Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLCMining Incidents in 2011

An ignition of methane occurred near the tailgate of LW-302. The ignition did not propagate out the tailgate entries. Miners at the tailgate applied water to the flame until it had withdrawn into an area behind the face. At that point the mine was evacuated and remains in that state.

During the first load of the shift, the end gate on an ash truck failed to open during the dump cycle causing the truck to tip back onto the end gate. This prevented the operator from being able to exit the truck. The operator was safely removed from the truck by 09:20 AM.

Operator of a 785 Coal end dump truck experienced low back/neck pain due to continuous rough loading by LDW266 loader. employee was released to full duty. The next day employee missed a day.

While employee was walking down the entry around 38 xcut to help inspect a hoist he slipped and contacted his knee on a chunk of coal. Causing right knee contusion and abrasion and released to restricted duty.

Employee was transported to Reliance Medical facility for a back strain. employee was preparing a box for transport when he reached down to apply more tape around the outside of the box when he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. The employee was able to walk and was taken to Reliance for further evaluation. employee was released to restricted to work

Employee was working on the longwall recovery face and his knee started hurting on 3-5-11, but did not feel a need to have it checked out. Employee was advised to wrap and ice it. Employee was off 3-6-11, but was taken to Reliance on 3-8-11 and was placed on light duty and diagnosis with left knee sprained.

While mining in 302 LW, a shield started to drop from the roof with out warning. Employee was walking toward the shield to reset it to the roof, the next shield (closest to TG) started to drop. Rocks and other materials started falling from the top of shield hitting employee's right leg, causing abrasion and intense pain in his knee.

Employee got off battery coal car and stepped on a rock causing him to sprain his ankle. Reliance Medical Group released him to sedentary restriction.

Employee stepped off lube truck to service and slipped on mud that came from leaks on water truck. Sprained right knee. Received medical treatment and released to restricted duty.

While employees were rebuilding a kennedy stopping and re-attaching one of the rails, the rail came loose striking employee on the right side of the head. Employee was diagnosed with mild concussion and cervical strain.

Employee rolled his ankle after getting out of the Wallace(unit) and before entering the belt entry for preshifting of belt. Employee told supervisor after preshifting that his ankle hurts. He was transported to Reliance and released to restricted duty and diagnosis with left ankle sprained.

While pulling structure, employee was trying to kick a spreader loose and felt sharp pain in his lower back.

Employee was struck in the lip by a piece of drill steel he had dropped into the tray of the bolter. The steel did not land as planned and the resulting rebound hit the employee and cut his lip resulting in stitches. Employee was released to full duty.

Employee was climbing out of the framed isolation stopping through small opening and his left leg contacted a kennedy rail which cut through his denim bibs. Resulted into left lateral thigh laceration, requiring 4 sutures and released to full duty from Reliance Medical Group.

Employee was prying up a tail gate on a pick-up truck with a screw driver. The screw driver slipped out of his hand and hit employee in the mouth chipping a lower tooth. Employee continue to work and did not report the event until the end of shift the following day (4-6-11).