Mining Incidents

Horning Deep Mine Coal

RoxCoal, Inc. · Surface
Brotherton, Somerset County, PA  ·  Abandoned and Sealed
MSHA Mine ID: 3609666

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
54
Years on record
2010–2024
Latest incident
May 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2009
494
citations
44
significant & substantial
$74,591
proposed penalties
$69,778
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 Q1 8,724 9 2 1031.6
2024 Q4 10,358 9 2 868.9
2024 Q3 14,076 9 0 639.4
2024 Q2 26,149 15 1 573.6
2024 Q1 30,172 18 0 596.6
2023 Q4 1,998 11 1 5505.5
2023 Q3 2,056 16 1 7782.1
2023 Q2 23,829 14 1 587.5
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

54 on file

2024 · 5 incidents

May 21, 2024 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was pushing up a bolt using the wrench. Bolt was a 6 foot resin bolt. First bend went in the roof. Employee straightened and moved plate down. When EE applied up pressure the plate slipped on the bolt and employee did not have time to leave go of the plate. EE's thumb got pinched between the plate and roof. Resulting in a laceration and fracture of the left thumb

May 13, 2024 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a corner off of a piece of belt and the knife slipped out of the belt cutting employee's left hand. Employee received 2 sutures

March 19, 2024 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was assisting with a cable repair. Another EE dropped a knife in a pile of rockdust. Injured employee reached into the pile of dust to get the knife a received a cut on the RT middle finger that required 4 stitches. The area is low and wet.

February 2, 2024 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

unintentional roof fall occurred in the G butt #3 entry 120ft. inby SS#2929. The fall was approximately 20ft.wide by 20ft.long at an unknown height. The exact cause is unknown, but the roof in this area is laminated shale with sandstone streaks.

January 12, 2024 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE1 was assisting EE2 adjust head on oper. side. They were done adjusting head. EE1 told EE2 to lower head. EE1 verbally verified EE's hands are clear to EE 2. EE2 lowered head slowly about one foot when EE1 said "Whoa Stop". The long arm contacted EE1 left pinky and ring finger. EE2 started bolter up to free EE1 fingers that were pinched in canopy post and long arm.

2023 · 6 incidents

October 23, 2023 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was attempting to use bed rail for leverage to put dolly back on track. EE picked rail up to put under dolly and felt a "pop" in lower, middle part of back. EE was not exerting any force at the time of injury. Conditions were low and dry.

August 22, 2023 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was removing valve bank from MBC. While holding valve bank ee felt pop in RT bicep. Employee felt a tingling sensation and pain when trying to straighten arm.

July 11, 2023 PA · Coal master electrician HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was holding the offside rub rail on miner while rub rail was being installed. Rub rail sprung back jarring EE shoulder. EE continued to work full duty until date of surgery while diagnostic procedures were being completed and diagnosis was confirmed. Surgery completed 12/14/2023.

May 1, 2023 PA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Contractor was lowering spacer blocks behind a bearing on the 6-3 nose roller. The spacer block slipped and contractor's finger slipped into 1 of the bolt holes on the spacer block causing a laceration to the left ring finger requiring sutures.

April 12, 2023 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by falling object

THE BOLTER OPERATOR HAD BENT A BOLT DURING INSTALLATION. THEY CUT ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BOLT AND BEGAN PUSHING IT TO BREAK IT OFF. THE EMPLOYEE GRABBED THE BOLT FROM THE OTHER SIDE AND BEGAN PULLING TO ASSIST THE OPERATOR. THE BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE EE TO FALL BACKWARDS AND THE PLATE ON THE BOLT STRUCK THEIR ARM BETWEEN THE WRIST AND FOREARM CAUSING A LACERATION.

March 15, 2023 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss POWERED HAULAGE
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE SYSTEM AND BELTS WERE DOWN. UPON RESTARTING,EE WAS IN THE INTERSECTION OF #3 ENTRY EE TOLD OPS TO CONTINUE MINING, ONCE THEY WERE RUNNING EE WENT TO LEAVE AREA. EE'S LEFT FOOT SLIPPED DUE TO THE STEEP SIDE PITCH & SLICKENSIDE BOTTOM. EE'S FOOT HIT THE MBC TRACK & IT BEGAN TO TRAM OVER THE TIP OF EE'S BOOT. MBC OPERATOR STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE EE DID NOT HAVE ANY BROKEN TOES.

2022 · 4 incidents

July 19, 2022 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS USING B-BOND CEMENT TO SEAL KNEE WALLS. EE RECEIVED IRRITATION/BURN ON BOTH FOREARMS AND KNEES FROM CONTACT WITH THE CEMENT DESPITE THE USE OF PROPER PPE AND WASHING. EE HAD BEEN TRAINED ON THE USE AND HAZARDS OF B BOND.

July 7, 2022 PA · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING OUT OF AN OFFICE TRAILER THEY TOOK A STEP ONTO THE LANDING OF THE STEPS AND PIVOTED ON THEIR FOOT TO TURN. EE FELT A POP AND PAIN IN THE RIGHT KNEE WHILE TURNING. EE CONTINUED TO WORK FULL DUTIES UNTIL THE SURGERY DATE 8/18/2022.

February 19, 2022 PA · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider POWERED HAULAGE
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was moving a 2 man Johnson Cart when EE's left leg became caught between a concrete barrier and the frame of the cart EE was operating. The cart was parked outside at a temp. of approx. 5 degrees. When EE pressed the tram petal to reverse out of the parking area, the tram stuck because of freezing conditions. The EE was attempting to dismount the cart when the injury occurred.

January 12, 2022 PA · Coal examiner, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examiner OTHER
RoxCoal, Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING ACROSS THE SECTION WHEN EE FELT A POP AND PAIN IN RIGHT ANKLE. EE CONTINUED TO WORK REGULAR DUTIES UNTIL THE DATE OF SURGERY ON 6/3/2022.

2021 · 9 incidents

November 5, 2021 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

An unplanned roof fall occurred in the 12 Left panel in x-cut 2-1 at S/S 1958. The fall measured approx. 40'L, 20'W, and an unknown height. Over the next few shifts, the fall continued through the x-cut 2-3 and across #1 entry through the cut through into the adjacent #5 entry of the 11 Left panel. The area was bolted with 4' resin bolts. Exact cause of the fall is unknown.

October 14, 2021 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Miner was adding second drill steel to set and a finger was pinched between the coupler and the steel in the roof. On 10/22/21, the treating specialist advised miner to stay home to prevent infection to injury.

August 2, 2021 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by falling object

A piece of rock struck a miner on the left hip/back while drilling a hole to install a roof bolt. The vibration of the rotating drill steel in adverse conditions caused the rock to fall. The miner attempted to get out of the way when EE noticed the rock moving.

July 23, 2021 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured miner was crossing the beltline and slipped in muddy conditions while stepping off the beltline. When the injured miner slipped, was holding onto a chain and injured shoulder. The injured miner was not able to go to the shoulder specialist until August 3, 2021.

July 19, 2021 PA · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

The injured miner was removing a large piece of rock that fell on top of the continuous miner. While applying force to the rock, the miner slipped and the miner's face contacted the rock and caused a laceration. Three sutures was required to close the wound.

July 14, 2021 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Injured miner was crossing over top of the haulage unit. When EE grabbed the the metal structure to pull self up onto the structure, EE dislocated right shoulder.

March 22, 2021 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
RoxCoal, Inc. · Rubbed or abraded

Employee's knee became sore from constant crawling and kneeling in the wet, muddy bottom. After several weeks of no improvement, MRI was performed and showed partially torn meniscus. Worked regular duty until surgery on 5/27/2021.

March 5, 2021 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Roof Fall 120 ft. inby SS#1530 in #4 entry. Area bolted with 6ft. fully grouted bolts with straps on 3 ft. centers and 10 ft. cable bolts on 8 ft. centers. Adverse roof conditions and slick and slide roof in area that fell. Bolter cable was damaged when the fall occurred.

January 11, 2021 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof Fall occurred in MMU 001-0 at survey station 1470 in #3 entry. Approx.18 feet of coal was mined at the face of #3 and the MBC pump went out. The unsupported roof was hanging for approx.1hr.20 min. Time and poor geologic conditions caused the unsupported roof to fall and rip out previously installed bolts. Outby the fall was bolted with 6 FT. bolts and 10 FT. Cables.

2020 · 5 incidents

November 16, 2020 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was installing a 6-foot roof bolt into the mine roof. When the bolt was being pushed up to the first bend, it rotated and caused a laceration to the palm of the employee's right hand just below the pointer finger. Employee received 4 sutures to close the wound.

September 20, 2020 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was observed in 9 left number 3 entry between survey station 1256 & 1283. The roof fall is approx. 60 feet long & the height is unknown. Defects was observed in the roof when the area was originally mined and the area was bolted with 6ft super twist bolts on 4ft centers, straps & 10ft cables. Prior to the roof fall, the roof or ribs did not show any signs of failure.

March 24, 2020 PA · Coal scoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operator POWERED HAULAGE
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was injured when head came in contact with a roof bolt. The injured employee received sutures to close the laceration.

March 17, 2020 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured miner lifted a resin box and placed it on the roof bolter. As EE lifted the box, EE felt a sharp pain in EE's lower back and the pain radiated up EE's spine toward EE's neck.

January 26, 2020 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS APPLYING WET CEMENT TO A WALL. CEMENT GOT INSIDE OF EMPLOYEE'S MUD GLOVES CAUSING A CHEMICAL BURN/IRRITATION.

2019 · 4 incidents

December 5, 2019 PA · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING IN DEEP MUD WHILE HANGING GUARDING AT DRIVE. WHEN EMPLOYEE WENT TO GET UP FOOT WAS STUCK CAUSING KNEE TO TWIST RESULTING IN A SMALL MEDIAL MENISCUS TEAR IN RIGHT KNEE. EMPLOYEE WORKED REGULAR DUTIES UNTIL SURGERY WAS PERFORMED 2/7/2020.

August 17, 2019 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING A TRAM MOTOR IN A SCOOP. COMEALONGS WERE BEING USED TO LIFT AND POSITION THE MOTOR. THE MOTOR SLIPPED OFF OF THE FRAME RAIL ON THE SCOOP AND FELL INTO THE CRADLE. THE EMPLOYEE'S WRIST WAS POSITIONED IN AN AREA WHERE THE MOTOR STRUCK IT CAUSING IT TO BE PINCHED BETWEEN THE FRAME AND MOTOR COUPLER. EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND RECIEVED 6 SUTURES .

July 25, 2019 PA · Coal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING A BRAIDED STEEL WATERLINE ON THE HAULAGE UNIT. A STRAND OF THE METAL BRAIDING WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE HOSE . WHEN THE EMPLOYEE GRABBED THE HOSE THE STRAND OF WIRE PUNCTURED THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT LITTLE FINGER. EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL ON 7/26 AND GIVEN INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS DUE TO FINGER BECOMING RED AND SWOLLEN.

January 4, 2019 PA · Coal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was in the process of emptying a trash can in the shop. EE strained stomach as EE attempted to lift the trash can.

2018 · 2 incidents

June 7, 2018 PA · Coal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking in the pit and stepped on an uneven surface and twisted knee.

February 15, 2018 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was roof bolting. While retrieving EE's drill steels from the roof, the last 2 steels stuck together. When the employee pulled on them to get them apart, one of the steels came back and struck the employee in the nose, causing a small laceration and fracturing EE's nose.

2014 · 3 incidents

December 4, 2014 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

In the early morning hours on December 4, 2014, a roof fall occurred in #4 entry, 1 x-cut inby S/S 4. The roof fall measured approximately 20' wide, 30' long, and 10+ feet high.

July 21, 2014 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in an outby area of the mine at survey station number 262. The fall was approximately 40 feet long x 20 feet wide and 6 feet high.

May 20, 2014 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in an outby area of the mine in the #4 entry. The fall was located between survey stations 255 and 263. The fall is approximately 20 feet long x 20 feet wide x 5 feet high.

2012 · 8 incidents

July 3, 2012 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred in the #5 entry in Main A one crosscut inby station number 167. The fall was approximately 20 feet long x 20 feet wide x 5 feet high.

June 21, 2012 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by falling object

Employee stated he was attempting to remove two drill steels from the roof. The two steels were stuck together. He wiggled the steels and the bottom steel came loose and fell straight down onto the drill head and then bounced up and struck him in the mouth.

June 11, 2012 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing a cutting edge on a WA180. He was working on removing a nut, when it fell. He reached under the bucket to turn bolt to engage the square hole, to finish removing the nut. The bolt head was worn down and sharp. It cut through his leather glove and middle fingertip on his left hand.

February 13, 2012 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pulling cable when his right foot got caught in the mud causing him to twist his right knee.

February 8, 2012 PA · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
RoxCoal, Inc. · Rubbed or abraded

The man was examining the mine and had knelt down to sign a date board. While kneeling his knee began to ache.

February 6, 2012 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The man was lifting belt structure with a lifting jack. While lowering the jack, the man's hand slipped off the handle and the handle struck him on the lip. Report filed for medical treatment only(Stitches)

February 6, 2012 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

The man was changing the motor on a bridge unit when he stated that he developed pain in his back.

January 30, 2012 PA · Coal discontinued 1/31/2014. several other codes cover scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

The man was tramming the scoop around a corner from a crosscut to the entry. The scoop slid in the mud causing the man's hardhat to contact an offset in the roof and the backrest of the scoop resulting in a left ear/face laceration.

2011 · 7 incidents

December 31, 2011 PA · Coal examiner, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examiner STRIKING OR BUMPING
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

The man was walking down the entry when he struck his head against a ledge in the roof causing pain in his neck.

December 19, 2011 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The man was bending a roof bolt to prepare to install in the roof when he felt a pain in his shoulder.

October 7, 2011 PA · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
RoxCoal, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The man was carrying oil cans when he stepped in a hole in the bottom and twisted his knee. The man continued to perform his regular duties until 10-20-11 at which time he went on restricted duty status.

September 14, 2011 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred on a travelway one crosscut inby station 156. The fall was approximately 60 feet long x 20 feet wide x 10 feet high.

September 13, 2011 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

The man knelt down to hang ventilation curtain and knelt on a nail laying on the bottom causing a puncture wound to his knee.

July 4, 2011 PA · Coal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

During the pre-shift examination, a roof fall was found in the belt entry 30 feet outby station 157. The fall was 30 feet long x 20 feet wide x 6 feet high.

April 6, 2011 PA · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
RoxCoal, Inc. · Struck by falling object

While drilling a roof bolt hole, a piece of roof rock fell from around the bolt hole and struck the man on the hand.

2010 · 1 incident

September 30, 2010 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
RoxCoal, Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The man was chaining a wooden plank to the back of a personnel cart to pull it when he pinched his finger between the plank and the hitch. Report filed for Medical Treatment Only.