Sandow Mine Coal

A grass fire occurred in Sandow Mine on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. The fire started at approximately 2:30 p.m. on buffer property owned by Alcoa Inc. east of the mine reclaim area. An electrical spark started the grass fire. The Alcoa Rockdale and Milano volunteer fire department responded. No injuries resulted from the fire and it was under control by approximately 3:30 p.m.

Operator had check fluid level in radiator and was descending when his foot slipped causing him to loose balance and fall to the ground. Operator landed on his right side with his right arm underneath him supporting most of his weight.

A grass fire occurred in Sandow Mine on Friday, December 12, 2008. The fire was started at approximately 4:10 PM on adjacent property by a land owner who was mowing on his property with a riding lawn mower which caught on fire. The land owner called the Lexington and Blue fire departments. No injury resulted from the fire, and it was under control at approximately 6:00 PM.

Trying to repair an overhead door that would not close, pushed door back up, saw hung-up cable, reached to free cable when it coiled up, coming in contact with his rt. index finger.

Employee was walking from equipment parking lot to the ee parking lot. As he proceeded walking down a gravel path, which has a 4.2 to 1 slope, his r. foot slipped & he twisted his r. knee. He did not report the incident until the next day. He was taken to Alcoa's Medical Dept. where he was diagnosed with a strain/sprained right knee. MRI is scheduled, ee is on limited duty

Crocker Reclamation balling hay H-1 reclamation. Bearing overheating cause fire on baler. He extinguished baler fire, and began estinguishing grass fire in windrow. The baler reignited, and ee turned to the tractr into the wind, i.e. out of the grass fire path and extinguished the baler again. Fire brigade controled the grass fire within 40 min. and 3-5 acreas of grass burned.

The mechanic was changing hoist cable on a BE 2570 dragline. He extended his right arm up and grabbed the ladder rail while stepping onto the 2nd rung of the ladder to exit the Drag Drum pit. As his body twisted he felt and heard a pop in his right shoulder accompanied by sharp pain. He had shoulder surgery on September 30th and was restricted by medical on 10/3/05.

Employee slipped on wet track surface causing loss of balance and a fall. Right leg and foot were caught between surfaces. Fall resulted in fracture of right tibia.

A Mine Mechanic was using a 3/4 in impact wrench to loosen bolts on the brake assembly of a Cat 776 Hauler Trailer. The bolt broke loose suddenly and the resulting motion of the impact pinned the mechanics hand against the rear side of the assembly resulting in a laceration requireing 6 stitches.

Employee was standing on the bed of the track truck while the trans. puller was being unloaded with the use of a remote control, used by another employee when the puller rolled on to its side, hitting the victim in the back of the legs/ankle.

Operator stated he dozed off and drifted across the road into the left ditch. He drove over some conveyor material and corrected to the right ending up in the ditch on the right side of the road. This was originally a first aid and became a recordable on January 19 when he was given an oral antibiotic for an infection.

The Mine Electrician was walking behind a cable machine while moving power cable. He stepped on an uneven part of the walkway caused by a clod of dirt causing him to twist his right ankle and fall to the ground bumping his left knee.

Service employee was removing axle out of scraper pan tire and it slipped and hit his thumb.

The Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) was attempting to lift a dragline trail cable off the hooks on Dragline 79 when he felt a sharp pain in his right bicep.

D8 DOZER WAS FOLLOWING A STEEL DRUM. STEEL DRUM ROLLER STARTED TO BACKUP, DOZER TRIED TO GET OUT OF WAY. HIT REAR TIRE OF STEEL DRUM ROLLER JARRING THE OPERATOR.

The employee was dismounting a coal hauler utilizing a hydraulic safety ladder. Unknown to the employee, the ladder safety pins did not engage when the ladder extended. As the employee put his full weight on the ladder it lowered suddenly and engaged the locking pins. The jolt resulted in lower back pain to the employee.

SCRAPER WAS BEING PUSHED BY DOZER. SCRAPER OPERATOR WAS LOADING THROUGH HARD ROCKY DIRT WHEN HE RAISED THE PAN SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE SCRAPER TO PULL AWAY FROM THE DOZER. WHEN DOZER CAUGHT UP, IT BUMPED THE SCRAPER HARDER THAN USUAL CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO JOLT & STRAIN HIS BACK.

EE WAS USING A CHOKER ATTACHED TO A PICKER TO PULL A 4" POLY PIPE FROM UNDERGROUND. THE CHOKER BROKE ALLOWING THE PIPE TO WHIPLASH STRIKING THE EE IN THE KNEE AREA CAUSING A FRACTURE TO THE UP PER TIBIA.

WHILE ASCENDING A RAMP THE TRUCK STARTED SLIDING TOWARD THE WALL. THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND. THE DRIVER LET OFF THE GAS & LET THE TRUCK ROLL BACK. THE TRUCK FRONT CAME DOWN BUT LIFTED AGAIN AT A 90% ANGLE, CAUSING PART OF THE LOAD TO SPILL. THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK CAME BACK DOWN RELATIVELY HARD. THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH SEAT-BELTED, SUSTAINED A LACERATION & BRUISE.

EMPLOYEE WALKED TO HIS PERSONNAL VEHICLE, PARKED BY OFFICE TO GET HIS WATER JUG. HE STEPPED ON A ROCK APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN SIZE. THIS CAUSED HIS LEFT ANKLE TO TURN TO THE SIDE. AN X-RAY T AKEN ON OCT 29, 2003 REVEALED A BONE CHIP ON THE OUTER SIDE OF LEFT FOOT.

EE WAS SETTING UP TO INSTALL PLATFORMS TO WORK FROM. HE NOTICED A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 6' OFF THE FLOOR LEVEL. HE LEANED A STEP LADDER AGAINST THE WALL FOR A BETTER LOOK. THE LADDER WAS PLACED ON A SLOPE DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE FLOOR. AFTER CHECKING THE CRACK HE STARTED DOWN THE LADDER. THE METATARSOL PART OF HIS BOOT CAUGHT THE BACK RUNG AND THE LADDER SLIPPED CAUSING THE FALL.

AS WORKER WAS REMOVING TOOL BUCKET FROM THE BED AREA OF A PICKUP TRUCK LOWER BACK PAIN WAS EXPERIENCED.

TRANSMISSION WAS BEING REPLACED IN MACHINE USINGA COMALONG TO HOIST IN PLACE. TRANSMISSION BECAME LODGED ON A BOLT & SLACK GOT IN COMALONG CABLEEE WAS POINTING OUT BOLT WHEN THE LOCK ON COME ALONG FAILED, DROPPING TRANSMISSION APPROX.4". CEE HAND WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN TRANSMISSION & FLOOR CAUSING DEEP LACERATION BETWEEN INDEX & MIDDLE FINGER ON LEFT HAND BREAKING INDEX FINGER.

SURVEY RODMAN WAS WALKING THROUGH VEGETATION TO LOCATE PERMIT BOUNDARY. RODMAN CAME INTO CONTACT WITH POISON IVY AND BEGAN TO SHOW A REACTION ON JULY 24, 2002. RODMAN WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICATION FOR TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION ON JULY 27, 2002.

THE MACHINE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIR. WORKERWAS SENT TO ASSIST IN COMPLETING REPAIRS. WORKERWAS TO INSTALL GUARDING AROUND THE MUFFLER ON THE REAR ENGINE. HE CARRIED THE GUARD TO THE REAR OF THE MACHINE AND INADVERTENTLY FELL IN THE OPEN COMPARTMENT CAUSING A LACERATION TO THE LOWER LEFT LEG REQUIRING SEVERAL SUTURES.

THE EMPLOYEE WAS REFUELING TRACTOR. UPON COMPLETING FUELING, THE EMPLOYEE WAS RETURNING THE FUELING HOSE TO THE INSIDE OF THE BERMED FUEL STOR- AGE TANK AREA. THE EMPLOYEE STEPPED OVER THE BERM WITH HIS RIGHT FOOT CONTACTING EXPOSED PLASTIC SHEETING. AS EMPLOYEE'S WEIGHT SHIFTED THE RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED ON THE PLASTIC CATCHING ON UNEVEN SURFACE CAUSING ANKLE TO TURN INWARD.

THE WORKER WAS SERVICING THE RUBBER TIRE DOZER AT THE CENTRAL CRUSHER STOCKPILE. UPON FINISHING THE TASK, THE WORKER RETURNED TO THE LUBE TRUCK CAB BY PLACING BOTH FEET ON THE ACCESS STEP HOLD ING THE UPRIGHT GRAB IRON WITH HIS RIGHT HAND WHILE REACHING FOR THE TRUCK DOOR HANDLE WITH HIS LEFT HAND. HIS FEET SLIPPED & HE FELL APPROX. 3'TO THE GROUND STRIKING HIS LEFT SIDE.

WORKER WAS PULLED TO THE GROUND TWISTING RIGHT KNEE AS TRAIL CABLE BEING POSITIONED MOVED DUE TO SLACK SHIFTING AT A CROSSING POLE. THIS WAS TREATED AS A FIRST AID CASE WITH THE WORKER PERIODI CALLY EXPERIENCING DISCOMFORT. A DECISION WAS MADE FIR ORTHOSCOPIC OUTPATIENT SURGERY ON FRIDAY MAY 31, THE LAST DAY OF HIS WORK WEEK. THE WORKER RETURNED TO WORK ASSIGNMENTS ON MONDAY JUNE 3

EMPLOYEE WAS GREASING DRIVE SHAFT ON VOLVO END DUMP. AFTER FINISHING HE STOOD UP AFTER BEING BENT OVER AND THEN NOTIFIED HIS SHOULDER WAS HURTING.

OPERATOR WAS MOVING HITACHI 1800 BACKHOE OVER CREST OF RAMP TO PIT. WHILE BREAKING OVER A BLADED PORTION OF COAL AND DIRT, THE EQUIPMENT MOTION CAUSING A JARRING MOTION. THE OPERATOR SUSTAINED THE UPPER BACK STRAIN DURING THIS MOTION.

WHILE REFUELING AIR COMPRESSOR DIESEL TANKS AT THE POWER STATION, HOSE REEL APPARATUS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING HOSE JERKING MOTION. RESULTING MOTION CAUSED WORKER TO STRIKE OBJECT. INJURY TO RIGH T SHOULDER OCCURRED.

WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING/REPAIRING THE CAB VENTILATION SYSTEM FAN IN A FRONT END LOADER, THE WORKERSNEEZED CAUSING A SPONTANEOUS REFLEX MOTION OF HIS LEFT HAND INTO THE FAN ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN A CUT/FRACTURE TO HIS LEFT RING FINGER.

WHILE LIFTING A WHEEL CHOCK WEIGHING ~35LB, THE WORKER FELT A SHARP PAIN IN LEFT TESTICLE.

EMPLOYEE LIFTED A SECTION OF PIPE APPROX 18" LONG AND 8" IN DIAMETER AND WAS GOING TO TOSS THE SECTION OF PIPE OVER THE BOOM CORD (APPROX 4 FT OFF THE GROUND) HE MISGAUGED THE DISTANCE AND CAU GHT HIS HAND BETWEEN THE PIPE SECTION AND BOOM CORD.

OPERATOR WAS USING A CATERPILLAR D9 DOZER TO PUSH COAL ON COAL PILE. HE HAD PUSHED A RAMP UP A FACE OF COAL TO CHECK CONDITION OF COAL AHEAD OF THE LOADING. WHEN HE CAME BACK OFF THE UPPER LEV EL OF THE STOCKPILE, HE MISSED THE RAMP & BROKE OVER THE FACE TO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP, STRAININGHIS NECK AS THE DOZER PITCHED DOWNARD ~ 8 1/2 FTCAUSING A JARRING MOTION.

EMPLOYEE DRIVING TO DUMP SITE ON A DRY FLAT SURFACE. LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND ROLLED THEVEHICLE ON TO ITS RIGHT SIDE.

THE EMPLOYEE AND COWORKER WERE IN THE PROCESS OF ATTACHING A SLING AROUND A PUMP DISCHARGE LINE WHILE ON A FLOATING BARGE. THE BARGE TILTED CAUSING THE WORKER TO STRAIGHTEN FROM LEANING AS A R EACTIVE REFLEX. PAIN WAS FELT IN THE LOWER BACK.

AS THE EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING HIMSELF UP ON THE TRACK OF THE DOZER BY GRABBING THE MOUNTING BAR, HE FELT PAIN IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER.

EE WAS STRUCK BY A LEVEAGE BAR. WHEN TRYING TO UNLOSSING A BOLT ON A EX 750 EXCEVATOR. THE BOLTS TENSION BROKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE LEAVING PIPE TO STRIKE THE EE.

EE WAS CUTTING AN ENCLOSED METAL COMPARTMENT WHICH WAS PART OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THE HOUSING ON A DRAGLINE. THE COMPARTMENT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO STORE LIQUIDS EVIDENT BY LACK OF FILL AND DRAIN PORTS. A CUT BEING MADE CAME INTO CONTACTW/FLUID. CUTTING STOPPED. ON OPPOSITE SIDE HOLE CUT FOR DRAINAGE PURPOSES. TRYING TO PRY PLATE OFF, PLATE FELL IN SPLASHING EE W/HOT LIQUID.

WHILE OPERATING A 777 CATERPILLAR END DUMP HAULING COAL, THE WORKER FELT A PAIN IN THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS NECK AS A REACTION TO HITTING A HAULWAY POTHOLE AT THE STOCKPILE.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESOCKET A DRAGLINE DUMP WIRE ROPE CABLE THE CABLE SLIPPED CAUSING A PINCH POINT FOR THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT HAND INDEX & MIDDLE FINGER BETWEEN THE CLAMP & WEDGE. TWO STICHES TO THE MIDDLE FINGER WERE REQUIRED.

INJURED HAD BEEN WORKING ON GENERATOR CHANGE OUTON DRAGLINE 80. HE RETURNED TO SHOP, TAKING TOOLBUCKET OUT OF TRUCK & CARRYING IT INTO SHOP, PLACING IT IN HIS LOCKER. HAD TO LIFT BUCKET ABOUT 3 1/2' TO SHELF IN LOCKER. FELT A LITTLE PULL INSHOULDER. WOKE UP ABOUT 3:OO AM WITH SEVERE PAININ RIGHT SHOULDER.

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT REMEMBERING THE LAST FIRE ONE DRAGLINE AND THE DAMAGE IT DONE. WHEN EMPLOYEE PULLED HIS FACE SCBA MASK OFF AND PUT IT BACK ON HE DID NOT GET A GOOD SEAL.

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING A COWORKER REMOVE A WIRE ROPE SLING ATTACHED TO A GREASE SERVICE TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN USED TO PULL THE TRUCK FROM MUD. WHILE BENDING AND REACHING, THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE D A LOWER BACK STRAIN. THE SLING WAS 1 1/2" IN DIAMETER WEIGHING APPROX 100 LBS.

ON 5-24-00 AT APPROX. 11:55 AM A 100 TON END DUMP WAS LOADING IN A PIT. AFTER BEING LOADED TO 95 TONS DRIVER STARTED TO PULL AWAY, LOAD CAUSED HAULER TO STAND ON END TRAPPING DRIVER EE IN CAB , MORE THAN 30 MINUTES. EE STATED AS HE STARTED UP RAMP FELT HE HAS SOME LOSS OF CONTROL. TRUCK REARED UP, SETTING DOWN ON END TRAPPING DRIVER IN CAB. OPERATOR WAS RESCUED BY ONSITE EMERGENCY

EE WAS PART OF A CREW RESTOCKING DRAP ROPES ON DRAGLINE 79. CREW WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE WEDGES FROM SOCKET USING A LARGE KNOCKER (BATTERING RAM). KNOCKER IS SISPENDED FROM CRANE AND THEN SWU NG BY THE CREW. ABOUT THE 3RD ATTEMPT ON THE RIGHT WEDGE, ONE OF THE CREW TRIPPED AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE KNOCKER BECAME UNSTABLE & THE REST OF CREW RELEASED GRIP. THUMB PINCHED BETWEEN K

EE WAS MOVING BY HAND A 12"X8" SCHEDULE 40 PIECEOF PIPE FROM GRD LOCATION CONTAINING SEVERAL OTHER PIECES OF PIPE. THE PIPE ROLLED ON A PIECEOF ANGLE IRON CATCHING THE GLOVED LEFT HAND IN A PINCH POINT AGAINST AN ADJACENT PIPE RESULTING IN BRUISES

THE EMPLOYEE HAD REMOVED A BENT DOOR LATCH FROM 22.9 KV FEEDER TO STRAIGHTEN. HE PLACED THE LATCH ON A METAL SKID AND STRUCK THE LATCH WITH A HAMMER. THE LATCH FLEW UP AND STRUCK THE EMPLOYEE IN THE LOWER LIP AND LEFT FRONT TOOTH CAUSING A CHIP. AS THE EMPLOYEE TURNED SUDDENLY TO AVOID LATCH, HE SUFFERED A MUSCLE PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK.

EE WAS CLEANING DIRT FROM CHUTES WHERE DRAG ROPE RUN THROUGH THE MACHINE HOUSE. THE CHUTE IS 43 IN. HIGH BY 40 IN WIDE. EE HAD TO MOVE DIRT 5 FTDOWN THE CHUTE FROM A KNEELING OR SQUATTING POSI TION. WHILE MOVING FROM ONE CHUTE TO ANOTHER HE FELT BURNING IN LEFT THIGH. THIS WAS TREATED & HE WAS RELEASED. CONTINUED TO HAVE NUMBNESS. DR. PRESCRIBED RX & BACK BRACE MAKING THIS REPORTAB

EE WAS ASSISTING MECHANIC WITH INSTALLING A HITCH PIN. THE EE PICKED UP A HITCH FROM THE STORAGE AREA AND PLEASED IT ON A TRUCK FOR TRANSPORT. WHILE PLACING THE HITCH ON THE TRUCK THE EMPLOYEE 'S FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE HITCH PIN AND TAILGATE SUPPORT. THIS CAUSED A LACERATION OF THE LEFT INDEX FINGER.

DRAGLINE #80 WAS PERFORMING NORMAL OPERATION AT THE NORTH END OF H-PIT. AT APPROXIMATELY 19:30 PM THE MG SETS TRIPPED. THE DRAGLINE OPERATOR INVESTIGATED THE AREA AND DISCOVERED SMOKE AND HEAR D ARCING ACCOMPANIED BY FIRE. THE EMERGENCY PLANWAS ACTIVATED & THE EQUIPMENT STABILIZED BY APPROX. 21:00 PM. DAMAGE IS ELECTRICAL WITH ESTIMATED 6 WEEKS DOWNTIME.