Mining Incidents

Winifrede Surface Mine Coal

Sidney, Pike County, KY  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 1509724

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
51
Years on record
2000–2016
Latest incident
Jan 2016
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
857
citations
363
significant & substantial
$534,669
proposed penalties
$423,612
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 0 5 0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
2024 Q2 0 2 0
2023 Q3 0 4 0
2023 Q2 0 0 0
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q2 8,724 4 1 458.5
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

51 on file

2016 · 4 incidents

January 29, 2016 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a razor knife to cut a piece of rubber for a screen and it slipped cutting EE's left hand.

January 8, 2016 KY · Coal FIRE
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Repairs were being made on the raw coal feed chute going to the #80 raw coal screen. It appears a torch was being used to remove bolts out of the lid on the chute. At some point the workers left the area to get materials and when they returned to the 6th floor the #80 raw coal screen was on fire. 2 employees were injured, but reported on separate reports.

January 8, 2016 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech FIRE
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was repairing the chute above the #80 raw-coal screen and the screen caught on fire causing heavy smoke. Employee assisted by another employee attempted to put out the fire but the smoke was too heavy resulting in minor burns to the face and smoke inhalation.

January 8, 2016 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator FIRE
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was repairing the chute above the #80 raw-coal screen and the screen caught on fire causing heavy smoke. Employee assisted by another employee attempted to put out the fire but the smoke was too heavy resulting in minor burns to the face and smoke inhalation.

2014 · 5 incidents

October 27, 2014 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider OTHER
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

When standing from a kneeling position employee felt popping in his left knee. Strain to left knee. Employee began missing work 12/5/2014 (arthroscopic knee surgery).

June 7, 2014 KY · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

CLAIM FILED FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS. X-RAY READ DATE 6/7/14. TERMINATION DATE OF 10/8/2010

March 4, 2014 KY · Coal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The employee was installing a conveyor motor on a 14-15 JOY continuous miner using a hoist and a nylon strap. As the mechanic was repositioning the motor in the miner pan, it started to slip, he had his hand on the motor to guide it and his left pinky finger got caught between the nylon strap and the motor. As a result this cut his finger above the first joint.

February 24, 2014 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

An employee of Maxxim Rebuild Co, LLC an affiliate of ALPHA Natural Resources, who works at the shop adjacent to the pre plant, was outside in the storage area of the shop, conducting an inspection on a piece of belt line for thickness. As the employee bent over to conduct the inspection, a stick poked him in the left eye, scratching the eye. He was wearing safety glasses.

February 19, 2014 KY · Coal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE was welding angle braces to the load out conveyor truss due to structural deficiencies. He was working from a temporary platform. EE was wearing a harness & had 2 lanyards attached to the structure. For an unknown reason, he unharnessed the lanyard from his harness & slipped from the platform & fell approx. 25' to the ground below fracturing his leg, pelvis & a vertebrae.

2012 · 2 incidents

June 16, 2012 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

While removing fuse from fuse holder the fuse fell off the hot stick approximately 50' striking the employees right index finger causing a laceration.

May 8, 2012 KY · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was removing a rub rail from a continuous miner at the rebuild shop. After removing the pins that hold it place, the rail dropped and caught three of left fingers between the rail and the water spray unit. This resulted in 7 stitches used to close a cut on his left middle finger. The other two fingers were only bruised.

2010 · 1 incident

June 14, 2010 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was unloading a piece of 3" conduit from a truck and dropped it on his right hand, fracturing the tip of his finger.

2009 · 2 incidents

April 26, 2009 KY · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was washing the 1st floor of the plant, when he tripped on the wash down hose and fell, injuring his knee and lower back.

January 16, 2009 KY · Coal FIRE
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

R-3 refuse belt caught fire due to a faulty bearing and could not be extinguished within 30 minutes. The belt was broken and the fire was extinguished with no injuries.

2008 · 5 incidents

September 25, 2008 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was helping close doors on empty coal cars. He was holding door in closed position, ready to roll down latch, his bar slipped causing him to fall. As he fell he twisted to the right injuring his right knee and ankle.

September 25, 2008 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Helping move scaffold to work area, developed pain in low back area. Saw Dr. on 9-30-08, taken off work until 10-13-08.

September 12, 2008 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee cleaning rock from catwalk of mids belt. Something fell from plant feed belt, struck him on the head. Taken to E.R. for treatment, stitches used to close the wound.

July 15, 2008 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Helping replace #1 CM dryer chute 2nd floor of plant, chute caught on edge of hopper. Using #2 hoist to pull #1 chute, using slate bar to pinch chute over hopper, with pressure on chute it came across hopper, struck employee in face causing injury. Employee had scheduled days off and did not start to miss work until 7-21-2008.

April 18, 2008 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee helping carry castings primary vessel on 5th floor, 65-70 lb each. Injured 4-18-08, kept working until saw doctor on 6-10-08, had surgery 7-28-08, return to work 8-11-08. 8-11-08 First time Safety Dept notified.

2007 · 4 incidents

September 29, 2007 KY · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Bending down beside CM frame in shop. Stepped on hyd.hose attached to jack, pulled jack down onto his left hand causing injury. X-ray positive, fracture to had behind left pinky finger.

February 21, 2007 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Threading nut onto all thread with impact wrench, injured left hand. Taken to E.R. for treatment, used stitches to close wound.

January 7, 2007 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling material from tailpiece at R-4 refuse belt. About 8:30 P.M. he developed pain in the low back radiating down around the left groin area. He was taken to the Williamson Memorial E.R. for treatment. Attending doctor determined he had low back muscle strain.

January 2, 2007 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was replacing flights in the primary vessel on 5th floor. While lifting them out and onto the floor he developed pain in abdomen. E.R. exam revealed small hernia in abdominal area.

2006 · 3 incidents

July 15, 2006 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was removing a piece of beltline from the #1 reclaim belt; pulling through the HD & take-up, out of the idlers. During this job he developed burning in lower right abdominal area. He continued to work, but now has had hernia surgery on 8/4/06, and has begun to miss work on 8/1/2006.

July 8, 2006 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Working on grid coupling #46 screen, dropped bolt, reached to pick up bolt, flop gate fell onto left hand, pinching it between gate and metal frame of screen.

April 21, 2006 KY · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee is a raw coal dozer operator who was helping the welder this day. He bent over to pick up a chain fall & experienced pain in his lower abdomen. He completed the day & began his 4 days off (works 4 on & 4 off). Saw the Dr. on 4/25/06, had surgery on his left side 5/23/06 & on his rt. side 7/24/06. We learned of LTA 8/15/06 when Supt. called to ask the employee.

2005 · 3 incidents

November 3, 2005 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee broke utility knife blade. Remainder of blade caused laceration to left knee. He was taken to williamson memorial for treatment, received stitches to close wound.

September 24, 2005 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INSTALLING TURN TABLE PINS W/BOOM UPSIDE DOWN, HELD WITH RAILROAD JACK. RELEASED JACK, WEIGHT OF BOOM CAUSED LEFT HAND TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN JACK LEVER & TURNTABLE.

April 9, 2005 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by flying object

EE WAS TRYING TO FREE A STUCK TAILGATE ON A COAL TRUCK. AN OBJECT EJECTED FROM THE TRUCK AND STRUCK EE OVER HIS LEFT EYE. EE WAS TAKEN TO ER FOR TREATMENT. STITCHES WERE USED TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

2004 · 3 incidents

July 14, 2004 KY · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE BURNED RIGHT ARM WHILE WELDING BUT DID NOT REPORT INJURY UNTIL 8/14/04 WHEN MIDICAL BILL CAME IN AND HE DECIDED TO FILE UNDER WORKER'S COMP.

May 1, 2004 KY · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor ELECTRICAL
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Contact with electrical current

EE WAS ASSISTING WITH CHANGE OUT OF A TRANSFORMER.DISCONNECT WAS LOCKED & TAGGED OUT. THE DISCONNECT MALFUNCTIONED, LEAVING TRANSFORMER ENERGIZED. EE CAME IN CONTACT WITH POWER.

March 1, 2004 KY · Coal NO VALUE FOUND
Sidney Coal Company LLC · No Value Found

EE's hand was grasping the chain sling from an overhead crane while attempting to raise equip. When the crane took slack out, his thum was smashed between sling and equipment.

2003 · 8 incidents

August 24, 2003 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS REMOVING LARGE PIECE OF METAL FROM BELT & MASHED FINGER BETWEEN METAL & BELT STRUCTURE REQUIRING STITCHES.

June 11, 2003 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS INSTALLING BELT HANGER ON SILO BELT WHEN BELT CAUGHT WRENCH AND LACERATED RIGHT HAND, REQUIRING STITCHES.

May 20, 2003 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider NO VALUE FOUND
Sidney Coal Company LLC · No Value Found

MEMBER WAS USING BANDING TOOL TO APPLY END TO WATER HOSE. AFTER HOSE WAS BANDED HE WAS TRYING TO REMOVE AN EXCESS PIECE OF BANDING MATERIAL FROM THE TOOL AND IN THE PROCESS HE LACERATED HIS HAND REQUIRING STITCHES.

May 3, 2003 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MEMBER WAS CUTTING A PIECE OF BELT OUT OF A ROLLER WITH A UTILITY KNIFE AND LACERATED HIS INDEX FINGER REQUIRING STITCHES.

March 19, 2003 KY · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MEMBER WAS MOVING LARGE ROCK BETWEEN BELT AND STRUCTURE AND CAUGHT FINGER BETWEEN ROCK & STRUCTURE CAUSING LACERATION.

March 11, 2003 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS GETTING RAILROAD JACK OUT OF BACK OF TRUCK AND WAS STANDING ON SIDE STEP WHEN HIS FEET SLIPPED OFF STEP CAUSING HIS THUMB TO BE CAUGHT BETWEEN JACK AND CORNER OF BED CAUSING A LACERATIO N THAT REQUIRED STITCHES.

March 2, 2003 KY · Coal electrician, lineman NO VALUE FOUND
Sidney Coal Company LLC · No Value Found

MEMBER WAS WALKING DOWN STEPS FROM 2ND FLOOR TO 1ST FLOOR AND SLIPPED AND FELL INJURING BACK. MEMBER DID NOT START MISSING WORK UNTIL 3/7/-3 DUE TO HIS WORK SCHEDULE.

February 5, 2003 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech NO VALUE FOUND
Sidney Coal Company LLC · No Value Found

EE AND CO-WORKER WERE SENT TO UNPLUG THE REFUSE CHUTE. EE WAS USING A SLATE BAR IN AN EFFORT TO UNPLUG THE CHUTE. ON ONE OF THE SWINGS THE BAR GLANCED OFF A ROCK AND EE LOST HIS FOOTING, STRAI NING HIS BACK.

2002 · 4 incidents

September 14, 2002 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS PICKING UP BELT IDLERS & THROWING INTO BACK OF PU WHEN HE FELT A POP IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER & FELT PAIN. EE DID NOT START MISSING WORK UNTIL 3/5/03 WHERE SURGERY WAS PERFORMED TO REPA IR SHOULDER

July 8, 2002 KY · Coal truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Fall from machine

EE WAS SERVICING HIS COAL TRUCK. HE WAS STANDING ON THE FUEL TANK STEP CHANGING AN AIR FILTER WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL STRIKING HIS LEFT ELBOW AGAINST THE GROUND. HE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTEN EITON UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY AT WHICH TIME HE WENT TO THE WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. X-RAYS REVEALED A HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO HIS ELBOW. EE WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM WORK UNTIL 7/29/2002.

June 26, 2002 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE WAS REMOVING THE DISCHARGE LINE FROM A PUMP. WHEN THE VICTROLIC COUPLING WAS REMOVED SCALDINGWATER SPRAYED ON HIS HANDS CAUSING SECOND DEGREEBURNS.

April 17, 2002 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING AN IMPACT WRENCH TO REMOVE AHYDRAULIC PUMP WHEN THE SOCKET BURST LACERATING HIS HAND. STITCHES WERE REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

2001 · 1 incident

October 14, 2001 KY · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REPAIRING A TRAINING MODEL SELF RESCUER. WHILE USING A POCKET KNIFE TO REMOVE A MOISTURE INDICATOR, THE KNIFE SLIPPED STRIKING & CUTTING HIS LEFT HAND BETWEEN THUMB & FINGER. STITCHES.

2000 · 6 incidents

December 22, 2000 KY · Coal coal sampler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO UNSTOP THE CLEAN COAL SAMPLER. HE DID NOT DISCONNECT THE POWER TO THE SECONDARY CUTTER ON THE SAMPLER. YIS FOREHEAD CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE SWEEP ARM CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES.

September 28, 2000 KY · Coal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS USING A 1/2" DRILL WHEN THE DRILL BIT CAUGHT FOUL. THE DRILL TWISTED HIS HAND CAUSING A FRACTURE TO A SMALL BONE IN HIS LEFT HAND.

August 17, 2000 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS UNPLUGGING THE #2 RECLAIM SHUTE. THE AREA WAS WET AND SLIPPERY. EE SLIPPED AND TWISTED HIS KNEE.

August 16, 2000 KY · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS PREPAIRING TO SERVICE A DOZER ON THE IMPOUNDMENT. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE TOOLBOX ON THE SERVICE TRUCK TO RETRIEVE GREASE RACKS, AN 18 LB SLEDGE HAMMER FELL FROM THE TOP SHELF AND STRUCK HIM BETWEEN THE EYES. HE SUSTAINED A LACERATION REQUIRING STITCHES.

April 10, 2000 KY · Coal welder (shop) DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ON APRIL 10, 2000, DUE TO AND OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS, AS SUBSTANTIATED BY MEDICAL RECORDS AND REPORTS, EMPLOYEE BECAME UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE AILMENTS DESCRIBED IN THE MEDICAL REPORTS. TH IS WAS NOT DUE TO A SINGLE EVENT AT THE MINE.

February 2, 2000 KY · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Sidney Coal Company LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS USING AN ALLEN WRENCH. HE WAS REMOVING A WEAR PLATE FROM INSIDE THE #2 SLOPE, SLURRY PUMP. THE WRENCH SLIPPED AND EE S HAND STRUCK THE EDGE OF THE VOLUTE LINER ON THE PUMP. THE EDGE OF THE LINER WAS EXTREMELY SHARP AND IT CUT THROUGHHIS GLOVE AND CAUSED A LACERATION TO HIS RIGHT THUMB. EE RECEIVED STITICHES.