Warehouseman

Employee was shrink wrapping a pallet with a weed burner and for some unknown reason he burned himself and was found by a co-worker in a serious burn condition. He is burned over 36% of his body including left arm, which has been amputated, and his right upper arm, chest and face. The cause of death was mucomuyosis (fungal infection).

On June 14, 2014, Kevin Lee Ames, Laborer, age 35, was killed at Chalk Hills Quarry, a gypsum facility. He was involved in the shipping process of the plant’s operation under the supervision of John Smith, Shift Supervisor. The shipping process involved operating a bagger unit, palletizer, propane shrink wrapper, and forklift. Just prior to the accident, Smith left the immediate area where Ames was working to complete his regular check on the mills. When Smith returned, he found that the victim had sustained serious burns to his left arm and chest. Ames was transported to a hospital for treatment. The victim died on July 28, 2014 from mucormycosis (fungal infection) due to the burns. On September 30, 2014, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) referred the accident to the Chargeability Review Committee. On April 9, 2015, the Chargeability Review Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry. The death certificate indicated that the manner of death was accidental and that the cause of death was mucormycosis due to burns. An autopsy was not performed. At the time of the accident, Ames was being treated for a seizure disorder.

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Welding Or Cutting

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Contact with hot objects or substances

Source of injury

FLAME,FIRE,SMOKE,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

BURN OR SCALD (HEAT)

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY