Mining Incidents

Owl Canyon Quarry & MillMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Pete Lien & Sons Inc
Livermore, Larimer County, CO · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0503222
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
81
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Apr 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

81 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

Struck by powered moving object

The mirror of a customer's truck contacted employee's hand while they were providing direction from portable steps, causing a hand contusion.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was crouched down and felt a pop in EE's knee when EE stood up. Employee was seen by a doctor on 02/06/25, where EE did not receive any treatment and was not placed on modified duty. EE was seen again on 02/17/25, where EE was placed on modified duty.

2024 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

Employee was welding on a pipe and the wind blew metal shavings beneath employee's mask and safety glasses into left eye.

2023 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Reportable Hearing STS. Audiogram clinic review of 2023 audiograms indicated that the clinic missed a 2022 recordable STS due to issues with transferring baseline data to the new clinic's system. This report is for a 2022 STS confirmed to the operator by the clinic on 8/16/2023.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Reportable Hearing STS. Audiogram clinic review of 2023 audiograms indicated that the clinic missed a 2022 recordable STS due to issues transferring baseline data to the new clinic's system. This report is for a 2022 confirmed STS confirmed to the operator by the clinic on 08/16/23.

2022 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to put a track back on the drill. The bar the employee was holding was pulled out of EE's hand when the track moved causing a sore shoulder.

Fall down stairs

Employee was standing on a mobile staircase acting as a spotter for a customer tractor/trailer. The driver was using their passenger mirror and lost their visual with spotter in the process. The spotter realized they lost visual and was concerned the trailer would strike the staircase so they jumped to the ground resulting in bruising on their right side.

2020 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was shoveling material at the base of the elevator. While pulling material out they felt a pain in lower back.

2019 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was adjusting an empty polybag on 4/15/2019 and felt a pain after standing up. They continued to work on 4/15/2019 and reported back pain the next day on 4/16/2019 after bagging a pallet of 50 pound bags.

2018 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee reported pain to right ribs to supervisor on 5/30/2018 not related to any specific event. Employee suggested to Dr. on 5/30/2018 that abdominal muscle strain may be related to substantial amount of bagging done on 5/28/2018.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was tasked to shovel spillage from a conveyer, the following morning EE reported pain in EE's right bicep and shoulder. EE was seen by a physician and treated for muscle strain/tendonitis, and placed on restricted duty limiting lifting and use of EE's arm until cleared to return to full duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking to vehicle at the end of shift when EE slipped on a patch of ice that formed from that day's melt and had pooled in a small area on the walk. EE was treated by a physician for a sprained left knee, prescribed a pain medication and placed on restricted duty pending the follow-up appointment.

2016 · 3 incidents

Struck against a moving object

EE reported lower back/leg pain on 6/6/16 after operating dozer to remove overburden. EE originally declined to see a physician to see if condition improved. 6/24/16 EE was seen by phys. and placed on restricted duty pending follow-up. EE is on temp. leave as no work is available to accommodate medical restrictions.

Struck against stationary object

On 5-27-16, EE was ascending the access ladder to a haul truck when EE struck right knee on the ladder rung. Reported accident on 5-31-16, was seen by physician and placed on restricted duty. Follow-up appt. 6-3-16 cleared EE for RTW with no restrictions.

Struck against stationary object

EE was moving a piece of handrail in the Fab. Shop, ee slid one end across the floor, as ee was straightening up, ee hit head on another piece of railing, lacerating forehead between hardhat and safety glasses. The rail ee moved tipped over and struck hand causing a bruise. EE was seen by a phys.to suture the wound and assess hand.

2015 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE was replacing wedge plates on a crusher, while swinging a hammer to remove hardware he suffered a shoulder strain. He was treated by a physician and placed on lifting restrictions pending a follow up appt.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

2/17/2015 EE was working with another miner carrying an auger up to the top of a product silo under Maint./Repair. EE completed his shift on 2/17/15, but on 2/18/15 notified his Supervisor of lower back pain. EE was seen by a phys. and was treated for a strained back; placed on lifting/bending restrictions until cleared to return to full duty.

2014 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was shoveling material near the crushing/screening plant when he felt his back pop. EE was seen by physician and treated for a lumbar strain. He has been placed on restricted duty until cleared by the physician to return.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was accessing the roof of a domed silo for sampling when he slipped falling forward on the roof top. The EE's right leg locked out during the fall causing a strain to his hamstring. Phys. has place EE on restricted duty pending follow-up appt. in 7 days.

2013 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was unloading material (grass seed) from the back of a pickup and strained her back while lifting/twisting. Injury reported 11/4/2013. EE was seen by a physician and placed on restricted duty for 6 days-and has since returned to full duty.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was stacking 50 lb. bags of material onto pallets when he felt a pain in his right wrist. His wrist became swollen and painful to move - EE's physician has prescribed a brace for his hand and restricted EE from using right hand while working.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was assisting a customer at load-out area. He was walking around the front of the customer truck (in an area where snow removal was done-but grit had yet to be put down) and slipped on packed snow/ice and fell. EE suffered broken ankle and was transferred to med. center.

2012 · 3 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee was closing hatches on OTR customer truck when the driver drove off with EE still on trailer. EE was forced up against the side rails of the safety platform but hung on and kept from falling to ground. EE suffered sprains to neck/back, contusions to arms, legs and back. EE prescribed RX for pain in the p.m, and phys. therapy 3x wk. No lost time/restricted duty.

Fall from ladders

Miner was descending a ladder after performing maintenance, slipped off of ladder and fell approximately 4 ft. to the work deck below injuring back. Miners has been placed on restricted duty and will have follow-up exam 8/30/2012.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was re-stacking bags of material from a pallet that had spilled. Employee inadvertently stepped on the pallet as he was lifting a bag, causing him to temporarily lose his balance. Employee felt lower back pain/strain as he was completing the lift.

2011 · 3 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

EE was fatigued from performing normal job assignments. He came down from the plant to get his water bottle and steadied himself against the super sack bagger support leg. He felt dizzy, passed out, and awoke on the floor with a laceration on his knee. He lacerated his knee on the scale frame and was taken to the ER where he received 5 stitches

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

Employee was attempting to replace a shrink wrap roll. As the employee was lifting the roll and supporting pipe, it slipped from his grasp and smashed his left index finger in the brackets that hold the support pipe. The employee went to the doctor where he was treated for a fractured finger.

Struck by falling object

Helping remove old seat from drill when it slipped and fell on the middle finger of the left hand, the injury required four stitches.

2010 · 2 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Installing a new dryer controller, the controller indicated a flame in the dryer. Employee confirmed the presence of flame in the dryer. While attempting to close the main propane supply valve, the valve cracked and broke. Propane escaped and was ignited by the flame in the dryer. 1st and 2nd degree burns to arms and face.

Struck against a moving object

After a long period of shoveling on the ""Big Unit"" employee noticed a pain in his lower back which eventually spread to his groin area. Employee went to doctor on 5/4/2010 where he was placed on restricted duty due to a back sprain. Employee was put on restricted duty until next doctor visit.

2009 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While walking from the truck lanes into the warehouse, the employee slipped on snow/ice at the door threshold. As the employee fell, he caught himself with his hands and landed on the ground, palms down. The impact caused a sprain in his right arm/wrist. Employee was holding a grease gun in the affected hand.

2008 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was lifting a load out spout counter weight to load a customer and he lost his balance and stepped back. Employee pushed his arms back to protect his face from impacting the weight and felt a pull on his right upper shoulder/back area.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was performing normal job duties loading trucks. When pushing down on counter weight for south scale bin loadout he felt what seemed to be a muscle tear in his lower right abdomen.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Maintenance technician was tighening a tension rod nut for the Roll crusher. He was using a 2 1/4"" combination wrench (2 1/2 feet long) to tighten the nut. He pushed up on the wrench and heard a popping noise and noticed sharp pain in his right shoulder.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE had commenced bagging operations. After bagging (50lb. bags) for an hour, a bag was discharged from the bagger in a normal fashion, it started to fall off the catch platform. It rolled in a way as to fall to the floor (40""). He reacted in a manner which caused him to bend or twist to ""save"" the bag from falling on the floor.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was changing out bags in the Dryer bag-house. While pulling down on a sock he strained his right shoulder.

Struck against a moving object

EE was operating the dozer when it started bouncing over the rocks

2007 · 3 incidents

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

Driving forklift, turned too sharp causing forklift to roll to right side, put right leg out to catch self and the forklift rollover cage fell on his right foot.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

slipped on loose rocks and fell, causing upper muscle strain

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Kneeled down to clean blockage in hopper and felt pain in lower back.

2006 · 5 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

cutting with the air arc when a piece of slag blew back and went into his ear. No treatment at time of injury. Went to doctor on 9/23/06. Treatment was ear drops and antibiotic, hole burnt in left eardrum, no lost time or modified duty.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

prying down with bar to get a screen to go into place when it slipped and smashed left middle finger

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Lifting handrail in place, got caught on other material causing awkward movement causing pain to lower back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

bagging material and stacking on pallets, right hand became numb, not being able to grab

Fall from machine

Missed last step getting out of haul truck and fell to ground. Was not reportable until dental work was done on 4/4/2006.

2005 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured back while lifting replacement auger motor.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Carrying steel flooring and sprained stomach muscles

Struck by flying object

EE was blowing dirt off clothes with the nozzle pointed up, when a sliver of metal blew up under safety glasses. He did not notify employer until 6/13/05. Went to doctor on 6/12/05.

Struck against stationary object

EE was walking down a set of external stairs, when he reached the ground, he stepped on a 1"" rock twisting his left knee.

2004 · 6 incidents

Struck against a moving object

7694 & 7697 haul trucks met at the big hill on the Roberts Road. 7694 (being driven by EE) was going down the hill with a load. 7697 was coming up the hill, empty. When they met, EE applied the brakes. EE's truck went to the left, up a steep bank and stopped. Then the load shifted and it rolled over onto the right side.

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

When the victim opened the valve, the handle rotated beyond stops in the valve body. When he closed the valve, his thumb was caught between the handle and the body of the valve. The finger nail on his right thumb was cut and pushed in a small chip off the bone----no amputation per call 8/6/04.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING DOWN A CATWALK, HE TOOK A STEP DOWN & HIS RT. FOOT LANDED ON THE HANDLE OF A LID. HE ROLLED HIS RT. ANKLE, STRAINING IT.

Struck against a moving object

THE HAUL TRUCK DRIVER CAME OFF A SMALL HILL WITH TOO MUCH SPEED IT SEEMS AND HE LOST CONTROL GOING UP THE NEXT HILL & HIT A BERM WITH THE LEFT TIRES & ROLLED THE LOADED HAUL TRUCK ONTO THE RT. SIDE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

VICTIM WAS CLIMBING DOWN A LADDER AND STEPPED ON THE HEAD OF A SHOVEL. THE HANDLE FLEW UP AND STRUCK HIM ON THE CHIN.

No Value Found

EE WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT IN THE LOADER. THE SEAT WAS STICKING, HE GRASPED THE SEAT & JERKED IT BACK. HIS FINGER GOT PINCHED AGAINST THE BACK OF THE CAB. HIS FINGER NAIL WAS CUT IN TWO & THE FINGER PINCHED.

2003 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AT APPROX. 4 AM ON 11/26/03, I WAS BY THE ? AND TURNED TO LOOK BACK & I PLANTED MY LEFT FOOT TO TURN AND IT TWISTED OFF AN UNEVEN SURFACE.

Struck by flying object

WAS LINING UP BOLTS TO LEVEL AUGER WHEN A FAN WAS TURNED ON AND DUST BLOW AROUND AND OBJECT WENTINTO LEFT EYE.

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

HE PULLED OVER TO GET OUT OF TRUCK & SHUT RIGHT HAND MIDDLE FINGER IN DOOR.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

SHIFTING GEARS REPETITIVE USE EE WAS OPERATING A 980C LOADER HE SAID HE WAS SHIFTING THE LOADER INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND FELT A POP IN HIS WRISTS

2002 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE LOST THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR THE SCALPER. HE WAS RETRACING HIS STEPS WHEN HE WALKED OVER THE 3"" PILE OF MATERIAL. HIS LEFT LEG SANK INTO THE MATERIAL, BENDING HIS KNEE BACK.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE HURT HIS KNEE WHEN HE JUMPED FROM A LEDGE THAT WAS 4 FT HIGH TO THE BIN FLOOR.

Fall down stairs

WALKING DOWN FROM THE 10-14 HUMMER SCREEN, DOWN THE STEP'S.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS LOWER BACK WHEN HE WASRESTACKING 50 LB. BAGS FROM ONE PALLET TO ANOTHER.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ONE EMPLOYEE WAS STEAM CLEANING WHILE ANOTHER WAS WORKING ON THE CAT 972 LOADER, UNAWARE WHEN THE FIRST EMPLOYEE TURNED AROUND. HE WAS HIT IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS CHEST WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE WATER. THIS FORCED WATER UNDER THE SKIN.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WENT TO REMOVE MOTOR FROM SHELF AND SET AND SET ON THE BACK OF THE SWEEPER.

2001 · 7 incidents

Fall from machine

EE WAS CLIMBING DOWN FROM HAUL TRUCK. ONE OF THESTEPS WAS BENT. SHE MISSED THE STEP AND FELL TO THE GROUND AND STRAINED HER LEFT KNEE.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS RIGHT LOWER ABDOMEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS A COUNTERWEIGHT USED IN MANIPULATION OF THE NORTH SCALE BIN LOAD OUT CLINTE.

Fall down stairs

A SMOOTH SURFACE OF CONCRETE AT THE BASE OF A STAIRCASE.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CUSTOMER TRUCK DRIVER GOT HAND CAUGHT IN CHAIN/SPROCKET WHILE TARPING LOAD. WIND CAUGHT TARP. GLOVE CAUGHT IN SPROCKET. DRIVER IS NOT A MINER OR EMPLOYED BY COLORADO LIEN COMPANY. EMPLOOYED BY : DEMMLER LANDSCAPING, 97 N. FABRICATION DRIVE, PUEBLO WEST, CO 81007.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS SHOVELING HEAVY, WET MATERIAL OFF OF BIN FLOORS WITH A HAND SHOVEL.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE ON 2/10/01 THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD A RASH DUE TO LIMESTONE DUST. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR TO HAVE IT CHECKED. HE SAID HE HAS HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO LIME DUST.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE INSERTED FIRST THREE FINGERS OF RIGHT HAND IN PINCH POINT OF JM ROTARY FEEDER.

2000 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE STEPPING OFF THE LAST STEP OF THE CONTROL ROOM STAIRS, HE SLIPPED ON ICE/ SNOW CAUSING HIM TO TWIST BACK, STRAINING A MUSCLE.

Struck by flying object

THE WIND WAS BLOWING 50+ MPH. EMPLOYEE WAS FUELING THE DOZER AND GOT DUST IN HIS EYES.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS RELEASING THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ON THE CONE CRUSHER. THE CRANK HANDLE CAME LOOSE FROM HIS LEFT HAND. THE HANDLE CAME AROUND STRIKING HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS LEFT HAND AND FINGERS.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

HE WAS BAGGING 50 LB. BAGS OF LIMESTONE. HE WAS LIFTING/TWISTING TO STACK THEM ON A PALLET. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT THE 50# BAGS HIGHER THAN NECESSARY AND USING IMPROPER LEVERAGE. RESULTE D IN UPPER BACK/SHOULDER STRAIN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS TRYING TO GET A LARGE ROCK OUT OF THE RIGHT REAR DUEL TIRE ON THE WATER TRUCK WITHA SLEDGE HAMMER. WHEN HE HIT THE ROCK, THE IMPACT BOUNCED OFF THEN THE SLEDGE HAMMER HIT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT FENDER, BOUNCED OFF IT AND HIT HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING THE WATER TURCK. HE SAID HE WAS TURNING TO THE FINE GRIND PLANT ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE WREHOUSE, HIT A HOLE WITH THE TRUCK AND HE HEARD HIS BACK POP. AFTERWARDS, HE HAD A PA IN IN HIS BACK AND COULD NOT MOVE WITHOUT IT HURTING. I HAD EE GO HOME AT APPROX. 1430.

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

EE & ANOTHER EE WERE ATTEMPTING TO TURN WHEELS ON AN AXLE. EE WAS PULLING & OTHER EE WAS USING A PRY BARY TO TURN THE WHEELS. EE'S FINGER GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TIRE RIM & THE PRY BAR

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS OFF LOADING AN OLD CHISEL IN FRONT OF THE MAINTENANCE SHOP FROM THE TAILGATE OF HIS SERVICE TRUCK WHEN HE INJURED HIS LEFT GROIN MUSCLE. THE DR DIAGNOSED HIM WITH AN INGUINAL HERNIA.