Every injury and fatality MSHA has on file. Filter by state, year, sector, classification, experience, or any keyword from the investigator's narrative.
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A wildland fire was discovered west of the active mining area and not extinguished within 1/2 hour of discovery. Upon further investigation, the fire is not within the mining permit boundary. No mine personnel, equipment, or facilities were in danger. The fire was believed to be started by lightning that was in the area.
Employee states that their back was hurting after doing clean up and shoveling at the loadout.
On June 20, 2025, at approximately 1420, a wildland fire was discovered inside the mine permit boundary near a public utility powerline during high wind conditions. The fire was not extinguished within 30 minutes of discovery making this event immediately reportable to MSHA. No personnel, equipment or facilities were endangered by this event.
Employee was pulling fuel hose and twisted to get slack in the hose so the nozzle could be hooked to the piece of equipment to be fueled. When the employee twisted this caused pain to the lower left abdomen. The employee was taken to the hospital for evaluation and not allowed to return for their next scheduled shift on 5/25/25 but given a full release to return to work on 5/26/25.
On 4/18/25 employee was walking and as they took a step their knee buckled. The employee didn't feel any sort of pop or discomfort at that time. On 4/19/25 the employee went to a physician due to their knee being sore and stiff. X-ray was negative and the employee has been referred to an orthopedic physician for further evaluation. Appointment for ortho is pending.
Production Operator was shoveling mud off the track frame of a dozer while standing on the ground when Operator slipped and fell, landing on left shoulder. X-ray was negative and physician has referred employee for an MRI.
The lab technician was getting ready to collect a coal sample when bolts for an approximately 10-inch guide on the drill sheared, and the guide fell, striking the Lab Tech on top of the right shoulder. Employee was referred to ortho and was prescribed physical therapy.
Warehouse Attendant was attempting to unload two GET Heel Plates from the forks of a forklift. The Attendant slid the plates off the end of the forks and pinched their index and middle fingers on their left hand between the plates and the ground resulting in swelling and bruising, x-ray was negative for fractures.
Security Officer had unused CCTV monitor fall on their head while attempting to retrieve items from post storage space resulting in black eye, stiffness of neck and headache. Security Officer was evaluated by a physician resulting in missing their next scheduled shift and being recommended light duty for several days.
Equipment Operator was assisting to unplug the 007 Crusher. The operator was turning the drive pulley by hand when left ring finger was pinched between the pulley and the belt. An x-ray revealed a fracture in the finger. The employee was given a splint for the finger to be worn while at work. The employee returned to work with no restrictions.
A grass fire was discovered and reported at 13:25 while employees were investigating why the mine site lost power and shortly thereafter, phones. A fire line was immediately cut around the fire and suppression efforts began. It was determined that a large bird had contacted a powerline resulting in the loss of power and the grass fire.
EE was cleaning out cardboard from the back of the blasting truck. EE stepped back towards the rear of the truck and stepped off the bed onto the tailgate. This caused EE to lose balance and fall resulting in EE jamming left wrist when EE tried to catch self.
EE reports that, at the end of EE's shift, EE dismounted a highway haul truck, and EE felt a popping sensation along with a burning sensation and pain in the upper heel area of EE's left foot.
After shoveling spilled coal in the train tunnel for several hours, EE reported feeling pain on the right side of lower back. EE was seen by a physician the following day and given medication for the pain. EE was held out of work until they could be seen for a follow-up with the physician.
A Wagner Equipment Co. field service technician was placing a D11 dozer on jack stands provided by ColoWyo Coal maintenance shop. The tech was positioning stands under the machine using handle. Stand rotated off dolly and pinched finger between handle and belly pan.
EE pinched right thumb and index finger between a gate latch and a door at the train tunnel. X-ray revealed a small fracture to the tip of the thumb. EE was referred to ortho and given a full release to return to work.
A grass fire was reported at approx. 4:49 pm. Mine employees began fighting the fire and requested help from Craig. No buildings, equipment or personnel were in the path of the fire. The fire was extinguished without injury. EMC Sargent of the MoCo sheriff department determined that the fire was due to a bird contacting a powerline.
Employee was moving 55 gallon barrels in the lube room to gain access to the floor drain. While moving the third barrel with the barrel dolly employee felt a sharp pain in lower abdomen. Employee was taken to the local medical facility and treated for an abdominal strain. Employee did not return to work without restriction making incident reportable.
The injured employee was spraying weeds at the mine-site. A gust of wind blew a dust particle into their eye. Irrigation failed to remove the dust. They were taken to the ER and the embedded particle was removed and prescription eye drops were administered. Employee was wearing safety glasses at the time of the injury.
The operator of 249 haul truck backed up to the berm on the dump. The berm sloughed off and the truck became stuck.
The employee was attempting to dump a coal sample. EE felt pain in shoulder. EE reported the incident but felt it was not serious and continued to work. Later, they decided to seek medical attention and was diagnosed with a tear in the shoulder. EE went in for surgery on 4/6/22 and began missing time, making this incident reportable.
A brush fire occurred just outside of the Collom pit. Outside resources were called to assist with controlling the fire. No structures or equipment were threatened by the fire and no one was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The employee was attaching a 1 inch oil hose to the fittings on the 116 excavator and felt pain in upper back. There was no accident or trauma. The hose weighs 5 lbs. Employee was not working in an awkward position or overhead.
The employee began to feel ill a few hours after reporting to work. EE was evaluated by an EMT. EE was taken to the hospital for further treatment. Later that day EE was diagnosed as having had a stroke. EE was released to full duty 5/19/21.
The employee reported feeling ill to the lead person, an EMT. The EMT evaluated EE and diagnosed a potential heart attack. 911 was called and the mine's emergency team removed the ill employee from the haul truck EE was operating. EE was later diagnosed at the hospital with a heart attack.
The employee was using a skidder to pull trail cable for a dragline move. EE was dismounting the skidder using 3 points of contact and missed the first step. It was clean, dry and not obstructed. As EE fell, EE struck EE's left side, bruising their ribs. EE was seen for precautionary reasons and was released to work with restrictions.
The injured employee was working on an excavator bucket change in the upper shop yard. Icy spots were identified and a load of rock was spread to mitigate the hazard. Employee was walking to get a hammer when they slid on the ice under the rock and fell to the ground. Employee received a laceration to the right knee that required stitches.
A fire was reported at around 7:45 am. The source of the fire was an old, abandoned underground mine fire. An ember from the old mine must have blown into the dry grass surrounding the hot area on the side of the hill. The fire was mostly contained and extinguished the next day. No one was injured and no mine equipment or structures were damaged by the fire.
The employee was dismounting a lube truck using three points of contact. EE's foot slipped off the step and EE rolled EE's ankle. EE was seen by ER for evaluation. EE returned to full duty for several weeks. EE's ankle began bothering EE again and an MRI was ordered. The MRI revealed a torn ligament and the employee began missing time on 8/4/20, making this incident reportable.
The injured employee was working on a haul truck pm in the pm bay. EE tripped over the oil hose that was pulled out to fill the engine. EE fell to the concrete floor, landing on right side causing injury to wrist. EE was taken to the ER and diagnosed with a fractured wrist.
The injured employee was removing a return idler on the fines belt of the rock crusher. The employees finger was pinched between the idler and the belt frame when it came out of the bracket. The employee was diagnosed with a fractured finger.
A temporary employee was mopping the floor in the lower shop. The employee grabbed the mop bucket handle with right hand and placed left hand under the bucket to dump the dirty water. The employee heard a popping sound and felt pain in left forearm. Employee was released to light duty.
While trying to free a blade that had become stuck, the injured employee got right ring finger pinched between a dozer ripper and a pulling strap. The pinched finger suffered an avulsion of the pad. EE was not released to full duty.
A mechanic was installing the outside right front tire on 287 highway truck. Mechanic was using right arm on the tire dolly and left arm supporting the top of the tire. They felt a sharp pain in left shoulder as they guided the wheel onto the studs. Mechanic was seen by a doctor on 1/7/20 and was released to restricted duty.
The employee was assigned to replace a hydraulic cylinder. EE felt a pop in the left wrist while using two wrenches to loosen a hose from a fitting on the cylinder. EE was seen by a doctor and was released to restricted duty.
A grass fire was reported to the guard shack at 3:36 pm. Mine employees began fighting the fire and requested help from Craig (town). No buildings, equipment or personnel were in the path of the fire. The fire was extinguished without injury.
Employee was descending a short step ladder in the lower shop. EE missed the middle rung on the ladder and caught self with EE's right hand. EE felt fine at the end of shift but felt soreness in EE's right shoulder the next morning. On 7/17 the employee was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff and began missing time on 7/19.
A brush fire started on the evening of 9/9/18. The fire was most likely caused by lightning as there are no mining activities near the point of ignition. This brush fire is being reported as it took longer than 30 minutes to extinguish the fire from the time it was reported. No one was injured while extinguishing the fire.
Northwest Tool Employee injured while attempting to connect an airline to a valve. The Valve failed causing fragments to stick into employee's left arm. Medical treatment required to remove small particles and released same day to full duty.
A mechanic injured a knee dismounting a pickup truck. Employee sought medical attention on 1/19/18 and was not released to return to work.
The injured employee placed a hand on the outrigger of a service truck. Another employee retracted the outrigger, pinching a finger. Injured employee received 5 stitches.
Lightning started a brush fire at Collom. The fire burned for over a half hour so it was reported to MSHA. The fire was discovered at 2:50 pm and was extinguished by a rain storm at 3:39 pm. The fire was in a remote location and no structures, equipment or personnel were threatened by the fire.
EE working on Komatsu WA1200 Front Loader. EE was installing an intake coupling (or intake boot) between an air box and first piece of intake pipe. EE experienced pain in right thumb. Right thumb has torn ligaments. Two prescriptions, a splint, and work restrictions were given at the clinic. Surgery is required to reconnect ligaments.
A miner who had undergone treatment for cancer believes they broke a rib while stretching. The miner was seated in the breakroom before beginning work and raised their arms above their head, stretching and felt a tingling in their back/side. Later was diagnosed with a fractured rib. It is unclear if this was the event that caused the fracture.
An employee fueled 609 backhoe. While mounting the machine employee felt a pop in right shoulder. Employee was evaluated by a Dr. on 4/2/17 and was not released to return to work, making this incident a lost time.
A temporary employee slipped while pulling wires from underneath the MCC room on a dragline. When ee attempted to catch self, ee injured right shoulder. The employee was not released to return to work and began losing time on 12/31/16.
A brush fire was reported near the red dog corner around 4:05 pm. I reported the fire to MSHA at 4:27 pm. Fire was out at 6:00 pm. No injuries or equipment damage occurred due to this fire. Vegetation conditions in the county were very dry.
Alsco Sales rep was lifting rugs in vehicle. Injured coughed and felt a pop and burning pain in side.
The injured employee tripped over a chunk of mud and fell on right side. EE initially refused treatment. A follow up exam was conducted and EE was not released to work for next scheduled shift (5/20/16).
The injured employee was pulling a hose off of a water truck. The hose coupling hit him in the mouth as he pulled it off of the truck. The coupling split his lip, which required stitches.