Mining Incidents

PLASTER CITY QUARRYMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by USG Corporation
Borrego Springs, Imperial County, CA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0400915
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
28
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Mar 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

28 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

At around 5:10pm, employee was re-installing a cover plate after inspecting the inside of a rock transfer chute between two conveyor belts. All the fasteners on the cover plate were removed except the safety chain. As the employee was installing the first fastener, the plate slipped, and EE reacted by trying to catch the fall with EE's right hand.

2024 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic stepped off the service truck without using three points of contact. Mechanic descended the service truck steps going forward instead of in reverse which is the requirement with diesel fuel nozzle in one hand. When EE's left foot stepped off the ladder and contacted the ground, EE rolled and twisted EE's ankle causing a fracture to left ankle.

2021 · 4 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee alleges was exposed to COVID. Employee did not report anything to the plant. Employee has been out since 10/22/21 due to COVID. The plant received a lawsuit from EE's lawyer on 01/23/22. Only thing plant is aware of is the employee carpooled with another employee. Mask and social distancing are required at work.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee submitted paperwork from lawyer on 8/24/21 notifying company we were being sued along with a DWC dated 08/17/21 with described injuries of PTSD, anxiety, stress (which we filed a claim on 4/5/21) but now also cumulative trauma to shoulders and neck.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was being harrased by co-worker. Company terminated co-worker. Employee then said that employee was experiencing PTSD and anxiety due to the harrasment. Employee was sent to doctor on 5/3/21 and diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety and situational stress.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee alleges they injured back moving wire feeder on 3/18. Employee reported on 3/19 at lunch to a sup. that their back was sore but didn't know what happened and treated with own doctor for 10 days. On 3/29/21 employee then said issue was work related.

2020 · 4 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 12/15/20 employee tested positive for Covid-19. Believed employee may have contacted virus when relieving an employee on 12/3/20 who broke protocol and came to work despite having a person who was positive on 12/2/20. This employee (Patient zero) began experiencing symptoms on 12/5/20.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 12/15/20 employee tested positive for Covid-19. Believed employee may have contacted virus when relieving an employee on 12/2/20 who broke protocol and came to work despite having a sister who was positive on 12/2/20. This employee (one breaking protocol) began experiencing symptoms on 12/5/20 and tested positive 12/7/20.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 12/11/20 employee tested positive for Covid-19. Believed employee may have contacted virus when relieving an employee on 12/4/20 who broke protocol and came to work despite having a person who was positive on 12/2/20. This employee (one breaking protocol) began experiencing symptoms on 12/5/20.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator explained R knee felt irritated due to making contact with panel on right side of loader cab while operating the machine throughout the entire shift. Dr. said this did not explain the swelling in knee and diagnosed employee with right knee pain. Employee released to desk work.

2019 · 3 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking towards Ag Plant to complete a water filter change. EE wasn't carrying anything and was walking on level ground between the crusher hopper and air compressor around 3:00 pm when EE felt a pop in the right knee. EE proceeded to the Ag Plant water tank to complete the repair. The pain did not go away and EE reported injury to the shift supervisor (3:30 pm).

Struck against stationary object

EE was working above chute at ground level to clear chute. Hardened material near the chute fell towards employee and EE bruised EE's left elbow/shoulder trying to leave area. EE treated with Dr. with ice and ibuprofen starting 7/8/19. The area didn't improve so employee was prescribed PT starting on 8/29/19 changing case from First Aid to Reportable.

Struck against a moving object

Dozer operator was attempting to reach the crest of recently shot material. The dozer operator took an aggressive angle and did not see the oversize material in path. The dozer tracks started sliding sideways in a downward motion until the right track came into contact with oversize rocks causing the dozer to tip onto side.

2018 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

At approximately 3:40pm, EE was dismounting haul truck #718's flexible ladder and missed the last step to the ground. EE was not using 3-point contact at the moment left foot missed the step. EE reacted quickly, and grabbed the handrail with right hand to prevent ee from falling backwards

2016 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing (ascending) vertical ladder on the South Dust Collector. Just before reaching the catwalk, employee felt a sharp pain in backside. When employee stood on the catwalk, legs were weak and employee felt like throwing up. Employee experienced a lumbar strain.

Rubbed or abraded

Employee was working on knees for 2-3 hours while installing some product support hardware on a 980M. At some point during the work employee received slight abrasions on right shin. That night employee was awakened from pain in right leg. Employee went to the clinic the next day and it was determined cellulitis had developed due to the abrasions.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was dragging a hose from the storage tank to the water truck. The hose slipped from the employee's hand and as ee reached down to grab the hose right thumb came in contact with a sharp metal band clamp. The clamp caused a cut requiring 7 stitches on the right thumb.

2015 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was operating Ag Plant loader near PC stock pile when he noticed a rock on the boom. He parked the Loader and then got out to remove the rock so it wouldn't end up in PC pile. As he was moving the rock he felt like he pulled a muscle in his abdomen/flank on his left side/torso.

2011 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was descending stairs from valve platform after loading water truck. He did not pay attention to foot placement and placed his right foot half on and half off landing platform at bottom of stairs. As he stepped forward, his right ankle rolled off of side of landing platform, approx. 2"", and sprained right ankle.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by powered moving object

Miner (mechanic) was directing operator of forklift in placement of boxes of dust collector bags as part of dust collector work. Miner did not pay attention to hand placement in close proximity to forklift tines. Forklift tine contacted miner's left index finger causing an avulsion on top of left index finger. Miner received stitches to close the avulsion of the left index finger.

2009 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Semi truck driver (Cemex) was using fall restraint platform to access lids on top of trailers. Truck driver strained lower back while pulling up on the retractable stairway.

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee has a pre-existing, non- work related neck illness. Employee filed FMLA case in January of 2008. Employee now states that his disability is a result of a work place injury on 8-18-09. The US Gypsum Company does not support his injury claim that his illness occurred on the mine site.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic suffered a dislocated, left shoulder while taking a measurement on the train tunnel ceiling.The mechanic stated to the maintenance foreman that he has a pre-existing condition suffered during high school sports. The pre-existing condition was unknown to the mine management.

2007 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was positioning stands under a suspended rolled conveyor with a shaft thru the center. While positioning one of the stands, he pinched his thumb of his left hand between the top of the stand and one of the ends of the shaft. He was working with a crew to install a conveyor. He used too much force while lifting up stand towards rolled conveyor.

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

Employee suffered fractured finger with two stitches. Injury occurred as result of a crusher part that fell onto the employee's finger during an attempt to move it. The accident was a result of miscommunication with a fellow employee, not using a hoist, and the employee putting his finger in a pinch point.

2006 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Production Operator was removing the rock hammer attachment from the Caterpillar Backhoe rental. He reached into the coupling area with his left arm to remove the retaining pin while the rock hammer was attached. He experienced scratches to his left bicep.

Struck against a moving object

Employee experienced discomfort in his groin area after dismounting a backhoe. He went to the restroom and noticed that one of his testicles ascended into his body. This occurred due to a personal physical condition confirm by the doctor at the hospital.

2000 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WASLOADING BLAST HOLES. SHE WENT OFF THE BLAST PATTERN TO TAKE A BREAK. WHEN SHE STOOD UP FROM HER BREAK SHE TWISTED HER RIGHT KNEE CAS