Thornton Quarry Metal/Non-Metal

Approx. 10:39pm on 11/22 we were contacted by Thornton fire dept. with a request for access to recover the body of an individual who had jumped to their death from Interstate 80/94 Tri-state tollway. The body was located approx. 150' below the road surface and was not accessible from the quarry & Was NOT Part of Mine Property according to Property Maps.

Employee was organizing parts in a storage area. EE had a shaker screen counterweight on the tines of a forklift. EE slid the counterweight off the tines of the forklift, when EE did EE felt a twinge in right shoulder. Self-treated until Monday, when EE was seen at a clinic, diagnosed with a muscle strain, placed on restricted duty (no use of R arm) until follow up appt.

Employee was walking up a staircase @ #1primary. EE had R hand on handrail, while holding tubes of grease in left hand. EE caught foot on a step, lost balance, & struck L elbow. No material on steps, just tripped. Went to clinic, x-ray neg. Dr. placed on 10# weight restriction as precaution. Release to full duty at follow-up appt 1-6-25

Pulled muscle on right bicep pending MRI

The job at hand was to clean the headbox feeding a screen. Employee stood 2-3 feet to the side of the discharge end of the screen. As the other employee was cleaning the large stone, one piece bounced off of an overhead I-beam and redirected towards employee, striking EE on the left side of EE's head, directly at the left ear.

Employee was closing and locking gate to leave for the day and caught a hand in the gate.

The injured miner pinched left little finger while closing small portable tool box resulting in laceration to the pad of left little finger. Skin Adhesive was used to hold the superficial wound closed.

A laborer suffered a sprain to left thumb/wrist while picking up a wheelbarrow. The miner states they felt a twinge run from thumb to elbow, they finished the shift without incident. EE reported the incident the next day as they were experiencing pain. EE did not request medical treatment until July 13, 2021 and was placed on work restrictions.

A fire in the Mill at #4 Bucket Elevator/4 Unit conveyors was not extinguished within 30 minutes of discovery. No injuries were sustained by Miners because of the fire. The fire started from Hot Work being done to make repairs to the #4 Bucket Elevator. Miners were unsuccessful in their attempts to put out the fire using portable fire extinguishers and 911 was called.

A laborer sustained rib fractures to their right side when the skidsteer loader EE was operating struck an object under the snow and came to a sudden stop. The injured was moving snow on the west side of the garage when the bucket caught on a section of railroad track embedded in the concrete. EE was wearing the seat belt and had the lap bar down when the incident occurred.

A millwright sustained a wound to right shin requiring sutures to close it. The injured and coworker were removing the bottom deck from the Trio screen when EE struck shin on the deck causing the wound.

An electrician suffer a sprain to EE's right knee while traveling by foot between the Electric Shop and Machine Shop. The injured miner states EE slipped but did not fall. The injured miner has been referred for physical therapy on February 27th.

A miner suffered a sprain to EE's lower back while shoveling. The miner states EE was doing clean up and when EE lifted the shovel EE felt pain in EE's back. EE reported the incident however did not seek medical treatment until the following day.

A miner suffered a sprain of the right shoulder joint while pulling on a wrench. The miner was changing screens at the Chip Plant when the incident occurred. The miner reported the incident on May 8th however, did not request medical treatment until May 14th.

A millwright sustained a sprain to left ankle while traveling by foot in the Transfer Building. The miner states did not slip, trip, fall or step on an object just that the ankle rolled as miner was walking towards the stairs. Miner did not request medical treatment until March 1, 2017

A laborer was using an air lance to move material on a discharge chute for the #4 clean up elevator. EE was standing on platform with handrails and states as EE pulled the tool back it was caught by the nearby #4 bucket conveyor and EE was pulled off the platform to the ground below causing a fracture to EE's wrist and laceration to EE's face.

A laborer has a complaint of pain to right shoulder. The injured states EE was cleaning out the bottom of the fluid bed dryer at the Mineral Filler Plant using a hoe and felt a pain in shoulder. EE did not seek medical treatment until June 1, 2016.

A millwright has a complaint of pain to left knee. The injured states EE felt pain in left knee while stepping up approximately 20 inches onto some cribbing to disconnect rigging that was used to lift a crusher part. Physical Therapy has now been ordered for treatment of the knee sprain.

A laborer sustained a laceration to his left knee and a sprain of the right ankle while stepping onto a platform. The injured miner was descending stairs then as he stepped onto the platform he stepped on a rock causing him to fall resulting in his injuries.

A millwright suffered a sprain to his right knee while traveling by foot. The injured miner was walking into the south entrance of the mill building and slipped on a patch of ice causing him to fall and twist his right knee. A recent MRI shows a flap tear of the medial meniscus.

A laborer sustained a sprain to his right knee while traveling by foot in the yard. While walking to the WP-2 conveyor to check an issue he stepped over a section of pipe and slipped but did not fall. A recently taken MRI shows a tear of the lateral meniscus and he has been placed on restricted duty.

A millwright stained his lower right leg while entering the SW#2 screen of Unit 2 in the mill for inspection.

The injured miner was kneeling on top of a tank truck to close the hatch. While moving from the kneeling to standing position he felt a pop and pain in his right knee. Additional diagnostics(MRI), modified work duties and physical therapy now makes this injury reportable.

Approximately mid-afternoon a car rammed and broke through the locked Gate G off Margaret Street gaining access to the Thornton Quarry. The car traveled down two ramps until the driver attempted to drive over a berm and was stopped. He exited the car traveled a short distance on foot and jumped to his death off a highwall approximately fifty feet in height.

The injured miner was changing out oxygen cylinders and when he set down the rack one cylinder in the rack shifted causing his finger to be caught between the cylinder and the rack.

On Wednesday, August 29th sometime around 2:00 PM a car was found in the main lobe of Thornton Quarry. Upon investigation the deceased driver was observed inside the vehicle. It appears from preliminary findings that this incident is a suicide. The car entered the quarry from Williams street landing 150 feet below. The local Police are conducting an investigation.

A Driller suffered a lumbar strain while cleaning a hopper with a long handle scraper. He did not request medical treatment until April 27th at which time first aid treatment was provided at the clinic. A follow up visit to the clinic on May 14th now makes the case reportable with physical therapy and Rx medications being started.

An operator suffered a strain to his right shoulder while using a scraper to clean the inside of a hopper. While using a repetitive up and down motion with the scraper to clean the hopper he strained his right shoulder. Additional medical treatment provided now has made this incident reportable.

A mechanic sustained a fracture/laceration to the middle finger and a contusion to his index and ring fingers on his right hand when an access cover on a Cat 992 fell on them. The injured employee was repairing the parking brake and had his hand positioned such that when the cover fell it struck and injured his fingers.

A Mechanic sustained fractures and lacerations to three fingers (little, ring, middle) on his left hand while changing a hammer on the T40 Truck Drill. His fingers were caught between the deck bushing and the chuck when the deck bushing slid down the hammer.

A mechanic sustained a laceration to the top of his left hand while moving an engine stand into position. The injured was pulling the stand into position when top of his left hand was caught between the engine stand and a bolt on the engine block. The laceration required sutures to close the wound.

In the early morning hours of January 14, 2011 a private vehicle traveling north on Williams Street left the roadway sustaining considerable damage. The vehicle came to rest on Thornton Quarry property in the the area of the tarping station. The vehicle had two occupants, passenger pronounced dead at the scene, driver transported to hospital. This incident did not involve miners.

In the early morning hours of 1/14/11 a private vehicle traveling north on Williams Street left the roadway sustaining considerable damage. The vehicle came to rest on Thornton Quarry property in the area of the tarping station. The vehicle had two occupants, passenger pronounced dead at the scene, driver transported to hospital. This incident did not involve miners.

A laborer suffered a laceration to his forehead which required sutures to close the wound. The injured employee was walking on ground level returning to the jobsite, when he tripped and stumbled forward, striking his head on the edge of a building column which caused the laceration. And Cervical Strain.

The Chip Plant Operator suffered a strain to his right shoulder while descending the stairs on the thickener tank. He has now received medical treatment (injection 12/13 and begin physical therapy 12/15)for his injury.

A mechanic sustained a nasal fracture when he was struck in the face with the parking brake pedal on a p/u truck. The injured miner was repairing the parking brake on a p/u truck which would not release. While attempting to release the parking brake pedal manually by hand, the pedal released easier than he expected and struck him in the face.

This incident did not involve a miner. A private vehicle traveling north on Williams Street left the roadway striking a section of fence and the main gate at the entrance to Thornton Quarry. The driver sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to Christ Hospital. The Thornton IL Police Department is handling the investigation.

A mechanic had stacked some 245 70R 16 tires and moved a couple pickup trucks. He felt no pain however, when he went to clean up saw some dry blood on his hand along with area beginning to swell. He reported it to his supervisor but did not seek medical treatment until the following day when his condition did not improve.

A laborer suffered a strain to left shoulder while cleaning a screen hopper. The injured miner was using a scraper bar to remove built up material from the hopper of the north shaker in the Transfer building. While scraping out the hopper, the bar hit the bottom of the hopper, jarring his left shoulder. He did not seek medical treatment until June 15, 2010.

A garage mechanic suffered a hernia to his right groin while performing a 300 hour service on Cat 992G loader. The injured miner had to shovel snow off the deck of the loader to gain access to a door. Then as he attempted to lift the door he slipped and felt a pull in his groin. He did not seek medical treatment until March 12, 2010.

A mechanic strained his right shoulder while installing a steering cylinder on a haul truck. The injured miner was using a 36" pry bar to line up a pin and as he pulled on the bar he felt a pain in his right shoulder.

The injured miner was shoveling material when he felt a foreign object enter his left eye. Nothing was found or removed from the eye however, prescription medication was provided for the irritation.

A mechanic suffered a hernia while lifting and sliding drill bars on the forks of a lift truck. He continued to work the next week however, he was experiencing mild abdominal pain that went away then he had similar episodes with increaseing pain. He saw the doctor on 11/12/08 and was told he had a hernia that will be surgically repaired.

The injured miner was traveling by foot when he tripped and fell. As he fell he extended his right hand to catch himself which resulted in a soft tissue injury to the right hand.

On or about March 21, 2008 the injured alleged he was using an impact wrench for a number of hours. Later in time the injured came to his supervisor and claimed he had pain in his elbow and wanted to be seen by the local clinic. Physician treatment on April 3, 2008 discovered an infection and additional treatment has made this injury a recordable.

The employee was attempting to position a piece of plate to cut up for scrap. The employee dropped the end of the plate and attempted to control the reflex bounce with his left foot. The plate struck the bottom of his foot causing the injury.

The employee was walking along a walkway when he slipped and fell on ice that had accumulated during an ice storm at the plant.

Employee struck right elbow on hand rail while exiting cab of haul truck.

While working at the Chip Plant, the employee was stung by a bee, on the chin.

The employee was assisting moving tire grates from the truck tire wash area, when he was struck by a chain on his inner knee area.

The employee was lifting a chute and the handle slipped and struck him on his left shoulder. On June 18, 2007 additional medical attention and physical therapy was scheduled causing this injury to be now classified as recordable. Intial exam was a contusion and return to work. Employee is now on Modified Work.

The employee was moving a drum in the Electrical Shop, when he slipped and twisted his knee. He declined Medical treatment until June 22, 2007. Medical test results returned on June 28, 2007, making this injury a recordable.

The employee and a co-worker were in the process of cutting a conveyor belt. The co-worker was using a razor knife and the injured was holding a "T" square. While cutting, the co-worker's knife slipped and cut the injured's left index finger.

Employee was walking in the Mill and tripped. While trying to catch himself he stuck out his right hand to break his fall and bent it backwards. First date of Medical attention was March 12, 2007. Employee thought no injury occurred until swelling started.

The injured employee has noticed in the last 30 days during winter repairs that his wrist has been hurting. Asked to seek medical attention.

Employee was in the process of exiting his truck cab when he closed the door on his finger.

The employee was working on a screen and when he stood up from a kneeling position, he felt a pop in his knee. Additional medical examinations on July 14, 2006 deemed this injury recordable.

The employee was walking on the west side of B-4 conveyor and twisted his right knee.

The injured was in the process of walking up a stairway at the tail end of #5 conveyor when he tripped on the step and fell striking his right shoulder.

Employee just completed cleaning wash plant and was descending the steps when he slipped. As he slipped he strained his right wrist.

The injured was cutting steel plating when the injured lost his footing and the cutting torch ran across his right wrist causing second degree burns.

The employee was lifting a leaf spring assembly when his left hand slipped. The leaf spring fell to the floor striking his right index finger. The injury consists of a avulsion to the tip of the right index finger.

Employee was lifting pipe off of a truck when he strained his left shoulder. Several therapy sessions were needed making this a reportable injury.

Employee was cleaning windows at end of shift. He was standing up next to driver's seat when his foot slipped and his weight shifted to his left leg. This injury required advanced medical treatment making this a reportable injury.

Employee was attempting to drill hole for a handrail when the hand drill he was operating slipped and punctured his other hand. Sutures were required to close the wound.

Employee was walking too close to chute gate when he stepped on a rock and bukled his foot. A fracture resulted making this a reportable injury.

Employee's left hand was pinched betwen a discharge plate and hopper. Further medical attention was required on August 10th when a fracture was discovered making this accident reportable.

Employee was working under payhauler truck removing a leaf spring assembly. Dirt fell from the spring onto employee's head and face. His eye did not bother him until the next day, and employee went to the clinic.

While climbing stairs, a rock fell from the Rap Rap shaker and struck the employee's arm. This injury consists of a fracture making this a recordable injury.

ON MARCH 23RD THE INJURED WAS DISMOUNTING THE FUEL TRUCK WHEN HE SLIPPED OFF THE LADDER AND FELL ON HIS BACK. THE INJURED WAS RELEASED BACK TO FULL DUTY. AFTER COMPLAINING OF BACK PAIN, THE INJURED RETURNED FOR AN MRI WHICH REVEALED A SLIGHT FRACTURE IN THE VERTEBRAE ON APRIL 23RD.

THE INJURED WAS REMOVING THE BOLTS FROM THE U-JOINT. THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE ON DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BUT NOT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE. THE INJURED WAS REACHING FOR A PRY BAR WHEN THE DRIVE LINE BROK E FREE AND FELL ONTO THE INJURED'S RIGHT THUMB. THIS CRUSHING INJURY REQUIRED SURGERY FOR REPAIRTHUS MAKING THIS A RECORDABLE INJURY.

THE INJURED WAS PULLING A 6 INCH STEEL PIPE WHEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. THIS IS A LOST TIME ACCIDENT THUS MAKING IT A RECORDABLE INJURY.

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSIGNED TO CLEAN UP AN AREA OF SPILLAGE IN THE PROCESSING PLANT. WHILE SHOVELING, THE EMPLOYEE FELT A PULL IN HER GROIN AREA. THISLOST TIME INJURY CONSISTS OF A STRAINED GROIN.

THE INJURED WAS REPAIRING A HYDRAULIC ROCK BREAKER WHEN HE FELT A POP IN HIS UPPER RIGHT ARM. SURGERY WAS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE INJURY.

THE EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSEMBLING A CHUTE IN THE MILL BUILDING. AS THE EE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE A PIECE OF STEEL PLATE INTO POSTION, IT SWUNG BACK AND STRUCK HIM IN THE LOWER LEFT LEG.

THE INJURED WAS OPERATING AN OXY/FUEL TORCH WHENTHE OXYGEN LINE BROKE RESULTING IN A FLASH THAT BURNED THE EE'S ABDOMEN

WHILE CLOSING THE STEEL DOOR GUARD TO THE DISCHARGE CONVEYOR, THE EE DROPPED THE DOOR ON HIS LEFT HAND.

EMPLOYEE'S LEFT HAND WAS CAUGHT INBETWEEN LIFTING/RIGGING EQUIPMENT RESULTING IN FRACTURE TO MIDDLE FINGER.

EE SLIPPED WHILE DESCENDING TRUCK LADDER & FELL TO THE GROUND. THE INJURY CONSISTS OF 3 FRACTURED VERTEBRAE.

WHILE ENTERING CHIP PLANT OPERATING BOOTH, THE EMPLOYEE TRIPPED & JAMMED RIGHT LITTLE FINGER INTO DOOR. THE INJURY CONSISTS OF A FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT LITTLE FINGER.

THE EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE ENGINE HOOD OF A FRONT END LOADER. THE HOOD ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY SECURED AND SLIPPED, STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT HAND.

THE INJURED WAS LIFTING A HYDRAULIC PUMP IN THE GARAGE WHEN HE THOUGHT HE STRAINED HIS RIGHT ARMAFTER FURTHER MEDICAL EXAM ON 9/28/01 A POSSIBLETORN BICEP WAS DIAGNOSED RESULTING IN A RECORD- ABLE INJURY.

WHILE EXITING THE MANLIFT ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE MILL THE EMPLOYEE STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE TRACKAND LACERATED HIS FINGER.