Mill/Autoclave Operations Metal/Non-Metal

EE was putting a gold bar into the cleaner slot and they caught a finger between the cleaner slot and the gold bar. EE was seen at health, diagnosed with a crush injury to the left middle finger, and released to modified duty, no use of the middle finger of the left hand. Site offering modified duty, EE currently working.

EE walking up stairs at the mill, carrying a flat of water. Felt a pop in knee. They saw dr, released to full duty. EE requested follow-up as it was not getting better. Following MRI, on 10/09/25, found ruptured ACL, making this reportable. EE scheduled for surgery 11/13/25.

Ee running CIL circuit. At B-train, head tank was alarming at 10 ppm. Ee left area. Later EE was collecting samples on the A-train and reported EE's legs felt tense affecting EE's gait, balance, and EE was confused and shaky. Ee was administered a cyanokit as a preventative measure, taken to the ER, was observed, and released to full duty.

The operator replaced the 612 A strainer and then proceeded to switch the 612 B Strainer. While turning their back to switch the strainer valves, a loud noise occurred, causing slurry to spray out of the strainer housing toward the operator. This incident caused the operator's hard hat to come off & them hitting their head on the beam above.

EE reports driving their carbon truck, hit dip in road, bounced in seat, hitting head against top of cab. Seen at ER, diagnosed with head injury/neck strain, released to full duty. On 1/17/25 ee referred to physical therapy, making this reportable for treatment.

Ee was moving the vacuum to clean work area. When ee pulled on the cord, the vacuum pulled, and ee was also pulled backwards and the lid slammed on ee's finger. Initial diagnosis was "ring finger injury". Follow-up with ortho on 1/27/25 resulted in restricted duty, making this reportable.

Ee was working with another ee to remove angle iron. First bolt removed, and when second bolt removed, the angle iron fell, landing on ee's hand. Seen at ER, diagnosed with a bruise/contusion. No fractures/dislocations identified. Released to RTW full duty 12/26.

EE was using a safety knife to cut a piece of hose when the blade broke on the knife, causing the hose to slip and the knife to cut their hand. Seen at health clinic, diagnosed with a laceration that was closed with stitches, and released with restrictions. Working modified duty.

Ee raking down grit in slaker 4 bin. Reports feeling pull in rt shoulder, continued to rake, pain got worse. Reported incident. Seen at clinic the following day as pain was worse, released to return to work with restrictions site can accommodate.

EE working in containment area reports slurry was "thigh high". Trying to walk through it, right foot sank, stepped back, and their left foot stuck. They fell counterclockwise and into a squatting position. Strained right knee. On restrictions site can accommodate.

EE was going to sit in haul truck and misjudged the distance to the seat and fell, hitting their side against the seat. EE was seen at Health, diagnosed with a fractured rib, and put on restrictions site can accommodate.

Ee was working on equipment that had a film of lime on it. Lime got in EE's right eye. Seen at the ER and released to full duty. NGM received the workers' comp claim form on 4/4 with diagnosis of scleral abrasion secondary to chemical exposure. Ee prescribed antibiotic for the abrasion making this reportable.

Ee was operating a guzzler truck. Ee grabbed the lever to open a discharge valve, lifted it, and felt a pop and tingling in right wrist. Seen at clinic, diagnosed with a strain, and on follow-up referred to ortho and put on restrictions.

Employee was cleaning and replacing a discharge flange seal. The employee rested the bull hose flange on top of the discharge flange to begin bolting the flange into place. The bull hose flange vibrated off of the discharge flanged and dropped approximately 2 ft and crushed/cut the employees hand as it landed on the platform.

Operator was in the process of unplugging 604 sump when they saw flames coming from the roof of boiler #2. Fire stayed contained to the metal roof and did not damage the surrounding area.

Ee was using a torque wrench on a bolt. The wrench slipped striking ee's finger. Seen at a health clinic on 10/31 and 11/1, diagnosed with a small fracture to the fingertip, and released to full duty.

Ee was lifting boxes of crucibles from a pallet to stacks for weigh-up. Following this task, they reported feeling pain in low back. Seen at clinic, xrays negative for fracture, diagnosed with lumbar strain and sacral/low back pain. Released with restrictions that site can accommodate.

Ee was moving a barrel and it shifted, landing on left foot. Ee was seen at clinic where xrays were negative for fracture. Diagnosed with left ankle strain and released with restrictions site can accommodate.

Ee was walking through RIL containment area and slipped on resin/ice that was covered with water. Fell and twisted right knee and lower back. Saw doctor on 1/31, diagnosed with strain lower back and tendonitis in right knee. Follow-up on 2/7 resulted in referral to physical therapy making this reportable for treatment.

Ee was putting chock blocks down on EE's vehicle and EE slipped on ice, falling to the ground. Seen at Golden Health, diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder which was manually reduced. Released to return to work with restrictions site can accommodate.

Ee had a hand on the face of a sheave to guide drive belts on to the motor. The belt grabbed ee's glove, pulling hand into the belt, catching the right index and middle finger. Seen at a hospital, diagnosed with a small tuft fracture and fingernail avulsion, and released to full duty.

EE was walking around sump pump in muddy area. EE slipped in the mud and twisted right knee, dislocating the patella. EE was sedated at the ER to reduce the dislocation. EE was seen at Golden Health the following day, put off work, and sent to physical therapy.

TKI Employee heard a loud noise coming from the process area. Operator identified that there was a fire in the plant. The fire was located at the top of the R401 vessel. Operator immediately turned-on plant ventilation, while co-worker pressed the E-Stop button. Emergency response was dispatched. Plant operators evacuated to muster area. Fire was extinguished with no injuries.

Ee reports lifting and pouring pans of dirt. When EE took off EE's tyvek, EE noted swelling in the right forearm. No report of injury, and ee reports EE does not recall hitting, bumping, or otherwise injuring EE's arm. Seen at clinic, no injury identified, xrays negative, ee diagnosed with pain and swelling that doctor believes was industrial.

Crew was pulling a conveyor belt off of a system in the crusher area. The belt was being pulled off adjacent to a portable catwalk. The belt made contact with the stairway/handrail on the left side of the catwalk. The catwalk started to tip over. A worker who was standing on the catwalk monitoring the belt jumped off the catwalk. The worker fell to the ground and landed in mud.

Ee was working on a drive. Ee stood up, took a step back, and struck head on a bracket. Seen at the ER and laceration was closed with staples. Ee released to full duty 1/19/21.

EE was unplugging autoclave with bolts to puncture sandbags and scale. The bolts lodged inside the drain. EE tried to thread another bolt on to push through the scale when two bolts that were lodged in the drain broke free. Bolts weighing approximately 8 pounds came down, striking the EE's left thumb against the concrete. Diagnosed with fracure, released to light duty.

EE was unrolling hoses. When EE pivoted to continue, EE's boot was caught in the grating, and EE's knee was strained. Seen at the clinic and was given two steroid shots and oral antibiotics, and released to full duty.

Ee was finishing EE's morning rounds and walked past a caustic pump. There was a hole in a discharge line, and the ee was sprayed in the face with caustic. EE's eyes were flushed on site, and then continued flushing at the ER. EE was diagnosed with an ocular burn and referred to an ophthalmologist. EE was seen by Dr. on 8/4 and put off work and on steroid and dilating eye drops.

Ee was climbing down a ladder, was on the 2nd or 3rd rung from the bottom, and EE's foot slipped. EE could not regain control, and EE fell, landing on the left wrist. Transferred to SLC for surgical repair of left wrist.

EE was working on pipe racks which included reaching and twisting. After working on the pipe racks, EE climbed out of the pipe rack and felt pain in lower back. EE reported the injury on 8/3 and requested evaluation by the doctor. EE was seen in the clinic, diagnosed with a lumbar strain and released to modified duty which the site could accommodate.

Ee turned right leg to go down a ladder and felt pain in knee. EE was seen at the clinic, diagnosed with a sprain and possible patella dislocation, and released to modified duty which the site could accommodate.

Ee turned around, struck knee on trailer hitch, and fell to ground, landing on both knees. Seen at ER, knee was aspirated. Ee seen on follow-up and MRI ordered due to swelling and displacement of kneecap on xray. Ee released to modified duty.

EE walked through an area of hot slurry. They hit a soft spot in the slurry and hot slurry went into their rubber boot, burning their foot. Diagnosed with 2nd degree burns to the foot. Put off work and attending daily therapy.

Ee was opening a bay door and a pulley fell from 15 ft above, striking them on the hard hat, then the right shoulder. Seen at the clinic, diagnosed with a laceration to the back of the head requiring 3 stitches, and a contusion to the right shoulder. Released to full duty.

Ee was turning a manual valve to open a knife gate when EE felt a pop and pain in EE's right shoulder. Reported to supervisor and continued to work. Seen at clinic on 08/01/19 and diagnosed with a right shoulder rotator cuff strain. Released to full duty but required to attend physical therapy.

Autoclave operator went to field to change over valves on Geho strainers. A technician was using a wrench on a stuck valve when the valve broke free and threw the wrench, which ricocheted and struck the autoclave operator standing nearby in the face. Fractured nose, facial lacerations, and put off work.

Ee was using a wrench to loosen a bolt, when the bolt came loose the wrench came back and struck the ee in the mouth, fracturing two front teeth. Released to full duty, tooth numbers 8 and 9 will need repair and caps.

Ee was removing a pipe plug from a strainer housing using a pipe wrench. When torqueing on the wrench, EE felt a sharp pain in the low back which worsened throughout the day. Seen at the ER, diagnose with a muscle spasm, and put off work.

Ee walking down stairs carrying tools. Stepped down, twisted right knee, felt pop. EE reported this the following morning, as knee swelled up and began hurting overnight. Seen at clinic, put off work. Orthopedist confirmed on 05/02 incident aggravated pre-existing arthritis. WC investigation complete 05/03, confirmed occupational rt.knee strain.

Ee picked up a charged fire hose and the nozzle came off causing high pressure water to hit ee's eyes. Seen at ER and diagnosed with contusion to eye, released to full duty. On follow-up on 04/15, ee was given a prescription for eye drops.

Ee was cleaning Geho strainers. After isolation, the strainer housing did not fully depressurize. Ee used a wrench to poke through a layer of mud at the top of the housing, causing the housing to depressurize rapidly, releasing hot slurry that struck the ee on the left side of ee's face, and ee's left wrist. Seen at clinic, diagnosed with 2nd degree burns and released to full duty.

Ee was holding a belt with both hands and watching a co-worker move weight from the belt. When the weight was moved, the belt quickly pulled the ee's hand up and it was pinched between the metal and the belt. Ee was seen at the ER, x-rays were negative for fracture, the wound was stitched and the ee released to modified duty.

Ee was standing talking with an electrical contractor supervisor about schedules. When the conversation was over, the contractor supervisor turned to leave and saw the ee fall over. Bystanders began care, EMTs continued care, and ee was flown to NNRH ER. Ee received care at NNRH and was transferred to UofU Medical Center. Ee died 08/08/18. Please see attached email.

EE was shoveling out a conveyor drop chute when they bumped their arm on a railing, dislodging some fine dust/lime, which blew into their eye. Seen at the ER and diagnosed with a corneal abrasion. Follow-up with eye doctor diagnosed inflammation and irritation, prescription eye drops given. Released to full duty.

Ee was pulling a pump spool and got some hot slurry on the left side of face, neck and left arm, and strained left leg. Further exam on leg on 7/19/18 revealed a torn hamstring and the ee was put off work. Referred to orthopedist.

Ee was cutting a piece of angle iron using a handheld grinder with a cutoff wheel. Completed the cut, shut off the grinder and reached with left hand, and wrist contacted the wheel which was still spinning. Seen at the clinic and sutures were required to close the cut. Released to full duty.

Mechanic working on the rebuild CBD pump split EE's lip. The employee was repacking the pump with a 2 foot bar on the packing pusher to push the packing ring further into the gland. The bar slipped off the gland and the other end of the bar contacted the employees lip. Seen at clinic and stitches were required, released to full duty.

Ee was exiting bus at work area, missed the first step, and fell down the steps onto the ground. Hit right elbow, jarred right shoulder, hit head and hit lower back. Ee was put off work.

Ee was walking down stairs, stumbled, and caught self on the handrail, hyperextending left ring finger. Seen at ER, diagnosed with a fracture that required surgery on 12/04/17. Ee released to restricted duty.

Process operator cleaned off level transmitter for RIL feed hopper. EE noticed the level in the vessel rising and exited the platform using the access ladder. EE made it to the ground and the vessel overflowed, causing hot slurry to hit them on the right side of the body, partially filling their right and left boots with hot slurry. The hot slurry burned their bilateral lower legs.

EE was demolishing brick and mortar from a tank with Rivetbuster. The bit broke on the Rivetbuster and caught left index finger between the wall and the equipment

EE was removing flange off pipe with hammer. Struck right thumb with hammer. Seen at clinic, diagnosed with a fracture to the thumb, released to restricted duty.

Ee was moving a VSD on rollers. When going into the MCC, the VSD was pushed sideways into a cement wall, crushing the ee's left index finger. No fracture, but stitches required to close the wound. Ee released to restricted duty.

Crew was moving a temp electrical panel for crane access during a clean-up of a jobsite. While sliding the temporary panel along the grating, panel base became lodged on a cover on the grating. EE stepped in to help the crew, placing hand between two objects. As the crew maneuvered the panel, it jumped and the injured EE's hand became caught between the temp panel and a pipe.

A laborer was tending a bricklayer in an autoclave. The laborer reached into the bucket to retrieve a brick that had been saw cut. The brick cut through the EE's leather and latex gloves. The EE was transported to the hospital where EE received 8 stitches to the left index finger.

Employee slipped on a patch of ice and fell to the ground, landing on back side. Employee was seen at the ER, diagnosed with a coccyx contusion and lumbar strain. Xrays were negative for fracture. Employee was given meds and put off work.

Ee was pulling on a hose and hit elbow on an I beam. EE was seen at the clinic and fluid was drained from the elbow and a steroid injection given. Ee put off work until 10/10/16.

At approximately 1300 hrs operator was washing down area with a water hose. As operator was pulling slack on the hose they stepped backwards and their left foot caught on a ladder landing and they lost their balance. They used their right arm to catch fall and injured right shoulder.

Ee was lifting a pump motor to see how heavy it was before loading it in a truck. EE felt pain and a burning sensation in the left groin area. EE was seen at clinic and referred to a surgeon for possible hernia. Exam with surgeon was negative for a hernia, diagnosis: groin strain. Released to restricted duty.

EE smashed pinky finger on left hand while rebuilding pump. Diagnosis laceration, released to restricted duty.

Ee was removing a barrel from a pump, and had a chain fall attached to it. The barrel broke free and pulled the ee's right hand into the intake pipe coming from the flash discharge tank. The right thumb was severed at the distal knuckle.

Ee was lifting a hose in order to connect it to a tank and strained EE's back. EE went to the clinic on 03/03/16 and reported EE had a work related injury. EE was seen by a doctor and placed on restricted duty that the site could not accommodate.

EE was walking in to MCC building when he slipped and fell, injuring his shoulder. Seen at ER, given a sling and referred to orthopedist. Returned to restricted duty.

Employee was lifting a NKM screen. She noticed the screen was caught up and tried to maneuver it, the screen pinched her hand between a rail and the screen causing a fracture to her rt. little finger.

Employee looked up into a vessel that was being cleaned to check on personnel when he heard a noise that didn't sound right. When he looked up into the vessel he got sulfur dust in his eyes. He did have face shield and safety glasses on. Flushed eyes and went to clinic after shift for irritation. Diagnosed with conjunctivitis. Given an antibiotic and steroid drops.

Cleaning plugged discharge chutes on screens with shovel. Repetitive striking and stabbing over course of shifts caused soreness and swelling in rt forearm that got progressively worse. Seen by doctor on 07/18, diagnosed with tendonitis. Released to full duty but required to wear splint.

Aligning Membrane on boiler tubes, pad eye weld failed, pad eye struck employee in right knee cap.

EE was demolishing brick from wall of horizontal vessel using a rivet buster. Two bricks dislodged from wall sliding down radius of vessel hitting EE's foot and knocking him off balance. EE let go of rivet buster with left hand to regain balance. Rivet buster came down on EE left index finger. EE received 15 stitches and tetanus shot. EE returned to work on light duty.

On April 16, 2015, while employee was lifting a generator (with two other employees) he felt a pain in his abdomen. He continued to work without any complaints and declined medical treatment until May 13, 2015. His first medical appointment was on May 19, 2015 at which time he was diagnosed with a hernia that was surgically repaired on May 27, 2015.

Ee was walking into phase 2 tunnel, slipped on ice, and fell. He hurt his left shoulder and knee. He sought treatment on 01/26 and was released to restricted duty. Diagnostics being done for a possible rotator cuff tear.

While rotating sheave, employee pinched his right thumb between the sheave and the belt.

While swing a chain ball over mid rail, employee crushed his left thumb. Employee used first aid measures and did not seek treatment with medical provider until 7/21/2014.

While grinding off paint on a suspended load, employee step back on an extension cord cap, lost his balance and fell on his right knee.

While employee was leaving gold room, dust particles flew in his left eye.

Ee was getting off the bus and stepped onto uneven ground, twisting his left ankle. He was evaluated by a physician and placed in a walking boot and released to full duty. Use of the walking boot has restricted his activity and he is working modified duty.

Employee was lifting LN 25 welding machine to employee inside tank. Lifting machine to shoulder height, employee felt something in neck, shoulder.

Employee was in a JLG man lift. Cables inside the boom failed, causing the boom to retract suddenly and knocking the employee into the basket handrail and floor.

Employee was in a JLG man lift. Cables inside the boom failed, causing the boom to retract suddenly and knocking the employee into the basket handrail and floor.

Ee was hosing down in the autoclave, she slipped on the wet floor and fell, landing on right knee, left knee hyperextended. Ee felt pain in left knee. Referred to orthopedist and was put restricted duty and an MRI is ordered.

While walking from the bus to the autoclave, ee slipped on mud, hyperextending his knee. His knee swelled and became painful. He was seen by a doctor and referred to an orthopedist who has put him off work pending an MRI.

Employee was an electrical/instrumentation technician the Autoclave. A reportable shift in hearing was identified in annual testing and confirmed by a doctor of audiology on 01/13/14. Written notification was given to the employee and retraining on the HCP has been completed as of 01/23/14.

Employees using cutting torch to remove bolts from valves slag fell and traveled on foot and fell into a hole measuring 2 inches in diameter and contacted the packing, starting a fire.

Ee walking up stairs to lock out equipment, boot caught and he fell into next step, striking right knee. Seen at orthopedist and put on restricted duty.

Employee was using a grinder when it "jumped" and hit the injured worker on the front of his left leg causing a laceration. He was seen at the ER, where the wound was examined and sutures were required. Released to full duty.

Employees were installing man door frames on the third floor of the water treatment building. While handing a welded frame clip to another employee, EE received a laceration on his arm from the door clip straps which were protruding from the door jamb.

Sulfur Dioxide exposure from process area

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) exposure from process area

Sulfur Dioxide exposure from process area.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) exposure from process area

Sulfur Dioxide exposure from process area

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) exposure from process area

During the commissioning and start up of a new burner management system on the Autoclave Phase III 100K steam boiler, an un anticipated ignition of natural gas occurred in the forced draft induction inlet causing damage to the ducting.

Employee was using a fire hose to clean in the tunnels. He tripped over the hose that was in the walkway and fell, catching himself on his braced left arm, jarring his left shoulder. Released to restricted duty and told to attend physical therapy.

Employee was changing drive belts. While replacing the guard he caught his finger between two parts of the guard. Taken to NNRH. Stitches required to close the laceration. Released to full duty.

While using hydraulic ram to press shaft, pin slipped and hit employee on safety glasses causing a laceration to the bridge of his nose. He received stitches to close the wound and was released to full duty.

Employee was taping a hole in the bottom of a carbon bag. The bag became unbalanced and fell on the employee. He was diagnosed with fractured pelvis and fractured vertebra. Put off work.

The employee tried to move a piece of steel plate 30' by 8" by 1/4 inch, the employee grabbed one corner of the plate lifted it approximately one foot and felt a pop on his lower back. The employee was taken to the hospital to get medical attention. X-rays showed no significant damage other than sore muscle.

The EE was aligning a pipe next to an existing pipe that was set in a 45 deg angle. Existing pipe had a support towards the bottom but was being held at top by a victaulic clamp only. The EE pushed the bottom of the pipe at the support section to put the other pipe in place, as he did this the victaulic clamp failed causing the pipe to swing & hit the EE on the back of his head.

Employee tripped on metal platform stair on 5th floor of autoclave. Was taken to the ER, x-rays positive for left tibia plateau fracture requiring surgical repair.

Employee was engaged in sandblasting operation. Hose slipped and abrasive material struck and penetrated protective hood the employee was wearing. Abrasive material struck employee on right side of face and lacerated lower jaw.

Employee was checking CIL tanks and stepped down step from top of tank, twisting his right ankle. He was seen at the ER, xrays were negative for fracture, and the employee was given crutches and a boot and released to restricted duty. He returned to his next scheduled shift on restrictions.

A piece of flex pipe fell from a forklift and struck the employee on the left shoulder. The employee fell to the ground. He was diagnosed with a fractured clavicle and an abrasion to the right elbow. He was released to light duty.