Mining Incidents

Sulphur Springs Strip Coal

Controlled by Vistra Energy
Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, TX  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4102776

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
45
Years on record
2000–2014
Latest incident
Aug 2014
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
94
citations
27
significant & substantial
$281,738
proposed penalties
$246,090
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
2022 Q4 425 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 325 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 425 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 0 0 0
2021 Q2 525 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 525 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 0 0 0
2020 Q2 0 0 0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
January 12, 2008 TX · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee exited the Hitachi Shovel and placed himself between the shovel and highwall. While on the ground between the shovel and highwall, the highwall sloughed and pinned the employee against the track of the machine resulting in a fatality.

Reportable incidents

44 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2014 · 6 incidents

August 13, 2014 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

The employee was assisting in getting coal out of silo and had an unexpected spill of hot coal. He was burned while escaping the area.

August 13, 2014 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was burned while assisting in removing coal from a silo due to an unexpected coal spill.

August 13, 2014 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

While employee was assisting in removing hot coal from a silo hot coal spilled out and burned employee as he was escaping.

August 13, 2014 TX · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was assisting in removing hot coal from silo and suffered burns to his arms and legs.

January 11, 2014 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Fall from ladders

Employee was assigned to turn on grease lines at ALPM shop. He stepped up on four step roll around ladder and opened valve while descending the ladder he missed a step and fractured his right ankle.

2011 · 4 incidents

December 14, 2011 TX · Coal pumper MACHINERY
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was using an air chuck to deliver air to a flat tire when the escaping air from the chuck blew debris onto his face.

November 30, 2011 TX · Coal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting and pushing a bar through the holes on his line boring fixture. The lift was a vertical lift from the ground. When the EE was making the final push upward, he felt a burning/tear in the lower abdominal area.

October 10, 2011 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was installing silt fence. A trench was cut in work area causing a slope and loose soil. While EE was driving the particular t-post, he lost his balance causing him to brace himself against falling. As he was off balance the post driver came off of post going down, pinning his finger between the driver and t-post.

June 13, 2011 TX · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee slipped on a bent end dump ladder twisting his knee. He was placed on restriction from climbing and must wear a knee brace for approximately 12 calendar days per doctors report. There is no evidence of acute fracture, dislocation, joint effusion or soft tissue swelling per the radiology report.

2010 · 2 incidents

August 17, 2010 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Journeyman was stepping from a hose guard that covers the hoses on the trunion to the right track when he slipped and lacerated the back of his head requiring stitches.

July 31, 2010 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating end dump when he hit a slick area on the ramp. The employee lost control of the vehicle and the equipment turned over.

2009 · 3 incidents

October 17, 2009 TX · Coal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Fall onto or against objects

A Journeyman was pulling on a loader tire with a tire truck. The supervisor was beside the rear of the tire reaching over behind the tire operating a porta power. As the tire truck hand was pulling the tire the tire hand slipped and the tire retracted back and the tread of the tire struck the supervisor and knocked him against the frame of the loader fracturing his scapula.

September 20, 2009 TX · Coal INUNDATION
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A mud trap and water hole broke loose in the east end of the pit, causing shovels and dump trucks to have to evacuate the area.

March 24, 2009 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was removing an old gasket with a buffing wheel. Safety glasses and safety goggles were being worn by the employee. The employee had also installed a fender on a scraper. He was wearing safety glasses while doing this task. The employee received some foreign matter in his right eye while conducting one of these task.

2008 · 5 incidents

November 18, 2008 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a D10 dozer. He was ripping out several rocks and when backing up, the dozer slipped into a hole. This caused the dozer to jar, resulting in an injury to the employee's back.

September 30, 2008 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was moving a 6 inch discharge water line and in doing so pulled his right calf muscle.

June 1, 2008 TX · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

The injured was operating a scraper and drove through a rough place in the haulage road causing the scraper to bounce him around and causing pain in his lower back.

April 5, 2008 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a scraper and was approaching a loaded coal hauler to push it up the ramp after it lost traction and stopped on the ramp. As the scraper operator was approaching the hauler, the hauler tried to pull the ramp again and began to roll back and rolled into the scraper jarring the scraper operator, causing soreness in his neck and back.

January 8, 2008 TX · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Struck against a moving object

While employee was operating a Euclid End Dump he received a pinched nerve in his neck from the bed closing hard and jarring the truck after dumping his load of dirt.

2007 · 4 incidents

September 7, 2007 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
Luminant Mining Company LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While getting in the cab of a buldozer, the employee was bitten by an insect on his left arm.

August 9, 2007 TX · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Unknown operator · Struck by flying object

While operating a coal hauler a dust particle blew into the employee's left eye. The operator was wearing safety glasses and the windows on the truck were rolled up. The employee was issued an eye prescription.

February 28, 2007 TX · Coal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Unknown operator · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt numbness in his left thumb and two fingers while operating front end loader. Employee went to doctor on March 12, 2007. Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel was made on March 19, 2007

February 3, 2007 TX · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Unknown operator · Struck against a moving object

Employee was pushing hauler up ramp with scraper. While going up ramp the hauler dropped in a low spot. This allowed the push block of the scraper to ride up on the hauler push block picking the scraper up and then the scraper slipping off and dropping to the ground injuring the employees back.

2006 · 2 incidents

July 13, 2006 TX · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee closed door on right thumb lacerating and fracturing it after mounting equipment.

January 22, 2006 TX · Coal pumper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Unknown operator · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee's foot slipped on bed of fuel truck causing him to twist his left knee. It had been raining. He has been working his regular duties since the incident on January 22, 2006. His left knee has been bothering him off and on since that time. On May 26, 2006 he began receiving physical therapy to strengthen his knee.

2005 · 1 incident

July 18, 2005 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was woking on the air conditioner of a motorgrader. He was attempting to cut a low pressure line with a utility knife. When material was cut through, the knife closed cutting his ring finger.

2004 · 2 incidents

November 28, 2004 TX · Coal pumper HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was using a truck to pull some slack in some pump line. After getting slack and backing up truck the injured was picking up on mender to let someone unhook the strap when he caught his finger between the truck bed and pumpline mender cutting his finger.

August 31, 2004 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee cut and smashed index finger on right hand requiring stitches while assisting in installing torque idlers and torquing idler cap bolts on dozer.

2003 · 5 incidents

August 12, 2003 TX · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Unknown operator · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AFTER OPERATING SCRAPER EE EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN.

June 26, 2003 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

UTILITYMAN OPENED THE CAGE TO ADJUST THE BELT SCRAPER ON THE CONVEYOR B TAKE-UP TOWER. WHEN THE UTILITYMAN TURNED THE SCRAPER SO THAT IT WOULD TOUCH THE BELT THE BELT CAUGHT HIS GLOVE AND PULL ED HIS HAND IN BETWEEN THE BELT AND THE SCRAPER.

June 8, 2003 TX · Coal NO VALUE FOUND
Unknown operator · No Value Found

DOZER WAS PUSHING OVERBURDEN OVER HIGHWALL. DOZER GOT TOO CLOSE TO HIGHWALL EDGE. DOZER STARTED TILTING OVER HIGHWALL. HIGHWALL HEIGHT IS APPROX30FT TOTAL. FIRST DROP APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET TO RED DIRT THAT HAD BEEN PUSHED DOWN. DOZER ROLLEDAPPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 15 FEET ONTO LEFT SIDE.

May 29, 2003 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CUTTING TIE WRAP WITH POCKET KNIFE. WHEN THE KNIFE CUT THROUGH THE TIE WRAP IT STABBED EE IN THE LEFT HAND BETWEEN THE THUMB & FOREFINGER.

February 8, 2003 TX · Coal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator POWERED HAULAGE
Unknown operator · Struck against a moving object

KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVE RAN THROUGH TXU "MEN WORKING" SIGN LOCATED ON TXU PROPERTY AND COLLIDED WITH A TXU LOCOMOTIVE WHICH WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. THE IMPACT THREW EE AGAI NST THE DOOR.

2002 · 6 incidents

November 13, 2002 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS RAKING OUT COAL BUILD-UP WITH A HOE WHEN AN ALIGNMENT ROLLER CAUGHT HIS SHIRT OR GLOVE & PULLED HIS ARM INTO IT.

November 12, 2002 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CUTTING ROPE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO DISCHARGE LINE WITH POCKET KNIFE. AFTER ROPE WAS CUT THE MOMEMTUM OF THE KNIFE CAUSED A CUT TO EE'S LEG.

October 2, 2002 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Unknown operator · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE PINCHED 1/4" - 1/2" OF MIDDLE RIGHT FINGER OFF WHILE INSTALLING DUMP DOOR CYLINDER ON HAULER.

May 6, 2002 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AS EE WAS DISMOUNTING MOTORGRADER HE SWUNG HIS RIGHT HAND INTO THE ENGINE FAN CUTTING TOP OF HAND IN TWO PLACES.

April 29, 2002 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Unknown operator · Fall to the walkway or working surface

MECHANIC WAS REMOVING ENGINE PARTS TO REMOVE CYLINDER HEAD. HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE STEPLADDER CAUSING HIM TO FALL BETWEEN THE LADDER AND VEHICLE FRAME.

January 29, 2002 TX · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Unknown operator · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE HAD FINISHED WASHING DOWN THE TUNNEL. HE WAS ROLLING UP WATER HOSE AND THE HOSE GOT HUNG. AS HE WAS PULLING ON THE HOSE HIS FOOT SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO FALL. THIS RESULTED IN EE HAVING PAIN IN RIGHT KNEE.

2001 · 2 incidents

June 27, 2001 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED WAS CLEANING OUT THE ROLLER FRAME OF A DOZER WHEN HE RUBBED HIS FACE AND FELT SOMETHING IN HIS LEFT EYE.

April 2, 2001 TX · Coal welder (shop) OTHER
Unknown operator · Struck by flying object

EE WAS WELDING ON FENDER OF TRUCK. HE RAISED HIS WELDING HOOD AND A PIECE OF DIRT BLEW INTO HIS LEFT EYE.

2000 · 2 incidents

April 5, 2000 TX · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Unknown operator · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED WAS ASSISTING THE REMOVAL OF A PITMAN ARM. ANOTHER EE WAS USING A SLEDGEHAMMER TO REMOVE THE ARM. WHEN THE ARM STARTED COMING OFF, THE INJURED REPOSITIONED HIS HAND BECAUSE HE THOU GHT THE ARM WAS TOO HEAVY FOR ANOTHER EE HOLDING THE ARM. THE EE WITH THE SLEDGEHAMMER HIT HIS FINGER.

March 24, 2000 TX · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Unknown operator · Struck by flying object

THE INJURED WAS WELDING A COAL BREAKING PLOW TO THE SCREEN INSIDE THE ROTARY BREAKER. HIS SAFETY GLASSES FOGGED UP AND HE REMOVED THEM. WHILE CHIPPING A WELD WITH HIS WELDING HOOD UP, A PIECE OF SLAG WENT INTO HIS RIGHT EYE.