Mining Incidents

Black Mesa MineCoal

Kayenta, Navajo County, AZ · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 0200533
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
43
Years on record
2000–2006
Latest incident
Apr 2006
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

43 on file

2006 · 3 incidents

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

Employee was changing gauges on oxygen cylinders. He removed a cap & set it on another cylinder when it slid off & caught his thumb between the cap & oxygen bottle. Received a fractured (L) thumb. Returned to regular duties

Fall down stairs

EE was walking to the office to get on duty when he stepped on ice, slipped and fell down on concrete steps hitting his lower left back against the concrete steps.

Struck by rolling or sliding object

12""IBEAM ROLLED ONTO EMPLOYEE'S R FOOT WHEN SLACK OCCURRED IN RIGGING RESULTING IN A FRACTURE.

2005 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was to work under 03 belt to patch up concrete but first went to get a hose to wash down the area. Trying to connect the hose to the coupling, he slipped and fell to the ground, hitting the inside of his thigh against the concrete.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

The water truck driver reported to management prior to his shift of a chronic indigestion heart burn for the past two days. An medical examination revealed that he experienced a heart attack while off shift. He was under dr's care until he was laided off due to permanent mine closure on 12/31/05.

Struck against a moving object

SECURITY OFFICER WAS DRIVING NB ON NAVAJO RT 41 MILE POST 3.5 WHEN VEHICLE RAN OFF ROAD TO RIGHT HAND SHOULDER, CAME BACK ON ROAD TO SB LANE AND BACK TO NB LANE, WHERE IT RAN OFF ROAD DOWN THE SLOPE AND VEHICLE OVERTURNED.

2004 · 11 incidents

Struck by falling object

BUILDING A TIN STRUCTURE, THE TOP ""Z"" CHANNEL SLIPPED OUT OF POSITION WHEN THE MIDDLE CHANNEL WAS CUT LOOSE. SO TO PUT TOP CHANNEL IN POSITION, WHEN TOP CHANNEL FELL AND HIT EMPLOYEE ON THE HEAD. CHANNEL FELL 12 INCHES. HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS HARD HAT ON. ANOTHER MAN WAS HOLDING THE OTHER END OF THE ""Z"" CHANNEL UP. CHANNEL WAS 18' LONG AND WEIGHED ABOUT 80 POUNDS.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE DRAGLINE CREW WAS REMOVING THE 2ND INTERMEDIATE PROPEL BEARING COVER RETAINER. THE COVER WAS COCKED & JAMMED SO THE CREW WAS ATTEMPTING TO USE A WEDGE TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE COVER. THE INJ WAS HOLDING THE WEDGE WHILE ONE OF THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO STRIKE WEDGE WITH 16PD HAMMER. MEMBER MISSED WEDGE & STRUCK INJ RIGHT HAND CAUSING FRACTURE TO 4TH FINGER METACAPUS

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Loading brake assemblies on service truck, employee was kneeling down to place cribbing under the brake assembly so that it could be slung to load. Hook slipped from the track pad and hit the employee in the left eye area.

Fall from machine

security officer was washing her unit #306 at the black mesa mine tipple wash rack, while she was walking/moving backwards and fell off the edge of the walkway. she fell backwards about approx. 3ft 9 in. scrape and asmall cut on left elbow officer was treated for her cut at the mine clinic and finish out her shift.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was repairing a tractor step that had been removed and he was pounding on a bracket to straighten out the step. He pounded on his thumb with a 20 lb sledge hammer and had a laceration and fractured bone.

Struck by falling object

THE EE WAS DIGGING IN HIS LOCKER FOR SOME TOOLS. A LOADED, HEAVY TOOLBOX FELL FROM THE TOP SHELF OF THE LOCKER AND LANDED ON HIS RIGHT MID-TARSAL OF THE FOOT. HE FELT PAIN THE NEXT DAY WHEN HE STOOD OR WALKED ON IT.

No Value Found

THE INJURED WAS MOVING A FIRE PROOF FILE CABINET WITH A DOLLY UNDERNEATH IT. HE AND THREE CO-WORKERS WERE PUSHING AND PULLING ON THE CABINET. THE INJURED FELT SUDDEN PAIN ON HIS LOWER LEFT BAC K FOR A WHILE AND THE NEXT DAY HE COMPLAINED THAT HIS BACK WAS STILL ACHING.

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

THE EE WAS REPLACING A DOZER RIPPER SHANK GUARD. EE'S RIGHT INDEX FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE RIPPER SHANK AND ITS GUARD WHEN THE GUARD WAS RELEASED INTO ITS PLACE FROM ITS SUSPENDED POSITION BY A COWORKER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE PULLING HIMSELF OUT OF BACKHOE SEAT HE WRENCHED HIS ARM POSSIBLY PARTIALLY DISLOCATING ELBOW. HE ALSO HIT HIS WRIST/HIS ARM WAS CHECKED AT HOSPITAL AND IT IS FINE.

No Value Found

THE INJURED WAS WORKING ON FENCE WHEN THE BLASTING OCCURRED. SPOIL PILE WAS BLOCKING THE VIEW TO HIGHWALL SHOT AREA. HE WAS NOT INFORMED BY BLOCKERS OR SHOOTERS FOR CLEARING THE BLASTING AREA. THE BLASTING WARNING SIGNAL WAS NOT HEARD. THE LOAD BLASTING NOISE CAUSED IMPACT ON HEAD AND STARTED ACHING THE FOLLOWING NEXT DAY.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS WORKING NEAR SIDE PIT AREA WHEN THE BLASTING OCCURRED. THE BLASTING SIGNAL WAS NOT HEARD. THE NOISE, IMPACTING CAUSES TO THROBS IN THE EAR AND STARTED TO AFFECT HIS HEARING THE FOLLOWING NEXT DAY.

2003 · 7 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Injured broke his wrist in a vehicle rollover

Struck against a moving object

Injured was involved in a one vechicle roll-over resulting in personal injuries to the head.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While handing a hydarulic hose with co worker, miner strained right leg ham-string.

Fall from machine

Mechanic claimed that on 9-9-03 around 8pm, while replacing dozer trans. felt his injury occurr. at time a veryslight pain was felt which he thought wasn't significant to warrant immediate attention. 9-10-04 4:30 pm, he was walking thru the shop and turned left, felt a sharp pain shott thru his right knee.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator's left hand was struck by a piece of shattered glass when a rock fell off the front end loader bucket, striking the end-dump truck cab glass during a loading operation

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

He tighten the nut with ratchet on conveyor belt clamp while his helper was holding the bolt with open-end wrench from the bottom side. He was standing on inclined walkway with his left foot placed across the walkway.When he was tightening the nut most of his weight was on hig right foot. He stood back up in straight position and turn to his side when his left ankle

Fall from machine

The injured was dismounting 8750 dragline when he stepped on a rock, causing him to lose his balance. he fell backward twisting his left foot, his knee hit other small rocks on the ground causing a fracture to his left kneecap.

2002 · 8 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED PLACED 2 NUTS ON 660 LBS D11N BELLY & HE DECIDED TO BACK OFF 1 NUT, THEN ONLY 1 NUT REMAINED SECURING THE BELLY PAN. HE YELLED TO HIS HELPER WHO WAS INSIDE THE CAB TO LOOSEN THE HO IST LINE & REMOVE THE WEB SLING. HE INTENDED TO BACK OFF THE 2ND NUT WITH IMPACT WRENCH BUT IT CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THE BELLY PAN HAD 2 HINGES. IT SWUNG DOWN & LANCED BY HIS LEFT THIGH.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE SUFFERS FROM CHRONIC KNEE CONDITION. STRAINED KNEE WHILE HANDLING POWER CABLE.

Struck by flying object

THE INJURED WAS PULLING DOWN & CLAMPING BARBWIRE FENCE. THE TENSION ON THE BARBWIRE FENCE CAUSED IT TO BREAK & SPRING BACK TO WHERE HE WAS CLAMPING. THE BARB CUT HIS RIGHT HAND.

Struck by flying object

THE INJURED & A HELPER WERE REMOVING BOLTS AND NUTS FROM GEAR CASE. THE INJURED WAS HOLDING THE BOLT FROM LOWER FRAME & THE HELPER WAS LOSING THE NUT WITH IMPACT WRENCH. THE VIBRATION CREATING BY IMPACT WRENCH CAUS ONE BOLT TO COME LOOS & DROPPED. THE BOLT RICOCHETED OFF XBEAM & HIT HIS LEFT EYE BETWEEN THE EYEBROW AND EYE LID.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED AND TWO OTHER HELPERS WERE USING HOT HOLE AUGER TO UNLOAD THE OVERLOADED DRILL HOLE. WHILE IT WAS GETTING THE POWDER OUT OF THE DRILL HOLE, THE AUGER HIT A ROCK AND THE WHOLE UNTI WENT INTO A JERK MOTION. THE INJURED WAS HOLDING THE HANDLE AND IT TWISTED HIS RIGHT ARM.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED STATED HE WAS HELPING DRILL OPERATOR BREAK TWO DRILL STEMS APART. THE STEEL CLAMP/BREAKOUT WRENCH WASN'T HOLDING THE DRILL STEM FIRMLY. MECHANIC PLACED 2"" X 4"" X 16"" BOARD BETWEEN THE DRILL STEM AND BREAKOUT WRENCH TO INCREASE GRIP ON DRILL STEM. HE MOTIONED THE DRILL OPERATOR TO TIBHTEN THE DIE GRIP ONTO DRILL STEM. WHEN THE WRENCH MOVED QUICKLY IT CAUGHT HIS RT THUMB.

Fall from machine

THE INJURY WAS CLIMBING BACKDOWN FROM SNOWPLOW SANDBOX TOWARDS CAB OF SNOWPLOW DRIVER DOOR, USING HANDRAILS AND STEPS, WHEN HE APPROACHED SNOW-PLOW CAB SIDE DOOR HE GRABBED PARTIALLY OPENED DOOR WINDOW. THE DOOR SUDDENLY SWUNG OPEN AND HIT THE INJURED IN THE RT. FOREHEAD CAUSING A SMALL ABRASION.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

OFFICER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE AND LOCK THE PUBLIC COAL LOAD-OUT FACILITY, LOT A LEFT GATE. LEG WAS STUCK IN THE GROUND AND OFFICER PULLED ON THE GATE, HAND SLIP, & CAUSED OFFICER TO FALL BAC KWARDS, FELL & HIT HIS HEAD ON GRAVEL ROAD ROCKS& SUSTAIN SMALL CUT ON BACK RIGHT SIDE OF HEAD. OFFICER GOT DIZZY FOR A SHORT WHILE & GOT A HEADACHE.

2001 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE INJURED CLAIMED HE LIFTED A CHAIN ONTO A WELDING TRUCK BED WHICH WAS FOUR FEET HIGH FROM GROUND LEVEL.

Struck against stationary object

ON 11-6-01 EE STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PIT WHEN A CALL CAME IN ON THE RADIO. AS HE REACHED OVER TO PICK UP THE RADIO HANDSET HE TOOK HIS EYE OFF THE ROAD AND DROVE INTO THE ROAD B ERM. HE STATES THAT HE THINKS HE WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS MOMENTARITY AND FELL OFF THE DRIVER SEAT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY GOT BACK ONT HE SEAT AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. LATER THAT DAY HE WE

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE OFFICER WAS ATTEPTING TO CLOSE AND LOCK UP THE WEST PUBLIC COAL LOAD OUT FACILITY GATE. HE WAS TRYING TO SLIDE THE LEFT GATE METAL SLEEVE ON TO THE RIGHT GATE WHEN HE ACCIDENTLY GOT HIS LE FT MIDDLE AND RING FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN THE SLEEVE AND CHAIN AND CRUSHED HIS FINGER.

Struck against stationary object

INJURED CLAIMED HIS FELLOW WORKER TURN HIM AROUND AND GRABBED THE TOOL OUT OF HIS HAND AND KNOCK HIM AGAINST THE DOOR. WHEN HE WAS AGAINST THE DOOR HE WAS KICKED IN HIS GROIN AREA.

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

THE INJURED STATED HE WAS ASSISTING A MECHANIC IN TRANSFERRING TOOLS FROM A METAL TOOL BIN CART ONTO A HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC CART. AFTER COMPLETING MOVING OF THE TOOLS, HE WAS MOVING THE METAL CA R, WHEN THE MECHANIC PUSHED THE COVER CLOSED, BEFORE THE INJURED COULD REMOVE HIS HAND, RESULTING IN HIS RIGHT RING FINGER BEING SHEARED OFF AT THE TIP.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE INJURED PERSON WAS WORKING IN THE LOWER FRAME OF THE 8750. THEY WERE PREPARING TO LIFT ONE RETAINER PLATE FROM #2 SWING CONPARTMENT. AS THEY WERE REMOVING THE RETAINER PLATE WITH AN OVERHE AD CRANE AND CABLE SLING, ONE OF THE CABLE HOOKSCAUGHT ON A PIECE OF METAL AND WHEN IT RELEASED IT STRUCK EE IN THE FACE.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

FOREMAN PULLED UP & PARKED IN FRONT OF HAUL TRUCK #464 WHICH WAS WAITING TO BE LOADED. THE FORE MAN MADE A HAND MOTION TO THE DRIVER TO COME DOWN. WHILE WAITING HE NOTICED TRUCK ROLLING TOWARD VEHICLE W/DRIVER ON THE CAB PLATFORM. THE INJURED JUMPED FROM PASSENGER SIDE BEFORE IMPACT. HE GOT PUSHED UNDER THE VEHICLE & POSITIONED HIS BODY IN CENTER OF HAUL TRUCK AS IT PASSED OVER HIM

Struck against stationary object

INJURED WAS ASSIGNED TO INSTALL SIGNS & METAL POSTS USING A 20 LB SLEDGE HAMMER TO DRIVE IN METAL POSTS INTO THE GROUND. DURING THIS PROCESS THE INJURED MISSED THE POST AND STRUCK HIS LEFT HAN D ON TOP EDGE OF SIGN POST. THE INJURED WAS HOLDING THE HANDLE TOO CLOSE TO THE HEAD OF THE HAMMER RESULTING IN A CUT TO BACK OF HAND BETWEEN INDEX FINGER AND THUMB AREA. 14 STITCHES

2000 · 3 incidents

Fall from machine

INJURED STATED THAT HE STOPPED HIS EQUIPMENT FOR THE SERVICEMAN TO FUEL. AFTER FUELING, THE OPERATOR DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK. HE OPENED THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO DISMOUNT THE EQUIPM ENT. HE FELL TO THE GROUND LANDED APPROX 4 FT FRAWAY FROM DOZER BLADE ARM. THIS CAUSED BRUISING TO HIS SIDE RIB AREA AND A LACERATION TO HIS FOREHEAD.

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

THE INJURED CLAIMED HE AND HIS HELPER WERE INT EH PROCESS OF PUTTING THE RADIUS ROD IN UPRIGHT POSITION, SO IT CAN BE HANDLED IWTH A FORKLIFT. HE WAS USING A 1 1/2 FOOT SCREW DRIVER TO PRY W ITH WHILE HOLDING THE RADIUS ROD AT THE EYE SECTION WITH HIS LEFT HAND. THE SCREW DRIVER SLIPPED CAUSING HIS FINGERS TO GET CAUGHT BETWEEN THE RADIUS ROD AND THE CONRETE FLOOR.

Flash burns (electric)

INJURED PUT A CONTROL BOX FOR FILTER FAN #1 BACK TOGETHER AT SHOP. HE THEN TOOK IT OUT TO THE 8750 DRAGLINE. WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING IT INTO POSITION ON MCC PANEL, IT FLASHED.