Mining Incidents

Omya Alabama PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Omya Inc · Facility
Controlled by Omya Industries Inc
Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0102985
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
64
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Sep 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

64 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Installing a motor on a piece of machinery using a forklift. Employee reached under the motor to straighten the mounting bolt and the forklift dropped the motor suddenly, catching EE's left thumb.

2024 · 4 incidents

Contact with heat

Employee working in extremely hot weather outside. EE noticed symptoms of heat stress, so EE was taken to the hospital Emergency Room, where EE was given two liters of IV fluid to rehydrate EE and then they released EE.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was manually rotating piece of machinery when shoulder strain occurred.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was handling heavy part of lab equipment

Fall from ladders

Employee had injured knee a month and a half prior falling from first step of a ladder, but thought it was minor and would go away. When pain persisted, EE was sent to doctor for evaluation. Diagnosis was knee strain.

2023 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was handling a sharp rock at the quarry. As EE was turning the rock over, EE received a cut to EE's right hand

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee developed a rash on right arm. Believes they were exposed to biocide. Previous exposure to biocide may have made them sensitized. Employee went to doctor and received medication.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Loader was loading a bulk truck. While handling a vacuum hose, the loader experienced a pull and pain in right shoulder.

Struck by flying object

During their shift, employee got something in their eye. After the shift, they went to medical facility and they removed foreign material from between their eye and eyelid. They received medicine for the eye and reported to work for their next shift.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Hose for test procedure stretched across walkway. Employee tripped on hose and impacted EE's elbow.

2022 · 4 incidents

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee reported eye was irritated when EE woke up. Does not remember a specific incident, but assumes it happened at work the day before (6/20)

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stated that EE's ankle hurt at the end of the day. Unsure when or where EE might have injured it. Employee sought medical care on EE's own. Accident not reported for 4 days. Employee was examined and diagnosed with ankle sprain. Was put on restricted duty.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Tripped on grating EE was installing and fell onto left wrist, resulting in a sprained wrist.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee slipped on ground and turned ankle. Restricted duty only for 48 hours

2021 · 3 incidents

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was driving a ground rod into the dirt using an electric hammer. The hammer slipped off the tip of the rod causing employee to fall forward. Employee fell into the ditch and landed wrong on foot.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on mill reassembly. Noticed a pain in EE's back. Reported four days later when it did not improve.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was changing filter socks at end of shift. As EE raised the socks, EE felt pain in shoulder. Did not report for a week. Was seen by doctor on 1/20 and given an injection. X-rays showed no visible issues.

2020 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling on a pump suction hose. When EE straightened up, EE felt a pain in EE's back. EE went to the ER, where EE was given two injections and two prescriptions. EE reported for EE's next shift at full capacity.

2019 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

While removing starter on drill, EE dropped socket down to belly pan of drill. EE crawled under drill to loosen belly pan to retrieve socket. EE loosened bolt too much, therefore the belly pan dropped down on one end striking employee on the head. EE had temporary swelling, dizziness and headache. EE was examined at hospital and released back to work 8/19/2019.

2018 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Manager tripped and fell and injured ankle on 6/21. EE reported as a near miss, thinking the injury minor. After a three weeks and the ankle did not feel any better, ee went for medical care. Doctor diagnosed strained Achilles tendon and put ee on light duty.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee started to pick up pump suction bowl, felt pain in back.

2017 · 5 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee had taken pipe apart. In attempting to move pipe to the side, it fell and caught the end of employee's left index finger between the end of the pipe and a flange on the pump, cutting off tip of finger.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Miner inserting excavator bucket pin (weighing about 40 pounds) through the Volvo 700 excavator arm when the pin slipped from the rigging strap, pinching left middle finger.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee slipped and fell against pallet handling device, bruising their forearm.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was returning a derail device to its storage room. When ee went to put the device down ee experienced back pain. Diagnosed as back strain.

Fall from machine

Miner gaining access to the driver's cab of a water truck, missed the handrail bar under the front window, causing a fall.

2016 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was crossing RR track, stepped over one rail and tripped on second rail, falling and landing on lower back. Employee seen at ER and released with no restrictions. On 10/3/2016, employee still in pain so was evaluated again at doctor, who prescribed light duty.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee opened hatch to tank, hot slurry sprayed out, resulting in 2nd degree burns. Level transmitter not functioning properly and overflow pipe was plugged

2015 · 7 incidents

Struck by falling object

Subcontractor ground crewman was using a tag line to guide sheeting up, edge of sheet caught bottom of wall girt while crane was lifting. Ground man jerked tag line to attempt to work the edge of the sheet loose. Sheet fell to ground and caught ground man on the left arm, cutting down his upper arm, required 20 stiches

Struck by falling object

1st shift Manager had instructed 2nd shift to follow the procedure that they had been using, by assuring all liner plates had bolts in place as 2ndry holds for loosened plates until rigged to remove. 2nd shift changed the procedure thinking they were speeding up the process, even though they had been told to follow a procedure.

Struck against a moving object

A miner trammed his excavator over the berm and edge of the 60 feet high bench, falling to the quarry floor below.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

When placing foot on step to get in cab, foot slipped off step causing left shoulder hyperextension and neck pain. There was NO fall.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was called in to work (8pm) for a repair on the 154 mill. While trying to clean up the dispersant on the 154 mill, employee went to unroll the hose under the 153 motor deck. When the employee turned to pull the water hose to the 154 dispersant pumps, employee then lost footing when stepping on the grinding media that was on the floor.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Load-out employee was lifting a lid/hatch on a wet bulk truck for loading, then the employee felt a pinch in the lower back.

Struck against stationary object

Maintenance employee was working on the 4th floor repairing a screw conveyor at the Dry Plant. When the employee attempted to go under a cross beam supporting the screw conveyor he hit his head on the beam which caused a cut in the top of his head. He was not wearing his hard hat at the time of impact, he stated that his hard hat had fell off when bending over to go under the beam.

2014 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was lifting upward to loosen drill ladder that was in a bind. When drill ladder would not loosen by pulling upward, employee jerked upward on drill ladder and felt a pain in his right shoulder. It was determined later at the hospital that he had a torn tendon in his right shoulder.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was assisting the mechanic with relocating a inoperable truck, the mechanic drove the truck over the rear wheel chock causing the chock to strike the employee's right lower leg causing a laceration.

2013 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Stepped down from rear bumper of pickup truck to ground and left knee popped

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Off loading a drill hammer from a pick up truck by hand to ground. End of right ring finger was crushed/amputated when driver sub slid down to bit while lowering end of hammer to ground.

2012 · 3 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee stepped off B Track Indexer. The water hose he was using to wash up was laying on the ground and he stepped on the hose. This caused his foot to roll to the inside and twisted his ankle. (Sprained ankle)

Struck against a moving object

The employee operated the loader over the service road. The rough road may have caused a strain on his back and left hip. He reported a pain to his back & hip after operating the loader. This did not get reported until 8-15-2012. The employee went to the doctor on his own before reporting this injury/pain to his manager.

Flash burns (welding)

Welding on crusher, repairing broken tooth. Auto darkening lense failed on welding helmet, Caused flash burn to the eyes. Supervisor carried employee to the emergency room, doctor prescribed drops for eyes. Plant will be moving to non auto darkening lenses for major welding jobs.

2011 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee (Maintenance) was replacing the agitator blades on the drive shaft and removed his leather glove. He reached to hold the nut scrapping his left hand on the blade. The bottom edge of the old agitator blade cut his left hand. Scrape/cut was looked at by management and supervisor carried him to the doctor to have it cleaned up and checked. No stitches were required.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Running a Test on a new product/equipment and the 6 inch hose blew off the couplen. There was a defect in the hose and clamping system. Two hoses blew off the couplen. Hose hit one employee in the ankle knock his feet out from under him landing on his back. EE said he was okay but we carried him to company doctor.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was wrapping the new motor leads with varnish cambric tape. The tape broke on a sharp edge of the electrical wire. Employees hand jolted back, hitting himself in the face. Employee had busted lip and loose tooth.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was trying to open bottom valve to wash railcar as normal. Valve was hard to open so employee yanked on handle and felt something pop and a burning sensation. This was not reported to the supervisor until 7-28-2011.

2010 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was unloading a dispersant rail car. The Omya employee was wearing gloves, when he grabbed the hose to hook to the coupler to the rail car, a wire from the hose came out (this happened due to the way the hose was cut during replacement from the maintenance department)and punctured a small hole in his hand (right hand thumb side).

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was washing a concrete pad with a fire hose, he slipped, causing a twisting motion to the low back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped off walkway onto grating and turned ankle. This was just one step to next platform.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was assisting two other employees move a junction box. Employee slipped and fell using his left hand to brace his fall. Junction box landed on his left pinky finger.

2009 · 4 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Driver was getting loaded by excavator, operator dropped a rock and driver said seatbelt grabbed him and injured his back. Driver had previous injuries to his back, not work related. Had went to doctor two weeks prior.

Struck against a moving object

Driver was going to spoil dump and the driver hit a rough spot and it snatched him around. The driver was wearing his seatbelt.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee hopped up to push a hose over a pipe. The employee landed on a wet I-beam. This caused the employee to roll his ankle.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was stepping down from a 7 1/2 inch platform. When his foot impacted the ground his ankle rolled. This casued the employee to fall forward. The employee put out his right hand to catch himself. When his right hand struck the ground it sprained the employee's right wrist.

2008 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Four people were rebuilding the motor on the Deister. They used two come alongs to move the motor out of a confined area into an open area. One of the come alongs did not have its safety latches. This caused the come along to slip out of the motor's lifting eye and caused the motor to swing into the employee's knee. Employee was confined to desk work.

2007 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

Prior to the shift starting, the employee conduct the pre-shift equipment inspection. While miunting the truck, she slipped off the ladder and fell to the ground approximately six feet. Employee complained of pain to her wrist and shoulder. She was taken to Coosa Valley Medical Center ER for treatment.

2005 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

Employee was driving an on-site fuel truck, after re-fueling the dozer, he begins to drive down a declining haul road. He claims brakes failed to slow down truck. He decided to jump from the moving truck, resulting in a laceration to his head. The brakes were inspected and found to be in working order. Cause of accident- excessive speed.

2004 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BANDING A PALLET. THE BAND SLIPPED AND SLICED HIS HAND.

2003 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SHOVELING ROUND GRINDING MEDIA OFF THE PLANT FLOOR. HE SLIPPED AND STRAINED OR PULLED HIS KNEE.

2000 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS SCOOPING MEDIA INTO 5 GAL BUCKET WHEN EMPLOYEE LIFTED BUCKET HE STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CALIBRATING POSITIONER ON 150 MILL AIR INJECTION LINE AND HAD INDEX FINGER IN MECHANICS AND HE ACTUATED POSITIONER.

Fall down stairs

EMPLOYEE WAS DESCENDING STAIRWAY AND LOST FOOTING AND FELL APPROX 4 FT TO THE GROUND. HIT HEAD AND WRIST. DOCTOR ADMITTING FOR OBSERVATION DUE TO CONCUSSION. RELEASED THAT AFTERNOON.

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS ON THE TRACK MOBILE ABOUT TO CLIMB DOWN THE LADDER WHEN HE SOMEHOW LOST HIS FOOTINGAND FELL ABOUT 5' TO THE GROUND LANDING ON HIS LEFT SIDE, LEFT ELBOW AND RIGHT WRIST.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE CLAIMS THAT OVER TIME HE HAS PUT STRAIN ON KNEE DUE TO PULLING UP TO REACH BOTTOM STEP ON TRACKMOBILE. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF INJURY UNTIL AFTER EE WENT TO HIS OWN DR ON 4/4/00. PHYSICAL T HERAPY PRESCRIBED.