Mining Incidents

BLUE MOUNTAIN MINERALSMetal/Nonmetal

columbia, Tuolumne County, CA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0404716
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
77
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Apr 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

77 on file

2026 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A Mine Engineer was walking on a road in the pit and stepped on a loose rock that moved under foot causing a strain making it uncomfortable to walk.

Flash burns (welding)

Miner was welding the inside of a metal chute through a standing access point to the chute. There were bright reflections of light off the metal. Injury happened despite proper welding helmet/visor being worn.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Annual Audiometric Test Hearing Standard Threshold Shift 4th quarter 7000.2 reported 01/12/2026 Due to this on audiometric test dated 12/08/2025 the retest was not confirmed until the next available appointment 01/06/2026. This will not be on 1st qt reporting 7000.2 for 2026. Employee works at multiple mine and construction sites.

2025 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

Performing Conveyor Maintenance led to dust of work falling into the face of the miner. Some got behind the eye protection and was unfortunately rubbed in, causing imbedding of foreign material in the left eye.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Replacing a return roller. Return roller, with a hole full of material was pulled from a sitting position by the miner. Twisting hard to move heavy object caused persistent soreness in lower left side/back. Miner did not report condition and medical visits until next scheduled shift after receiving a restricted work status 6/21/2025.

2024 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Miner was moving a piece of steel with a come along when the come along unexpectedly released and the miner struck their hand on the steel fracturing a finger.

Fall onto or against objects

Miner stepped off of a pallet backwards and into a forklift that was parked close to the pallet, striking right knee on the forklift and causing a contusion.

2023 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Miner was removing an internal piece of a rotary crusher. Miner was swinging a sledge hammer to loosen the part, missed the target and slammed right index finger on the crusher rotor.

Struck against stationary object

Miner impacted their shoulder on a conveyor frame roof structure while cleaning material from the belt.

Struck by falling object

Miner dropped a piece of steel on finger.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Miner was clearing a downed tree and came in contact with poison oak. The following day EE developed a poison oak rash.

2022 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Miner was working in an area with close quarters, as miner finished the work, miner backed out of the space the miner was occupying and struck lower back on a support structure that the miner did not see, causing a minor contusion to the lower back. Miner finished shift without incident or complaint but called in the following day.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner is experiencing pain in both hand joints and wrist.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was using a scraping tool to remove a gasket from a piece of equipment and ran the tool across their own hand incurring a laceration.

Struck against a moving object

Miner was running a rock breaker and got jarred around when EE broke a chunk off of a big boulder and the machine rocked. Back strain.

2021 · 3 incidents

Fall down stairs

Miner was walking down a set of stairs and slipped on the third step from the bottom of the stairway, falling to the bottom and straining EE's back.

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

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING A COUNTERWEIGHT FROM THE CAT216B SKID STEER. AFTER REMOVING THE 2ND OF 2 BOLTS HOLDING THE WEIGHT IN PLACE, THE WEIGHT SLIPPED OUT OF EE'S RIGHT HAND AND EE TRIED TO CATCH IT. EE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE WEIGHT'S MOTION. PART OF EE'S RIGHT HAND WAS CRUSHED UNDER THE WEIGHT. EE SUSTAINED AN OPEN FRACTURE AND LACERATION OF THE END OF EE'S RIGHT RING FINGER.

Struck by rolling or sliding object

Miner was connecting a dewatering pump when a rock rolled off of a berm and struck miner in the left leg.

2020 · 3 incidents

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

EMPLOYEE WAS UNBOLTING A METAL GRATE UNDER CV04 CONVEYOR BELT. THE NUT BROKE OFF, THE GRATE SWUNG DOWN AND SMASHED EMPLOYEE'S HAND BETWEEN THE LADDER AND THE GRATE, WHICH WAS FULL OF ROCKS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DESCENDING THE STEPS FROM THE CEMCO (CR05) WHEN EE MIS-STEPPED AND AGGRAVATED AN OLD LEFT SHOULDER INJURY IN THE PROCESS OF CATCHING SELF.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was sitting in a haul truck while being loaded with rock. The employee reported that the placing of the rock into the haul truck bed aggravated a pre-existing condition.

2019 · 3 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS KNEELING WHILE WELDING AT THE HEAD PULLEY OF A CONVEYOR BELT, CV-03. SOME SLAG FELL ON EE'S RIGHT KNEE, BURNING IT. EE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UNTIL INFECTION, 11/27, DIAGNOSIS BY PHYSICIAN OF CELLULITIS.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STEPPED ON A LIFTER INSIDE OF THE SUPER SCRUBBER AND EE'S RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE SIDE OF THE LIFTER. EE HEARD SOMETHING SNAP IN EE'S RIGHT ANKLE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING A GUARD ON A CONVEYOR BELT FOR THE PURPOSES OF CLEANUP. BUILT-UP MATERIAL ON TOP OF THE GUARD CAUSED THE GUARD TO SLIP WHEN IT CAME LOOSE, THE EDGE CUTTING EE'S FINGER.

2018 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE'S ANNUAL HEARING TEST INDICATES MILD (LEVEL 2) HEARING LOSS IN BOTH EARS

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE TRYING TO CLEAN RIGHT SIDE MIRROR OF HAUL TRUCK #3, EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND FELL ABOUT 57 IN. TO THE GROUND. THE RIGHT SIDE STEP HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR REPAIR AND INSTEAD OF USING A LADDER TO GET TO THE MIRROR, EMPLOYEE TRIED TO WALK ACROSS THE HAUL TRUCK'S FRONT BUMPER AND A SET OF CHOCK BLOCKS. EE STEPPED ON A CHOCK BLOCK, WHICH MOVED, AND EE FELL.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING ON A LOADER CATWALK. EE DUCKED TO GO UNDER A SIDE MIRROR AND STRUCK HEAD ON THE MIRROR BRACKET. A BOLT ON THE BRACKET HIT JUST UNDER THE HARD HAT BRIM. EE'S HEAD SPLIT OPEN FROM THE BLOW, STARTING AT THE FOREHEAD AND ENDING AT THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP OF EE'S HEAD.

2014 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING DOWN SOME STAIRS ON THE CATWALK THAT CROSSES UNDER SS01 DISCHARGE AND SLIPPED, TWISTING HIS RIGHT KNEE AND HIP. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LUMBAR SPRAIN AND RIGHT KNEE SPRAIN.

2013 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ACTING AS AN INJURED PERSON ON A FLEXIBLE STRETCHER DURING A CONFINED SPACE TRAINING. THE STRETCHER BENT HIS HEAD FORWARD TO HIS CHEST DURING THE EXTRACTION FROM THE CONFINED SPACE. NECK DISCOMFORT MANIFESTED ON SUNDAY, 1/20.

2012 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING CABLE THROUGH A RACEWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. HE FELT A SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS LOWER LEFT LUMBAR REGION. DIAGNOSED AS A LUMBAR STRAIN.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE ACCIDENTALLY HIT A BEE NEST WITH A PRY BAR HE WAS USING IN THE PLANT. THE BEES FLEW UP HIS SHIRT AND STUNG HIM ON HIS UPPER RIGHT UNDERARM. HE CONTINUED WORKING THAT DAY AND THE NEXT BUT SOUGHT TREATMENT FOR SWELLING AND INFECTION ON DAY 3, 6/29.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Reported to employer on February 7, 2012: Approximately 2-3 weeks ago, employee remembers replacing a seat in a loader (LD16). While he was putting the seat in place, the seat jammed against the door and stopped him. Employee thinks this is when he was injured.

2011 · 3 incidents

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

Employee was lowering jack stand tube into base and finger was pinched.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS SETTING A STRUCTURE PAD, BENT OVER AND STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK. EMPLOYEE CAME TO WORK THE DAY AFTER THE INJURY, OCT. 18TH, AND WORKED FOR TWO HOURS, THEN LEFT BECAUSE OF PAIN FROM THE INJURY. HE CAME BACK AGAIN TO WORK ON OCT. 19TH AT FULL CAPACITY.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE DROPPED AN ITEM UNDER A WELDING TABLE. WHILE STRAIGHTENING UP AFTER BENDING OVER TO PICK UP THE ITEM, HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TABLE, CUTTING HIS SCALP.

2010 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TO THE SAMPLE SHED AND TRIPPED OVER A PIECE OF BURIED ANGLE IRON.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE DID NOT REPORT THE INJURY UNTIL 8/27/10. WHILE INSTALLING LIFTERS IN SS01, EMPLOYEE WAS LINING UP BOLTS WITH HOLES WHILE PUTTING LIFTER INTO POSITION. BALANCING THE LIFTERS WHILE LINING THEM UP WAS CHALLENGING, THEY WEIGH ABOUT 80 POUNDS EACH. IT MADE HIS LOWER RIGHT BACK SORE.

2009 · 1 incident

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was carrying a 5-gallon bucket with tools in it and stepped off a 14"" beam with his right foot and his knee twisted and popped. Employee declined to see a doctor at the time. On June 8th, employee asked to be take to emergency room due to knee pain, has not been back to work since.

2008 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A UTILITY KNIFE TO CUT THROUGH INSULATION ON A CABLE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING GRATES FROM A CRUSHER WITH A HAMMER AND PUNCH, AND THE HAMMER SLIPPED OFF THE HEAD OF THE PUNCH AND STRUCK HIS LEFT THUMB KNUCKLE.

2006 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HOLDING A PRY BAR IN MASTER LINK WHILE CO-WORKER WAS TAKING THE SLACK OUT TO MATCH UP THE OTHER END OF THE LINK. THE TRACK WENT TOO FAR AND CAME DOWN ON END OF THE PRY BAR THAT HE WAS HOLDING ON HIS SHOULDER AND KNOCKED HIM TO THE GROUND.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING FROM WAREHOUSE TO FORKLIFT, SLIPPED ON SPILLED FLOCCULENT, FELL BACKWARDS AND HIT HEAD ON CONCRETE, LACERATION TO SCALP

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Torn rotator cuff right arm due to cumulative injury from long-term use of a hydraulic press

2005 · 6 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was cutting a head off a bolt with a torch. The head of the bolt rolled down conveyor belt and came into contact with his left knee. Employee failed to report the injury until a week later when infection had set in and he was forced to go to the emergency room for care. We found out about the injury on 11/10.

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING SOME OLD RUBBER LINER FROM A CLASSIFIER, AND SOME DRY RUBBER FLAKES BROKE OFF AND WENT IN HIS RIGHT EYE.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MISSED STEP COMING DOWN LADDER, LEFT FOOT CAUGHT BETWEEN RUNGS, TWISTED ANKLE

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS GRINDING WITH SMALL GRINDER, AND SOME DIRT FROM THE GRINDING HOOD FELL INTO HIS EYE, SCRATCHING HIS EYE

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING SHOES IN THE HAZEMAG CRUSHER AND HE SMASHED HIS LEFT RING FINGER BETWEEN TWO OF THE SHOES

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TIGHTENING A PIECE OF PIPE IN THE LATHE. AS HE TIGHTEND THE CHUCK, HE HIT THE FORWARD LEVER ON THE LATHE WITH HIS LEFT KNEE, ENGAGING THE LATHE, AND HIS CLOTHING WAS CAUGHT IN THE CHUCK WRENCH. HIS LEFT ARM WAS PULLED PARTIALLY AROUND THE LATHE, CAUSING ABRASION AND BRUISING OF HIS LEFT HAND, WRIST, ARM AND CHEST.

2004 · 5 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

EE was welding and he finished, lifted his hood, and a piece of slag spawled off and lodged in his right eye.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was installing a 1/2"" steel plate to mount a rotary feeder. He used excessive force to pull the plate into position, and partially tore his right bicep tendon.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

TRYING TO LIFT A SHIFT THAT WAS TOO HEAVY FOR HIM AND PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS BACK.

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

EE (CRUSHER LOADER OPERATOR) WAS PICKING UP A METAL FLANGE THAT WAS IN THE STOCKPILE. EE THREW FLANGE ON COUNTERWEIGHT OF LOADER AND CAUGHT HIS RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND THE HANDLE ON THE BACK OF THE LOADER.

Fall from machine

MISSED FOOTING WHILE GETTING ON A CAT 966 FRONT END LOADER. TWISTED AND JUMPED DOWN TO THE GROUND.

2003 · 6 incidents

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

PICKING UP SCRAP CAT 773 WHEEL RINGS. TWO RINGS SLID TOGETHER AND PINCHED RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE LOADER OPERATOR AT THE PRIMARY CRUSHER DEVELOPED CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (BILATERAL) OVER TIME. THIS CONDITION WILL REQUIRE SURGERY. AT THIS POINT, THE DAYS OF RESTRICTED DUTY OR LOST DAYS IS UNKNOWN.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

CHECKING FOR A CRACK IN A LOADER DIFFERENTIAL MECHANIC WAS USING BRAKE CLEANER IN AN AERSOL CAN TO CLEAN AREA TO BE INSPECTED. ACCIDENTALLY SPRAYED BRAKE CLEANER ON HIS FACE AND LEFT EYE. WASH ED OUT EYE IN EYE WASH STATION AND WAS TAKEN TO DOCTOR TO CHECK EYE. WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES.

Struck by falling object

DROPPED A PIECE OF STEEL FROM WORK BENCH ON TOP OF LEFT FOOT RESULTING IN BRUISING THE LEFT FOOT.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

PANEL THAT MECHANIC WAS REMOVING WAS OVER THE WIPER MOTOR ON A CAT 992 LOADEER. IT WAS STUCK. PULLED HARDER AND WHEN IT CAME LOOSE HE REACH BACK TO CATCH HIMSELF AND PULLED MUSCLE IN RIGHT SHO ULDER.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CUTTING A PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE WITH A UTILITY KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED, CUTTING THE LEFT LITTLE FINGER.

2002 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CUTTING HOLES IN PLASTIC SKIRTING.

Struck by falling object

WORKING WAREHOUSE YARD, POSITIONING PALLETS AND A PALLET FELL ON TOP OF LT. FOOT. NOTE* THIS REPORT IS LATE BECAUSE WE WERE THINKING THAT THIS WAS NOT A REPORTABLE ACCIDENT. THE DR. PRESCRIBED RESTRICTED DUTY, BUT EE SAIN HIS FOOT WAS FINE & RETURNED TO HIS NORMAL DUTIES.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

UNIVERSAL IMPACT SOCKET BROKE AND CUT THUMB AND INDEX FINGER ON LEFT HAND. SOCKET WAS BAD.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS CLEANING UP STEEL LEFT ON SHOPSAW. HE MOVED A PIECE OF CHANNEL THAT WAS SUPPORTING A 3"" X4' PIECE OF COLD ROLL, & THE ROLL FELL ABOUT 30"" & HIT HIS LEFT FOOT ON THE METATARSAL AREA, BRE AKING A BONE IN HIS FOOT.

Struck by falling object

DRIVING PIN OUT OF THE HAMMER ON THE ROCK BREAKER, HOLDING THE DRIFT PUNCH IN RIGHT HAND, THE PIN CAME LOOSE AND HIT RIGHT INDEX FINGER WITH HAMMER AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE PIN HOLE.

2001 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS DUMPING A SCRAP METAL INTO A SCRAP METAL TRAILER. THE TRIP HANDLE ON THE BIN SLAMMED BACK WHEN RELEASED AND HIT THE EMPLOYEE'S LITTLE FINGER ON THE RIGHT HAND.

Struck by falling object

RIGGING SLIPPED WHILE LIFTING A SECTION OF CRUSHER LINER WITH A CRANE. THE LINER DROPPED APPROX. 1 FT. HITTING THE WORKER'S FOOT. THE 4TH TOE ONRIGHT WAS BROKEN. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY IMP ROPER RIGGING.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE MAINTENANCE WORKER WAS POSITIONING A SHEET OF METAL. THE METAL GOT HUNG UP AND WHEN HE LIFTED UP ON IT, IT CAMNE LOOSE AND FELL, CATCHING HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE METAL AND AN I BEAM. THE TI P OF THE LEFT RING FINGER WAS BROKEN AND SMASHED. STITCHES WERE REQUIRED.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR CHUTE WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN OR LOCKING OUT THE CONVEYOR BELT. GUARD WAS NOT A BOLT DOWN TYPE, BUT RESTED IN GROOVES. A BELT WIPER WAS ATTACHED TO THE GUARD. THE WIPER ON TH E UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP BELT WAS PULLED INTO THE HEAD PULLEY & SLAMMED THE GUARD INTO THE WORKER,PINNING HIM BETWEEN THE GUARD & THE HAND RAIL. INTERNAL INJURIES; ESTIMATED 5-6 WEEKS LOST TIME

2000 · 8 incidents

Struck against a moving object

WHILE OPERATING BOBCAT EE JARRED HIS BACK BY RUNNING OVER SEVERAL BUMPS IN A ROW

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A 3/4"" IMPACT WRENCH TO PUT TBOLTS BACK INTO A SKID PLATE UNDER LOADER 15, WHEN HE STRAINED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING ON A HAMMER PART MADE OF STEEL PLATE. THE PLATE SLIPPED OFF THE TABLE AND HIT HIS RIGHT FOOT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

POUNDING ON A PLUGGED CHUTE WITH A HAMMER & OVEREXTENDED HIS RIGHT ARM

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING KABOTA BLOCK FRROM TRUCK BED TO WORK BENCH AND SUSTAINED HERNIA TO LOWER ABDOMEN. THIS REPORT WAS INITIATED UPON RECEIPT OF INFO RE: LOST TIME DUE TO HERNIA SURGERY 7/5/00.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

WORK COMP DOCTOR DIAGNOSIS, FROM AGGRAVATION OF ASTHMA CONDITION. FINAL NOTICE OF DETERMINATION WAS RECEIVED BY THIS OFFICE ON 6-5-00.

Struck against stationary object

CLIMBING SLIPPED & HIT LOWER BACK ON A BEAM

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING TO TOP OF MIXING BINS, SLIPPED ON ROCKS ON CATWALK AND FELL ON HIS BAKC, INJURING HIS BACK. * THIS FORM WAS COMPLETED LATE DUE TO EMPLOYEE NOT REPORTING LOST TIME UNTIL 2/4/00.