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
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The record

60 total records

Showing 50 of 60
March 27, 2015 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

Employee received laceration on his right middle finger while attempting to remove a hydraulic filter from its housing on a D11 Dozer. The laceration required sutures.

December 11, 2014 WY · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The tip of the employee's right middle finger was severed when caught between the cable and pulley of a retractable boarding ladder. Surgery was required to close the wound.

June 27, 2014 WY · Coal ELECTRICAL
Black Butte Coal Company · Accident type, without injuries

The mine lost power from what was later discovered to be a downed powerline. The cause of the damage is unclear but believed to be a lightning strike or the failure of an insulator which allowed the powerline to burn through the pole. The top of the power pole could not immediately be reached due to the electrical hazard and smoldered for over 30 minutes after discovery.

February 17, 2014 WY · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall from machine

Employee fell from the back of a D-10-T dozer to the ground, resulting in an abrasion to his face, contusion to his right thigh and a fracture to his left index finger.

January 10, 2014 WY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was removing rock from a crusher and lost his grip, causing him to fall and land on a rock that was on the floor. This resulted in pain to his ribs. After evaluation at the local hospital it was found that his left lung was collapsed.

August 7, 2013 WY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was lifting the drill bit to clear cuttings with his left hand, while wearing welding gloves. He received a laceration to his left index finger, requiring two stitches to close the wound.

June 20, 2013 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was removing wear plates from the tub of dragline. The plate fell from approximately 30" and struck the employee's right leg, causing lacerations to his leg. He received sutures to close the wounds, prescription medication and he is scheduled with an Orthopaedic Surgeon to follow up on the internal lacerations to the knee.

April 14, 2013 WY · Coal POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Accident type, without injuries

Haul truck was operated too close to berm and ended up on it's right side. Operator had no injuries. We do not believe this report is required in this case as there is no injury to report. We were issued a citation for not immediately reporting this even though an immediate report is not required. We were told by MSHA that this report was required to terminate the citation.

May 13, 2012 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee ruptured a tendon in his right shoulder while using a wrench to loosen a plug in the differential of a CAT 834 RTD.

November 27, 2011 WY · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee strained his back when he attempted to lift a CAT D11 ripper tooth into the back of a maintenance truck. He was taken to the company physician and was given a light duty return to work release with a 10lb lifting restriction. He was placed on light duty for 3 working shifts.

August 17, 2011 WY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee pulled muscle in shoulder while pushing a wacker pump onto the tailgate of a pick-up. Employee reported the incident and was taken to the company physician. Employee was released to return to work. After experience more pain, the employee was taken back in on 09/8/2011 and was discovered to have a torn tendon in rotator cuff which will require surgery to repair.

July 2, 2011 WY · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was repairing metal on a truck using a hammer and a punch. In the process of swinging the hammer, the employee missed the punch and struck his left index finger resulting in a fracture to the finger.

May 27, 2011 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by flying object

Employee was changing the teeth on a track hoe bucket. He missed his punch and struck the tooth with his hammer resulting in a steel sliver coming off the tooth and embedding in the skin of his right leg. The company physician removed the steel sliver and prescribed him an antibiotic for prevention of infection.

May 21, 2011 WY · Coal FIRE
Black Butte Coal Company · Accident type, without injuries

A CAT 16H Blade caught fire on the Pit 14 haul Road. The cause is believed to have been electrical but not determined at this time. The fire burned for more than 30 minutes but was extinguished by a water truck. No one was injured in the incident.

January 26, 2011 WY · Coal drill operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee suffered a laceration and a fracture to his left thumb when he struck it with a hammer while performing maintenance on an overburden drill.

December 1, 2010 WY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee dislocated his right shoulder when the CAT 777 haul truck he was operating encountered a muddy section of road, slid until it hit a dry section of road, and ended up tipping over onto it's right side.

June 21, 2010 WY · Coal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

At end of shift employee was exiting confined work space-his tool bucket got hung up, he lost his balance and hit his face on a gussett

June 11, 2010 WY · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee stated she lifted out riffle pan to riffle samples, when she felt sharp pain travel down from left elbow to fingers. Under doctors care for tendonitis in her elbow and has been working. She has been getting steroid shots in her elbow for the last few months but she ended up needing surgery on 08-30-10.

May 7, 2010 WY · Coal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee caught right index finger between a hammer handle and a metal tail light cover resulting in a laceration requiring 5 stitches. Employee was seen at ER and released to return to work with no restrictions.

January 25, 2010 WY · Coal drill operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Per the employee, first noticed symptoms back in Oct of 2009. She did not report to the Company until January 5, 2010. Employee was diagnosed on January 25, 2010. Scheduled for surgery on February 19, 2010. Employee continued to work with no restrictions through last scheduled shift before surgery.

March 3, 2009 WY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Black Butte Coal Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reached to push a button while seated in a chair, resulting in pain in his back. Extent of impairment is unknown at this time.

October 24, 2008 WY · Coal drill operator OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES
Black Butte Coal Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee had an allergic reaction. No cause for the allergic reaction was found.

April 13, 2008 WY · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

An employee was installing a mechanical link into a dragline hoist chain when the link slipped and pinched the employee's right middle finger. The employee received medical attention and the xrays were negative.

June 21, 2007 WY · Coal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Contractor employee was cutting cardboard template to install into a boom chord. The knife would not cut through. Contractor employee turned knife around, cutting towards him. The knife cut contractor employee's left thumb.

October 7, 2006 WY · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

10/07/06, while working with another employee, they were loading half full 30 gallon coal reject barrels from ? ton pick up, employee wrenched her right shoulder. 10/12/06, employee reported to supervisors that her shoulder was still sore. 11/13/06, reported to superv. shoulder still hurting, wanted to see a doctor.

June 18, 2006 WY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

An employee was ascending a truck ladder when his right foot slipped. This resulted in a fat lip and he chipped a previously broken and decayed bicuspid. The employee's dentist had recommended extraction before the incident. The incident didn't cause damage to a tooth that was to be extracted. BBCC will conference this reportable.

February 10, 2006 WY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking on loose coal surface and twisted his right ankle. He suffered a hairline fracture to his ankle

January 3, 2006 WY · Coal drill operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

An employee fell from an elevated platform.The employee received first aid and has not missed work. MRI results have all been negative involving traumatic injury.The results did reveal disk space degeneration due to age and patients with migraine headaches. The employee elected surgery 12/11/06. BBCC will conference this illness.

August 26, 2005 WY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee bent down to pick up a bucket weighing approximately 10 pounds and felt a pop and experienced pain in his right groin area. Medical examination revealed a small hernia.

August 11, 2005 WY · Coal shopman repair cars, mechanic SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injury occurred as employee was doing repairs on the bed of a CAT 777 truck. To access the area of the bed needing repairs he was required to use a manlift. Exiting the lift required him to step down about 2 feet. After exiting the lift the first few times he began experiencing a sharp pain in his lower back.The pain worsened over the three days it took to do the job.

August 6, 2005 WY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

Driver of haul truck failed to maintain control of unit on freshly watered haulroad and tipped the truck onto its side.

July 8, 2005 WY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee lost his balance on uneven ground, when he caught himself he felt a pull in his back.

May 6, 2005 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler MACHINERY
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping to change hoist ropes on a dragline. A 1/2" cable was attached to the damaged hoist rope. A loop had been tied in the cable to secure it to a dozer to pull the hoist rope. The 1/2" cable failed at the tied in loop. The rope was pulled down the dragline boom, striking the employee on his right arm, knocking him onto the boom walkway.

April 5, 2005 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by flying object

Employee tapped the end of a loader bucket pin with a pin hammer. He felt an object strike his finger. When he removed his gloves he saw a small cut. He treated the cut with a band-aid. A month later the wound wasn't healing properly, and An X-ray by the company physician revealed a small metal object embedded in his finger. Surgery on 05/20/05 removed a small metal object.

October 12, 2004 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck by falling object

Working on dozer, and dropped belly pan on his right hand, cutting it, requiring 12 stitches.

October 3, 2004 WY · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

A haul truck was returning from the dump, when he saw a loaded truck approaching on a curve. He saw that the loaded unit was in his lane, and tried to move out of his way. As the loaded truck went by the empty unit, the headache racks touched, causing slight damage to both trucks. The driver of the empty unit was jarred, and expirienced neck pain, the other driver was uninjured.

April 17, 2004 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall from machine

Employee was attempting to fill the hydraulic tank on a D11RCD. As the tank cap was too tight to remove by hand, employee attempted to remove the cap with a 12" crescent wrench via the cap prongs. While pushing on the cap prongs with the wrench, the prongs broke, causing emplyee to loose balance and fall to the ground, approximately 11'.

April 2, 2004 WY · Coal driller, highwall operator, highwall drill operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

While performing routine maintenance on an Ingersol Rand DMM3 overburden drill, employee lost his balance & fell from a 36" work platform to the shop floor. Employee put out both arms to brace his fall. His left arm took the majority of the force and hyper-extended. X-ray exam indicated a slight break on the end of the lrft arm radial bone.

September 18, 2003 WY · Coal weighman, scale person SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF LABELING BARRELS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE FOR OFF-SITE DISPOSAL. SHE SLIPPED ON FROST-COVERED CONCRETE PAD AT THE WASTE STORAGE BUNKER, STRIKING HER CHIN ON THE BOLT O F A BARREL CLAMP RESULTING IN A CUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER JAW-LINE REQUIRING 8 STITCHES TO CLOSE. THE FIRST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON HAD COME THROUGH THE PREVIOUS EVENING, LEAVING ICE/SNOW.

February 17, 2003 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

While prying dragline cable d-rings from frozen ground, employee strained his lower back.

January 3, 2003 WY · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

AS EMPLOYEES TRUCK WAS BEING LOADED BY THE 5130 EXCAVATOR. THE EXCAVATOR SLIPPED ON THE ICY BENCH AS THE OPERATOR WAS SWINGING A LOAD INTO THE TRUCK, CAUSING THE BUCKET OF THE EXCAVATOR TO STR IKE THE HEADACHE RACK OF THE TRUCK. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT EMPLOYEE COMPLAINED OF SORENESS IN HER NECK AND UPPER BACK.

December 4, 2002 WY · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MINSERCO EMPLOYEE HAD HIS HAND CAUGHT BETWEEN A JACK LUG & THE TUB OF THE MACHINE, RESULTING IN SMALL CUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT POINTING FINGER. THE CUT REQUIRED 3 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

May 22, 2002 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler OTHER
Black Butte Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS UNLOCKING THE DOOR FROM THE OPEN POSITION TO CLOSE IT ON THE IT-28 LOADER, WHEN THE CAUGHT IT AND BLEW IT SHUT ON HIS FINGER.

May 20, 2002 WY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS GETTING OFF OF #14 LUBE TRUCK WHEN THE HOLDING STRAP FOR THE BOARDING STEP CAME UNDONE. THE STEP FOLDED OUT & HE LANDED FLAT ON HIS FEET, JARRING HIS LOWER BACK.

May 8, 2002 WY · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURY TO UPPER RIGHT ARM ELBOW REGION DUE TO QUICK BACKWARD MOTION OF ARM WHILE TRYING TO ARM REST STATIONARY.

April 26, 2002 WY · Coal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS CLIMBING ONTO THE DRAGLINE (RIGHT SHOE) USING THE REAR INSIDE BOARDING LADDER. AS HE WAS CLIMBING UP HE USED THE CATWALK ABOVE THE LADDER TO PULL HIMSELF UP & FELT A TWISTING SENSATION IN HIS LOWER BACK. EE BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AS THE SHIFT PROGRESSED & HAD TROUBLE WALKING BY THE END OF HIS SHIFT.

April 14, 2002 WY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Fall onto or against objects

WHILE GETTING OFF OF #10 BLADE EMPLOYEE LOST HIS GRIP ON THE LEFT GRAB RAIL & FELL FROM THE TOP BOARDING STEP, LANDING ON THE MOLDBOARD OF THE BLADE.

March 12, 2002 WY · Coal truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Butte Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE HAD TWO SEPARATE INJURIES THAT OCCURRED ON HIS BACK IN MARCH. THE FIRST OCCURRED ON MARCH 3RD AFTER DRIVING A COAL HAULER. SECOND OCCURRED ON MARCH 12 AS HE STEPPED OFF A WATER TRUCK. EE FELT SOMETHING POP IN HIS LOWER BACK RESULTING IN PAIN.

November 19, 2001 WY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Black Butte Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND YEILD RIGHT OF WAY TO THE COAL HAULER AT THE MAIN MINEINTERSECTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, WINDOWS ON EE'S VEHICLE WERE ICED (FOGGED) UP. EE'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED

Showing 50 of 60