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

64 total records

Showing 50 of 64
September 5, 2024 WV · Coal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator OTHER
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Changing roller, employee went to turn around and their knee popped. Employee was working on #2 rock belt.

July 21, 2022 WV · Coal welder (non-shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was tied off while cutting a piece of angle iron. The object they were tied off on broke causing employee to fall approximately 6' to 8' feet. Employee bruised their spline and has lower back pain.

March 17, 2022 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Stepped down onto a shaker box and slipped and twisted left knee. Wet surface.

September 8, 2020 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was cutting a bolt to open up the D cyclone to clean the built up refuse inside of it. When the bolt was cut, the supports and beams holding the cyclone box were broke, causing it to swing into the employee. Employee was wearing a harness.

August 13, 2018 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

Replacing cotter pin in shaft on pulverizer feeder stepping off of concrete pad and grabbed sharp edge on guard (expanded metal).

November 14, 2017 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Releasing brake wheel by hand on railroad car when EE felt pain in right arm/shoulder. Injury occurred on 11/14/2017 and EE continued to work until 2/22/2018 when EE missed 3 days. (Feb 26, 27, & 28, 2018) and returned on 3/1/2018 on modified duty with restrictions. At this time incident became reportable.

January 24, 2017 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Injured was in process of opening 3" metal ball valve, when foot slipped on wet fabr-form ditch liner, causing EE to fall injuring palm of left hand.

July 30, 2015 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured started down steps from 1st level of No. 1 refuse bin when foot slipped causing employee to jerk suddenly and sprain lower back. Injured was not maintaining 3 point contact and step was wet from rain. Note: Employee works three 12 hour shifts per week.

July 13, 2015 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hearing loss claim was filed by employee and company was made aware of claim being approved by workers compensation on July 13, 2015. Employee was diagnosed and awarded 14.48% for permanent partial disability. Employee has not missed any work due to this claim.

February 17, 2014 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Injured was in process of removing "make-up water line" from suction line on primary fines pump so as to add water. 2" make-up line broke off at valve overhead causing line to fall when hot material blew out of 2" opening and sprayed injured' s face and neck area.

February 17, 2014 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Injured was observing another employee disconnect 2" "make-up line" from suction line on primary fines pump when he got sprayed in face with hot material which blew out of pump line.

January 22, 2014 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was exiting the trucker auger and slipped on steps due to ice and snow. He put his left arm out to try and catch himself. He injured himself when he fell across a railing.

December 22, 2013 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was impacting bolts on a pipe flange with a 3/4" air impact wrench when a piece of rust fell measuring about 6-8" fell off the bottom of a belly pan and struck him on his left index finger about the knuckle.

November 24, 2013 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting with the installation of a sieve bin which was being moved when a chain fall broke and the load shifting, striking him in the left side of the low back.

November 24, 2013 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working throughout the day using an air hammer chipping concrete and pulling chain falls. His left shoulder began to ache but he continued working thinking it would subside, but it did not.

September 30, 2013 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping push a flock tote across the floor when his foot got caught between the flock tote being pushed and an adjacent pipe coming through the floor, compressing his foot from the side. Employee was wearing metatarsal boots.

September 12, 2013 WV · Coal security guard, watchman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

A security guard was asked to run off fishermen from a creek located near mine property. In the process of trying to contact fishermen she fell down creek bank on her rear hitting her hands and backside on some large rocks.

August 4, 2013 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a 4-1/2 inch grinder to grind weld from a side panel on a screen. The disc caught in a crack in the side plate and kicked back striking his arm. The drill was not equipped with a trigger lock, but the disc rotation did not stop till it hit his left forearm, causing a laceration.

May 15, 2013 WV · Coal welder (shop) POWERED HAULAGE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured was removing motor in Air Compressor, and was pushing on motor by hand while it was being lifted with bobcat. When motor shifted catching finger in pinch point.

March 19, 2013 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee slipped and fell while working on replacing steel beams. Fall arrest equipment consisting of full-body harness, twin-leg lanyard and horizontal ratline arrested the fall, but his right arm bumped a piece of angle iron close to his work, causing a mild sprain to his right shoulder area.

December 5, 2012 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor POWERED HAULAGE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was walking in the road near the truck tunnel belt when a rock fell from the beltline and struck him on the right knee.

December 1, 2012 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall from machine

Injured was fueling D8T dozer at #2 switchback fuel tank, fell off tracks/platform of dozer. Injured fell about 70 inches onto ground and landed on right hip.

October 31, 2012 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Injured placed hand between counterbalance flywheel and side plate of "B" Raw Coal Screen to check temperature of bearing seal, when fellow employee pushed start button to jog machine causing injury.

September 23, 2012 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured and co-worker bent over and lifted the sheave about waist high and put on pump shaft. Employee felt pain in lower back. He continued to work until September 30, 2012.

September 11, 2012 WV · Coal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was carrying a sample bag of coal and while walking he tripped over a large chunk of coal and fell on his lower back/hip area.

September 8, 2012 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Pulling torch hose and bumped right elbow on discharge chute of #5 Froth Cell at corner of channel bracing for actuator.(Hit corner of 6" channel bracing.)

April 9, 2012 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

ON APRIL 9, 2012, INJURED CLAIMED TO HAVE STRAINED HIS LEFT SHOULDER WHILE PULLING ON VALVE HANDLE ON PRIMARY COARSE SUMP LOCATED IN BASEMENT OF PREP. PLANT. INJURED DID NOT MISS WORK, BUT CO NTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SHOULDER. INJURED HAD SURGERY TO REPAIR ROTATOR CUFF, AND BEGAN MISSING WORK ON JUNE 10, 2013. THIS INJURY WAS NOT REPORTABLE UNTIL THIS DATE-(JUNE 10, 2013).

December 3, 2011 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was cutting a 10 inch pipe that was propped up on another pipe. The pipe he was cutting rolled over on his right foot and bruised it.

January 22, 2011 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Injured stated that he tried to loosen radiator cap on 100 ton locomotive, when hot steam and liquid contacted right wrist, causing burn to wrist area. Injured was in process of checking engine coolant level because engine was overheating.

January 7, 2009 WV · Coal FIRE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

An employee had traveled to the refuse dump with a load of rock when the truck engine compartment caught fire. He exited the truck with no injury. He called for assistance and the fire was extinguished. The truck cab sustained substantial damage.

July 16, 2008 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger POWERED HAULAGE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was in process of installing/replacing bearing on shaft of idler roller (snub roller) near discharge roller when chain broke which allowed belt roller to fall, pinning injured's hand between shaft and bearing housing.

June 25, 2008 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

Injured was walking beside railroad cars getting them ready to take to load out and stepped on ballast stone or a piece of coke and twisted left ankle.

April 3, 2008 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured was using an 8lb sledge hammer to strike 8" feed pipe, when hammer glanced off bottom of pipe, causing hammer to drop down and pinch index finger between hammer handle and coarse coal screen. Resulted in a laceration to index finger, requiring 6 stitches.

January 21, 2008 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Injured reported to work sick at his stomach and feeling nauseated. Injured was in load out when he said he felt sick and stepped outside & threw up. At this time he got light headed, passed out & fell backwards striking his head on metal step causing laceration to back of head.

September 29, 2007 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured claims to have been lifting a piece of metal 3/8" x 12" x 36" long during clean-up when he felt pain in lower back area. Injured threw piece of metal in end loader bucket and started driving 773 rock truck for approximately 45 min. when pain got worse and he called for help. Supervisor was notified and ambulance called.

August 3, 2007 WV · Coal electrician, lineman ELECTRICAL
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Contact with electrical current

The alleged accident occurred when injured was kneeling by breaker box for primary washer and placed his forearm on top of breaker box door. Injured began shaking and could not respond. He was unconscious for approximately 10 minutes and was transported to hospital where he was treated for electric shock & burns to right hand.

July 12, 2006 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger POWERED HAULAGE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

Injured was backing 980G endloader out of the way of trucks & backed into raw coal stockpile. Injured claims to have been jarred upon impact, causing pain in his lower back & numbness in his right leg.

January 13, 2006 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured and one other person were carrying 1/4 x 4' x 45" piece of metal up small flight of stairs to belt walkway, when metal slipped causing weight to be shifted to injured EE, putting him into an akward positioin.

January 12, 2006 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Injured was dropping steel rope (3/8" x 120 ft long) which was run through a shive block to the ground from top of load-out bin when slack slipped in rope, catching finger against handrail causing injury.

October 5, 2005 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Injured claims to have been pulling on 3/4" drive ratchet replacing bolts for drive motor on spiral ref screen and felt pain and discomfort in low back area. Employee feels that this is a recurrence of old injury that occurred 5/18/05.

June 7, 2005 WV · Coal welder (shop) ELECTRICAL
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Contact with electrical current

Injured claims to have been welding patch on coal chute, when he felt electrical shock & also received burns to neck area at this time.

March 9, 2005 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

COAL FROZE ON P SIDE CAUSING OVERTURN OF BOTH UNITS. EE HIT TOP OF LEG (LEFT) CAUSING DAMAGE.

September 1, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

WHILE REMOVING V BELTS FROM SCALPING SCREEN, EE ROLLED BELT PULLEY WITH 24" ALUMINUM PIPE WRENCH TO REMOVE BELTS WHEN HIS FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE WRENCH AND THE GUARD FRAME. EE WAS NOT WEARING GLOVES AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.

May 18, 2004 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED AND CO-WORKER WERE CARRYING A PIECE OF PIPE, WHICH WAS "L"-SHAPED, AND APPROXIMATELY 6" X 48" IN LENGTH (WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 75 POUNDS), UP THE STAIR-WAY BETWEEN 6 AND 6 1/2 FLOOR IN PREP PLANT WHEN CO-WORKER'S END OF PIPE SLIPPED CAUSING INJURED TO FEEL PAIN IN HOW LOWER BACK.

December 7, 2002 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Struck by falling object

WHILE ASSISTING / SUPERVISING BELT CREW INJURED BENT OVER TO HELP AND HIS HAT FELL OFF. HE WENT TO GROUND LEVEL TO RETRIEVE HAT AND WORKER DROPPED BELT CLAMP STRIKING EE ON TOP OF THE HEAD WHI CH REQUIRED 8 STITCHES.

November 27, 2002 WV · Coal coal sampler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall from ladders

WHILE ON STEP LADDER CHANGING 4 FT FLUORSCENT LIGHT BULBS THE STEP LADDER FOLDED AND HE FELL ONT OP OF FILE CABIENT. HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK, LEFT LEG, LEFT WRIST.

October 22, 2002 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kepler Processing Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

CLOSING DOOR ON RAILROAD CARS USING BAR WHEN BAR SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO FALL BACKWARDS AND TWIST ANKLE.

Showing 50 of 64