.

Unloaded the controller for the Drip-n-ram in section 302, carried it from #5 entry to #4 and set-up at the transfer. Later back tightened up.

Employee slipped on small patch of ice, when his foot hit dry ground it stopped suddenly causing the leg to twist. He then fell to the ground with his leg folded back under him. The leg was angulated. Employee was transported to the hospital and x-ray indicated that both bones in the right lower leg had been fractured.

While employee operated the sandvik scoop it tended to jostle the employee back and forth causing her some pain in the back. Employee was transported to Reliance Medical and she was released to restricted duty.

While employee was opening the vent valve at the dust tank, he slipped off the concrete pad that the pod sits on. He felt a pop in his right ankle. Reliance Medical Group diagnosed him with right ankle sprain and released him to restricted duty.

Employee got his foot caught between the relay bar and the large clevice that attaches to the headdrive. Employee's toe was pinched.

replacing circuit board on cap lamp charger and cleaning area. cap lamp cord caught on to sleeve of employee's coat, causing battery to fall approx. 30"" striking employee finger. Reliance Medical diagnosis a fracture finger and released to full duty.

Employee was dropping miner cable out of trolleys for the miner to place change. Trolley came unhooked from the roof and contacted the employee's face above left eye. Caused laceration and received suture. Employee was released full duty.

While knocking steering bushing out of cylinder, employee struck hammer against punch. A piece of metal broke off punch and lodged into employee's arm. Employee was transported to emergency room and received suture and released full duty.

While troubleshooting a hydraulic, employee was trying to loosen a fitting by pushing down on the wrench. When the fitting broke loose, he hit his chin on a piece of belting that was covering the power pack which chipped his tooth. Employee was released full duty.

While trying to unplug the drill box, employee left the drill steel clamped in the jam clamps, as he was clearining the plug, the drill steel dropped approx. 2' to trap his finger between the steel and box. the left right index finger lacerated, he was wearing Meta Miner Kevlar. Employee was taken to Reliance Medical Group where he received suture and released full duty.

Employee sustained muscle pain in the neck after the flat bed truck he was riding in was backed into a rib. Employee was the passenger of the vehicle. He was transported to Reliance and diagnosed with whiplash. He was referred to chiropractor and released to full duty.

Injured was going thru mandoor. He stepped on wooden pallet that was floating on water. He fell and dislocated left thumb.

employee pinched finger between top idler can and the belt structure while removing belt structure components.

Employee hit head while lowering locker room basket, resulted in a laceration. Reliance Medical Group diagnosis with a scalp laceration and required staples. Employee was released to full duty.