Mining Incidents

Mine #23 Coal

McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Underground
Pikeville, Pike County, KY  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 1518721

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Fatalities
2
Total incidents
57
Years on record
2004–2015
Latest incident
Jul 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2004
1,575
citations
491
significant & substantial
$715,574
proposed penalties
$465,435
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
2016 Q4 0 0 0
2016 Q2 0 2 0
2015 Q4 2,430 2 0 823.0
2015 Q2 52,225 30 5 574.4
2015 Q1 503 17 4 33797.2
2014 Q4 22,534 2 1 88.8
2014 Q3 5,823 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 3,090 5 0 1618.1
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.

Fatalities at this mine

2 recorded
June 25, 2012 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE WAS SETTING A TIMBER ALONG THE RIB WHEN THE RIB ROLLED OFF AND STRUCK HIM, TRAPPING HIM UNDERNEATH THE RIB, RESULTING IN FATAL INJURIES. THE TOTAL RIB ROLL WAS APPROXIMATELY 26'LONG x 8' HIGH x 18" THICK. ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MSHA HOT LINE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

November 4, 2006 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating a scoop between the #5 & #6 entries on the 001/002 MMU one break inby survey station #1411. He was pulling a shuttle car cable that had been wrapped around the canopy post on the left side of the operating deck. As he was pulling the cable, the rear wheel of the scoop ran over the cable. This caused the cable to unwrap & strike him on the side of his head.

Reportable incidents

55 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2015 · 5 incidents

July 21, 2015 KY · Coal examiner, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examiner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Struck against stationary object

EE was walking beltline and rubbed his hand accidently across top of an oil can that had been cut open.

July 14, 2015 KY · Coal assistant mine foreman, assistant mine manager SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was adjusting flow of caustic being applied to pond. A snake was in the path of the EE. EE turned to get away from snake and twisted his Knee. This accident did not become reportable until 9/23/2015 when EE started missing work.

July 11, 2015 KY · Coal scoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE was changing hose on scoop using a bar to pry on the hose. EE felt top of shoulder pop. This accident was not reportable until EE started missing work on 07/20/2015.

May 27, 2015 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was changing hub on roof bolter machine. EE was driving stud bolts in hub. EE hit his left hand with a hammer causing a small hair line fracture.

March 23, 2015 KY · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting on bottom roller to train belt. EE felt a strain in lower back and right hip. This became reportable when EE started missing work.

2014 · 2 incidents

November 4, 2014 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Co. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was loading rock-duster with dust. EE strained hemorrhoids out of rectum.

2013 · 4 incidents

June 6, 2013 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A non injury roof fall occurred on the 3rd Northeast Mains in the #6 entry intake split approximately 150 ft. outby survey station # 184. The fall was approximately 50ft. long x 20ft. wide x 7ft. thick.

April 29, 2013 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS UNLOADING TIMBERS OUT OF A SCOOP AND WHEN HE LIFTED A TIMBER, HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS BACK.

April 4, 2013 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was helping to remove a canopy from a roof bolter and mashed his left ring finger between the canopy and the frame of the roof bolter.

January 25, 2013 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE tried to catch a belt structure that was being tossed under the beltline during a belt set-up and the fingers of his left hand were mashed between the structure and the mine floor.

2012 · 6 incidents

August 24, 2012 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TRIMMING A CONVEYOR BELT AND HIS UTILITY KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS INDEX FINGER ON HIS LEFT HAND.

August 14, 2012 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck against stationary object

EE was pulling a piece of conduit onto the continuous miner cable and his hand slipped and struck a piece of rock, resulting in a cut.

August 14, 2012 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE was pulling on a canopy extention on a roof bolter and felt a sharp pain in his groin area. He continued to work his regular duties, but the pain persisted. He sought medical attention with his family doctor on 08/23/2012, at which time he was taken off work for a hernia.

February 29, 2012 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry of the 6th Southeast Bleeder Panel approximately 10' inby survey station 5493. The fall is approximately 140' long x 19' wide x 6' high. The fall was found by the mine foreman and MSHA inspector while traveling the bleeder entries. The fall was reported to MSHA hot line on 2/29/2012 (date fall was found).

January 17, 2012 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was cutting a strap that held a bundle of roof bolts together. When the strap came loose, it struck him on the left wrist, resulting in a cut.

January 16, 2012 KY · Coal stopping builder, ventilation man, mason man, overcast HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was building a brattice. He was on his knees, and as he picked up a block to place on the 5th row of the brattice, he felt a sharp pain in his back.

2011 · 6 incidents

December 15, 2011 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was getting out of a mantrip and placed his left foot under the frame of the mantrip on the mine floor. When he placed his right foot on the mine floor, he slipped and fell backwards, spraining his left foot that was under the mantrip frame.

August 22, 2011 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A non-injury roof fall occurred in the #5 entry one break inby the mine portal. The fall was approximately 20ft. wide x 7ft. thick x 20ft. long. The fall was reported immediately to MSHA and OMSL.

July 15, 2011 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck against stationary object

EE was pulling a 3' x 2' x 6" piece of rock off top of the continuous miner and cut the 2nd and 3rd fingers of his right hand on the edge of the rock.

June 27, 2011 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss POWERED HAULAGE
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was operating a mantrip and a pogo stick on top of mantrip caught a stiff jack at a belt drive and sprang back and hit him on the nose.

June 24, 2011 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was operating a continuous miner. He was cutting the bottom ledge of rock out from the edge of the #9 intersection, (continuous miner was in the last open crosscut between #8 and #9). The crosscut was on a downward grade, and when he start the cutter head and placed it in the bottom, the miner slew around and struck him with the conveyor boom. EE was not in the "RED Zone".

May 6, 2011 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by flying object

EE WAS OPERATING A CONTINUOUS MINER, CUTTING OUT THE MINE ROOF FOR AN OVERCAST, WHEN A PIECE OF ROCK FROM THE CUTTER HEAD STRUCK HIM ABOVE THE RIGHT EYE REQUIRING STITCHES.

2010 · 10 incidents

December 13, 2010 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS HELPING SET TIMBERS ON THE OFFSIDE OF THE BELTLINE. THEY WERE SLIDING THE TIMBERS ACROSS THE BELT ON THE BELT RAILS. EE GOT HIS FINGERS MASHED BETWEEN THE END OF A TIMER AND THE COAL RIB.

November 4, 2010 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was cutting down a set of fly pads with a utility knife and cut his left index finger requiring stitches.

October 27, 2010 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED IN THE 7TH SOUTHEAST MAINS RETURN AIR COURSE FOR THE 004-0 MMU AT SPAD NO. 3971. THE ROOF FALL STARTS IN THE 7 RIGHT CROSSCUT AND CROSSES THROUGH THE NO. 8 ENTRY AND STOPPED 25' INTO THE NO. 8 CROSSCUT. THE FALL IS APPOXIMATELY 6'-8' THICK, 19' WIDE, AND 70' LONG.

October 18, 2010 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A fall of the roof has occurred between the #7 and #8 entry of the 3rd SE mains two breaks inby survey station #2827. The fall is approximately 8' thick, 19' wide, and 50' long. The fall was found by company personnel and an OMSL inspector during routine inspections.

October 9, 2010 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator POWERED HAULAGE
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by powered moving object

EE was greasing the tail roller on his shuttle car and a scoop came thru a set of fly pads with his bucket up and the bottom (flat) part of the bucket struck EE and knocked him down, injuring his shoulder and hip.

July 14, 2010 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was repairing a hole in a brattice. The block above the hole fell and struck him on the right hand and cut his little finger, requiring stitches.

June 9, 2010 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A fall of the mine roof occurred in the 2nd SW Bleeder Panel in the #7 intersection of the #2 entry, two breaks inby survey station # 4356. The fall is approximately 10' thick, 15' wide, and 50' long. Fall was found by company personnel and an MSHA inspector during routine inspection.

April 29, 2010 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was putting a tire on a shuttle car. The shuttle car was being held up by a scoop. The shuttle car slipped off the scoop bucket, resulting in EE's fingers being caught bewteen the scoop tire and the fender.

March 25, 2010 KY · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was setting a belt head and stepped backwards and stepped on a crib block, causing him to fall and fracturing (hairline) his left ankle.

March 18, 2010 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occured one break inby survey station number 3960 in the #8 entry. The fall was approximately 3600 feet from the working 003/004 mmu. the fall was approximately 19' wide x 65' long x 10' thick. This was found at 9:35 am on 3/18/2010. The fall was report to MSHA's hot line.

2009 · 8 incidents

December 3, 2009 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was helping on the continuous miner when a coal rib rolled off and struck a timber that was set against the mine roof. The timber struck EE on the right side of the head and shoulder.

November 20, 2009 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occured in the #5 entry intersection 70' inby survey station # 3966 of the 003/004 mmu. The fall was approximately 40' long x 20' wide x 7' thick. MSHA was notified at 12:40 pm on 11/20/2009.

October 9, 2009 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was walking underneath some header boards that were stuck to the mine roof from where a brattice had been located and knocked. The header boards fell and struck him on the left arm and back. EE did not seek medical attention until 11/09/09. First day missed was 11/09/09.

August 27, 2009 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was drilling a hole in the mine roof with a roof bolter and the drill steel broke and struck him on the right eye brow.

February 12, 2009 KY · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was pulling a conveyor chain together with a chain ratchet. The hook on the chain slipped off and struck him on the right hand and broke his finger.

January 24, 2009 KY · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was getting a bag of rock dust (weight 40lbs.- 50lbs.) off the scoop and as he lifted on the rock dust he felt a sharp pain in his back.

January 13, 2009 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred 210 feet outby the working section in the #8 entry. The fall is located 1 break outby survey station #3175. The fall was approximately 50' long x 19' wide x 6' thick.

January 5, 2009 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

During a weekly examination of the intake airway, a rock fall was discovered 2 breaks outby survey station # 3065. The fall was in the #5 entry of the 003/004 mmu outby area. The fall was approximately 30' long x 30' wide x 7' thick. The fall was in an intersection.

2008 · 3 incidents

June 10, 2008 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was operating a continuous miner on the 004 mmu section and was turning the right crosscut in the #7 entry. He was positioned on the left side of the entry, approximately 12 ft. inby the miner and a piece of draw rock fell from between bolts and struck him on the head, back, and legs. The rock was approx. 7"thick x 4' wide x 9' long.

March 19, 2008 KY · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was removing a rub rail from the side of the miner and dropped it on his left foot, resulting in a fracture to the top of the foot.

January 15, 2008 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Shoveling mud, raised up on R knee and popped knee out of place.

2007 · 4 incidents

November 15, 2007 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS PUTTING BLOCKING UNDER THE WHEEL OF A ROOF BOLTER THAT WAS STUCK. HE GOT HIS FINGERS FOULED UNDER A HALF HEADER AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE ROOF BOLTER TIRE, RESULTING IN TWO(2) FINGERS BEING BROKEN.

July 16, 2007 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was loading resin onto a roof bolter, as he lifted the resin, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back.

April 24, 2007 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) POWERED HAULAGE
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was scooping up emergency supplies to be moved. He had his right hand on the edge of the scoop canopy to lift himself up to see the chain that he had attached to the supply sled. As he trammed the scoop forward, he steered the scoop and mashed his hand against the coal rib. Third and fourth fingers were lacerated, fifth finger was lacerated and fractured.

February 28, 2007 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was installing roof bolt in the top, when a piece of draw rock fell from between the TRS& Canopy, hitting him on the back and right knee.

2006 · 3 incidents

August 9, 2006 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by falling object

EE was operating a roof bolter in the #4 heading of the 001 mmu. He was installing a 10' cable bolt. As he was pushing the bolt into the drilled hole with a cable wrench, the bolt dislodged from the wrench head and struck him on the right jaw.

May 30, 2006 KY · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator ELECTRICAL
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was hooking restraining clamps to cables at the power center after a power move and a miner cathead, approximately 6 ft. away from where he was, blew up causing temporary hearing loss. This occurred in the #5 entry of the 003-0/004-0 MMU. EE was treated and released at Pikeville Medical Center.

May 2, 2006 KY · Coal electrician, lineman POWERED HAULAGE
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE had repaired a broken conveyor chain on a shuttle car. He was running the chain to check it and heard it making an unusual noise. He was looking under the shuttle car to locate the source of the noise & inadvertently place his left hand on the running conveyor chain resulting in it being pulled under the chain, mashing it. This occurred in the #2 entry of the 003/004 MMU.

2005 · 2 incidents

August 23, 2005 KY · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS LEANING ON THE CONT MINER OBSERVING MSHA INSPECTORS TAKING A PRESSURE READING ON THE DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM AND DRUG HIS RIGHT HAND ACROSS THE MINER CAUSING A LACERATION. WHAT CAUSED THE LACERATION COULD NOT BE FOUND.

2004 · 2 incidents

September 14, 2004 KY · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LETTING THE CONTINUOUS MINER HEAD DOWN ON A CRIB THAT HAD BEEN BUILT FOR BLOCKING THE HEAD WHILE WORKING WAS TO BE PERFORMED. WHEN HEAD PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO CRIB, A CRIB SQUEEZED OUT, STRIKING EE ON LEFT HAND, CAUSING INJURY TO RING FINGER & LITTLE FINGER.

June 30, 2004 KY · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp. · Accident type, without injuries

A ROOF FALL OCCURRED ON THE SECTION OF THE SUBJECT MINE IN THE #5 HEADING. THE ROOF FALL IS APPROX. 30'LONG X 20'WIDE AND 5.5'THICK. THE ROOF FALL IS DIRECTLY INBY SURVEY STATION #16.