Miami Cement Plant Metal/Non-Metal

Victim was working on unloading material that had been cleaned from the silo. Routine work for USA. They took a guard off saw a rock was lodged in a rotary gate, and decided to save time and effort used a finger to dislodge the rock instead of picking up the bar. The rock had moved allowing the rotary gate to rotate, and they couldn't move their finger fast enough.

EE was assisting with a drag rope endo when the eye on the tugger cable snapped. The employee was contacted by the drag rope, resulting in two lacerations that required stitches.

EE foot struck by forklift resulting in a fracture

Crushing injury to thumb that resulted in a fracture

EE rolled ankle when stepping off the last rung of an A frame ladder. After recommended first aid care was not progressing the EE was taken to our clinic and transferred to a specialist and was diagnosed with an unspecified fracture of right talus on 7/6/2023.

EE states walking down the stairs, slipped and fell, landed on right hand causing swelling to R shoulder and difficulty using arm. EE went to clinic the following day and was given self treatment instructions. On 4/24/23 EE went to the follow up clinic appt and was prescribed an MRI and physical therapy; diagnosed with right shoulder joint sprain.

Employee missed a step descending down stairs and reported pain in left knee. Employee was taken to our clinic and treated with first aid and prescribed an MRI. After MRI follow up was referred to an orthopedic DR. After initial visit to orthopedic DR employee was prescribed physical therapy and diagnosed with a sprain and tear of medial meniscus on 2/8/23.

The EE was working on a rotary feeder in the CKD area when EE's hand got caught in the rotary feeder. The EE's hand was injured and EE was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Employee had a shift in hearing noted on annual hearing test. Retest was conducted for work relatedness. From retest -Recordable Shift Follow-up Questionnaire but are unable to rule out the contribution of workplace noise at this time nor could we find evidence that the loss resulted solely from a non-work-related event or exposure that occurred outside the work environment.

The employee was water blasting the Preheater tower at the microwave level, when material falling in the lower riser hit the lance causing it to rollback hitting employee's chest area. Employee was using all pertaining PPE and after medical evaluation and CT scan results was diagnosed with contusion in the front wall of thorax.

The employee was guiding a contractor for an inspection and when EE got to the kiln inlet seal area, EE noticed a spillage pile of KF that occurred and was reported in the morning. EE used right foot to create a path to walk thru when EE started to feel the heat and immediately exited by putting left foot in the same pile. EE assumed the KF was cooled off.

Employee was ready to start using the forklift when they noticed the seat belt wedged under the seat of forklift. As they were dismounting, in a rainy morning and thinking about safety and supporting the start up of the plant, they used left foot and try to reach the floor without using the step and not using three points of contact.

The employee was water blasting the North east side of the pre-heater tower when the material fell on the employee. The blow lifted the outer layer and landed on the inner penetrating it and landing on employee's neck. Employee was wearing proper PPE for the task.

The employee was on the pre-heater tower water blasting the microwave area when EE's coworker accidentally triggered the pressurized water lance onto EE's right foot. The pressure make the water to penetrate the boot causing 1st and 2nd degree burn on EE's right ankle/heel area.

A cement truck loading operator, with more than 23 years of experience was centering the spout into a cement tanker by using a 52-inch bar that weighs 3 pounds when they felt a pain in right wrist and elbow. After seeking medical attention they were diagnosed with right wrist/elbow sprain and then performed an MRI which came back with no more findings.

2 wrenches smashed finger

Production Supervisor was unplugging STG IV using a jackhammer and towards the end of the shift EE started feeling a lower back pain. The extended use of the jackhammer and the access to the area contributed to this injury.

Mobile mechanic was in the process of removing a front end loader bucket tooth which was seized on the bracket so mechanic used a sledgehammer to remove the tooth, when a piece of metal from tooth embedded on left shin.

Placed hand on trolley rail the pan conveyor then rolled over middle finger on right hand.

Miner task was to remove and replace steel Grate Decking (1' x39"). EE set down the old decking and foot slipped into the opening. The miner was wearing fall protection.

While dismantling a hopper, employee was injured. While cutting loose a beam from the hopper, the hopper sank into the soft ground catching their left foot and injuring the ankle. The parts being cut loose were being supported by a forklift to limit incidents of falling material. The soft ground caused by recent rain fall was the prime factor in this incident.

Employee was coming from the cement silos heading to the car shaker walking across the railroad tracks when EE twisted the left knee. EE was taken to the company clinic where was seen by a doctor and diagnosed with Sprain of unspecified site of left knee and prescribed Physical therapy. Weather conditions and visibility were good at the time of the event.

A maintenance employee supporting production to ball Finish Mill #6 was the flagman situated at the top of the mill giving instructions to the crane operator to place the grinding media drums in the mill door. EE placed hand between the drum and the device used to carry them, the drum shifted and smashed left middle finger.

The employee was walking to the working station and tripped and fell over a box, landing on left leg on the side of the knee.

Employee states that EE was working on EE's knees for about 15 minutes adding water to the plant generator when EE started having pain/swelling to the back of EE's left knee. On 01/31/17 EE went for a follow up visit with the Dr. and was prescribed Physical Therapy, the event happened a week earlier and no treatment prescribed.

EE was shoveling dust at the same level when they felt a sharp pain on their lower back.

EE was rigging a load on the burner deck hoist, and pinched (R) "Pinky" finger between the lower block and wire rope.

While working on the tower, EE had kiln feed blow into eyes from a thermocouple port.

While driving a forklift the employee ran over a pot hole, the lift jumped and the employee strained back.

While working on a bucket of a front end loader, the employee wiped the sweat off brow with sleeve and irritated (R) eye.

Maintenance mechanic was tightening bottom base nut on finish mill dust collector fan when elbow struck the floor unexpectedly. The nut was located in a tight place under motor and mechanic had to lay on floor to reach the nut.

EE was operating a forklift at the cement plant finish mill area during a ball mill changeover. While moving a stack of pallets from finish mill area to storage area outside, he accidentally ran over a wooden pallet with rear wheel of forklift. When the pallet broke under the weight of wheel, a piece of wood flew in the air inside the cab and struck EE in mouth.

Employee started having pain and numbness in both wrists. After visiting doctor, he was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. He has operated an overhead crane with "joy" stick controls for approximately 25 years

Employee was shoveling spillage of rock under the conveyor belt. As he was repositioning, his foot slipped on a rock and lost his balance. While trying to regain his balance, his knee was hyperextended while trying to prevent a fall to the ground. The injury was reported on 9/23/14 as a first aid injury, first medical treatment was 10/16/14, and restricted on 10/31/14.

A maintenance technician was operating a forklift most of the shift carrying empty oil drums from one part of the plant to another. The road that the forklift traveled was bumpy road with several pot holes. Toward the end of the shift, the technician started feeling pain in his lower back but could not remember a single event to cause the pain.

Employee was using cleaning tools including an air lance to clean the floor of the preheat tower at cement plant. After cleaning for several hours, he completed the job and prepared to take off face shield & goggles. When he moved the face shield, some dust that collected on top of face shield fell down into eyes either behind goggles or through the air vents.

Employee was working with another employee using a pry bars trying to free a jammed roller in raw mill. One employee was lifting and the other was pushing down on pry bar to move the jammed roller. When the roller unjammed, it rolled over quickly and smashed little finger between pry bar and fixed pipe.

Electrician was opening electrical cabinet door when hinges broke causing the door to fall toward him. As he caught the falling 5 foot by 3 foot door, it twisted back causing low back pain which required medical that afternoon. The electrical cabinet was located in the alternative fuels area of mill at ground level.

Employee was using hand tools (hammer & steel bar)to strike a metal dust pipe to unplug the flow of dust through it. After striking it numerous times over a 30 minute period, his back became stiff later in shift that became more painful as time passed.

Employee was tightening a bolt on small vibrator mounted on the gypsum hopper. He used two adjustable wrenches to tighten the bolt, one on the top and one on the bottom to prevent the bolt from moving while tightening. He used both hands to push on the bottom wrench when it slipped off. This caused his hand to jerk forward striking metal hopper with top of hand.

While water blasting in riser located at preheater tower, material fell down on tool jerking it upward. His hand was pushed upward by the handle of the water blaster tool into an air cannon nearby that smashed his finger.

Employee was installing a 500 lb. raw mill door with another worker. After taking it off the hoist onto door frame, he attempted to use a pry bar to line up the bolt on door hinge. As he was prying it, the door slipped off door frame and fell onto top of foot.

Slipped and fell back against all thread rod stud and cut inside left arm.

While employee was walking down stairs, he missed a step and partially fell off balance stretching right knee forward. After catching himself with handrails, he noticed severe pain in knee.

Employee was handling a vacuum hose from a vacuum truck when it sprung a leak spraying him with cement on right side of face & eyes. As the material sprayed upward, it knocked safety glasses off his face. The incident was located in the Finish Mill #2 area.

While operating a water blaster on pre-heat tower, the lance kicked backwards and struck him in mouth. Apparently, material inside chute fell on end of lance causing it to kick.

While working in the raw mill building, he felt a bite on his lower leg. The bite became infected(cellulitis) later and required medical treatment & lost days. A brown recluse spider is suspected to have bit him.

The employee and the employee's personal physicians believe there was an inhalation exposure to a chemical during work shifts in April 2011. The employee believes the possible occupational illness came from breathing tire smoke from a burning tire on the burner floor of the cement plant. A worker comp claim was filed but no occupational illness has been confirmed.

Employee was talking to another employee when other employee's cell phone rang. When employee stepped backwards to give other employee privacy, he tripped & fell over a landscape rock striking right shoulder on the ground. Employee was on a previously scheduled vacation from 12/11/10 to 1/9/11 and returned to work on restricted duty on 1/10/11.

Lifting heavy objects & pulling on pry bar.

The dayshift electrician called control room operator to report fire near control room. The control room operator and shift foreman discovered the department pick-up truck on fire in parking lot behind control room. There was no driver in truck and had not been driven during the shift. The fire burned for approximately 20-25 minutes before being extinguished by fire department.

The injured employee and another employee were moving brick from a pallet to the bricking platform in the kiln. While passing brick from one person to the other, the person reached for another brick accidentally struck the other employee in the face causing safety glasses to move & scratch eye.

Employee walked into cement kiln to take pictures of refractory patch work being done by contractor. When employee looked up, dust fell on forehead and then behind safety glasses into eyes. He proceeded directly to eyewash station outside the kiln and flushed eyes with water for a long period of time before going to emergency room at local hospital.

An explosion from apparent coal dust and fire occurred in the coal mill baghouse area. It occurred when the coal mill was shutting down for maintenance. The damage was confined to the coal mill baghouse exterior doors and internal components.

The employee was using a forklift to empty a shop dumpster into a larger dumpster outside. Once the forklift was hoisted in position to empty the dumpster, employee exited forklift to unlatch dumpster with left hand. Unknowingly, he placed his right hand in a nip point that was struck by dumpster as it tipped backwards after dumping load forward into larger dumpster.

Employee was conducting a regular inspection of a baghouse. Employee punctured a dust bag and got dust in his eyes.

Employee was cleaning out a baghouse; when employee exited the baghouse, he stepped on his own tools that were left laying on the floor. Employee did not have his shoes tied which could possibly contributed to the ankle getting sprained. Employee is experiencing minor pain but is able to walk.

Employee was trying to obtain a sample from the clinker conveyor belt. While getting the sample, the sampling scoop got stuck between the guard and the conveyor. The motion of the conveyor pulled the scoop upwards smashing the employee's finger against the guard.

Employee was opening a box with a box cutter. As the employee turned the box around, on the third turn, he accidently lost control of knife as it came towards his left arm. The knife lacerated the left wrist and at the same time puncturing an artery.

While working on cleaning a plugged pipe, on air cannon on stage four riser went off and blew the hallburton port off effecting material out of it. He was inspecting the area on the floor above and got hit with some material the face.

Employee was working on cleaning a compartment inside finish mill; cement was really hot and got inside his boot.

EE was working with a zip gun removing material from a pipe. He felt sore afterwards, which he later complained the day after. He was taken to the workers comp Dr. who mis-diagnosed him with B-Lat Carpal Tunnel. He the went to orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed him with tendinitis.

Employee placed his hard hat behind the driver's seat of 777 haul truck. When he reached for his hard hat, he accidently inserted his hand into an unguarded A/C fan that was located behind the driver's seat, lacerating his right middle and ring fingers.

Employee was working on a feed throat for a FM. While trying to clear the plug with a sledge hammer and rod, employee smashed his hand causing laceration and fracture to right middle finger.

Employee got finger caught between a belt and a shieve (fan). Finger was injured while employee took eyes away from hands direction causing the finger to get caught.

Employee was removing door from bucket elevator. While removing the door, employee sprained his right arm. There was material buildup around the door preventing easy removal.

Employee was working on a Gleason cable retraction reel when a spring released trapping his middle finger on his left hand.

Employee was clearing a plug on the FK Pump for #3 finish mill. He had cleaned out the pump and screw and was working on the flapper when cement that was in the line to the silo came back down the pipe and hit him. It knocked off his hat and glasses and got into both eyes. He wasn't wearing goggles as required.

EE WAS UNCLOGING THE SCREW FOR # FINISH MILL DUST COLLECTOR WHEN EE GOT CAUSTIC DUST IN LEFT EYE

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEARING MATERIAL FROM THE FINISH MILL #4 DUST COLLECTOR WHEN CEMENT DUST BLEW INTO HIS EYES.

Employee was lining hopper with plate for wear purposes. He lifted plate overhead and pulled a ligament in his arm.

Employee was lifting a 15 lb motor from its mount and strained his back. Employee has never missed work for more than a day or two at a time; only medical.

Employee went to enter pack house office. he reached out with his right hand to push open the door. the door didnot open since someone was leaning against the other side he crack his r. elbow on latch and jambed his shoulder. employee sought treatment on 7/30/04.

EE ENTERED THE WORK AREA (COOLER) DIRECTLY TO START WORKING WITHOUT PREVIOUSLY CLEANING THE AREA OF THE LIME DUST. HE STARTED WORKING WITH HIS P.P.E. (HARDHAT, SAFETY GLASSES, BOOTS AND GLOVES) WHEN HIS HAND BRUSHED UP AGAINST AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST WHICH COVERED HIS FACE AND ENTERED INTO BOTH EYES.

EMPLOYEE WAS GRINDING A FLANGE WITH AN 11000 RPM ELECTRIC GRINDER. HE WAS PUTTING THE GRINDER DOWN WHEN IT BUMPED HIS RIGHT LEG JUST ABOVE HIS KNEE. IT TOOK SIX STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

EE WAS ADJUSTING THE FEED END AIR SEAL ON KILN USING A PORTAPOWER. THE SEAL SHIFTED QUICKLY AND DISLODGED SOME KILN DUST THAT ENTERED THROUGH THE GOGGLES AND INTO HIS EYES.

EMPLOYEE WAS DISASSEMBLING AN AIR ACTUATED VALVE UNDER #14 SILO. THE VALVE CYCLED AMPUTATING THE FINGERPRINT AREA OF HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER. HE FAILED TO LOCK OUT THE AIR.

EE WAS EXITING THE LOCOMOTIVE, HE FELT SOMETHING BITE HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NECK. HE FOUND A LARGE SPIDER ON HIS SHOULDER. EE WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES. HE HAD NO RE ACTION TO THE SPIDER BITE.

EE WENT TO REMOVE AN EMPTY BAG FROM THE STOPPED CONVEYOR LINE WHEN THE LINE STARTED AUTOMATICALLY HE CAUGHT HIS RIGHT THUMB IN THE CHAIN CONVEYOR. EE FAILED TO HIT THE E STOP PRIOR TO REACHING FOR THE EMPTY BAG. HE DID NOT HIT THE E STOP SINCE THE CONVEYOR WASNT RUNNING.

EE WAS RETURNING FROM #5 FINISH MILL WITH ADDITIVE SAMPLES WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON HIS LEFT KNEE.

AN EMPTY BAG GOT ONTO THE CONVEYOR. THE EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING IT WHEN HIS RIGHT THUMB GOT CAUGHT IN THE MESH CONVEYOR. HE THEN PULLED HIS THUMB FROM THE CONVEYOR, ADDING TO THE INJURIES.

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON A HOPPER CAR WHEN HE STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK. HE DID NOT NOTICE THE ROCK THAT WAS KEEPING THE DOOR FROM CLOSING.

EE WAS CUTTING BAND ON A BUNDLE OF EMPTY BAGS. HE WAS PULLING THE KNIFE TOWARDS HIM. WHEN HE CUT THROUGH THE STRAP THE KNIFE CONTINUED ON AND HE STABBED HIMSELF ON THE INSIDE OF HIS LEFT THIGH .

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING THE STAIRS TO THE CEMENT SILOS WHEN HE SLIPPED ON A STEP AND TWISTED HIS LOWER BACK.

EE WAS HEATING UP COUPLING WITH A ROSE BUD TORCH SO THAT THE COUPLING COULD BE REMOVED. 2 OTHER EES WERE STRIKING THE COUPLING WITH 20# DEAD BLOW MALLETS. ONE OF THE MALLETS GLANCED OFF OF THE COUPLING STRIKING EE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS FACE.

EE WAS WORKING ON NEW TYPE POSITIONING VALVE ON #44 SILO. THE VALVE HAD TO REMAIN ENERGIZED DUE TO THE WORK THAT WAS BEING DONE. EE BEGAN THE CYLINDER TO THE VALVE HE FORGOT TO SHUT OFF THE AIR THAT POWERED IT. WHEN HE STUCK HIS FINGERTIPTHROUGH THE CLEVIS TO ALIGN EVERYTHING THE CYLINDER RETRACTED CUTTING OFF FINGERTIP. NO BONE INVOLVED.

EE REACHED BACK TO PICK UP A GUARD AND BUMPED HIS RIGHT ELBOW ON A HANDRAIL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS HIS RIGHT ARM BEGAN TO SWELL.

EE WAS GETTING OUT OF HIS TRUCK WHEN HE TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE.

EMPLOYEE WAS CLOSING OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR AND WHILE PULLING ON THE CHAIN RIGHT LITTLE FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN THE CHAIN AND TWISTED. INJURY BECAME REPORTABLE ON 9/4/01. DOCTOR PUT A CAST ON HIS R IGHT HAND.

EE WAS CUTTING A PIECE OF RUBBER BELTING WITH A RAZOR KNIFE. WHILE PULLING THE KNIFE TOWARD HIM IT SLIPPED AND HE STABBED HIMSELF IN THE LEFT FOREARM.

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING 2" BY 12" BY 5 FT OAK BOARD JACKHAMMERING CLINKER INSIDE A RR CAR. HE HANDED THE JACKHAMMER TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WHEN THE BOARD SPLIT CAUSING HIM TO FALL. HE REACHED OUT T O BRACE HIS FALL SEVERELY SPRAINING HIS LEFT ELBOW.

EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN OPERATING A FORKLIFT OUTSIDE WHERE IT HAD BEEN RAINING. HE ENTERED THE PLANT STARTED DOWN THE RAMP. FORKLIFT SLID INTO PALLETS OF BAGGED MATERIAL. HE STUCK OUT HIS LEFT ARM TO BRACE HIMSELF. HE BROKE HIS LEFT ARM ON IMPACT.

WHILE REPAIRING OIL LEAK ON NORTHWEST HYDRAULIC CYLIDER WHICH WAS UNDER PRESSURE IT STRUCK HIS FOREARM AND ELBOW CAUSING A BRUISE.

EE WAS MAKING A WIDTH AND HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE SOUTH BAG GUIDE AND WHILE BENDING OVER THE EQUIPMENT FELT A POP.

WHILE SLAG DROPPED AND LODGED ON THE OUTER TONGUE OF BOOT WHICH BURNT A HOLE CAUSING PENETRATION OF THE SLAG INSIDE. THIS CAUSED A COMBUSTION REACTION INSIDE THE BOOTS WHICH CHARRED SOCK AND B OOT THEN CAUSED SKIN DAMAGE.

WHILE OPERATING AN END GRINDER, WITH A CUT OFF WHEEL ATTACHMENT, THE GRINDER KICKED BACK AND THE WHEEL LACERATED THE ARM.

EE WAS PICKING UP AN OXYGEN BOTTLE AND FELT A STRIAN IN THE GROIN AREA. CONTINUED TO WORK UNTI 7/13 WHEN HE REINJURED IT BY PICKING UP A BEAM.

EE WAS CARRYING A 96 LB BAG OF CEMENT UP A WALKWAY AND SLIPPED, CAUSING A SHARP PAIN IN THE GROIN AREA.

EE WAS TYING REBAR WHEN THE PLIERS SLIPPED OFF THE WIRE AND STRUCK HIM IN THE LOWER LIP.

EE WAS LIFTING MATERIALS AND FELT A PULL IN THE GROIN AREA.

WHILE ADJUSTING A JACK STAND, THE JACK SLIPPED AND PINCHED EMPLOYEE'S 2 FINGERS BETWEEN THE PIPE AND THE STAND.

EE STEPPED ON OPERATIONAL WELDING CABLE WHICH HAD EXPOSED WIRES. THE CABLE WENT TO GROUND WHICH POTENTIALLY SENT A SHOCK TO THE EE AS HE STEPPED ON IT CAUSING HIM TO FALL BACKWARDS AND ONTO HI S SIDE.

EE CLIMBED ON TOP OF SCAFFOLD TO USE AS AN ACCESS INTO MILL. WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH THE HOLE, HE FELL TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR, LANDING ON THE WRIST/BACK.

EE STEPPED ON A HOLE COVER AND FELL THROUGH IT. EE LANDED ON CONCRETE FLOOR AND THE COVER LANDED ON TOP OF HIM.

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING IN A SCISSOR LIFT IN A MANBASKET. HE LEANED OVER THE EDGE OF THE BASKET ANDACCIDENTLY HIT THE ELEVATION SWITCH. IT CAUSED HIM TO BE ELEVATED AND PINNED HIM BETWEEN THE LIF T BASKET AND A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON BRACED ABOVE HIM.

EE WAS PULLING ON SOME WIRE WHEN HE FELT SOME WIRE WHEN HE FELT SOME PAIN IN THE GROIN AREA.

EE WAS WORKING AT AN ELEVATION, THREADING CONDUIT. HE WAS PULLING DOWN ON THREADER HANDLE. THE HANDLE CAUSED HIM TO FALL BACKWARD AND HIT THE LEG ON SCAFFOLDING.

EE WAS INSTALLING TRASH SHOOTS, LIFTING SHEETS TO ALIGN THEN TO BE WELDED. EE FELT PAIN IN THE LEFT GROIN AREA.

EE WAS HGRINDING METAL. HE LIFTED THE SHIELD AND GLASSES AND SOME MATERIAL FELL INTO THE EYE.

EE WAS LIFTING A METAL DISCONNECT STAND THAT WEIGHED APPROX. 100 LBS. AND FELT SOME DISCOMFORT IN THE GROIN AREA.