BALMAT MINING OPERATIONS Metal/Non-Metal

Employee was attempting to get an ore bin to feed by poking the feed with a metal bar. EE accidently hit a support beam with EE's hand pinching EE's finger between the beam and the bar and causing a bruise.

Employee was attempting to check coolant on loader which resulted in coolant being sprayed on face and hands. EE then jumped of work platform and injured ankle/knee.

Employee was stretch wrapping a supersack when it became unbalanced and tipped over pinning employee between supersack and crossbeam-railing.

The employee was working on a bag packer palletizing 50 lb. bags of product. A damaged bag failed to transition from the belt conveyor to the skate rollers. The employee was attempting to remove the damaged bag from the conveyor system and inadvertently wedged fingers between the belt conveyor and the skate rollers causing abrasions to fingers.

Employee was stretch wrapping and he pulled the wrap across his body to fasten it to the corner of palletized material when he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder.

The employee was replacing the water trough at the end of #4 Hardinge mill when a piece of debris entered his right eye.

Employee came in to work on 6/17/14 with a doctor's slip stating employee to remain out of work until next scheduled evaluation due to disabling symptoms. On 9/30/2014 I received paperwork from Workers' Compensation board stating from a 9/23/14 hearing the board awarded temporary total disability.

Employee said he woke up on Sunday with a swollen right knee and was very painful. Employee does not know what caused his right knee to swell. Employee stated it was from a prior comp. case injury to right knee in 2007.

The employee was emptying barrels that fill up during production and employee strained lower right back. Employee decided to wait and see if it would get better on its own. The injury did not get better so employee made an appointment with Dr. on 1/31/2013

Employee loss balance when climbing down out of a front end loader. The employee landed on left shoulder and scraped left knee. The employee thought his shoulder was o.k, he went to his doctor on 11/15/12 and the doctor gave restrictions of *avoid lifting overhead and *avoid lifting over 25lbs until 12/5/12.

Employee came in to work 9/6/12 with a doctor's slip stating employee to remain out of work until 12/12/12. Employee was alleging bulging disk in neck, back, shoulder, and problems with hips and knees due to repetitive motion. On 11/20/12 received paperwork from workers' comp. board stating from a 11/6/12 hearing the board awarded EE temporary total disability.

28 dB shift in left ear from 1990 baseline. Audiologist noted hearing loss is consistent with occupational and recreational noise exposure.

Employee was coming down a second flight of stairs in crusher area near #3 belt and missed the last step. The employee strained lower right hand side of back. Employee thought his back was o.k. until he scheduled a doctors appointment on July 17, 2012, and the doctor has scheduled physical therapy to start July 20, 2012.

Employee was standing on a 3 step stool using a 24'' pipe wrench loosening a 2'' pipe. As the pipe came loose the wrench slipped and he lost his balance having to step down off the stool quickly straining his right calf. Employee was seen at the emergency room and lost 3 days work. Returned to work 03/18/2011.

Employee was walking outside when he slipped on a snow covered patch of ice. Employee broke lower right leg, he was taken to the emergency room. Employee was scheduled to have surgery 2/1/2010.

Employee and another electrician were bench testing an electriclly operated valve. As the unit operated, his right index finger was pinched by the actuating arm. A flap of skin and flesh was torn loose from his finger. Employee was seen at the Emergency Room and required 8 stitches to repair the finger. Employee returned to work-No Lost Time.

Employee alleged a work related muscle skeletal disorder. Employee began losing time 3-16-09 on reccomendation of Dr. N.Y.State Workers Compensation Board Decision 10-15-09. ( Claimant has an occupational disease to the Back and right Shoulder.)

Employee said he was picking up broken 50lb bags of talc from the floor and dumping them into carts to be disposed of. While shaking out a bag in the cart, he he said he felt pain in his lower back. Employee was seen by Doctor on 2-23-09. Employee started losing time 2-24-09.

Employee said that on 1-26-09 he was walking down icy steps when his left foot slipped outward. Employee stated he was holding the railing when his foot slipped and he felt pain in his lower back. He told his foreman about the incident on 1-27-09. He has been seen by a Chiropractor 3 times, 2-4,2-5 & 2-6-09. No Lost Time.

Employee had alleged an occupational disease of the Lungs. New York State Compensation board decision 1-14-09, partial apportionment causally related to work. Employee has been off work since 10/14/08

Employee said he was walking down the ramp toward #2 packer area, when he slipped and fell on the damp floor. He landed on the metal ramp bracing, bruising his left thigh. He was seen by DR Moon on 12-3-08, sent for x rays and given prescriptions. No Lost Time.

Employee stated that he fell on an icy patch, twisting his right leg underneath him. He complained of back pain and was taken to the Emergency Room for evaluation. Employee lost 1 work day and returned to work 11-3-08. He began losing time again on 11-5-08. (Dr slip off work until further notice)

On 4/30/08 employee saw Dr. Employee alleges nerve damage to his back, neck and wrists. Employee states this is an ongoing thing, 24 years of repetitive work activity. There was no lost time with this claim. Employee retired 5/31/2008.

EE was welding overhead on a chute in the Mill. EE stated while welding,sparks were falling on his shield and one came inside and under safety glasses into his right eye.4-29-08 he went to eye doctor and had a piece of welding slag drilled out.EE went for a follow up visit 4-30-08 No Lost Time

Employee stated that he was grinding metal at his work station with a hand held grinder. As he was grinding he felt something in his left eye. He thought it was okay but on 4-11-08 he started to feel pain. He went to the E R and then to Doctor at Watertown Eye Center to have a piece metal remove from the eye. No lost time.

Employee stated that he was swinging a large hammer trying to free up material in dry ore silo. As he was swinging he said he felt pain in the lower back. He was seen at the emergency room. Employee lost one work day returning on 3-3-2008.

Employee was climbing over transport pipelines on roof to check operation of a diverter valve electric motor. Employee claims that later in the day he began to feel tightness and pain in the middle of his back. He saw Dr. (Chiropractor) on 1-23-2008

Employee was helping an electrician adjust a limit switch under a stretch wrap table. While turning the table by hand, his finger was caught between the table edge and the table roller. His right ring finger was cut and broken. He began missing time on 11-07-07.

Employee was stretchwrapping double stacked 1000lb super sacks. The top sack slipped off of the turn table bumping the employee into the control panel. He thought it was ok and finished the shift. The next day he experienced pain while breathing and coughed up blood. He went to the ER and was given an off work slip because of a bruised lung.

Employee was helping disassemble a machine frame work. When he picked up a piece of the frame it slipped and pinched the index,middle & ring fingers of his right hand. He saw the Doctor and had a xray taken on 7/24/07. He returned to work 7/25/07 and also saw the Doctor to have pressure relieved from under the nail on his ring finger. There has been no lost time.

Employee stated that he was walking across a roof walkway when he slipped on wet talc twisting his left knee and bumping his left elbow. He saw a Doctor on 2-15-08 and was prescribed therapy for a possible cartilage problem with his left knee. No lost time.

Employee was proceeding to help another worker bar down hung up material when slipped on uneven ground. He twisted his back but thought it was okay. On 4-13-07 the employee went to a chiropracter for an adjustment.

Employee and a partner were closing a feed valve on a talc pump they were working on. Injured employee's foot was stuck in material on floor and when he turned to move he twisted his Knee. On 4-18-2007 he went to his Doctor and is scheduled for more tests.

While cleaning area employee was lifting a Barrel to dump waste and felt a small pain in his Back. Employee continued to work until 3-1-07 and Dr took him off work for at least 1 week.

Employee was climbing up the steps of D-30-D ore truck when he slipped on the ice. He fell bumping his left elbow and right knee. As he was falling he grabbed the hand rail and pulled his rig ht shoulder. On 6/19/2007 the employee first saw a Dr about shoulder pain and on 7/3/2007 was put on lifting restrictions. No lost time yet.

On 1-25-07 employee reported feeling pain in his lower stomach area. He was seen by a Doctor on 1-26-07 and a hernia was found. The employee has not lost any work and has not had any treatment yet.** Employee missing time as of 4/20/07 for Surgery**

Employee was lowering the top portion of a high jacker (man lift). He removed the 2 pins to pivot the top down and when it came down suddenly he said it pinched his finger between the cage and frame work. Employee has seen a doctor and will have fluid removed. (2/18/08 appointment) Amendment: EE had fluid & cyst removed. He lost one day (5/5/08); resigned for other employment.

On 8-1-06 employee reported feeling pain is his stomach to his foreman while bagging 50 lb bags of Talc. On 9-7-06 employee went to his own Doctor who diagnosed a Hernia. On 9-8-06 employee reported Dr visit to Company. Surgery was scheduled and employee started losing time today 11-29-06.

Employee was helping move 4D batteries. (100 + lbs) Felt pain in right shoulder.

Employee stated that several trips up and down the stairs caused pain in his left knee, lower back and neck.

Alleged dust exposure.** NOTE: Employee retired July 1, 2006**

Hearing Loss Alleged. **Note: Employee retired July 1, 2006**

Foreman stopped to pick up EE from location where he was working as a front-end loader operator for a ride to lunchroom for dinner. EE climbed down out of Cat 966 loader to get into pickup and slippped on icy surface. Bruise back.

Alleged carpal tunnel syndrome. Employee first visited Dr on 01/10/06. Gouverneur Talc Co was not aware of this until 05/02/06 by a letter for N.Y.Worker's Compensation. Worker's Compensation has since made the decision that the employee has carpal tunnel syndrome. Employee has not lost any time.

Icy conditions on ramp leading up fom bottom of pit

EE Alleges occupational noise loss

May 5th EE went to physician because he thought he had kidney stones. MD put EE on medication. On May 23rd physician took EE off work because of possible bone spur on lower spinal cord.

Sample chute was plugged to sample roll crusher, EE tryed to pull removable section of chute to clear. When section came loose it pinched his "R" little finger between chute and guard.

Employee was being loaded by a 922 Cat in a Cat D-30-D Haul Truck when large chunk shook truck, emp's strain his neck and upper back.

Emp. claims rough haulage roads, hit potholes going to No. 1 Mine crusher. Emp. called in on Thursday, September 30 with Dr.'s slip taking him off work for one week.

SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS, AS EMPLOYEE CLIMBED DOWN FROM FRONT-END LOADER.

EE CLAIMS KNEE INJURY OVER TIME. EE WAS NOT OFF WORK TILL FEBRUARY 9TH, WHEN HE IS SCHEDULED FOR KNEE SURGERY. EMPLOYEE HAS WORKED AT MINE SITE 17 YEARS, 4 WEEKS (AS OF 09/03) AND IN JOB CLASS 14 YEARS, 24 WEEKS. PHYSICIAN AND WORKERS COMP. HAS DECIDED THIS IS A COMPENSABLE CLAIM AS OF 1/20/2004.

AS EMPLOYEE HAULAGE TRUCK WAS BEING LOADED, THE CAT-350 EXCAVATOR OPERATOR DROPPED A LARGE CHUNK OF ORE IN BED OF HAULAGE TRUCK, SHAKING THE TRUCK AND EMPLOYEE CAUSING THE BACK INJURY.

EE WAS LIFTING, PUSHING AND PULLING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MILL. HE NOTICED THE PAIN ON 7/1/03, AND WAS GETTING WORSE AS TIME PASSED.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE. EMPLOYEE TO PHYSICIAN ON TUESDAY JUNE 23RD. PAPER WORK FROM PHYSICIAN ON JULY 7TH.

THROWING 50 LB BAGS AT NO 3 PACKER, EE FELT SHARP PAIN IN MIDDLE OF BACK

EE CALLED ON MONDAY, 6/23/03 REPORTING AN INJURY TO HIS RT. SHOULDER. EE FILED UNDER SHORT TERM DISABILITY. DISABILITY FORM CAME TO DR. ON 7/10/STATING THE INJURY WAS WORK RELATED. EE HAS NOT INFORMED HIS FOREMAN OF ANY WORK-RELATED INJURY.EE HAS HAD PREVIOUS SHOULDER INJURIES, BOTH RT.&LEFT.

EMPLOYEE CLAIMS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME FOR BOTH WRISTS. HE HAS BEEN PACKERMAN FOR TEN YEARS PACKING 50 LB. BAGS OF TALC. REPORTED TO FOREMAN ON MAY 30, 2003. FIRST DAY OF LOST TIME 6/9/03.

ALLEGES OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE. FILED THROUGH LAWYERS ON MAY 8TH. RECEIVED MAY 12TH. NO LOST TIME AS OF MAY 12TH, 2003.

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING ON #2 HARDING DUST LINE, SLAG HIT AND BURNED LEFT FOREARM. FOREARM BECAME INFECTED AND EMPLOYEE WENT TO SEE DOCTOR ON SUNDAY MAY 18TH. REPORTED LOST TIME AS OF MONDAY MAY 19TH.

EE CLAIMS TO HAVE INJURED HIMSELF ON MAR.3, 2003HE WENT TO EMERGENCY ROOM ON APRIL 14TH. DURING THE PAST 6 WEEKS THE EE NEVER INDICATED TO HIS FOREMAN OR OTHER STAFF THAT THIS INJURY HAD OCCU RRED . EE CLAIMS TO HAVE STRAINED HIS ABDOMEN LIFTING A PROPANE BOTTLE ONTO A FORKLIFT. ER PHYSICIAN LIST TORN ABDOMEN MUSCLE

EMPLOYEE AT HIS LUNCH IN NO.2 LUNCHROOM, DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES - HEART ATTACK.

EMPLOYEE LIFTED AND TURNED A 5 GALLON PLASTIC PAIL CONTAINING LESS THAN 2 GALLONS OF PAINT. 5 GALLONG PAIL WAS ON A 2' HIGH STAND. EE FELT STRAIN IN LEFT LOWER BACK.

CATCHING 50LB BAGS OF TALC HE FELT PAIN IN LEFT WRIST & FOREARM. ON MONDAY & TUESDAY, SEPT. 16TH& 17TH, HE WAS MUCKING IN THE MILL & FELT PAIN TO LEFT WRIST. LOST TIME STARTED 9/18/02.

DRIVING #21 CAT 922 FRONT END LOADER, EE BOUNCING AROUND CAB OF 922 FELT PAIN TO NECK. EE SAW A DR. IN ER ON 8/10/02. DR. TOOK EE OFF WORK TILL 8/19/02.

EMPLOYEE TAKEN OFF WORK ON 7/31/02 FOR PREVIOUS INJURIES (10/18/01, 11/09/99, 6/13/95, 4/21/97, 11/12/01, 6/12/00, 4/23/99, 10/28/86 & 10/28/77)ALL PERTAINING TO NECK, BACK & SHOULDER INJURIES

AS EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING 10" ROTORY VALVE (APPROXIMATE WEIGHT = 70 LBS.) ACROSS FLOOR OF MACHINE SHOP HIS RIGHT HAND SLIPPED CAUSING HIS BACK AND SHOULDER TO TWIST. HE HEARD LOUD "POP" IN HIS L EFT SHOULDER.

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING MILLWRIGHT TAKE UP NO.1 CRUSHER USING A 1-1/2' WRENCH TO LOOSEN 3" NUTS ON CRUSHER. EMPLOYEE TRIED TO LOOSEN THE NUT TWO TIMES WITHOUT MOVING NUT. ON THIRD TIME NUT RELEAS ED CAUSING LEFT THUMB TO BE PINCHED BETWEEN WRENCH AND 8" PIPE.

TURNING METAL ON LATHE, REACHED IN TO PICK METALSHAVING OFF SHAFT, WAS CAUGHT BY ANOTHER METAL SHAVING WHICH LACERATED RT. THUMB.

EE WAS DESCENDING STAIRS BY BIG SWECO SCREEN. HESLIPPED ON STAIR TREAD AND SLID DOWN APPROXIMATELY 2-3 STAIRS ON HIS HEEL, THEN CAUGHT HIMSELF ON RAIL. HE WENT TO PHYSICIAN ON 11/19/01.

PACKING OUT 50 LB BAGS OF TALC ONTO PALLET, FELT PAIN IN RIGHT SIDE OF CHEST.

EMPLOYEE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A PIECE OF CARDBOARD; AS HE BENT OVER, HIS BACK "POPPED" AND HE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

CATCHING 50 LB BAGS AT #2 PACKER STATION, EMPLOYEE FELT PAIN IN BACK.

EE CAME DOWN FROM ROOF, GOT BOOTS WET FROM WATER ON ROOF. CARRYING STEEL PLATE DOWN STAIRS EE SLIPPED AND FELL HITTING LEFT SIDE ON HANDRAIL.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE; EMPLOYEE WENT OFF WORK 4/11/00 FOR HEART PROBLEMS, HAD HEART BYPASS SURGERY. WORKERS COMP. CARRIER INFORMED GOUVERNEUR TALC OF THE TALCOSIS CLAIM A S OF 4/28/00.

UNLOADING 50 LBS BAGS OF ANFO AND 20 LBS TUBES OF POWDER, FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

DOCTOR TOOK EMPLOYEE OFF WORK 1/17/2000