Mining Incidents

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Every injury and fatality MSHA has on file. Filter by state, year, sector, classification, experience, or any keyword from the investigator's narrative.

Total incidents
273,193
Of which fatal
1,202
Years on record
2000–2026
Classifications
20
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Time period
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The record

81 matching records

Showing 50 of 81
February 2, 2026 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Mechanic was under a dozer looking for a leak on the equalizer bar. Once the mechanic found the problem, EE went to crawl out from underneath the dozer EE used EE's arm to assist self in getting up. In this process EE's left shoulder dislocated from the socket.

June 28, 2023 MT · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Dragline operator cut the tip of finger while reinstalling a lower hoist chain pin during a PM. Dragline Operator's ring and pinky fingers were pinched under the pin's locking collar cap, with the ring finger taking most of the injury. The tip of the ring finger was cut off with only slight pinch damage to the pinky.

December 18, 2019 MT · Coal welder (non-shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Installing pin in spreader bar for dragline rigging, pin started in hole and was not down completely reached to grab pin, then grabbed pin and pin fell into hole completely, which entrapped ring & middle finger, causing them to be smashed. Went to hospital where X-rays showed no breaks, but did result in nine stitches to ring finger.

July 25, 2018 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Struck by flying object

When the pin was backed out of a rear trailer strut, it swung free & struck the employee in the lower lip.

March 12, 2018 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured employee crushed left little finger between the flat bed pickup rail and replacement dragline bucket tooth that ee was loading into the truck bed.

April 11, 2016 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Struck by falling object

While inspecting the bin level measuring system on a prill storage silo the injured employee suffered facial and skull lacerations when the unsecured manhole cover fell on to the employees head. Injuries would have been more severe had the injured employee not had EE's hard hat on.

March 31, 2016 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Decker Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

In preparation of a dragline cable move, injured employee cut the top of EE's left hand with a "retractable" blade utility knife while cutting a plastic zip-tie that was securing the cable ends. The resulting cut required medical attention and six stitches to close the wound.

July 31, 2015 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Decker Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Operator bounced over a large chunk of coal & hurt back/knee. Operator came in at end of shift & told supervisor about the incident. Operator did not need request medical attention at that time. Several days later operator went to doctor for sore knee. Decker Coal is filing this form under protest due to the extenuating circumstances related to this incident.

November 25, 2014 MT · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor POWERED HAULAGE
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee observed gap between belt wiper and belt while system was operating. The employee leaned toward the belt for a closer look and the employee's glove was snagged by the belt. Which caused his forearm to get pinched between the return roller and the belt wiper resulting in a broken right distal ulna bone in the right forearm.

December 3, 2013 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Dragline dozer operator was getting off the dragline. As he got to the bottom of the boarding ladder he lost his grip of the handrail with his right hand causing him to strain his back again. Employee has history of chronic lumbar disc disease and doctor has prescribed medication.

September 6, 2012 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee has worked in maintenance as a mechanic/welder for 38 years. After 38 years his thumb joints in both hands have deteriorated to the point that he had to have surgery to repair the joints.

April 24, 2012 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Decker Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Two scrapers were in a push pull operation when one scraper bumped into the other one

April 9, 2012 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Decker Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Operator was panning down haul road in a scraper, another scraper coming off fill canned up and the operator was about to put cushion hook back on when he hit a hole. He pulled a muscle in his neck.

March 5, 2012 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was hooking up a coolant hot start coupler. As he was pushing the coupler together he felt a pain in his left shoulder. He was taken to the doctor for evaluation. The doctor prescribed medication and released him to return to work. Further evaluation to follow.

February 24, 2012 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee is a utility oiler and has being doing oiling duties for 25 years. He states that he has developed a hernia on his right side, he had a hernia on his left side 12 years prior. His duties include pulling a 2 inch diameter hose off a hose reel and fueling heavy equipment along with climbing on and off equipment to check fluid levels.

July 28, 2011 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

At the East Coal Plant. A hinged inspection plate was opened to help align a cover with holes on the mounting bracket. The cover bound up and while trying to relieve the bind in the cover the employee placed his right hand in line with the plate. When the bind released the plate came down on the employee's right index finger. Right finger to be severed.

July 1, 2011 MT · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Two employees were trying to let down the mast on a light plant. The employees were trying to pull the base of the mast up so the mast could lay down. The mast slid back into the channel lacerating the end of the right ring finger on one of the employees hand. Medical attention required to apply stitches to the finger.

April 15, 2011 MT · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Warehouseman was moving a pallet of parts. He lifted one end of the pallet up and as he set it back down, his right index finger was pinched between the pallet and the part on the pallet underneath, requiring medical evaluation.

March 23, 2011 MT · Coal drill operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Drill operator opened the cab door on an overburden drill. When he closed the door his left thumb was shut in the door lacerating the end of the thumb.

April 20, 2010 MT · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Struck by falling object

Dragline operator was placing the boarding steps into place to start a repair on dragline. He removed the step from the storage area and dropped the steps on his left foot resulting in fracturing two bones in his left foot.

April 20, 2010 MT · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Electrician trainee was carrying a 14 pound box of brushes for a dragline motor from the warehouse to his truck, when he felt his back give out, almost dropping the box. He continued to work and his back pain became worse. At 1:00PM he was in for lunch and his back pain got worse.

November 23, 2009 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee, a mechanic was removing a tie rod from a CH 150 coal hauler. While holding onto tie rod, another mechanic knocked tie rod loose injuring the back of the employee holding onto tie rod. The tie rod weight is about 50# and only one end was taken off truck.

August 11, 2009 MT · Coal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was holding flexible conduit while sliding a nut down on a junction box and felt a pain in his shoulder. This incident could be an aggravation to a pre-existing condition as the employee has had recent surgeries to both shoulders. Doctor states he suffers from an occupational disease. Employee has missed no work to date pending medical diagnosis or treatment

May 12, 2009 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Oiler was moving cable @ Dragline and felt a pop in wrist. Xrays showed no positve findings and he returned to work. On 6-10-09 emp. returned to doc for MRI which showed small fracure on wrist. Emp. again has been released to work pending further diagnosis as he suffers from Heinbocks disease, a rare bone disorder. Emp. has missed no work due to his injury.

September 5, 2008 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cat 518 skidder door was accidently shut by mechanic asisting in getting the skidder started and unstuck smashing operators finger. Employee received a laceration to right ring finger that required stitches to close the wound, and the removel of the nail. Employee returned to work his next scheduled shift. No lost time.

August 15, 2008 MT · Coal pumper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Decker Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a water pump discharge hose with a safety razor knife. He was cutting toward himself. The knife slipped and lacerated his left forearm.

August 10, 2008 MT · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger POWERED HAULAGE
Decker Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee was driving a Euclid CH-150 coalhauler in pit 11 F section when he hit a hole in the road jarring his back, road maintenance was ongoing at the time of the incident. On 8/11/08 employee was diagnosed with a herniated disk at L5-S1 in his lower back. Employee is unable to work till further notice.

January 2, 2008 MT · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Decker Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking to the parking area when she slipped on a patch of ice striking the back of her head, cuasing a laceration that required stiches to close. Employee returned to full work duties, no lost time or restricted duties. The area was cleared of snow after a recent storm. Another employee was placing ice melt, but did not see the fall.

December 26, 2007 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Oiler reported pain in right shoulder after changing filters in drill. Was taken to Dr. and no injury was found. A week later continued to complain of pain was taken to ortho and no injury was found. 4 weeks later an mri was done and was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. Surgery is pending and he continues full duty.

June 5, 2007 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Struck by falling object

A weld on a tag broke and contractor employee tried to catch the brass washer to keep from falling. The brass washer fell two feet (2 ft.) shearing his left pointer finger between the brass washer and the 3rd initial bore of a 1570 Dragline.

May 20, 2007 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Decker Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

The contractor employee was swinging a hammer with his right hand at the 3rd Intermediate brass bushing. The hammer glanced off the bushing, lacerating the top-side of the employee's fingers on a sharp edge of the brass bushing. The employee was not wearing gloves at the time of the injury.

May 18, 2007 MT · Coal electrician, lineman OTHER
Decker Coal Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

In order to gain access to the generators to disconnect the wiring EE had to climb through a small opening under the generator. He twisted his body to get under the generators and felt a pulled muscle in his back

April 23, 2007 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Decker Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While driving an empty coal hauler employee hit a slight dip in the main haul road and felt a slight pinch (burning) in his lower back. After lunch the following day his lower back was bothering him to the point that he could no longer drive truck. EE was transported to local emergency room & treated for a muscle spasm. (Letter from Dr indicates degenerative disease)

March 12, 2007 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Decker Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After running a 657 scraper for 5.5 hours (plating road) employee finished remainder of the shift driving a coal hauler. At the end of the shift employee told the production superintendent tha t his lower back was hurting. This was the employees last scheduled night shift, as a precaution an appointment was scheduled for the afternoon of the 13th with the company physician.

March 7, 2007 MT · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

After removing a lighting pole light fixture, employee was loading the fixture (approx. 40 lbs) into the bed of a pickup truck and felt a slight pop/pull in the back of his right shoulder. Checked out by a physician as a precaution.

October 22, 2006 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After checking the shoe wear clad for proper lubrication employee turned to leave the area ducking under an I-Beam and struck a lifting eye that was welded to the bottom of the house. The impact (buckled) caused the employee to fall backwards full body weight onto his right foot, breaking both bones in his lower right leg.

July 21, 2006 MT · Coal electrician, lineman ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Decker Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After blowing out the grid box on a Euclid R-170, employee was attempting to align the right side mirror bracket mounting bolt to the top of the grid box. Employee chose to push (bump) the mirror bracket with his hip, resulting in a lower back muscle spasm. *Final Diagnosis: Occupational Illness due to arthritic changes to his lower back*

May 3, 2006 MT · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Decker Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Crossing a 12-14 inch high windrow left in the pit floor caused the truck to pitch enough to bottom out the operator's seat. Employee complained of a warm/tingling sensation in his lower back for several minutes, with an MRI revealing a lower back ruptured disk the following day. Speed estimated at 5 mph while crossing the windrow.

October 15, 2005 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee suffered a lower back muscle spasm while carrying an 85 lb. return roller to the tail pully area of belt #3, a 60 inch conveyor. It requires climbing 2 flights of stairs to get to the tail pully of belt #3

August 16, 2005 MT · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Decker Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee's position as coal prep oiler - experienced increasing lower back pain over the last couple of months.

June 19, 2005 MT · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Decker Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was using utility knife and cut his thumb

June 2, 2005 MT · Coal drill operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Illness: Years of repetitive motion - hand tying explosives, stemming drill holes, operating controls of various pieces of mobile equipment; has resulted in Carpel Tunnel Syndrome of the his right wrist.

May 3, 2005 MT · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor MACHINERY
Decker Coal Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE was repairing a crack 4.5' above ground level on the bucket of a CAT 5230 front shovel when right pant leg caught on fire from sparks or welding slag. He was sitting on a 5 gal. bucket as he welded. He was treated for a 2nd degree burn and released to work his next scheduled shift. (On May 6 a low grade infection set in and he was prescribed antibiotics and bed rest).

October 19, 2004 MT · Coal drill operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While boarding the drill employee heard and felt a pop from his left knee. On Oct. 20th an MRI revealed a torn medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus.

September 10, 2004 MT · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Stumbled & twisted knee in loadout & also twisted when returned to the lab.

August 25, 2004 MT · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Decker Coal Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING LOW BACK PAIN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. HE SAYS IT IS CAUSED BY MANY YEARS OF OPERATING MOBILE EQUIPMENT. NO ONE TRAUMATIC INCIDENT CAUSED HIS CONDITION.

August 1, 2004 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Decker Coal Company · Struck by flying object

Employee was grinding throughout the day with a 5" electric grinder. Employee ended up with piece of metal in his eye. He was wearing two forms of eye protection the entire time he was grinding.

July 21, 2004 MT · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Decker Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

Employees were removing the guards from the gear of the dragline. A temporary employee climbed onto the guard to access the upper bolts. The employee was using the brackets that hold the grease drip pan as a work platform, when one of the brackets failed. The employee fell and received 4 stitches in his elbow. The employee was released to full duty.

June 24, 2004 MT · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The plant operator was feeding coal into the grizzly when a chunk of coal became lodged between the conveyor & bin under the grizzly. He attempted to remove it when his little finger was pinched and lacerated. He received 6 sutures in the emergency room.

September 4, 2003 MT · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Decker Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

PAIN AND RUBBING FEELING IN LOWER BACK WHEN EMPTYING BARRELS OF COAL.

Showing 50 of 81