Mining Incidents

Birch River Energy Plant No 1 Coal

Cowen, Webster County, WV  ·  Temporarily Idled
MSHA Mine ID: 4606045

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
54
Years on record
2000–2023
Latest incident
Apr 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
281
citations
102
significant & substantial
$143,964
proposed penalties
$94,816
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
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 2 0
2023 Q2 13,488 1 0 74.1
2023 Q1 11,212 1 0 89.2
2022 Q4 0 0 0
2022 Q2 10,705 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 8,113 5 0 616.3
2021 Q4 8,402 0 0 0.0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
March 2, 2004 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS ARE THAT A PORTION OF THE STOCKPILE SLID, COVERING AN EMPLOYEE WHILE HE WAS DIRECTING A LOADER OPERATING DURING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE MAINTENANCE ON AN UNDERGROUND RECLAIM FEEDER. THE EE WAS COVERED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE HOSPITAL.

Reportable incidents

53 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2023 · 1 incident

April 24, 2023 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee was adding hydraulic fluid to the loader when they fell, striking the tire with their right arm.

2019 · 1 incident

June 14, 2019 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor MACHINERY
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was replacing conveyor chain in a truck dump feeder. The chain was being pulled out by a hoist truck. The flight keepers were unknowingly wore out and 1 flight fell out of the chain and struck the employee on the left hand and knocked 2 more flights out of the chain as it was being pulled out.

2016 · 5 incidents

July 8, 2016 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The operator was notified 7/8/16 of a claim for occupational pneumoconiosis for the affected employee. The employee was terminated doe to a reduction in work force on April 15, 2014.

February 1, 2016 WV · Coal superintendent DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The operator was notified on 2/1/2016 that the employee has been diagnosed with Occupational Pneumoconiosis.

January 25, 2016 WV · Coal FIRE
Birch River Energy, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A fire occurred in a stockpile where high sulfur coal had been stored. The fire occurred due to air pockets existing within the stock pile due to loose compaction of coal which caused the coal to spontaneously ignite. No personal injuries were inflected, or equipment damages occurred from the fire. No persons were endangered from the fire.

January 14, 2016 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Birch River Energy, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Attempting to clean torch tip, employee burnt left hand with a lit torch.

2015 · 1 incident

October 24, 2015 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee struck his head against a water valve while shutting off the drain water valve on water truck. Employee stated his hard hat was knocked off. Wounded required staples for closure.

2014 · 5 incidents

June 3, 2014 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Birch River Energy, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Driver complained he was sick. Thought he was having heart attach.

April 11, 2014 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on the Gizmo engine in the refuse area. The wind was blowing which caused dirt/dust to enter into his left eye. He was wearing Rx safety glasses. The employee sought medical treatment at SRMC ER for irritation. The eye was irrigated and the employee was given an antibiotic ointment.

March 12, 2014 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against a moving object

EE was going back to the mine to get loaded. Came upon a soft pushed up spot in the Rd caused by winter thawing. Driver did not slow down and make adjustments for Rd. conditions causing himself to be bounced in the ceiling of the truck he was operating. EE was driving to fast for Rd conditions

January 26, 2014 WV · Coal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Birch River Energy, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee received a laceration to the right thumb when the thumb was caught between a crescent wrench used to hold a nut and the frame of a separation screen. Torque applied to the bolt by a co-worker caused the nut to twist and pinch the thumb between the handle of the crescent wrench and separator frame.

2013 · 5 incidents

December 16, 2013 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall from machine

EE was getting ready to weld a stop of for an overhead crane. EE fell 20 feet to the steel floor below landing on his left wrist and knee. EE was transported to CMAC General and was treated for a broken wrist and knee. EE was released on 12/19/13 and is now home.

June 24, 2013 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

On 10/03/2013, the mine operator was notified that this former employee had received a diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis, category p/p, 1/0. This former employee's last date of employment was on 06/24/2013. He did not miss any scheduled work due to this diagnosis.

June 12, 2013 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DUST DISEASE OF LUNGS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

On 10/03/2013 the mine operator received notification that this former employee had received a diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis, category s/s, 1/0. This former employee's last date of employment with this operator was 06/12/2013.

June 6, 2013 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pushed clutch down heard a pop in left knee. When he could stop he got out of the truck and could not put weight on left leg.

May 30, 2013 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

An employee attempted to lift a full sample bag of coal into the basket of the electric hoist with his left hand. He felt a burning sensation and pain betweeen his shoulder and neck. On Friday, June 21st; this said employee received medical treatment as he was given prescriptions for pain medication and a muscle relaxer for a strained trapezoid muscle.

2012 · 3 incidents

December 20, 2012 WV · Coal security guard, watchman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE evening shift EE reported to work at 15:35p.m. at the Gate 2 Guard shack. While attempting to enter guard shack a strong gust of wind blew the door into EE knocking him to the ground. EEG received a laceration to his left elbow requiring stitches.

October 25, 2012 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and co-workers were changing an impeller on a pump. The employee was Pulling on the motor belt when the ring finger left hand was pinched in the motors pulley. Power was locked and tagged out to the pump.

July 29, 2012 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Birch River Energy, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was using oxyacetylene torch to cut a metal pipe when spark blew back in his right ear. Employee sought additional medical treatment on Sept. 22, 2012 and began missing days from work on 09/23/2012.

2011 · 4 incidents

December 4, 2011 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee's knee gave out on him, he slipped and fell 2 steps to a lower landing on the steps at the load out. No defects were noted on the steps and employee stated there was no defects to the step.

June 21, 2011 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and co-worker performing maintenance on Plant Re-circulatory pump co worker was using impact wrench to tighten T-bolt and affected employee was holding T-bolt in saddle with finger. While tightening bolt pressure caused it to slip and strike finger.

February 8, 2011 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee started missing days from work on 4/4/11 from a previous injury. Employee stated he was using a hydraulic wrench to remove 2.5 inch bolts which attaches the vibrating box to a feeder. Employee states that the hydraulic wrench slipped from a bolt and he strained the left shoulder while attempting to catch the wrench.

January 12, 2011 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped on ice and snow and twisted right knee.

2010 · 1 incident

July 31, 2010 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STRIKING OR BUMPING
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking up steps in plant and struck the back of his hand against the hand rail causing a metacarpal fracture to the 4th digit left hand.

2009 · 1 incident

January 20, 2009 WV · Coal rotary bucket excavator operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against stationary object

The employee received a laceration to the right hand requiring sutures for closure while removing ice from return belt rollers on the raw coal belt. Employee returned to normal duties on his next scheduled shift.

2008 · 1 incident

August 9, 2008 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Driver was going down tipple hill in 2nd gear, saw a T.C. transport truck on straddle berm and stopped truck, set park brake. Felt truck move a little before park brake set up, pushed park brake button back in releasing brake and truck ran away. He had truck out of gear resulting in truck overturning on side.

2006 · 1 incident

February 27, 2006 WV · Coal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Contractor complained of burning sensation on his left shoulder and arm while changing a screen panel plant. Upon observation, his shirt was wet along with the seat of his pants. He removed his shirt and a small area on the left shoulder appeared to be scraped with redness to his elbow. He was taken to a shower to wash chemicals from his body and then transported to the local E.R.

2004 · 2 incidents

March 23, 2004 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Birch River Energy, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee reporting of twisting his ankle while stepping off of the dozer. Employee stated that his right foot twisted on frozen mud while stepping.

January 9, 2004 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT ON 1-16-04 AFTER AN INCIDENT OCCURRING ON 1-9-04. ON THAT DAY THE EE NOTICED PAIN IN THE LOW BACK AFTER WORKING IN A SUMP AT THE PREPARTION PLANT. THE EE REPORTED T HAT HE NOTICED PAIN IN THE LOW BACK AFTER STANDINING UP, NO OTHER INCIDENTS WERE DESCRIBED. ON FEB 11, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE EE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM CHIRO. PRIOR T MGT HAD CLASSIFI

2003 · 6 incidents

November 12, 2003 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

NOTIFIED ON 1/5/04 THAT INJURED MINER SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM A CHIROPRACTOR ON 11/13/03. THE MINER STATED THAT HE NOTICED PAIN IN LOW BACK AFTER TURNING SIEVE BOX FROM THE PLANT TO ALIG N IT IN A TRUCK. THE SIEVE BOX WAS ATTACHED TO AN OVERHEAD HOIST. EE MISSED NO TIME FROM THE INJURY & RETURNED TO NORMAL JOB DUTIES.

August 3, 2003 WV · Coal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against a moving object

DRIVER WAS ON THE STOCKPILE, TRUCK FACING DOWN HILL. TRUCK BED WAS FULLY RAISED. DRIVER PULLED FORWARD AND STOPPED. BED STARTED ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THEN FELL OVER. CAB STAYED UPRIGHT. B ED WAS ON THE (DRIVERS SIDE) GROUND, ON ITS SIDE. STOCK PILE WAS LEANING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE.

June 19, 2003 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ON 3/5/04 OPERATOR WAS PROVIDED ADDL INFO ON THE ACCIDENT FROM 1ST AID TO MEDICAL. ON 6/19/03 EE WAS BLOWING OUT A TOOL BOX IN THE PLANT SHOP & A PIECE OF RUST WAS EMBEDDED IN EYE. INITIALLY THE REPORTED MED TREATMENT WAS WASHING OUT THE EYE. HOWEVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A MED TREATMENT WAS GIVEN USING SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS TO REMOVE THE RUST IN EYE

May 14, 2003 WV · Coal coal sampler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE IS SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER COMPLAINING OF PAIN IN THE LOW BACK. EE STATED THAT ON 5/14/03 AFTER CARRYING 4 PARTIAL BUCKETS OF COAL FOR SAMPLING PURPOSES THAT HE FELT PAIN IN THE LOW BACK.

March 31, 2003 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Birch River Energy, LLC · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS REMOVING THE SCREEN FROM THE DECANT DRYERIN THE PLANT AND CUT THE RING FINGER LEFT HAND WHEN HE CONTACTED A SHARP EDGE ON THE DRYER. THE WOUND REQUIRED SUTURES

February 21, 2003 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner ELECTRICAL
Birch River Energy, LLC · Flash burns (electric)

EE WAS TRYING TO SET UP POWER IN SUB-STATION AFTER RECENT POWER OUTAGE DUE TO ICE STORM. EE STATED THAT HE OPERATED THE MAIN POWER TRIP BUTTON TO DE-ENERGIZE THE SUBSTATION & WITH HIGH VOLTAGE GLOVES & A SAFETY GROUND CABLE TESTED THE MAIN CIRCUIT TO ENSURE POWER WAS DISCONNECTED. AN ELECTRIC ARCH OCCURRED DURING THIS TASK CAUSING 1ST & 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO THE FACE.

2002 · 3 incidents

November 18, 2002 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE FELL WHILE CLEANING COAL CHUTE AND CUT HIS LEFT KNEE. WOUND REQUIRED SUTURES. MEDICAL REPORT.

January 25, 2002 WV · Coal coal sampler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall down stairs

THE INJURED FELL DOWN WHILE DESCENDING THE STEPSTO THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CLEAN, COAL TOWER. THERE HAS BEEN AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION- THE INJURY BECAME REPORTABLE ON 2/01/02- WHEN THE INJURED MISSED HIS FIRST SCHEDULED WORK DAY. IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION WAS MADE ON 1/25/02 BY PHONE.

2001 · 7 incidents

September 16, 2001 WV · Coal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

INJURED WAS HELPING TURN A DRIVE PULLEY BY HAND IN ORDER TO POSITION A PUMP SHAFT, SO AN IMPELLOR COULD BE REMOVED. HE GOT HIS GLOVED LEFT THUMBCAUGHT BETWEEN THE DRIVE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELTS. THE PRESSURE OF THE DRIVE BELTS CUT OFF THE TIP OF HIS THUMB.

August 18, 2001 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall from machine

FELL TO THE GROUND WHILE MOUNTING A BULLDOZER. STRUCK HIS LEFT ELBOW ON THE DOZER TRACK. COMPLAINS OF SOME NECK PAIN.

February 3, 2001 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS HELPING MOVE A PIECE OF SHAKER SCREEN ACROSS THE BOTTOM FLOOR OF THE PLANT. THEY WERE USING CHAIN HOISTS & PRYBAR. HE SAID HE PRIED FROM AN AWKWARD POSITION AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. FINISHED THE SHIFT COULD NOT GET OUT THE NEXT DAY.

January 11, 2001 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE CLAIMED CARPAL TUNNEL DAMAGE TO BOTH HANDS DUE TO WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES. HE HAD CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY ON 1-11-01 ON ONE HAND AND SAYS HE W ILL HAVE SURGERY ON THE OTHER BEFORE HE RETURNS TO WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

2000 · 6 incidents

December 17, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall from machine

WAS CLIMBING DOWN STEPS TO THE GROUND FROM THE OPERATOR'S COMPARTMENT. HE SAID HE SLIPPED ON THE 3RD STEP DOWN, FELL TO THE GROUND, CATCHING HIMSELF ON HIS RIGHT HAND, BENDING HIS THUMB BACK, LOADER WAS NOT IN MOTION.

November 14, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS CARRYING ONE END OF PIECE OF A C CHANNEL WALKING BACKWARDS AS HE PROCEEDED ACROSS THE PLANT FLOOR HE STEPPED INTO A HOLE IN THE PLANT FLOOR CAUSING HIM TO FALL & THE C CHANNEL TO MASH I S FINGERS AGAINST THE FLOOR

June 4, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS MAKING REPAIRS TO A SCREEN AND STRAINED HIS BACK WEHN HE LIFTED THE BAFFEL. THEACCIDENT OCCURED ON MAY 17,1999 AT WHICH TIME HEDID SEE A DOCTOR BUT DID NOT MISS WORK OR GET MEDICAL TREATMENT.

May 31, 2000 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING OUT OF THE LUNCH ROOM AND TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE. THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 31, 2000 BUT THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT MISS WORK UNTIL JANUARY 3, 2001.

February 14, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS WALKING FROM BATHHOUSE TO WORK AREA. WAS LOOKING ACROSS THE ROAD AT ANOTHER LOCATION. HE STEPPED IN A DEPRESSION ABOUT 14" X 14" X 1 1/2 DEEP. THIS CAUSED HIM TO TURN HIS LEFT ANKLE.

January 27, 2000 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Coastal Coal-West Virginia LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

HE HAD BEEN WORKING OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER. SNOW AND ICE BUILT UP ON THE SOLES AND TREAD OF HIS BOOTS. HE STEPPED OFF THE NON-SKID RUG ONTO A TILE FLOOR. AT THAT POINT HE FELL TO THE FLOOR.