Hecla Greens Creek Mine Metal/Non-Metal

EE was removing a loader bucket pin when it slipped and fell on their finger.

EE was conducting maintenance on the engine of an Epiroc haul truck when the strut that held the engine cover open broke, causing the engine cover (weighing approximately 100 to 200 pounds) to fall and impact the EEs hand between the engine cover and the chassis, resulting in the EE breaking their left hand.

EE was removing a bucket pin which slipped and fell on their finger

EE was sepping down from equipment and lost traction causing a fall to the ground.

EE felt pop and pain in right knee while climbing stairs and diagnosed with chronic degenerative condition

EE was kneeling on left knee. When EE stood up and put weight on right knee, EE felt pain.

EE was shoveling material with a #2 shovel and felt groin pain.

EE lifted right arm preparing to lower a ladder and felt pain in right arm/elbow.

EE was removing wheel chock from fender holder and felt pain in right arm.

EE felt pain in back and was diagosed with chronic degenerative condition.

EE was opertating a MT436 and felt pain in low back when driving.

EE was pulling a ratchet strap over a load of ground support wire. Whan it came over the edge, the employee looked up resulting in a broken tooth.

Employee-operated Kubota was struck by 40T haul truck operated by mine owner at a travel way intersection of the underground mine. The employee suffered fractures in employee's legs and was transferred to a hospital for treatment.

EE was removing right boot using a boot jack. As they pulled their leg up, they felt low back and hip pain.

Upon exiting the mine portal, employee recognized fresh snow on the ground and rotated down the ice cleats on their work boots. As they were walking from the portal to the dry, they slipped and fell on the snow/ice causing a fracture to their right ankle.

EE felt pain in groin after lifting chain rigging to crane hook.

EE lost 3 points of contact when entering EE's haul truck and fell backward landing on a concrete slab.

EE tripped on a seat belt while exiting the transport bus.

EE was hanging trailing cable for a bolter and felt pain in right shoulder

EE felt a pop in their right shoulder when aligning a belly pan on a dozer.

EE received a left hand laceration when EE reached out to steady a chop saw. The blade was still turning after a very recent cut.

EE was holding onto the top rail of manbasket on a kubota tractor when the gate swung fully open pinching right ring finger in the gap resulting in a fracture of the distal phalange.

On 8/9/24, EE was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. EE had first of two surgeries on 9/10/2024 and will be followed by surgery two on 9/24/2024.

EE was lifting a valve into position from under a truck. The valve slipped and when they caught it, they felt pain in their shoulder.

EE diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

EE was cutting a handrail with a battery powered porta-band. As the saw cut through the rail, it contacted their left index finger resulting in a laceration.

EE diagnosed with a chronic degenerative condition.

While painting the face, EE's paint stick caught in the ground support mesh and dislodged a small rock. This rock struck EE's cheek causing a small laceration which was treated by on-site Paramedics. EE was reassessed by a physician and non-emergency surgery was recommended. EE had surgery and began time loss on 9/3/2024

While pulling an HQ 5' Innertube with a rope sling, the rope broke allowing the tube to fall and catch IE's hand, wedging IE's right thumb between the Innertube and an HQ drill rod crushing and cutting the right thumb.

EE was cutting chain with bolt cutters and felt pain in right shoulder

Employee complained of pain in lower back, with no preceding incident. MRI and specific diagnosis indicate degenerative wear on disks.

While performing normal work duties which include lifting of up to 50 pounds, and without a specific event, a Drill Helper reported pain in the lower back and was diagnosed with a lumbar sprain.

EE was preparing 2"x2"x10' square steel material to weld. One end of the material fell from a sawhorse. The working end was pulled down causing EE's finger to be pinched between sawhorse and material causing a laceration and fracture of left middle finger.

EE sat down in an office chair while waiting for their radio to be repaired. When they stood up, they felt back pain.

EE was loading bolts in the carousel of a rock bolter. EE received a laceration to the left middle finger when it was pinched between two bolt plates.

EE lost balance in line skiff falling and striking shoulder.

EE fell in line skiff striking knee against bulkhead.

EE was exiting haultruck and as EE descended using handrails, EE felt pain in left bicep.

EE reported back pain over an extended period of time beginning in September but did not notify operator or seek treatment until 12/10/22

EE tripped and fell causing foreign material to splash into the right eye

EE lifted two torch tracks from storage and placed the ends on the ground. The shorter set slid down pinching employees left thumb causing a laceration.

On 6/2/2022 an underground miner was separating two air hose wing nut fittings using a rap wrench. EE struck left ring finger resulting a laceration requiring sutures.

On 5/22/22, a Lab employee was attempting to repair a dishwasher drawer glide. EE's hand slid down the metal glide lacerating EE's right thumb. EE was treated using butterfly closures.

Left knee repetitive stress injury - Chondromalacia

EE picked up two 5-gallon buckets and turned resulting in knee pain.

IE removed EE's gloves to reach for EE's water bottle, placed on top of the rod trailer, and brushed EE's left hand on a nail head that was protruding and used to hang wrenches on. Injury resulted to the web area of the left hand between the pinky and ring fingers.

EE was trying to close a compressed air valve with a 12' scaling bar. The employee lost grip on the bar and it slipped out of employee's hands, striking employee in the face causing a fractured tooth.

THE CREW HAD COMPLETED A CORE TUBE RETREIVAL AND WAS PREPARING TO REMOVE THE STUFFING BOX AND OVERSHOT. THE DRILLER'S ASSISTANT BEGAN UNTHREADING THE STUFFING BOX WITH A PIPEWRENCH AT WHICH TIME THE STUFFING BOX, OVERSHOT AND TUBE FELL ON TO THE ASSISTANT'S RIGHT FOOT FROM A HEIGHT APPROXIMATED AT 4 FEET.

EE lifted a 12' steel rod for delivery and felt pain in the left shoulder.

Employee was stepping down from a Kubota tractor and stepped on a rock causing EE to roll EE's ankle.

The employee was in the process of mixing cement for hole abandonment when cement leaked into work boot, causing a caustic burn to the top right foot.

Employee went into the 1490 stope to look at the ground and identified a fall of ground in the back that extended past the anchorage zone of the ground support. The stope was not currently active but was accessible. The fall occurred approximately 30' past the intersection in the right side of the heading. The back was supported with 6' split sets and 8' inflatable rock bolts.

As employee was stepping down off a step stool, EE caught EE's coveralls and lost EE's balance. As EE attempted to brace/catch self from EE's fall, EE injured EE's wrist.

Three employees were doing utility work (installing vent bag) using a scissor lift. Upon completion, one of the employees went to the cab of the scissor lift. The employee sitting in the cab was observed unresponsive and emergency response was activated immediately and the responders were unable to revive the employee.

Employee was attempting to attach the boom on a bolter and a nylon strap EE was using broke and the strap struck the employee in the face.

Employee was setting up to shoot a shotcrete wall and was struck in the elbow area by the trans-mixer that had the mixed shotcrete. Later received notification that the employee had to receive physical therapy making this injury reportable. Due to COVID quarantine requirements, employee is unable to come to work.

Employee has been experiencing elbow/forearm discomfort off and on for several months which is relieved with a compression strap. Employee went in for x-rays on 8/20 which were negative. MRI performed on 8/31 and employee was diagnosed on 9/1 with tennis elbow.

Employee experienced discomfort when hanging power cable on the rib. Employee received an MRI on 8/12/20 and was referred for physical therapy for rotator cuff tendonitis making this a reportable illness.

A fall of ground occurred in the 188. It was approximately 14' wide by 20' long and up to 4' in depth and occurred on the right side of the back due to corrosion of ground support.

Employee experienced gradual onset of knee discomfort while sitting at desk. Discomfort continued and employee was evaulated by a physician on 10/15/16. Employee was diagnosed with chronic knee related condition and proceeded with treatment making this a reportable illness at this time.

Employee was pulling core tube when finger got pinched between stuffing box and wireline.

Employee was preparing to move drill when they lost balance and fell, striking their lower back on a timber.

Employee was testing and troubleshooting an air conditioner condenser fan that was not functioning and amputated the tip of left pinky finger.

Employee stepped back onto uneven ground and twisted EE's ankle.

Stepping onto piece of mobile equipment and foot slipped resulting in laceration and 3 sutures.

Employee bumped the left pinky finger on a shelf when picking up a roll of shrink wrap. They continued to experience some finger discomfort so they went to see a doctor on 3/7/19, ex-rays revealed a fingertip fracture.

EE received a hand laceration while hanging a portable band saw after use.

A round was being loaded & was not complete at end of shift. The miners had fully tied in the round to the centralized blasting system but didn't log the electronic detonator. When centralized blasting system signal was sent at end of shift, all connected/loaded headings were blasted. No personnel were underground during blasting & no damage/impairment. Deemed reportable on 2/18.

EE walking up set of stairs felt a pop in left knee

While installing a vent louver in a storage container, EE cut right index finger on metal edge of louver requiring 4 sutures.

Employee was struck on the top of right hand by a roof bolt resulting in a laceration.

Employee experienced left shoulder discomfort from turning the steering wheel on a tractor. Employee was evaluated on 10/29/18 by an orthopedist and restrictions were issued.

EE sprained ankle while stepping out of mobile equipment.

Employee was straightening a cover for a hydraulic tank and tipped over a piece of wear plate that was on the work bench and it struck left ring finger. Notification was received on 8/23 that employee was diagnosed with a finger fracture.

Employee was closing the clamp to attach two sections of hardline vent tube when clamp slipped striking EE in the mouth. Employee went to the dentist on 6/12/18 and had two tooth chips repaired making this reportable.

Employee reported discomfort in EE's knee after getting off backfill truck. EE was seen my a physician and referred to an ortho for additional testing. EE was evaluated and MRI was taken and results were received on 6/14/18 and EE was diagnosed with multiple degenerative knee conditions.

While walking with a tool bucket on a concrete floor in the mill building, employee slipped and fell. Employee continued to experience discomfort so was evaluated by a physician on days off and received a positive diagnosis for a shoulder injury on 5/9/18.

Removing hydraulic cylinder. Cylinder slipped landing on wrist

Employee slipped on ice.

While installing a water pipe, EE accidently opened an air valve causing an injection injury

EE was carrying a safety can and slipped on ice.

While removing a vehicle wheel from a stack of 4, the wheel slid and pinched the employee's right index finger.

Pre-Engineered Building was being erected. The employee was performing a rafter to column connection. Employee was twisting to bolt up using a spud wrench. Later ee noticed a pain in right shoulder.

Employee cut left thumb while cutting crab leg prior to going to work.

Employee was cutting HDPE pipe with a hacksaw and cut their finger.

Drill rod fell from vertical hole pinching index finger between rod and drill hammer.

Employee had removed a jackleg from the front basket of a tractor to get 2 straps. When employee was putting the jackleg back in the basket, the jackleg rolled and cut employee's right ring finger in the chuck of the hammer.

Rock slipped from face striking miner while cleaning to drill

EE was getting a new utility knife and a new razor blade. EE had both the blade and the knife case in their right hand turned and bumped their hand on the wall. The blade shifted and cut their right index finger.

EE's left foot (small toe) was crushed between the hydraulic outrigger jack and ground while repairing a part on a powder truck near the rear outrigger.

743 Stope, backfill in back with small section of rock in back. High back (28') due to conventional bench being taken. Back and ribs all bolted with 6' split set bolts, galvanized wire, 8' swellex in left rib, and 4-12' swellex in left rib.

EE sprains right wrist while trying to unplug the power cable of bolter from the j-rack, right hand slipped on the plug and EE felt a pop.

EE was setting pipe in a trench when EE lost footing due to the muddy conditions. EE stuck left hand out to prevent self from falling causing EE's shoulder to pop.

EE pinched their hand between hoist cylinder and the trailer frame when trying to remove the cylinder.

Operator was securing a pallet on a shipping flat when the chain being used slipped causing ee to stumble on flat ground, resulting in a rolled ankle. Initial pain subsided. The next morning (Tuesday 5/2/2017) ankle was still an issue. Flew back to town and had x-rays and MRI performed. MRI showed damage to a ligament on that ankle.

EE felt knee pop when exiting equipment.

EE was operating a battery powered pallet jack and lost balance striking the ground, wall or equipment resulting in a concussion and cervical strain.

While adjusting a part of the shotcrete machine, EE felt a pain behind EE's left knee while bending to the kneeling position.

EE twisted hurting EE's back

EE was using a 4 foot long pry bar to pry a ring from a rim when the bar came free resulting in the pry bar striking the EE left palm.

Employee was pre-shifting lube truck. When employee exited the cab of the truck employee lost balance and fell to the ground. The fall resulted in a right shoulder contusion.

Employee slipped and fell while attempting to install a pump

SO2 gas level observed to be above 5ppm from an unknown source.

Employee's hand contacted frame of equipment while swinging a hammer in an attempt to drive a hydraulic cylinder pin.

EE was drilling when a rock contacted eye while wearing safety glasses resulting in a prescription to treat a scratch to eye.

EE reports back strain while working as a loader / haul truck operator.

EE works as a mechanic in the underground/ surface areas and it has been confirmed ee has had a noise induced hearing STS of 25dB or greater.

EE works as a mechanic in the underground/ surface areas and it has been confirmed EE has had a noise induced hearing STS of 25dB or greater.

EE was removing work boots from storage basket when the boot struck the EE in the eye resulting in prescribed medication to treat a scratch on the eye.

During a scheduled blasting event on the night of June 15, 2016 the companies SCADA system detected higher than normal SO2 readings.

Employee was moving 10' sticks of 4" flat steel into a container for storage when EE felt groin pain.

Back failed after blasting a left rib slab. Failure extended roughly 15' above previous back height. Blast occurred at end of dayshift with all personnel out of the mine. Neither ventilation or egress were affected due to location at the face.

Employee was tightening a fitting when the wrench slipped off causing pain in left arm and shoulder.

Employee was stepping up into equipment and felt left knee pain

Employee was removing a broken drive chain. Chain broke under tension, striking employee in forearm

Employee slipped and fell while loading a face round. This resulted in a rotator cuff injury

Employee felt low back pain while cutting weights from a filter cloth.

Employee slipped and fell on ice

Employee left foot slipped on ice subsequently twisting left knee.

Employee was using a 20# sledge hammer to straighten a step on mobile equipment and smashed finger between handle and track of equipment

Employee was using a hammer to remove a jaw block from a bolter. The hammer chipped off a small piece of steel from the jaw, hitting the employee in the tooth.

Drill crew was prepping the drill to move to a new location. When employee went to bend down to pick up the control panel cord, he slipped and fell forward and his knee hit a split set. When he hit the split set he cut his knee. He went to the medic, then went to the hospital to have it cleaned and received staples to close the wound.

Employee slipped on a rock resulting in a small tear to left meniscus

Employee complained of work related back pain prior to reporting for work. Employee cannot define an event, or cause related to the injury.

Steel tape on tank gauge cut left hand ring finger while checking level accuracy.

Employee stepped off mobile equipment and sprained left ankle.

On 10/07/2015, employee complained of strain/kink in right side of neck and shoulder while driving a piece of mobile equipment.

Employee received lacerations to chin from component of an air powered pump.

Employee reported for duty and complained of shoulder pain.

After exiting a light vehicle, the employee felt light-headed and fell to the ground. The fall resulted in lacerations to the upper lip and chin.

Employee was attempting to maneuver a hinged step on a haul truck when the angle iron of the step struck his left lower leg causing a contusion.

Reportable hearing loss

Operator was climbing down steps to get off of the truck, thought he was on the last step and went to step off on the ground, wasn't on the last step and fell backwards to the ground and tried to catch himself injuring his left wrist

While getting out of a pickup truck to work at the pond 7 laydown, the sole of his boot caught on the floor mat. This caused a misstep and he twisted his left knee. He was taken to the hospital and instructed to keep all weight off the knee.

Employee working underground felt a foreign body sensation to right eye.

Employee was using a water hose to wet down a muck pile. He needed more hose. He turned to his right to pull the hose and felt a sharp pain in his low back.

Employee was attempting to place snow chains on a tire of a haul truck when he felt pain in his right shoulder.

Employee was stepping off of a work platform and sprained his right ankle.

Employee missed a gear causing equipment to contact rib. Employee struck head on window.

Employee handling trash bag was manually placing trash bag into thrash container and felt lower back pain. Employee continued with normal working duties until 1/25/2015. when a medical evaluation was obtained

Employee was connecting two hoses together when he felt pain to his right shoulder.

Employee was attempting to close a hinged window on a haul truck and felt a burning sensation in his right shoulder.

Employee received a self inflicted laceration to the left forearm as he was using a utility knife to trim away old gasket material from a window on mobile equipment.

Employee was placing bolt into carousel of bolter and felt pain in his right shoulder.

Employee hit nose inside the cab of an abruptly stopped vehicle.

Employee was lifting scrap material underground and felt a sharp pain in the right upper quadrant of his abdomen.

Employee was disembarking his mobile equipment at end of shift and sprained his right ankle.

Employee was disembarking from a vehicle and misplaced his left foot on a small rock. When the employee shifted his full weight while disembarking, his left ankle rolled resulting in a sprain.

Employee's left great toe became fractured when the employee approached a boom truck while the outriggers were being engaged for parking. The outrigger came down on the injured employee's left foot.

Employee received an abrasion to his right medial ankle from wearing moist socks and work boots during his work rotation. He sought a medical evaluation for increased redness and discomfort. The abrasion became infected and required antibiotics for treatment.

Employee was driving up an incline and met another vehicle coming down the same incline. Employee stopped the tractor and attempted to reverse to back up. The tractor rolled back during the attempt and came to a stop on the rib. On 3/25/2014, employee was evaluated by a physician and given time off for a cervical neck strain.

Employee slipped on ice resulting in a contusion to the back.

Employee was embarking on haul truck when his right foot slipped on the step causing his left knee to strike the truck.

On 10/30/2013, an employee was descending steps in his work area when he heard a "pop" in his right knee. The employee was evaluated and received a full work release on the date of initial injury. On 11/08/2013, the employee was again evaluated for on-going symptoms of his right knee and was diagnosed with a partial tendon tear.

Employee was working with cement and received small burns to bilateral lower extremities at the top of each boot line. These burns have now become infected requiring treatment.

Employee was demolishing concrete in roadway. Employee used hydraulic breaker attached to excavator to pull concrete pad, started to cut attached rebar that was embedded in the concrete. Due to tension while cutting rebar, rebar snapped back and hit employee George in the left arm causing a laceration.

Employee reports that he was traveling down an incline and something made his vehicle bounce. When the vehicle bounced, the employee's head made contact with the roof of the cab. He continued to work his entire shift without incident. He woke up several hours later while off shift and felt pain in his neck.

Employee received a laceration requiring sutures to the left forearm while installing a metal door jamb.

Off shift blasting was conducted by the blasting crew. Heading 459BL1 was blasted and the blasting crew left the mine without incident. On coming post blast inspection was conducted by the oncoming post blast inspection team and it was recognized that a sulfide dust ignition had occurred during the blast. All gas readings checked during the post blast inspection were negative.

EE was using a hummer to break legs of the old table. Hummer bounced back and hit EE's right shin causing a deep i inch wide laceration.

Employee disembarked out of the haul truck and rolled left ankle resulting in an ankle sprain

Employee was assisting to move an axle when the axle rolled and pinched employee's finger. The finger received a laceration which required sutures.

Employee rolled ankle on uneven terrain while hanging hog wire.

Employees were stacking rods vertically. The rods fell and hit an employee on the back of his head. Employee was sent to Mine Medic and received staples in the back of his head.

Employee was riding in transportation bus to work site when a back pack fell from overhead storage and struck her on the head. Medical evaluation and full work release received on 10/09/2012. On 10/15/2012, employee reports symptoms possibly from the October 9th incident and was re-evaluated on 10/16/2012.

Miner was attempting to trim plastic cone with personal utility knife held in his right hand when the knife slipped. This resulted in a laceration to the first finger of the right hand.

Employee was tripping rods on CS14-3. While the employee was twisting the hoisting plug in and out of the rods at waist level, employee felt a tingle in his arm. After an evaluation by a doctor, employee was found to have tendonitis.

Helper was attaching a water swivel to the drill when a metal sliver from the water swivel went through his glove and into his finger. Once the sliver was removed, the wound became infected.

While setting grizzly grating at DB-01, employee's right hand was struck by grating and caught between grating and concrete wall at basin.

Employee was using a 5 foot crowbar to maneuver the eye of a dump cylinder which was hoisted on an overhead crane. The employee stood on an elevated platform 22 inches off of the ground as he applied force. He stumbled off of the platform when the eye moved, placing his left hand down to break the fall resulting in a possible fracture to the left radius.

Employee was participating in annual gun safety training when, during an exercise of target practice, the employee's feet became entangled in a rope. This caused the employee to fall, landing on his right wrist. The fall resulted in a right radius fracture.

Employee was moving pipe when his left forearm made contact with a broken piece of guarding near the sag mill chute. This contact resulted in a laceration requiring sutures.

Employee was driving a haul truck on surface ore pad. After dumping his load, he drove down from the ore pad when he encountered some ruts in the road. The ruts caused the employee to hit his head on the right side of the window inside the cab. This resulted in a concussion.

Employee was unhooking the check valve off of the discharge line. Using a ladder employee climbed up to undo the vic clamp while doing this there was still some pressure left in the line causing the water to spray the employee. He then chose to jump away from the line and off the ladder landing on his heels.

Slipped on ice while moving a ladder, twisted right knee.

Miner was 10 feet from the face, changing the steel on the bolter, when a softball size rock came from the back or face striking the miner on the left wrist. The rock caused a laceration to the wrist.

Employee claimed left wrist pain from sweeping.

Employee was in a loader/mucker carrying a load rock. As he was moving with a loaded bucket, he ran over a bump in the road causing him to hit his head on the top of the cab of the mucker. Initial medical evaluation cleared the employee without restrictions. Employee notified employer on 02/07/2012 that he saw his physician for continued symptoms resulting in lost time.

Employee was performing housekeeping duties by pulling, lifting, carrying and storing of hoses when he felt pain to his mid back.

Employee slipped on ice/snow at outside work area on 11/9/2011. He experienced a back strain. On 12/06/2011, the employee requested to see his personal physician for continued back pain. The physician placed him on light duty with specific restrictions. Light duty with these restrictions can't be accommodated at this remote work site. LTI begins on 12/7/2011.

Employee was attempting to adjust the split set in the carousel, when the plate slipped down causing a small laceration to the lower right wrist area resulting in three sutures.

Miner was attempting to dislodge a jammed split set from the bolter using a scaling bar. When the split set popped up and out, it struck the miner on the left side of his chest resulting in a contusion.

Employee slipped in mud while walking to his work station on 9/15/2011. The fall exacerbated a chronic back condition of low back pain. The employee reported to his supervisor on 11/07/2011 that his back condition has not improved and is now missing work secondary to this back pain.

Employee was preparing grade for a construction project. Employee walked into a form stake and cut his shin resulting in sutures.

A ground fall occurred on 08/11. This fall of ground was investigated by the company, it did not meet the definition of Accident as defined in 50.2(h)(4) through (12)] and was therefore not reported. Citation 8599535 was issued for failure to report under 50.10(d). We do not believe it is reportable now. However, as ordered by MSHA, we are reporting to terminate the citation

Employee felt pain in his right arm after lifting man hole covers and using pipe wrenches. No specific mechanism of injury is identified. Employee completed his work rotation and on his days off, saw his personal physician. Contacted employer on 7/25/2011 with a release from work note from physician secondary to right shoulder strain.

Employee was attempting to open an escape way door. The door was difficult to open due to the resistance created by the ventilation. When the employee tried to open the door, he felt pain in his back. Date of initial injury was 06/22/2011. Employee continued to work until 07/13/2011. Employee decided to seek care on 07/13/2011 from his personal physician.

While loosening the front sprag it came loose and struck the employee in the mouth.

Employee was lifting a core sample box when he felt a pull/pop to the right inguinal area.

Employee was attempting to place a lid on a container barrel. The employee was bending at the waist while using a twisting motion with his arms and hands. No pain was immediately felt to lower back at this time. Employee had an increase in back pain over the next three shifts resulting in difficulty walking, standing, and sitting.

Long-hole blast induced failure occurred during the 3rd long hole blast between the 622 and 490 elevations. The fall extended above the height of the access and brought down material in contact with a known fault area.

While pulling hoses free of the mud Miner stepped on a flat end piece of discharge hose buried in some mud, slipped and fell to ground, landing on his right shoulder, dislocating it.

Miner reported knee pain of a chronic nature occurring over several weeks that culminated in a stiff leg a popping sensation, pain & a warm burning to his knee as he exited a vehicle. There was no specific event that preceded this occurrence & injury appears to be of a chronic long term nature. Employee is off work until he can be evaluated by his personal physician

Employee was transporting HDPE pipe on a Boom Truck. He stopped to re-secure the load which was tied down with a chain binder. As he was retightening the load the cheater bar slipped off the chain binder handle and he was struck in the face resulting in a fractured mandible (rt side)