Mining Incidents

BLACK BEAR PREPARATION PLANT Coal

Wharncliffe, Mingo County, WV  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4607985

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at BLACK BEAR PREPARATION PLANT.

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
44
Years on record
2000–2022
Latest incident
Mar 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
546
citations
159
significant & substantial
$141,376
proposed penalties
$99,876
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 0 0
2025 Q2 0 1 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2024 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q4 195 1 0 5128.2
2023 Q3 1,171 1 0 854.0
2023 Q2 1,301 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 0 0 0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

44 on file

2022 · 1 incident

March 28, 2022 WV · Coal FIRE
Lexington Coal Company LLC · Accident type, without injuries

At approximately 1:30am, the security guard was making rounds at the plant smelled a sulfur smell at the road above the clean coal silos. EE contacted the foreman who came and found a black steam coming out of the top vents of the #4 silo. After a plan approval the coal was removed from the silo through a stacking tube, spread out and water was applied to cool the heated coal.

2020 · 1 incident

December 3, 2020 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Lexington Coal Company LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was installing a splash guard on the clean coal screen when the guard rolled over and pinned employee's hand against the side causing a laceration that required 7 stitches.

2017 · 1 incident

August 31, 2017 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by falling object

The D-10R dozer was being disassembled in preparation to be moved. The push-arms that had been removed were sitting on the ground. Employee stepped over one of the push-arms and it fell, striking right leg causing a fracture.

2014 · 1 incident

May 8, 2014 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee filed a hearing loss claim based on an examination and diagnosis on 5/8/2014.

2012 · 2 incidents

May 24, 2012 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Scrapping plant out, trying to get discharge lip around screen. It flipped over and cut index finger and middle finger.

February 25, 2012 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cutting string on mini-blind with knife in right hand: Knife slipped off string puncturing left hand between the thumb and index finger.

2011 · 1 incident

February 18, 2011 WV · Coal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had welded lug on top of lifting tube to secure a choker to be used to lift a platform out of the water, Lug broke after applying pressure and employee was struck by the lug on the left hand, Resulting in a laceration and fracture to the ring finger.

2009 · 7 incidents

October 24, 2009 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employees were installing 4" pipe in floor drain between 3rd & 4th floor. While tack welding a 4" 90 degree elbow to a 4" pipe the pipe slid and the tacks broke and 4" elbow fell striking injured on his hard hat and left shoulder.

October 19, 2009 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE was laying decking and stepped beyond caution tape onto unsecured decking. The decking moved and he fell through the decking.

September 16, 2009 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by falling object

The injured and another ee were shoveling on the beltline. Another ee above him shoveling on the belt line place a large piece of rock, onto the belt, it bounced off and struck the victim in the forehead resulting in a laceration requiring sutures to close.

July 27, 2009 WV · Coal welder (shop) OTHER
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Unclassified, insufficient data

RCC did not receive any report of the accident from the EE and was notified by MSHA of an alledged accident. RCC has no information that an accident occured or that EE was injured or the extent and nature of his injuries.

July 21, 2009 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger POWERED HAULAGE
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

As a Norfolk Southern empty train pulled under the loadout facility a 9'8" piece of rail broke causing the train to wreck. The cars struck and dislodged the concrete and steel supports of the facility resulting in it's collapse. The victim was on the second floor checking for debris in the cars when the collapse occurred.

April 14, 2009 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Fall from machine

The employee was dismounting a D9L dozer when his leg gave and he fell 42" to the ground. The injured employee stated to MSHA Inspector that his leg gave out causing him to fall. This is a result of a previous injury requiring surgery to the employee's back. (See inspector's investigation notes)

2008 · 2 incidents

December 31, 2008 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Fall from machine

Trying to get truck started - slipped, fell and landed on his back on the ground - sprain/strain lumbosacral -

May 24, 2008 WV · Coal ENTRAPMENT
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Employee was in the process of exposing a void in a stockpile above an underground feeder when his dozer slipped partially into the void.

2007 · 10 incidents

August 18, 2007 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck by flying object

Employee was removing a lodged rock from the rear tandums of another contractor's truck when the tire ruptured causing a contusion to his forehead.

August 8, 2007 WV · Coal miner, prospector, nec STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Brooks Run South Mining, LLC · Struck against stationary object

He said he was painting handrail and went down on his left knee to get to the bottom of the handrail. He felt what he thought was a grain of sand poke him in the knee. He squeezed the bump that arose on 8/10/07. He said his knee then became swollen on 8/11/07. He sought medical attention on 8/12/07. On 8/14/07 he was sent for another medical visit.

May 10, 2007 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Cleaning up site and strained or pulled muscle lifting 3 pieces of 3"x3"x1/4" angle.

March 30, 2007 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck against stationary object

The EE was using a wash down hose to clean a plugged chute when another EE increased the pressure on hose causing the EE to lose his balance striking his right arm on a steel support beam. The EE did not stop work however on 4/18/07 he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff & was scheduled for surgery. He started missing work on 4/18/2007.

March 15, 2007 WV · Coal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was in the eprocess of removing a 54" impact roller form a belt tailiece when his hand slipped causing his left index finger to become caught between the roller frame and the ridgid channel of the belt structure resulting in a laceration requiring.

February 3, 2007 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was entering the door to the plant, when it was caught by the wind catching the top of his right middle finger between door & frame.

2006 · 4 incidents

December 21, 2006 WV · Coal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Fall from machine

Climbing out of crane, he slipped and caught himself by left arm; pulled or strained muscle.

August 8, 2006 WV · Coal silo operator, bin puller, truck loader HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured EE was using a pry bar to break some concrete forms. The bar slipped and hit him in the mouth. The result was a broken tooth and a fractured jaw.

April 14, 2006 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

He was climbing up on end of loader and he felt his little finger hurting on his left hand.

2005 · 2 incidents

March 18, 2005 WV · Coal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

He was making his pre-shift on 980F endloader and he slipped and fell causing injury to his right knee and ankle (strain).

March 7, 2005 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a bar to close doors on empty RR cars. The bar slipped, striking him on the right side of the face.

2004 · 1 incident

March 26, 2004 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

While repairing air conditioner on a D9L squatting in removed floor plate hole twisted bakc and had numbness in back and left leg.

2003 · 1 incident

January 29, 2003 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

TWISTED BACK TRYING TO INSTALL A COOLER ON A D9N DOZER.

2002 · 3 incidents

August 17, 2002 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURED WAS USING A CHAIN HOIST TO REMOVE A ROOF BOLT FROM THE BELT STRUCTURE. THE CHAIN SLIPPED AND HE CAUGHT HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE BOLT AND BELT STRUCTURE.

March 28, 2002 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS LOADING BELLY PAN FROM DOZER ONTO A TRUCK GOT PAIN IN LOWER BACK. REOCCURANCE OF A OLD INJURY.

January 10, 2002 WV · Coal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Fall from machine

EXITED DOZER FROM NIGHT SIDE DOOR, MISJUDGED FIRST STEP AND HANDRAIL CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE HIS BALANCE, RESULTING IN TWO FEET FULL TO DOZER TRACK. THE INJURY ACCORDING TO DEWAYNE CAOL GROVE HAS CAUSED BACK PAIN.

2001 · 5 incidents

November 14, 2001 WV · Coal security guard, watchman POWERED HAULAGE
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY 18 WHEELER COALTRUCK AND EMPLOYEE RAN INTO THE DITCH. EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING A FORD F-250 TRUCK AND WAS PATROLINGTHE PROPERTY.

August 18, 2001 WV · Coal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS STRUCK BY A CHAIN WHEN THE CLEVIS HE WAS USING BROKE HE WAS INSTALLING A NEW CHAIN INTO A HEAVY MEDIA WASHER AT THE TIME.

June 24, 2001 WV · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

ATTEMPTING TO PRY A COVER OFF OF A CHUTE WITH A SLATE BAR. THE BAR SLIPPED PINCHING HIS FINGER AGAINST A NEARBY HAND RAIL.

2000 · 2 incidents

March 25, 2000 WV · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

HE WAS STEAM CLEANING A DOZER AND HE BURNED TOP OF LEFT FOOT.

March 23, 2000 WV · Coal coal sampler POWERED HAULAGE
Mingo Logan Coal Company · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRIVING BACK TO LAB AFTER PICKING UP SAMPLES, WHEN HE BLACKED OUT AND CRASHED INTO ROCK WALL ALONG HAUL ROAD, INJURING HIS HEAD, HANDS AND KNEE.