Mining Incidents

Briggs MineMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Ana M Clarke
Trona, Inyo County, CA · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 0405276
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
61
Years on record
2000–2015
Latest incident
Mar 2015
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

61 on file

2015 · 3 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Operator was exiting the Dozer on the Leach Pad, he stepped down on a rock, losing his balance and twisted his ankle.

Fall from machine

The Operator was operating a loader. After shutting down the Loader, he was climbing down the ladder to the ground. He had his lunch box and jacket in this hand. While climbing down he fall from the ladder hitting his head on the ground. He was unconscious for approximately 2 minutes and had a cut on the back of his head.

Struck against a moving object

Loader Operator worked all shift loading hopper at Crusher. Looking over his left shoulder to see behind him during the shift. At the end of the shift his neck started clamping up. Later that night his neck felt worst and his leg was beginning to become numb.

2014 · 11 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Twisted left knee while pulling fuel hose from the Lube Truck. ER doctor x-rayed knee, placed a brace on it and gave the employee crutches and returned the employee to light duty. After employee was examined by an orthopedic, he was placed on loss time status.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Accident occurred with the employee tripped over his own feet, falling backwards on a concrete floor located in the Process Plant. Employee reached back with his left hand to catch himself and strain his left wrist.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was clearing a clay-plugged transfer chute with a pry bar. The operators left hand slipped off the pry bar and got pinched between the bar and the chute causing a laceration of the left middle finger. The laceration was cleaned, stitches were required and prescription for pain killers was given to the employee. The employee was given three days off.

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee complained of an aggravation to a non-work related pre-existing lower back injury

Struck against a moving object

Aggravation of a back strain injury incurred on 6/25/2014

Struck against a moving object

Employee had previously reported back pain starting 7/10/2014. Until 9/15/2014 it was not considered a reportable injury

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Technician was loosening the flange bolts next to a valve assembly to change a gasket. The line was charged with heated Sodium Hydroxide. The technician drained the line via a bleed valve upstream, but noted that there was little discharge. As he loosened the flange, the liquid in the pipe sprayed into his face. He suffered minor chemical burns.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Individual was prying on a liner inside a chute, and heard/felt a popping in his left arm.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While retrieving a sample of ore flowing off of the crusher belt. The employee's feet sunk into soft material causing her to trip and fall.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee backed his truck up to a light plant to move it.(LP21) To hitch up the trailer, he physically moved the trailer tongue to the truck. He felt pain in his back and legs. The physician said he has Sciatica and swelling at the junction of S5-L1 in his back. He prescribed steroids, muscle relaxant, and pain medication, and was released back to work on light duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While climbing down from DZ-7 (dozer) employee stepped to the ground and back started hurting.

2013 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Driller was lifting a bit out of the basket when he felt a pain in his back.

Struck against stationary object

Stepped over a module at the crusher and stepped on a nod sticking out and twisted his right ankle. Right is fractured.

2012 · 9 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Miner was operating a 777 cat haul truck and sprained his back. He felt that the suspension on the seat was too stiff and the bouncing was too hard on his back.

Contact with hot objects or substances

employee was cutting a hole with a oxy-acct torch when the cut out piece of hot material bounced of the bumper of his work truck and fell into his left boot burning the top of his left foot

Struck against stationary object

Moving a piece of steel plate and when he turned to set it down he hit his elbow on a ladder causing muscle tear on the right elbow region

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Checking levels in oil tank step down off tank pad (apporx 14 inches) and twisted knee

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner slip of step and when he tried to catch himself strained his left shoulder

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

Miner was reinstalling guards on CV10 after repairing the pulling and an other miner pushed on the guard smashing his hand between the guards. (crusher was not running at the time).

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Miner was sliding out the magnet on CV04 so it could be cleaned off and pulled something in his groin.

Struck by falling object

Miner was cleaning the catwalk on the scalper when a rock came of CV-02 belt and struck him in the right foot. The damage to his right foot not completely known at this time but he is walking on it with brace

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While lowering Grizzly from frame one hitch point slipped and allowed the mechanism to swing, striking miners legs and foot.

2011 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

Miner was descending down the ladder of a haul truck missed the last step landed had on his feet and injured his back

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was removing lower dampener housing bolts air ratchet got hung up and when he pulled on hose ratchet to free it ratchet came up under his safety glasses and hit his right eye

2010 · 3 incidents

Fall from machine

The employee slipped when he was on top of the lube truck, and fell from the fuel tank on to the oil tanks, about 3 feet injuring his lower back and right knee.

Struck by falling object

Employee was removing worn crusher liner a piece broke off and hit him in the left forearm

Accident type, without injuries

The operator of the water truck miss shifted causing him to lose control, and allowed the truck to roll backward and up the bank. This caused the truck to roll over. The operator was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.

2008 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

Employee was injured when he removed a cap from a pressurized (100 psi) air line without relieving pressure and was struck on the right forearm by rust and debris. Employee received minor first aid, was transported to medical facility. The arm was cleaned and wrapped, given tetanus shot and prescribed an antibiotic.

2004 · 3 incidents

No Value Found

EE WAS STANDING CLOSE TO THE FORKS OF THE FORKLIFT THAT WAS SETTING A JACK UNDER AN 85 TON HAUL TRUCK. THE FORKS RELEASED & FELL GRAZING THE EE ON THE RIGHT THIGH. HE HAS A LARGE BRUISE ON HIS RIGHT THIGH & SOME SWELLING ON HIS RT. KNEE. HE WILL SEE THE DR. AGAIN ON 03/15/04, FOR A POSSIBLE RETURN TO WORK.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING A DOZER ON THE LEACH PAD, PUSHING ORE INTO PLACE. HE STATED THE TRACKS OF THE DOZER SLIPPED ON ROCK WHEN HE WAS PUSHING UP A FACE OF ORE. WHEN THE DOZER SLIPPED, THE SUDDEN STOP JOLTED HIM AND RESULTED IN SEVERE BACK PAIN. HE HAS NOT RETURNED TO WORK AT THIS TIME AND WILL SEE THE DOCTOR AGAIN ON 02/19/04.

Struck against a moving object

Employee stated he was sitting in a 85 ton haul truck being loaded in the pit area. The loader dropped a large boulder into the bed of the truck causing the truck to rock back & forth. This rocking of the truck resulted in a hernia in the abdominal area. EE will have corrective surgery on 3/15/04, possible return within 6 weeks.

2003 · 4 incidents

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS MOUNTING THE FRONT LADDER OF THE 769 CAT WATER TRUCK WHEN HIS RIGHT KNEE LOCKED UP AND HE FELL APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET TO THE GROUND. HE STATED HE HAD TWO PREVIOUS SURGERIE S ON THIS KNEE WHICH COULD BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. HE HAS NOT RETURNED TO WORK AT THIS TIME.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE REPORTED ON 8-7-03, THAT HE HAD SUFFERED A HERNIA AT SOME TIME WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS AND WOULD BE NEEDING SURGERY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE WAS NOT SURE WHEN OR WHERE IT HAPPENED FOR SURE AND HAD NOT INDICATED A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS. HE IS HAVING THE SURGERY ON 9-2-03, AND WILL BE OUT FOR APPROX. 4 TO 6 WEEKS.

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE IS A MECHANIC, HE WAS DISMOUNTING THE REAR OF THE SERVICE TRUCK. THE REAR STEP OF THE SERVICE TRUCK HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND WAS MISSING. THE EE FORGOT THE STEP WAS NOT THERE AND FELL TO THE GROUND, TWISTING HIS ANKLE. EE STATED HE WASAWARE OF THE MISSING STEP BUT HAD FORGOT.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING A HAUL TRUCK THAT WAS BEING LOADED IN THE PIT. THE TRUCK WAS ROCKED BY A LARGE BOULDER & THE OPERATOR STRUCK HIS ELBOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. HE CLAIMED TO HAVE SOME TINGL ING IN HIS FINGERS ALTHOUGH NO PHYSICAL INJURIES COULD BE FOUND BY THE MEDICAL FACILITY. HE WAS RELEASED FOR FULL DUTY ON APRIL 7.

2002 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS MOVING A BARREL OF COMPRESSOR OIL TO SERVICE THE DRILL. WHILE MOVING THE BARREL HE TWISTED HIS LOWER BACK. HE EXPECTS TO BE OFF WORK FOR AT LEAST ONE WEEK.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING THE 992 LOADER IN THE PIT AREA LOADING HAUL TRUCKS. HE WENT INTO THE MUCK FACE AND STRUCK SOMETHING SOLID CAUSING HIM TO WHIPLASH FORWARD. HE STRAINED THE MUSCLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NECK AND SHOULDER. WILL BE OFF AT LEAST 3 DAYS.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING A HAUL TRUCK IN THE PIT AREA. HE WAS BUCKLING HIS SEAT BELT AND ACCIDENTLY PUT HIS MIDDLE RT. HAND FINGER INTO THE FAN OF THE AC UNIT. THE FAN IS BEHIND THE SEAT OF THE TRUCK AND THE GUARD HAD SEVERAL PIECES MISSING. IT DID NEED 2 STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE CLAIMS HE WAS BITTEN ON THE LEG BY A SPIDER. HE WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASE FOR WORK ON 7-14-02. HE DID MISS ONE DAY OF WORK AND HAS RETURNED WITH NO RESTRICTIONS. HE IS UNSURE WHEN AND WHERE THE BITE HAPPENED.

Fall down stairs

EE WAS DECENDING THE STEPS LEADING FROM ONE LEVEL OF THE SHOP TO ANOTHER. HE SLIPPED ABOUT MIDWAY DOWN AND FELL THE REMAINDER 8 TO 10 STEPS. HE HAS SEVERAL BRUISES ON HIS LOWER BACK ALONG WITH MUSCLE STRAIN TO THE AREA. HE WILL BE OFF FOR APPROX 4 DAYS.

Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS CLEANING THE DECK OF THE SERVICE TRUCK. HE SLIPPED ON THE DECK & FELL BACKWARDS, STRIKING HIS LOWER BACK. HE STRAINED THIS AREA & HAS SEVERAL BRUISES. HE WAS TAKEN OFF WORK FOR 5 DAYS.

Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A D10 DOZER PUSHING MATERIAL TO THE LOADER IN THE PIT AREA. HE WAS OBSERVED BY HIS CO-WORKING COMING OFF THE FACE AND HIT THE PIT FLOOR VERY HARD WITH THE DOZER. THE DOZ ER THEN TRAVELED APPROX 75 FT AND STOPPED. EE WAS FOUND IN THE CAB SLUMPED OVER AND BLEEDING FROM A LARGE LACERATION ON HIS FOREHEAD. REQUIRED 11 STITCHES TO CLOSE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE REPORTED HE HAD PAIN IN BOTH WRISTS AND ARMS WHEN HE IS LIFTING SOMETHING ABOVE HIS HEAD. HE THOUGHT HE MAY HAVE THE BEGINNINGS OF CARPAL TUNNEL IN BOTH WRISTS. HE SAW A DR ON 1-24-02 AND W AS GIVEN TWO WEEKS OFF. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TENONITUS IN HIS LEFT ARM. HE MISSED HIS FIRST WORK DAY ON 1-28-02.

2001 · 6 incidents

Struck by falling object

EE AND CO WORKER WERE REPLACING THE ROLLER ON A DOZER. THE WELD THEY HAD MADE TO HOLD THE BOGGEY IN PLACE BROKE. THIS ALLOWED THE BOGGEY TO SLIP AND CATCH HIS FINGER. NBO BROKEN BONES BUT HE H AD A DEEP LACERATION ON HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER. SEVERAL STITCHES WERE REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE WOUND. HE RETURNED TO WORK THE NEXT SCHEDULED SHIFT WHICH WAS 8/26/01.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED HE HAD LIFTED A CHOCK BLOCK FROM THE HOLDER ON THE FRONT OF A 85TON HAUL TRUCK TO PLACE IT UNDER THE WHEEL. HE CLAIMS HE FELT SOME PAIN IN AND AROUND HIS BELLY BUTTON & NOW HAS A HERNIA AS A RESULT OF THE CHOCK BLOCK.HE HAS NOT MISSED WORK UNTIL NOV.14. SURGERY TO REPAIR THE HERNIA AND WILL BE OFF FOR APPROX. 6 WKS. THE INJURY REPORTED TO SAFETY DEPT. 1MO.AFT

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

EE WAS ASKED TO REMOVE THE DRIVE LINE ON A PICK UP THAT WAS NEEDING REAPRS. HE JACKED THE PICKUP , PLACING BLOCKS BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS. HE DID NOT USE OR PLACE ANY BLOCKING U NDER THE TRUCK. HE THEN CLIMBED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE JACK SLIPPED OFF THE POINT TO CONTACT, WHICH WAS ON THE AXLE. HE IS RATHER LARGE AND WHEN THE JACK SLIPPED, THE TRUCK FELL IT HIT HIM O

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED HE HAD SOME PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK WHILE HELPING TO MAKE REPAIRS ON A D9 DOZER. HE WAS SEEN AND TREATED AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL ON 8/11/01, AND RELEASED FOR WORK. ON 11/5/01 HE REPORTED TO WORK BUT LEFT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHIFT DUE TO PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE MISSED HIS FIRST SHIFT OF WORK OF 11/5/01 AND AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT SURE WHEN HE WILL RETURN.

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING WATCHING ANOTHER EMPLOYEE HAMMER ON A TOOTH OF A 992 LOADER BUCKET. THE METAL MUSHROOMED, STRIKING HIM IN THE NECK. THE WOUND TOOK SEVERAL STITCHES TO CLOSE. HE WAS RELEA SED FOR FULL DUTY AFTER BEING TREATED IN THE HOSPITAL.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS WELDING ON A TOGGLE PLATE ON THE CRUSHER.THE PLATE IS APPROX. 3'X5'X16"", WEIGHT ~1600 LB.HE SUSPENDED THE PLATE ON A 1/4"" CABLE & ATTACHED HIS GROUND TO BACK TO THE CABLE. HE DID NOT FO LLOW THE STANDARD PROCEDURES WITH PROPER CABLES OR GROUNDING. THE WELDER ARCHED ACROSS & BURNT THE CABLE IN HALF. THE PLATE FELL & STRUCK HIM ONBOTH ANKLES, FRACTURING BOTH.

2000 · 9 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STATED HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO LIFT AND MOVE A PORTION OF THE CONVEYER BELTING. THIS IS VERY HEAVY MATERIAL AND SHOULD ONLY BE MOVED WITH A FORKLIFT. HE STRAINED THE GROIN AREA AND IS NOW LOOKING AT SURGERY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE WILL BE OFF FOR APPROX 4-6 WEEKS.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE NOTICED SOME SWELLING ON HIS RIGHT ELBOW; HE IS NOT SURE WHEN OR WHERE HE COULD HAVE BEEN BITTEN, HE IS NOT EVEN SURE IF IT HAPPENED AT WORK. HOWEVER, HE IS BEING TREATED FOR AN INSE CT BITE ON HIS ELBOW. THE WOUND HAD TO BE LANCED AND DRAINED BY THE LOCAL MEDICAL CENTER. NO TIME LOST WITH THIS INJURY.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE STATED HE WAS REPLACING THE TEETH ON AN 922 LOADER BUCKET. HE HAD REPLACE A TOOTH AND PIN, HE PICKED UP A AHMMER TO SET THE SET AND WHEN HE SWUNG THE HAMMER HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS LOWE R BACK. HE WILL BE OFF APPROX. ONE WEEK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED HE WAS REMOVING FLOOR TILES FROM THE WAREHOUSE FLOOR USINGA SCRAPER. HE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK AND CONTINUED TO WORK THE COMPLETE DAY. HE DID NOT RETURN TO WORK ON MONDAY 4-3 BUT WAS SEEN AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. HE WAS GIVENTWO DAYS OF BED REST WITH A FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER DOCTOR AT THAT TIME.

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE STATED HE WAS USING HAND TOOLS TO REPAIR THE AC ON AN D-10 DOZER. HE WAS STANDING ON THE TRACK WHEN HIS HAND SLIPPED OF THE TOOLS AND HE FELL BACKWARDS OFF THE TRACK. HE WAS TREATED AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND RELEASE WITH A MILD BACK STRAIN.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED WAS HELPING TO REPLACE THE SCREENS IN THE SCALPER. HE HAD BEEN USING AN IMPACT WRENCH TO REPLACE THE NUTS. HE BROKE FOR LUNCH AND FELT SOME SPASMS INHIS MID TO LOWER BACK. HE WAS TAK EN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS X-RAYED SHOWING NO DAMAGE TO THE SPINE. HE WAS OFFERED MODIFIED DUTIES BUT DID NOT RETURN TO WORK THE NEXT DAY.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REPLACING A WEAR IRON ON THE BUCKET OF A 992 LOADER. HE WAS HOLDING THE HEAD OF A BOLT WITH HIS BEAR HAND AND USING AN IMPACT WRENCH TO LOOSEN THE BOLT. THE BOLT TURNED WITH THE IMPACT WRENCH LACERATING HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER, 6 STITCHES WERE REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE WOUND. HE DID NOT LOOSE ANY WORK TIME AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED HE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A TUB OF WATERAPPROX 3 GALLONS & HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE WAS TREATED & RELEASED WITH A FULL RELEASE HOWEVER HE CONT'D TO HAVE SOME PAIN & WAS TREATED BY ANOTHER DR. THIS DR TREATED HIM UNTILD/22/01 WITH NO RESTRICTIONS, WHEN HE TOOK HIMOFF WORK. HIS FIRST MISSED DAY IS 3/23/01

Struck by falling object

EE WAS PULLING A WELDING CART ACROSS THE UNEVEN SURFACE OUTSIDE THE MAINTENANCE SHOP. HE TRIPPED AND PULLED THE CART DOWN ON TOP OF HIMSELF. HE RECEIVED SOME BRUISES AND STRAINED THE GROIN AND STOMACH. HE CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL 2/7/00 WHEN HE WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. HE RETURNED TO HIS JOB WITH SOME LIGHT DUTY MODIFICATIONS.