Every injury and fatality MSHA has on file. Filter by state, year, sector, classification, experience, or any keyword from the investigator's narrative.
Email me when a new incident matches these filters. One confirmation email; unsubscribe anytime.
IE was working on raw coal screen doing some lifting and twisting motions and started feeling pain in shoulders and back. IE went to Sparta Hospital and is off work till released by EE's doctor.
Employee complains of shoulder pain. No recent event contributing to the symptoms.
IE claims of severe cramping, weakness, loss of grip and numbness in hands and elbows.
There is no specific incident. Repetitive use of hands, wrist and elbows.
A contractor and employee were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical while in a mantrip. The boss stopped the mantrip and both the employee and contractor rolled out of the man trip and continued fighting until the other employees in the mantrip separated them. IE sustained 16 stiches in the ear and a spot on the face that was glued.
IE stepped over a pile of coal and fell on left knee. IE now has compartment syndrome and swelling in left calf. Off work for 2 to 6 weeks.
IE was changing scoop battery, and the nip was tight, so IE claims they twisted harder and felt pain in their right thumb. Incident happened around 12:15 AM on the 5th. IE was on midnight shift. IE worked at full duty until 11/25/24 when at a follow up appointment, they were given restrictions and a thumb splint. IE is still working but light duty.
IE was hanging tie wire for bolter cable across entry #3 in unit 2. The ends of the tie wire were bent and when IE let go of the wire it flexed and hooked under their safety glasses, striking them in the left eye. IE received a prescription eye drop and returned to work.
IE lifted cable & reported back pain and was evaluated with no acute injuries and a back strain. IE was given a full release and could perform all job duties. IE was moved to an alternate role for training for upcoming vacancies. Despite being released, an MSHA inspector believed this met the criteria of RWC. We disagree but are reporting the case.
IE was bolting on left side of unit 1 in entry 5 installing hog panel. When IE lifted the sheet of hog panel over the canopy it hung up causing them to strain their right shoulder. IE continued to work full duty until 11/26/24, when they were seen by a doctor and given restrictions until MRI could be performed.
Carrying sheet of hog panel over the roof bolter to put on ATRS and IE hurt right shoulder. On 12/31/2024 IE went to doctor and received restrictions that we could not accommodate with EE's normal work duties.
IE got off mantrip ran into a piece of low hanging hog panel. Jamming neck and having shoulder pain.
Hands and elbows have started hurting and going to sleep from repetitive motion. No actual incident. IE first day missed from work was 4/14/2025.
IE was loading pinner when a roof bolt plate slipped in IE's arms and Kevlar sleeve rolled up and the plate cut IE on left forearm. Unit 3 room #4, 1+80.
IE had an audiogram and the miner incurred a reportable hearing loss. Miner was over the threshold limit.
IE complains of numbness in both hands on a regular basis. IE also complaining about having trouble squeezing for long period of times and cramping. Employee continued to work regular duty until surgery on 11/1/2024
A scoop was driving through a wing curtain and caught it on the canopy. IE asked for the scoop operator to stop and shut down the machine, but IE hurried in too quickly to free the curtain before the emergency brake had time to fully set. The scoop was on a slight incline and rolled a few inches onto the IE's right foot. IE suffered two broken metatarsals.
IE claims right and left hand go numb. No actual incident. IE first day missed was 6/5/2025.
IE was walking in uncleaned x-cut between entry #4 and #5 in Unit 2. IE stated there was no incident EE just heard a pop in EE's left foot.
IE was loading 2 x 4 on to the battery scoop. As IE was pulling on board their right ring finger was caught in between the end of the board and scoop battery.
IE was changing battery on ram car. IE unplugged from the new battery and was throwing the slack out of the way of dead battery. IE felt a pop in right shoulder.
Employee was conducting maintenance and was replacing a coil spring when the trailing arm slipped out of employee's hand and struck employee's middle finger causing injury
A continuous miner operator had completed a cut and was in the process of tramming to the next place. While backing the miner out, the operator pinned self between the coal rib and the tail of the continuous miner. EE was able to free self using the remote control.
IE was hit by a rock in the lower right leg above the ankle, clearing rock of the duct work of a miner. The IE continued to work thinking the injury was not anything serious, but recently claimed it has been getting worse. The IE was seen by an Orthopedic doctor and was taken off work on 09/01/23 for a small tear in the calf muscle and placed in a walking boot.
IE stated has been experiencing tingling and numbness in both hands. The tingling and numbness seem to get worse while roof bolting. IE said started experiencing these symptoms about six months ago. No incident triggers these symptoms, they come on from repetitive motion and use of the hands and arms.
The IE was driving a diesel scoop on the Main East travel road. The IE encountered a piece of large coal in the roadway. The diesel scoop successfully navigated over the rock, however, due to the size, the machine dropped immediately, which then projected the employee into the canopy of the diesel scoop. EE sustained injuries that include jamming EE's neck to due to the impact.
The IE was hanging roof bolter cable on the left side of U3. IE was concentrating on hanging and securing the cable to the mine roof, EE was unaware of the slack pile of roof bolter cable laying on the mine roof. IE cont. in the hanging of the cable, unknowing to EE, EE had stepped into the slack cable pile. The IE rolled EE's rt ankle, causing a sprain to the ankle.
The IE was moving power on the left side of Unit 3. The IE was working out of the high voltage cable tub, aiding in the installation process of hanging the high voltage cable to the mine roof. While pulling and lifting the cable out of the tub to place it into position to be secured to the mine roof, the IE felt a pop in the right bicep.
While installing the outside roof bolt, a piece of coal measuring 3.5' x 1.5' x 1' broke loose from the roof, near the rib that was not cut down by the continuous miner. This piece of coal struck the roof bolter on the right ankle resulting in a fracture to that ankle.
IE was walking leaving Unit 2 RM 1 and was struck by rock that fell from the roof. Small pieces fell first, then a piece measuring (3'.5" L x 2'.2" W x 4' T) struck EE in the hip area. The ER X-rays were negative, and IE was released to work as tolerated. A follow up MRI showed a closed stress fracture of left inferior pubic ramus of the pelvis.
IE was handling cable for the roof bolter backing the machine out of entry 2. The cable became tight and hit the IE below the knees, causing them to fall. The IE reached out with arms to catch themselves as they hit the floor with both hands then rolled on to the left shoulder. As of 9/26/2023 IE turned in voluntary resignation.
Injured employee was walking along the right side of roof bolter heading towards the drill boom. About mid-machine, the IE stepped on a slick rock causing EE to lose balance and fall. When the IE struck the mine floor, EE's chin hit a rock causing a laceration just below the lip.
A contract employee was building a concrete block stopping in Unit 1. The stopping was approximately 75% complete when EE decided to install cap wedges to secure it against the roof. As EE was preforming this process, the top portion of the wall fell over, striking EE on both legs and lower torso.
The IE bent over to pick one side of a piece of wire mesh. As the IE went to lift it over their head, IE felt a pop in the lower part of their back. IE continued to work until 10/16/2024.
IE was roof bolting on Unit 3. As the IE was installing a 6' fully grouted bolt, the bearing plate wasn't orientated in the right direction. The IE reached up with the right hand to position the plate, simultaneously pushing the bolt into the hole, pinching the tip of the right index finger between the plate and roof.
On January 10th, the IE was working in the ME battery barn at 129 x-cut. The IE leaned down to turn a battery charger up, when IE stepped on a rock about the size of a soft ball and twisted left knee. The IE continued to work until May 15th, where the IE underwent surgery to repair the injury to the knee.
A contract employee was spreading rock dusting by hand. As the employee reached to pick up another bag of rock dust from the scoop, a rock fell from between the roof bolts, striking employee on the left forearm and wrist. X-rays show two fractures, one in the forearm and the other in the hand.
The IE was kneeling on one knee marking up EE's section cut map. The IE heard a pop in the roof right above EE and immediately moved to get out of the way. As the IE stood up and stepped away, a rock fell from between the bolts striking the left leg at mid-calf. X-rays showed no broken bones, IE missed work on 12/19/22 making this reportable.
While in the process of loading behind the miner. A piece of coal measuring (14' x 13' x 9') was discharged from the tail end of the miner conveyor tail traveling 10.5 feet, striking the IE's right hand positioned on the bed controls in the cab. This resulted in a laceration to the inside bottom of the little finger that required 7 sutures to close the wound.
IE was cutting down loose screen wire to set a timber. The IE was under the wire when strains that were rusted broke, allowing the rock debris on it to slide off, striking the back of IE's neck and left shoulder. The IE continued to work until 04/03/2023 when doctor placed IE off work
IE was in Unit 1 entry #3, removing a wooden pallet from the scoop bucket. Loose material fell from between roof bolts and struck IE in the right upper portion of their body. First aid was administered, IE was transported out of the mine and taken to the emergency room.
A contract employee was recovering H/V cable into a tub secured to a wheeled trailer in old Unit 2 Panel. As they leaned over the side of the tub to help spool the cable, the wheel of the trailer ran over the left foot. A diesel scoop was towing the trailer at the time of the accident.
IE was pulling 2 sleds with a scoop. Sleds were attached using (2) 6 foot 2" dia. polyester slings wrapped around (2) 1" eyebolts attached to the front corners of the tool sled. As the scoop was turning into a x-cut, this created tension on the R/S sling which caused that eyebolt to break. The broken eyebolt projected into the cab of the scoop striking IE on the R/S of the head.
IE has been dealing with lower back pain on and off for over 12 months. No incident triggered the pain, but it has gradually progressed where a medical procedure was performed on 9/19/22. The IE has been working in the industry for the past 34 yrs. in various roles, that involved lifting, pulling, bending carrying and kneeling which have injured the IE's lower back.
A contract employee was helping move roof bolts from the rear of a roof bolter to the side boom tray. A rock measuring 2'8" X 2'2" X 1'6" (approximately 380 lbs) fell from the roof at a trimmed corner. When this corner was trimmed, an arched kerf was left from the head of the miner. Part of the arched kerf fell and struck the miner. The rock fell between the roof bolts and the rib.
Two mantrips were traveling to Unit 2. A BTV pulled off the travel road to allow the first mantrip to pass. The first mantrip passed by, the BTV flashed lights then pulled out of the crosscut striking the second mantrip. The IC in the second ride experienced some bruising to the left torso. The IC started missing work on 2/24/22. *CT on 3/7/22 revealed fractures of ribs.
The IE was using a hand drill to bore out a broken bolt to a tram lever on a roof bolter. As the IE applied pressure to the drill, the 3/16" bit scattered causing a fragment of metal to become logged in the corner of the right eye. The IE was transported to the Sparta Community Hospital ER where medical treatment was administrated, to care for the eye.
On 12/27/21 while drilling a hole to install a 6' roof bolt. The IC had a premade roof bolt leaning against the drill boom tray. Unknowing the location of the base of the bolt, as the IC lowered the drill boom it struck the bolt causing it to strike the right knee. The IC continued to work until placed on restricted duty by and Orthopedic doctor on 1/4/22.
The IE was loading 6" x 16" roof bolt plates onto the tray of the drill boom. When the IE turned around to go get more roof bolts, IE caught the edge of a plate on the tray with right forearm. The IE was transported to ER at a hospital where IE received 11 sutures.
IE was drilling a roof bolt hole, a hyd. hose on the bottom of the boom was hung under a piece of rock. IE continued drilling upwards, unknowing the hose was stuck under the rock, the hose broke at a fitting as it was stretched, allowing it to swing up striking the IE above the right eyebrow. The IE was taken to Sparta Community hospital where IE received 3 sutures.