Mining Incidents

Billie Mine Metal/Non-Metal

American Borate Company · Underground
Furnace Creek, Inyo County, CA  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 0404218

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
40
Years on record
2000–2006
Latest incident
Oct 2006
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
369
citations
107
significant & substantial
$54,649
proposed penalties
$54,649
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2007 Q4 2,114 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 5,130 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 5,405 2 0 370.0
2007 Q1 6,157 5 0 812.1
2006 Q4 5,895 5 1 848.2
2006 Q3 8,444 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 7,725 13 2 1682.8
2006 Q1 9,981 11 2 1102.1
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

40 on file

2006 · 2 incidents

October 11, 2006 CA · Metal/Non-Metal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping guide a 4" by 20' joint of pipe into cage for transfer. The pipe slipped or jarred and struck EE in the abdomen. He refused immediate treatment and went to the doctor the next day after shift. Lost time starts 12-6-06 when he went in for corrective surgery.

June 6, 2006 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Borate Company · Fall from machine

At end of shift, employee parked his 15 ton dump truck, and slipped as he got off the truck's running board and fell, striking his right knee. Doctors report indicates sprain to right knee, Medial Collateral Ligament. He initially refused treatment, and about 11:00 Am he went to his foremans home and requested treatment. He was immediately sent to Amargosa Clinic, Amargosa, NV

2004 · 13 incidents

October 22, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee was driving a 2 yrd L.H.D. down ramp. He hit wall or rib striking chest on steering wheel causing pain. Worked all week then went to doctor on 10-29-04. Released to work on 11-1-04.

August 30, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS GROUND SUPPORTING BACK OF TUNNEL WHEN SOME LOOSE MATERIAL SLID DOWN DRILL STEEL STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON HEAD CAUSING A CUT NEEDING STITCHES.

August 6, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS PUTTING IN GROUND SUPPORT AFTER BARRING DOWN. LOOSE MATERIAL SLID DOWN DRILL STEEL STRIKING EE ON HIS NOSE CAUSING A CUT NEEDED 4 STITCHES.

August 2, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS TESTING AN ENGINE ON ONE OF THE TRUCKS AT THE UNDERGROUND SHOP AREA. THE ENGINE SPILLED MOTOR OIL ON MANIFOLD CAUSING IT TO SMOKE, CAUSING SMOKE INHALATION IRRITATION.

July 20, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was riding in a loader bucket, bucket bounced when it rubbed rib, and he was holding on to pivot of injuector bucket smashing his finger tips of his left hand.

July 8, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INSTRUCTING NEW TRUCK DRIVER, HE CAUGHT HIS LEFT ANKLE BETWEEN THE TRUCK TIRE AND LOOSE MATERIAL AT RIB OF TUNNEL.

June 9, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was ground supporting the back at alpine heading, when loose material fell, sliding down drill steel, striking employee on the face and left side of head.

May 20, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by powered moving object

EE CLAIMS HE WAS HELPING DRILL A FACE ROUND, WHEN A LOADER OPERATOR APPROACHED AND MUCKER APPARENTLY HIT AGAINST EE'S LOWER BACK, CAUSING INJURY. HIS PARTNER CLAIMS HE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. THE MUCKER BUCKET WAS 5' IN THE AIR OR HIGHER; COULD NOT HAVE HIT HIS BACK AREA.

May 20, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE DRILLING FOR GROUND SUPPORT HOLES THROUGH CHAINLINK FENCE, LOOSE MATERIAL FELL OUT OF BACK, PUSHING CHAINLINK FENCING AND DRILL STEEL AGAINST EE'S BACK, CAUSING A BACK INJURY AND CUT ON FOREHEAD.

April 28, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

WHILE DUMPING MUCK FROM SCOOP INTO TRUCK EMPLOYEE RAN INTO SIDE OF HAUL TRUCK. NO DAMAGE ON EQUIPMENT, EMPLOYEE JARRED LEFT SHOULDER AND LEFT ARM.

April 13, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pulling jackleg machine back from face, after drilling a hole for blasting.

March 31, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was handling crib wood and piece of crib slipped crushing employee's finger.

March 30, 2004 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CONNECTING FIRE HOSE TO WATER SUPPLY VALVE & FORGOT TO ADJUST IT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT LEAK. SOMETHING POPPED OR CRACKED HIS WRIST.

2003 · 5 incidents

November 23, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS LOADING A DRIFT ROUND TO BLAST WHEN SOME LOOSE MATERIAL SLOUGHED OFF THE LEFT RIB, STRIKING EE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF BODY CAUSING HIM TO LOUNGE FORWARD AND FRACTURING LEFT ANKLE.

May 24, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Borate Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ON WELDING FLOP GATE AT 1150 POCKET CHUTE STANDING ON #2 HOPPER HE LOST HIS FOOTING FELL INTO HOPPER ABOUT 10 FEET, HIT HIS LOWER BACK AND RIGHT LEG.

May 18, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING PRY BAR TO CLEAN MUD OFF ROLLER. ROLLER CAUGHT PRY BAR AND EMPLOYEE PULLED BACK AND HIT HIS LEFT ARM ON A PIECE OF STEEL PLATE, CAUSING A LACERATION.

May 3, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOADING ROLLS OF CHAIN LINK FENCING AND BUNDLES OF BOLTS ON TO CAGE TO SEND UNDERGROUND, WHEN HE FELT SHARP PAIN TO LOWER BACK, FINISHED WORKING HIS SHIFT.

March 12, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS GOING TO INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT COMPONENT THAT WE RECEIVED. HE TRIED TO CUT PLASTIC WRAP WITH SHARP KNIFE. KNIFE SLIPPED, SLICING LEFT HAND PALM BELOW THUMB REQUIRING STITCHES.

2002 · 5 incidents

November 6, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS GROUND SUPPORTING, HE WAS CUTTING SOME OLD BOLTS WITH A TORCH, WHEN THE CHAIN LINK HOLDING THE BOLT SLIPPED AND LOOSE MATERIAL FELL STRIKING EE ON RIGHT SHOULDER AND RIGHT LEG.

February 20, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver OTHER
American Borate Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRIVER WAS SHUTTING OFF ENGINE SLIPPED ON OIL LOST BALANCE THEN TWISTED BACK WHILE REGAINING BALANCE.

February 12, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

DRIVING DUMP TRUCK WHEN WNGINE DIED THE TRUCK HIT RIB/WALL CAUSING LEFT KNEE TO HIT CONTROL PANEL OF TRUCK.

January 31, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

DURING GROUND SUPPORT, DEBRIS FELL ON HARD HAT. 2-15-02 PER CALL USING FORK LIFT.

January 19, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal driver, jeep driver, tractor operator POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRIVING UNDERGROUND DUMP TRUCK. THE ENGINE DIED. EE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND IT HIT THE RIB.

2001 · 8 incidents

December 17, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal continuous miner helper, coal mole helper, bridgeman POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

UNDERGROUND DUMP TRUCK HIT STEEL SET WHEN TRUCK CAME TO SUDDEN STOP DRIVER HIT CANOPY WITH LEFT SHOULDER.

November 30, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Borate Company · Fall from machine

EE WAS CUTTING OLD BOLT WITH HACKSAW. STANDING ON MUCKER BUCKET HACKSAW BLADE BROKE WITH PRESSURE AND EE FELL FROM BUCKET STRIKING RIB & FLOOR. APPROX. 4 TO 5 FT. HURTING HIS HEAD & BACK.

November 29, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS MOVING ELECTRICAL CABLE WHEN LOOSE MATERIAL FELL OFF EQUIPMENT APRON AND HIT HIS RIGHT THUMB.

November 18, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS DRIVING A TRUCK, WHILE WAITING TO GET LOADED, LOOSE MATERIAL FELL FROM CHAIN LINK FENCING ON HIS HARD HAT CAUSING HIS NECK TO JAM DOWN ON HIS SHOULDERS.

July 7, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Borate Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS USING A BEARING PULLER-PULLER SLIPPED WHEN HE APPLIED FORCE AND STRUCK HIM IN THE MOUTH CUTTING UPPER LIP.

March 28, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Borate Company · Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS HELPING TO LOAD AN ELECTRICAL BOX ON TO THE SHAFT CAGE WHEN HE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS RIGHT FOREARM ON A WELDED LIFT LUG NEEDING STITCHES.

February 27, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS INSTALLING GROUND SUPPORT, WITH A DRILL MACHINE,JACKLEG, WHEN HE SMASHED HIS MIDDLE FINGER AT THE TIP. CAUSING A BONE SPLINTER. Y2107400272

February 11, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
American Borate Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING AN 8 TON HAUL TRUCK FULL OF CEMENTED BACKFILL, WHEN A HYD HOSE BUSTED SPRAYING HOT HYD OIL ONTO THE EMPLOYEE'S FACE AND EYES.

2000 · 7 incidents

December 13, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS MUCKING SHAFT BOTTOM, MUCKER JUMPED GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND STRUCK HAULAGE WALL.

October 7, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING A MINER GROUND SUPPORT ON UNEVEN GROUND WHEN SOME LOOSE MATERIAL FELL & ROLLED DOWN DECLINE SLOPE STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE BACK OF THE RIGHT KNEE CAUSING SOME BRUISING TO THE CALF AREA.

September 26, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
American Borate Company · Struck against a moving object

EE STATES THAT MAN CARRIER ROLLED BACK ABOUT 2 SFT TAPPING THE RIB CUAISNG BACK INJURIES AND A HERNIA.

April 13, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING UP MUD WITH A CLAM SHELL, AS HE WAS MOVING CLAM SHELL INTO BUCKET, CLAM SHELL CLOSED ON LEFT HAND LITTLE FINGER.

April 6, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
American Borate Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS INSTALLING GROUND SUPPORT, AS HE WAS ROCK BOLTING SOME MATERIAL CAME DOWN AND HE WAS STRUCK ON THE NECK AND SHOULDER AREA.

February 12, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
American Borate Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE SUFFERED A HEARING LOSS DUE TO A BLAST.NOT SURE IF PERMANENT OR NOT.