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
273,095
Of which fatal
1,202
Years on record
2000–2026
Classifications
20
Filters 2 active
Time period
Experience at time of incident

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The record

33 matching records

Showing all 33
October 6, 2025 NM · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

Reported neck was hurting from loader hitting or rock dropped in bed of truck. Went to Urgent Care for treatment on 10/6, did not notify employer until next day. Employer requested 2nd opinion from Reliance Medical Center. Released to full duty 10/7 with follow up appointment on 10/14, follow up referred chiropractic treatment. Received chiropractic treatment on 10/20.

August 28, 2018 NM · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

The driver was driving on a raised dirt road when the berm of the road broke and the mixer truck went over the edge. The truck rolled onto its side. The driver was taken to the hospital and received 12 stitches on forehead.

November 16, 2017 NM · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE was jostled around in the seat during coal loading, as EE was reaching behind for a load log. EE was evaluated and released to return to duty on that date. On 11/28/2017 EE returned for additional medical evaluation and was held out of service to receive treatment for lower back, making this a reportable event on that date.

October 11, 2015 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The miner was crushed by a shuttle car and the rib, causing lower extremity fractures.

February 17, 2014 NM · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee stated that her pain started hurting on 2-12-14 when she was operating the forklift. On 2-17-14 while taking parts to yard in the forklift her tail bone & back continuously hurt and was uncomfortable to sit.

November 10, 2013 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

While employee was hauling shield he hit a pothole on the road and felt a pinch in his back. He continued to operate for approximately 2 more hours and his lower back began to hurt worse, so he contacted his supervisor at approximately 6:15 pm

October 29, 2013 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting in removal of the bar in a roll of UG belting and was standing off to the side, between the scoop & the roll of belt. The bar was hooked by a chain to the scoop & when the bar came out of the roll of belting it swung to the side & struck the employee directly above his left knee.

March 31, 2013 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

While taking a scoop out of the mine, it came in contact with the rib due to wet roads. Caused a rib bolt to break sending a truss cable into the cab striking the operator in the back of his head. He became disoriented for a second. Diagnosis: Scalp contusion & abrasion, received a tetanus shot and released to full duty from Reliance Medical Group.

January 31, 2013 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck by flying object

The chain on the mule had tension, came free and swung into the side of an employee's face. The incident happened while we were in the process of lifting the shield. Causing facial fracture, laceration & concussion.

November 17, 2011 NM · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

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.

November 13, 2009 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck by powered moving object

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.

March 7, 2009 NM · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

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.

January 11, 2009 NM · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

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.

June 4, 2008 NM · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

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.

May 5, 2008 NM · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

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.

November 27, 2006 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee strained her lower back while handling a belt scraper & manuevering it around the feeder. EE was released with restriction from the clinic.

January 11, 2006 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against stationary object

When EE exit the truck he was pre-shifting, he struck his left elbow on the edge of door. He immediately felt pain and tingling in his arm from the elbow down to his hand. On 1/18/06, EE stated he was still feeling the numbness & tingling in ring/pinky finger. Went to Mesa Occ & Sport Medicing Clinic and was released to full duty. On 5/18/06 received surgery and off since.

April 10, 2005 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRIVING THE SHUTTLE CAR AND EVERY TIME HE HIT A BUMP, HE HAD PAIN IN HIS BACK & NECK. THE PAIN WORSENED AS HE CONTINUED TO HIT THE BUMPS.

December 22, 2004 NM · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee claims that while operating a coal hauler she hit a hole in the ramp which caused her to bounce in the seat. Employee sought medical treatment on 12/23/04.

August 24, 2004 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was operating low track in HG and longwall, started feeling dizzy. She was transported to San Juan regional for CO exposure.

September 22, 2003 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS TRAVELING DOWN HILL IN THE GETMAN. SHE HIT HER HEAD AGINST THE CAB, RESULTED INTO A NECK INJUR. THE INCIDENT HAPPEN AT 2:30 AM ON 9-22-03. AND WAS REPORTED UNTIL HER NEXT SHIFT AT 11:00 P.M. ON 9-22-03.

February 15, 2003 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

WHILE HE WAS SERVICING THE MINER, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION ON THE LUBE TRUCK DISCHARGED CAUSING FIRE SUPPRESSION TO COVER HIM. AFTER WORKING MOST OF HIS SCHEDULED SHIFT HE FELT DISCOMFORT TO HIS E YES. HE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION ON 2/25/03.

February 15, 2003 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

WHILE SERVICING THE MINER, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION ON THE LUBE TRUCK DISCHARGED CAUSING A CLOUD OF FIRE SUPPRESSION TO COVER HIM. AFTER WORKING MOST OF HIS SCHEDULED SHIFTS HE FELT DISCOMFORT TO HIS EYES. EE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION UNTIL FEBRUARY 25, 2003.

January 5, 2003 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

WHILE EE WAS DRIVING THE TRACTOR (GETMAN), EE INDICATED THAT THE BACK OF THE TRACTOR JERKED AND CAUSED HIM TO HIT HIS HEAD AGAINST THE TOP OF INSIDE CAB. RESULTED INTO A CERVICAL STRAIN.

October 16, 2002 NM · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS LOADING A TRAILER WITH THE FORKLIFT. AFTER SETTING THE LOAD DOWN ON THE TRAILER EE STARTED TO BACK OUT, DIDN'T NOTICE THE WHEELS OF THE FORKLIFT WERE OFF THE GROUND. AS EE MOVED BACK, T HE WHEELS DROPPED TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE EE TO BE JOLTED AROUND IN THE CAB. RESULTED IN SEVERE BACK PAIN.

July 22, 2002 NM · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING THE TRUCK WHEN LOADER BROKE APART. HE WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND BACKWARD. STRAIN RESULTED IN CHIROPRATIC TREATMENT.

June 10, 2002 NM · Coal apprentice, trainee POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck by powered moving object

WHILE REACHING DOWN TO PICK UP THE RADIO, THE SCOOP OPERATOR LOWERED THE BUCKET ONTO EMPLOYEE'S FOOT CAUSING THE LEFT METATARSAL TO FRACTURE.

May 6, 2002 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

WHILE DRIVING THE COAL HAULER, EE HIT A RUT CAUSING HER TO BOUNCE UP & LANDED HARD ON THE SEAT, RESULTING IN DISCOMFORT ON HER BACK & LEG.

April 10, 2002 NM · Coal drill helper POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS IN THE TRUCK CAB, RECEIVED JOLT FROM THE FORCE OF LOAD BEING DROPPED INTO THE TRUCK.

March 24, 2002 NM · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING A SCOOP AND PUSHING A COAL HAULER TO THE BATTERY CHARGING STATION. THE EQUIPMENT BECAME ENTANGLED AND SUDDENLY FREED UP, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUBSTANTIAL JOLT. EE'S HEAD WAS TH RUST UPWARD INTO THE CANOPY AND HE WAS MOMENTARI7LY DAZED AND THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY COUPLE OF MINUTES OF TINGLING SENSATIONS IN HIS EXTREMITIES.

January 9, 2002 NM · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE HIT A FAULT WHILE DRIVING, SHARP DROP CAUSING HIM TO GET BOUNCED IN THE AIR, SEAT BELT JERKED HIM BACK DOWN.

November 12, 2001 NM · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Westmoreland San Juan Mining LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT OF MANTRIP TRAVELING TO THE MINE AT THE FIRST OF THE SHIFT. AS THE MANTRIP WENT ONTO THE CONCRETE PORTION OF THE CROSSING. THE REAR OF THE MANTRIP BOUNCED OVER T HE TRANSITION FROM GRAVEL TO CONCRETE. THIS CAUSED THE EE TO BOUNCED UP AND STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE MANTRIP COMPARTMENT.

February 2, 2000 NM · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
San Juan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

THE OPERATOR FILLED THE LOADER BUCKET TOP FULL, ATTEMPTED TO MOVE AFTER RAISING THE BUCKET, AND TIPPED LOADER FORWARD. THE OPERATOR SUFFERED SEATBELT BRUISES.

Showing all 33