White Bear Mica Plant Metal/Non-Metal

The dust collector for the feldspar process collects fines in a bulk bag. The operator was making adjustments to the bag when operator slipped and fell. Operator put left hand out to catch self and caught a finger in the chain drive for the airlock.

Employee was mounting a production board with zip ties. EE was cutting the tail off one of the zip ties with a utility knife and EE cut EE's left wrist.

The operator was checking on the quantity of rock in a feed bin. EE climbed down the ladder and stepped on a pile of rock on the ground. The rock shifted and ee lost balance. EE put hand out to catch fall and injured wrist. After going to the doctor it was determined ee had broken a bone in wrist and is now wearing a cast.

Truck fill point for main propane tank burst at flexible coupling. Once gas reached vaporizer, it caused an explosion. Two employees ran to the tank to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher and shut off the valve to the main tank. The fire was put out immediately. No injuries were sustained. Contractor called, is on site conducting repairs. MSHA Case #01082020.

Employee was loading ore into a hopper using a Bobcat skid loader. The hopper was plugged so the employee got out to unplug it. When getting back into the Bobcat, EE's foot slipped off the step and EE fell into it hitting ribs on the right side.

Slipped and fell on ice in parking lot of facility.

Dropped Hammer - Cut Thumb - 4 stitches administered

Lower Back - This claim under investigation by Pacer's Workmen Comp and not yet classified as a work comp injury

Snowing heavily, fell in parking lot on snow/ice.

While on ladder, EE was pulling slack out of the new skirting being installed on the conveyor belt #1 and strained or pulled lower back. Continued to do light duty work rest of the day.

Trying to unplug wet feed in a feed hopper using a sledge hammer and injured left shoulder.

Between 5 am & 5:30 am on Monday 6-1-09 it was discovered that there had been a fire in the air compressor room over the week end. It was ok at end of shift 10:30 pm friday 5-29-09. Fire had burned itself out. The area was secured & proper authorities contacted. Fire Marshal ruled a heater caused it & we are waiting his report.

Forklift was moving full pallets. Driver did not see injury walk in front of him. He did not see forklift. He was knocked down and sprain ankle.

Employee was stacking 50# bags on a pallet and pulled muscles in lower back. Employee was released to come back to work on 8/25/08 but chose not to return until 8/26/08. Treated at Custer Regional Clinic by Dr for lower back strain.

At home in evening he removed a flake of mica from his R eye. On Sun, 8/10 went to ER & was treated (found nothing in eye) - given antibiotics. 8/11 went to Advanced Eye Care. Was told eye was scratched & was given eye drops. 8/11 reported issue to Pit Mgr. 8/15 went back to Advanced Eye Care for more treatment - did not work, Returned to work 8/18/08 able to see out of eye.

Employee was stacking 50# bags on a pallet and over-extended his right elbow. Treated at Custer Regional by doctor for lateral epicandylitis

Employee stacked 48 50# bags on a pallet. He then went to get forklift. He removed the portable tank heater and hung it on a hook on the wall. He experienced a sharp pain in his lower back. He tried to return to stacking bags but the pain persisted in his lower back. He went to the Custer Regional Medical Clinic were he received 4 lidocaine injection in his lower back and med.

EE WAS WORKING ON ROOF OF MICA MILL WHEN WIND KICKED UP AND BLEW DUST IN HIS RIGHT EYE. FIRST AID WAS DONE AT SITE. THE NEXT MORNING EE STILL EXPERIENCED IRRITATION AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY R OOM AT THE HOSPITAL.

EE WAS USING A GRINDER WITH A BRUSH TO REMOVE OLD PAIN FROM A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. HE WAS GRINDING AT NECK LEVEL. HE HIT A BUMP IN THE METAL AND THE GRINDER BOUNCED BACK HITTING HIM IN THE THRO AT AREA. HE RECEIVED A LONG SCRAPE ON THE NECK. THE EE WENT TO THE ENERGENCVY ROOM ON SATURDAY VECAUSE HE HAD GOTTEN HOARSE.