Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech fatality

December 9, 2004 at 8:15 AM

Sherwin Alumina, L.P. · Sherwin Alumina Company, LLC · San Patricio County, TX

Investigator narrative

CO. MIS-JUDGED AMOUNT OF MILKY LIME IN TANK. 12/8 THEY REMOVED TANK DOOR & HARD SCALE FORMED OVER DOOR. CO. CONTACTED ONYX TO CUT SCALE AT BASE TO REMOVE WHAT CO. SAID WAS 2-3 FT OF LIQUID. ONYX USED HIGH PRESSURE WATER TO CUT INTO SCALE. ONCE TECH STARTED, SCALE GAVE WAY & TECH WAS TRAPPED UNDER LIQUIDE THAT CAME OUT. MORE LIQUID WAS IN TANK THAN THOUGHT. CO DID NOT SOUND TANK.

Record details

Classification: MACHINERY
Accident type: Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Activity at time: Hand Tools (Powered)
Subunit / location: MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT
Source of injury: LIQUIDS,NEC
Nature of injury: SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN
Total mining experience: 26.46 years
Experience at this mine: 2.46 years
Experience in this job: 2.46 years
Mine type: Facility
Sector: Metal/Nonmetal

Similar incidents in MSHA records· same classification: MACHINERY

March 12, 2026 · Kennecott Utah Copper LLC · UT · Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech
At approximately 05.12am on the 12th March 2026, a mechanic was struck by a drill boom in a surface workshop, causing fatal injuries.
March 5, 2026 · Patton Mining LLC · IL · Continuous Miner Operator, Coal Mole Operator
The IE was moving the miner to the face in entry #3 when we found the IE pinned between the miner tail and the solid rib.
January 6, 2026 · National Cement Company Of California Inc · CA · Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech
During preparation for dismantling of motor and gear box on slide gate. Employee didn't follow given instructions and removed all bolts from gearbox. That cause released of stored energy on slide gate and motor with gear box start spinning. Employee got caught by the equipment and started spinning with it. During…