Mining Incidents

COTTER MILLMetal/Nonmetal

Cotter Corp · Facility
Canyon City, Fremont County, CO · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 0501732
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
83
Years on record
2000–2011
Latest incident
May 2011
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

83 on file

2011 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a 5 gallon container approximately 18 inches to a shelf. The employee rolled his ankle causing him to stumble and thereby causing a suspected muscle strain to abdomen. Employee did not feel injury was serious. Employee sent to physician and it was diagnosed as a hernia.

2010 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was moving used oil drums on a flat bed trailer. Employee pulled on drum he thought was full but was actually empty. The lack of weight caused employee to lose his balance. Employee fell backwards striking his shoulder against forklift and then the ground. Employee received a contusion to the shoulder and was seen by a physician on 6-1-2010.

2009 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was loading a container into a Bronco when the door blew shut. He set the box on the ground opened the door and picked up the box. He felt something sting in his torso and assumed it was a muscle pull and did not report the accident. Over a period of 2 months the condition did not improve. He reported the accident on 4-10-09 after discovering that he had a hernia.

2008 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was climbing a ladder to get to the top of the warehouse roof. Employee was carrying a propane bottle, weighing approximately 35lbs. When placing bottle on roof, he felt something pull in his abdomen.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was exiting the cab of a John Deere Backhoe. When he stepped off of the backhoe he stepped on either a dirt clod or small rock which caused his ankle to twist. The result of twisting his ankle was a sprained right ankle.

2006 · 6 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee was repairing a leak in the roof on the training room. While cutting tar paper with a box opener the employee rubbed his finger against metal flashing causing a laceration to the right index finger. The laceration required sutures. The injury did not cause permanent impairment.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was pumping sump using a portable pump. Upon completion employee picked up pump to move it and caught the pump on bottom step on grating. This caused the employee to twist thereby straining his back and left side.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was walking through the Grind/Leach building and slipped on some flocculant that was spilled on the floor, causing him to twist his ankle.

Struck against stationary object

The employee stepped from the back of a pickup truck and stepped on a rock. This twisted his ankle resulting in a sprain requireing the employee to miss work because of the medication prescribed.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The EE was standing on a ladder using a wrench and cheater pipe in an attempt to loosen an old water line. When he pulled on the pipe, he felt a pain in his lower back.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was lifting a sandpiper pump to move it and felt a sharp pain in his right groin area. This was diagnosed as an inguinal hernia (right).

2005 · 16 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was starting up the leach circuit and opened a valve to supply air to the #3 leach tank. Solution came up the standpipe and splashed the employee on his face, hands, upper back and forearms. This resulted in a chemical burn.

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

While removing rods for a rod mill from the bin, one rod rolled over & caught the employee's hand between the rod and the rim on the bin. This resulted in a contusion to his left hand and a fracture to the left index finger.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was attempting to unplug the ore feed chute when he hit his elbow against the bottom of the chute resulting in bruising and swelling of his left elbow.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was working in the Solvent Extraction Circuit and a chemical solution spilled onto her leg as she was moving a sandpiper pump with another employee.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was working in the solvent extraction area of the mill when he noticed irritation to his back and chest.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was working in the solvent extraction circuit during an upset condition when an emulsion developed. The employee developed dermatitis. The Company does not believe this is a reportable injury but reporting it at the direction of MSHA.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While working in the solvent extraction area of the mill, the employee experienced itching, burning and tingling on her arms and legs.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was cleaning up in the Solvent Extraction building and noticed some slight irritation in his eye. The irritation became worse during the night and he rubbed the eye, causing a corneal abrasion.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was inspecting a valve for a leak and another employee was holding onto a valve handle. The handle came loose and struck the injured employee in the mouth breaking one front tooth and loosening another.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was walking along a walkway when he came to a step down. He misjudged the step and felt his knee twist and he jarred his neck.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was walking under a tank and struck his head on a low hanging pipe.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was investigating a leak in the Solvent Extraction Building when he stepped on a sump grating that was submerged in liquid. The grating turned up and the employee slipped into the sump causing a contusion to his left ankle. He then pushed himself up out of the sump and strained his thoracic muscles and chest wall muscles.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was tightening a bolt using a ratchet wrench when the ratchet slipped and struck the employee in the mouth resulting in a laceration that required sutures.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was walking down stairs when he twisted his knee and his knee hit the railing. This aggravated an off-the-job injury from some time ago and resulted in restricted duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was filling the boiler brine tank with salt. One bag slipped from grasp and EE caught it in an awkward position resulting in a back strain.

Fall down stairs

The employee tripped while walking up stairs and fell hitting his jaw on the stairs. This resulted in a mild concussion.

2004 · 9 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee had gone to an area near the fine ore bins to shut down a baghouse, and while walking back to the grind and leach building he slipped on a patch of ice and fell. He injured his shoulder and after several examinations a tear in his rotator cuff was found and surgery was scheduled.

Fall onto or against objects

As the employee was entering the solvent extraction building he slipped on ice in front of the door and fell causing a contusion and sprain to low back.

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

The employee picked up a pallet jack and while loading it into a pickup truck the handle assembly shifted downward and pinched the employee's left thumb between the handle and the jack assembly.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had his thumb under a bolt & washer; when bolt was tightened it caused a contusion to the thumb.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was removing bolts from a boot on a line under the CCD tanks -- employee was sprayed w/process solution. Solution contained soda ash which caused skin irritation.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee had finished filling a compressor with oil and was starting it for the second time. When it was started the bearing end cap blew apart. Pieces of the metal hit the employee in the groin area and on the right side of the head causing lacerations and bruises.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was setting up a pump at the #5 Leach Tank. As he lifted the pump to set it on the bolts he felt a pain in the groin area.

Fall from ladders

The employee was painting a wall in the laboratory from a ladder. The feet of the ladder slipped out and the ladder slid to the floor. The employee struck his left arm and leg on the floor resulting in contusions and bruising.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was working in the SVU area of the mill when he was evidently sprayed with some caustic solution. The employee continued working and did not realize that he had a chemical burn for at least 2 hours. This resulted in a chemical burn to his left upper arm that required medical treatment and perhaps some skin grafting.

2003 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE WAS LIFTING A PLACING A BOX OF COPIER PAPER IN THE BACK OF A VEHICLE AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK AND ABDOMINAL AREA.

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

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO DISLODGE A ROCK FROM THE TAILGATE OF A TRUCK WHEN HIS HAND BECAME CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TAILGATE AND THE ROCK. THIS RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER THAT REQ UIRED SUTURES.

2002 · 17 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ADJUSTING THE CARBURETOR ON A FORKLIFT. HE PUT HIS HAND ON THE THROTTLE ROD & WHEN HE RELEASED IT THE FAN BLADE CUT HIS RIGHT HAND AT THE MIDDLE KNUCKLE.

Fall down stairs

THE EE WAS WALKING DOWN WOOD STEPS. AT THE 2ND STEP FROM THE BOTTOM THE NAILS CAME LOOSE FLIPPING THE STEP. THE EE THEN ROLLED HIS ANKLE.

Struck by flying object

EE WAS WALKING DOWN THE CATWALK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF A WELL AND TURNED TOWARD A TRASH BARREL. THE WIND BLEW SOMETHING FROM THE LID INTO HIS EYE.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS HELPING MOVE A TANK FOWARD ON A TRAILER WHEN A RAIROAD TIE FELL FROMT HE TRAILER AND HIT HIM ON THE BACK OF THE RT. LEG BELOW THE ANKLE.

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

EE WAS INSIDE TUNNEL ATTEMPTING TO FREE THE FIRE HOSE WHEN ANOTHER EE PULLED ON IT SMASHING HIS HAND BETWEEN THE HOSE & A BRICK PILLAR.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS PUSHING PIPE OFF BACKOF TRAILER WHEN A PIECE HIT THE END OF THE TRAILER STOPPING THE PIPE AND JAMMING IT INTO HIS HAND.

Contact with hot objects or substances

THE EMPLOYEE CLAIMS TO HAVE RECEIVED A MILD BURN WHILE USING A WEED BURNER WITH AN 8 FT WAND TO UNPLUG THE FUSION FURNACE DISCHARGE.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

THE EE WAS WALKING BETWEEN THE #4 AND #5. CCD TANKS WHEN SHE SLIPPED IN MUD AND FELL.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS CLEANING SUPPLY SHELVES AND PINCHED HER FINGER BETWEEN TWO BALL VALVES. THIS RESULTED IN A BLOOD BLISTER. TWO DAYS LATER SHE NOTICED THE BLISTER WAS BROKEN AND SHE HAD RED STREAKS O N HER ARM. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS BACTERIAL INFECTION OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN.

Fall from ladders

THE EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON A LADDER WHEN THE BOTTOM OF THE LADDER KICKED OUT. THIS CAUSED HIM TO FALL AND ATTEMPT TO GRAB A PIPE.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THE EMPLOYEE INHALED FUMES (POSSIBLY S02) PRESENT IN THE REVERSE OSMOSIS TRAILER USED FOR WATER TREATMENT. THIS CAUSED HIM TO BECOME ILL.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS LEAVING THE BATHROOM BECAUSE OF WATER OVERFLOW ONTO THE FLOOR. WHEN HE TURNED TO LEAVE HE SPRAINED HIS ANKLE.

Fall down stairs

EE WAS EXITING FROM UNDER A THICKNER TANK & SLIPPED ON ICE ON FIRST STAIR. THIS CAUSED HER TO FALL FORWARD & STRIKE HER HEAD ON CONCRETE.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THE EE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE A FLANGE FROM A SLURRY TANK TO THE KILN FEED. SLURRY SPRAYED ON THE EMPLOYEE

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE WAS LIFTING A 6 INCH HOSE AND STRAINED HIS BACK.

Fall onto or against objects

THE EMPLOYEE TRIPPED OVER TWO PIECES OF CONDUIT THAT WERE PROTRUDING THROUGH THE FLOOR GRATING AS HE WAS TURNING TO LEAVE HIS WORK AREA. THIS CAUSED THE EMPLOYEE TO FALL AND STRIKE HIS KNEE AG AINST A PIECE OF 4"" PIPE.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

THE EE SLIPPED AND FELL ON ICY WALKWAY.

2001 · 16 incidents

Fall from ladders

THE EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON A LADDER CLEANING OUT A SCREW CONVEYOR. WHEN SHE DESCENDED THE LADDER SHE STEPPED ON A BUCKET LYING BY THE LADDER AND FELL TO THE GROUND. SHE LANDED ON HER RIGHT H AND RESULTING IN A FRACTURE TO HER RIGHT WRIST.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

THE EMPLOYEE TRIPPED ON WELDING LEADS THAT WERE LYING ON THE FLOOR AND FELL. HE STRUCK HIS FACE ON THE FLOOR RESULTING IN CHIPPING HIS TWO FRONT TEETH.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS USING A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE TO WASH DOWN THE FLOOR AND FELT PAIN IN HER RIGHT WRIST IN THE AREA OF AN EXISTING CYST AND A PREVIOUS NON-WORK RELATED FRACTURE THAT HAD HEALED POORLY. I T WAS NOT INITIALLY DETERMINED IF THE INJURY WAS JOB RELATED OR NOT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS MOVING AHEAVY AGITATOR SHAFT. AS HE MOVED IT HE TWISTED HIS WRIST AND FELT SOMETHING ""POP."" THIS RESULTED IN A DISTAL RADIAL FRACTURE TO HIS LEFT WRIST.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE TRIPPED ON A CONDUIT LINE AND FELT PAIN IN NECK.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING WEEDS AND LOST BALANCE AND FELL BACKWARDS WHEN A WEED SUDDENLY CAME LOOSE.

Fall down stairs

THE EMPLOYEE WAS DESCENDING STAIRS WHEN HIS BOOTCAUGHT ON A STEP. HE THEN MISSED TWO STAIRS AND JOLTED HIS KNEE WHEN HIS FOOT ENCOUNTERED THE NEXT STAIR.

Fall from ladders

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING A LADDER TO SAMPLE A TANK WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ABOUT 8', LANDING ON HIS RIGHT WRIST.

Fall from machine

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING INTO A DUMP TRUCK WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED AND HE FELL TO THE GROUND LANDING ON HIS FEET. THIS ""JAMMED"" HIS NECK AND BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING CLEANUP MATERIAL INTO A BUCKET AND FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DISCONNECTED AN AIR LINE AND WAS SPRAYED WITH SULFURIC ACID THAT HAD BACKED UP IN THE LINE.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THE EE WAS WALKING ACROSS A THICKENER TANK AND WAS SPRAYED IN THE EYE BY ACID LEAKING FROM A LINE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE WAS MOVING AN AGITATOR MOUNTING PLATE & FELT A PAIN IN GROIN. THIS LATER WAS DIAGNOSED AS A HERNIA THAT WOULD REQUIRE SURGERY & BECAME A REPORTABLE INJURY.

Struck against stationary object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING A COVER FROM A SWAMP COOLER AND HE BRUSHED AGAINST AN OLD LADDER. THIS RESULTED IN A SPLINTER IN THE EMPLOYEE'S ARM. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE SPLINTER HAD TO BE REMOVE D BY A PHYSICIAN AND SUTURES WERE REQUIRED.

Fall from machine

WHILE REMOVING A SCREW CONVEYOR, THE EE STEPPED ON A PIECE OF METAL. THE METAL BROKE & CAUSED HIM TO FALL ABOUT 2'. THE EE CUT HIS LEG ON THE METAL AS HE FELL.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS PULLING A PARTIALLY FROZEN FIRE HOSE OFF OF A RAFFINATE TANK & FELT PAIN IN HER BACK.

2000 · 12 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A HEAVY STAND OFF THE FINE ORE BINS. HE PULLED WRONG AND FELT A PAIN IN ABDOMENAL. THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS A STRAIN BUT AS TIME PASSED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT, AS DIAGNO SIS OF UMBILICAL HERNIA WAS MADE AND SURGICALLY REPAIR WAS NECESSARY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON A RAIL CAR BUT IT DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE EE MOVED AWKARDLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.

Struck against stationary object

THE EE WS APPROACHING A STEAM LINE TO SHUT IT OFF WHEN THE LINE RUPTURED. THIS STARTLED THE EMPLOYEE AND HE JUMPED BACK QUICKLY AND STRUCK A PIPE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING UP A MUD SPILL UNDER THE PRIMARY THICKENER. THE DEEP MUD MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND HE STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT A HEAVY PUMP CASEAND STRAINED HIS BACK.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

THE EE WAS WALKING BETWEEN THE RR TRACKS WHEN HE TRIPPED & FELL RESULTING IN AN INJURY TO HIS LEFT WRIST

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE STRAINED HIS BACK AT HOME ON 6/27/00. ON 6/30/00 HE AGGREVATED HIS BACK WHEN HE WAS LIFTING A SHAFT TO A PUMP.

Struck by flying object

WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS CHECKING THE #4 CCD RAKE DRIVE, THE ROD BLEW THROUGH THE CASING & STRUCK HIM IN THE LEG AND ABDOMINAL AREA THEN KNOCKED HIM BACK AGAINST THE WALL.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE EE WAS LIFTING A PIPE TO INSTALL, HE FELT HIS BACK PULL.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

RASH DEVELOPED AT EE'S WAIST AND ON BOTH ARMS WHERE SLEEVES OF SHIRT ARE IN CONTACT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STEPPED ONTO A BOARD, HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF OF THE BOARD AND HE SPRAINED HIS LEFT ANKLE.

Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS CLEANING A ROD MILL TRUNION BEARING WHEN HE SLIPPED AND STRUCK HIS LEFT CHEEK BONE ON THEBEARING COVER RESULTING IN A LACERATION NEEDING SUTURES.