Mining Incidents

Deepstep Road PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by J Eric Tillirson
Sanderville, Washington County, GA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0900110
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
90
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Mar 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

90 on file

2026 · 1 incident

Contact with heat

An employee had made multiple trips up and down tank stairs to swap tanks and began feeling ill. They went to the Lab and laid their head on desk when another employee observed them and asked a manager to come over and assess. The manager assessed and took employee to ER for evaluation. Employee was treated for dehydration.

2025 · 4 incidents

Fall down stairs

Employee was ascending steps at #4 spray dryer area to take the chute out of the car so it could be dropped down. As employee was ascending the steps they tripped and sustained an injury to right knee and right hand. They will have to see and orthopedic surgeon about their hand.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was inspecting a drain pipe at track area, while standing on a mild slope. They slipped and fell, attempt to break the fall with their hands. They felt sharp pain in right shoulder.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was Tightening a flange on an ozone gas line when they received a burst of ozone gas to the face.

Struck by flying object

Employee was attempting to put a bullet screen on a loading hose. Employee struck the bullet screen with a metal hammer, causing one of the ears to break off and hit them in the mouth and chip a tooth.

2024 · 3 incidents

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

Employee was changing out a bullet screen on a slurry tank car and the screen slipped and in a effort to catch it, it caught EE's right pinky finger, smashing it requiring EE to go to the ER for medical evaluation.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking back into the operator control room and tripped on the lip inside the door causing EE to fall on concrete floor. EE initially thought was ok and administered first aid. Next day, EE observed bruising and swelling and wanted to seek medical attention. On 5/28, EE received negative X-rays and was released to return to work with restrictions.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was exiting a 3ft.trench where 24 inch pipe was being installed. As EE was walking up the trench, EE's left knee give away. EE continued to work until 5:00pm. When EE returned home, later that evening, EE's knee started to swell and become painful.

2023 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

IW and co-worker were returning from lunch and headed back to maintenance shop on the golfcart when the IW collapsed and became unresponsive. The Co-worker called 911 and started CPR. The Co-worker was immediately assisted by other co-workers with first aid/CPR efforts until EMS arrived. EMS arrived and transported IW to a Medical Center.

Struck against stationary object

EE was looking inside a water tank to check the water level. As EE was stepping down to the floor EE's elbow made contact with a bolt. This incident was initially reported as first aid and treated but injury worsened and EE later received physical therapy from 11/15/23 - 11/20/23 and referred to Ortho for evaluation. No lost time or restricted duty from date of injury.

2021 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE was opening a diverter valve and felt a strain in EE's lower back.

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

a mechanic was separating a Sand grinder tank using an overhead hoist. As EE lifted the top part of the tank, the tank swung unexpectedly striking EE's left thumb between the two tanks. The employee received a thumb laceration requiring 12 sutures.

2020 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was replacing a hose at the B-Tank manifold. After they had fabricated a new hose, they arrived at the manifold and disconnected the damaged hose. When EE went to pick up the hose, one of the ears on the camlock end got caught in the deck grating. EE proceeded to bend down to free it, at which time EE tweaked EE's back.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was in front of the steps at B tank manifold when EE tripped on an uneven surface. EE stuck EE's arm out to break EE's fall and jarred EE's arm.

2019 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was attempting to set up a slurry railcar load out. Employee stated when EE released the loading hose from its stored position it swung into EE. A 6"" victaulic clamp that had a bolt protruding, struck EE in the RH inside elbow puncturing the skin and nicking an artery.

Struck by flying object

Miner was hoisting a piece of safety equipment onto the top of a slurry railcar. The item snagged the catwalk on the car. When it released it swung in and struck the miner just below the left knee causing a knot and bruising

Fall down stairs

EE was walking down some steps and EE's feet slipped out from under and EE fell on right shoulder.

2017 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using cordless grinder with cutoff disk to cut clamps from Sandgrinder hose at Sandgrinder manifold. When the Grinder kicked back from possibly contacting the wire inside the hose, the hand that was holding the side handle came off the handle and struck the blade. The cutoff disk cut through glove and into finger requiring 7 stitches in finger.

2016 · 1 incident

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was washing out a line and it had pressure on it. The line had deadheaded and had created heat. When line was taken off the kaolin burned the employee.

2014 · 1 incident

Fall down stairs

Employee turned to come down 3 steps and lost balance and fell to concrete floor.

2013 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was connecting hose to manifold when the hose surged causing him to strain back Happened 8/22/13 he went to doctor on 9/26/2013

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was preparing to seal a loaded railcar. He was separating aluminum seals when the seals struck his arm. His right forearm/inside was lacerated. Miner received first aid, on the scene then transported to local ER for treatment. He received 8 stitches and released back to work.

2012 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was opening 2E make down tank re circulating valve when he felt something pull in his shoulder.

Fall onto or against objects

Miner miss-stepped while preparing to go up steps leading to loading station; causing him to fall ground level. Miner tried to break his fall extending his right arm out, on impact miner struck arm against railroad cross tie. At the time of the accident minor was treated w/first aid on sight. Accident didn't become reportable until Jan. 9 when he received treatment from physian.

2011 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

2 employees were removing handrail when one repositioned hand and rail got away throwing other off 36"" ramp to ground. (Asphalt)

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

Employee was holding wrench when it slipped pinching a plug our of finger.

2010 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Worker was handling sheet metal and cut ring finger on right hand.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was opening a valve and felt a twinge in back afterward.

2009 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped on conduit to step over 2 foot high wall and felt something pop in the back of his right ankle.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Technician opened the container to investigate whether or not the ozone process was active (i.e bubbling) on the sample being tested. His proximity to the container was close enough for him to breathe in some of the ozone gas. Accident just determined Work Related 11/23/09 by Workers Comp.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was washing out a repulper screw that was stopped up. As he started washing, he inhaled Aqua Ammonia vapors from the product.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DISLOCATED RIGHT SHOULDER PUSHING OVERHEAD VALVE LEVER - X-RAY/ RESET/PAIN RX & PER MD SURGERY REQUIRED. IN EMER ROOM ADMITTED HISTORY OF SAME TO #5BR SAFETY DIRECTOR (2 TIMES FEB 2009) RE-HIRED 04/27: COMPLETED MSHA ANN REFRESH & NO DISCLOSURE OF PRE-EXISTING CONDITION IN RESPONSE TO INTAKE DOCS' SPECIFIC INQUIRY .

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee heard a loud noise and turned to go down stairs and twisted his ankle.

2008 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employye was washing up inside a railcar and slipped and fell on side.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing broken glass from window and cut his finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing coupling from pipe and product began coming out of pipe and employee stepped to get out of area and strained back.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was looking under railcar for chocks and tripped over pothole.

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

Employee was putting a bearing housing on pallet and got his left ring finger caught between bearing and pallet causing laceration and fracture.

2007 · 10 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping another employee hook up a hose to a manfold and pulled muscle in back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

USED WORKBOOT AS LEVERAGING SUPPORT FOR CROWBAR TO PRY HEAVY DRAIN GRATING FROM POSITION IN TRUCK LOAD-OUT AREA ON CLEANUP ASSIGNMENT- PRYBAR SLIPPED & HIT EE's IN MOUTH. 1 CM LACERATIONS ON BOTH INNER & OUTER LOWER LIP (SUTURED) & CHIPPED RIGHT FRONT TOOTH.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking toward a valve. He went to step onto a step to enter a crosswalk when his foot slipped out from under him. Employee's left leg was broken.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

ENTERED PLANT OFFICE AREA THEN RETURNED TO PERSONAL TRUCK TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING. UPON RETURN TO OFFICE AREA TRIPPED ON PAVED CURBING & FELL ON RIGHT HAND. 2 BONES IN RIGHT HAND FRACTURED.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee tossed/threw water hose which was under pressure into manhole on top of railcar instead of lowering hose into manhole in controlled manner to wash out railcar. Upon impact, nozzle broke off & hose struck him in the face/nose. Nose lacerated by flailing hose. MD office visit incl. post accident drug test. Employee released with no restrictions or follow-up treatment.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped/tripped in white clay building during power failure. Employee was going to restart a water booster pump.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a shovel to clean out the inlet duct on #4 SD dust collector and started having a pain in his left shoulder.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reached above head to turn off valve and felt pain in left arm. The employee has a strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was adjusting forks on forklift when his right ring finger got caught between the fork and mast. The end of the finger was severed off.

Fall down stairs

Employee had mud on boots and slipped on step causing him to fall on right shoulder. The employee has been at work everyday and worked at full duty with no restrictions until he had out patient surgery today to repair a torn rotator cuff.

2006 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee unloading material from lowboy onto gooseneck trailer. Crossbar struck employees left leg causing leg to contact pipe. Bruise to left leg. On 10-18-06 employee went to doctor and had 1 ounce of blood drained from leg using a needle. Employee returned to work with no limitations.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was adjusting tension bolt with a 36mm wrench. The wretch slipped off nut and struck employee in mouth cutting lip and knocking out front tooth.

Struck against stationary object

Employee tried to catch a hacksaw. The blade struck between thumb and fore finger causing minor laceration.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee closing bulk hopper lid; lid fell back on left index finger causing fracture to same.

2005 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee was tightening the bolts on a bird machine bowl head when the wrench slipped and his forearm struck a sharp edge on the bowl.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee entered C-17 pumphouse and tripped over a drain line. He landed on both knees and both hands.

2004 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped and fell when he stepped in liquid clay slurry deposited on concrete while he was getting a clay slurry sample from a storage tank.

Fall from machine

Employee was descending a railroad slurry car ladder when his foot slipped and he fell to the ground. He sustained a sprained left ankle.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS STEPPING FROM A SLURRY RAILCAR LADDER TO THE GROUND WHEN HE TRIPPED AND BROKE HIS LEFT WRIST WHILE TRYING TO CATCH HIS FALL.

Struck by falling object

Employee replacing broken screen frame. Broken frame had been raised/blocked to support weight. Block slipped from under frame. Frame fell across employee's hands causing fracture to right 2nd metacarpal and laceration to left 4th finger.

No Value Found

Employee crossing between buildings; tripped on a spot of concrete; fell; jammed right hand on pavement/ground resulting in open dislocation PIP joint middle finger, ring finger, deep laceration little finger PIP joint.

2003 · 5 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

GETTING OUT OF TRUCK, SLIPPED ON CLAY, HIT BOTTOM RAIL STEP OF TRUCK WITH LEFT LEG CAUSING LACERATIONS REQUIRING SUTURES.

Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS TRYING TO OPEN A VALVE THAT WAS FITTED WITH A ""T"" HANDLE. THE HANDLE BROKE AND THE EE STUMBLED BACK HITTING HIS HEAD ON A HEAT EXCHANGER PLATE CAUSING A LACERATION TO HIS HEAD (10 STITC HES REQUIRED). HE ALSO CHIPPED A TOOTH WHEN THE ""T"" HANDLE HIT HIM IN THE MOUTH.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE CHAIN ON A TOILET FLUSHING HANDLE WHEN THE PORCELAIN LID SLIPPED AND SHATTERED. HE TRIED TO CATCH TO LID AND CUT HIS HAND ON A PIECE OF PORCELAIN.

Struck against stationary object

WHILE MOVING GUARD, HAND STRUCK AGAINST ROTAR BLADE. LACERATED RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER. REQUIRED SUTURES.

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE STEPPED OFF BACK OF TRUCK ONTO BROKEN CEMENT; TWISTED RIGHT ANKLE; RESULTING IN SPRAIN/BRUISE TO ANKLE.

2002 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE BENT OVER TO LOOSEN THE RETAINING BAND ON A SCREEN AND EXPERIENCED A MUSCLE SPASM IN HIS LOWER BACK. STRAIN OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE EE ACTUALLY BEGINNING THE WORK ON THE SCREEN.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

UPON APPROACH TO STAIRWELL, EE SLIPPED DOWN AND LACERATED FINGERS ON GRATING (FLOOR). LACERATION REQUIRED SUTURES. MINOR SCRAPES TO LEFT LEG & ARM.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHEN EE WAS PULLING HIMSELF ONTO FORKLIFT, FELT SOMETHING POP IN LEFT RIB CAGE AREA. EXPERIENCED CHEST PAIN - POSSIBLE STRAIN.

Accident type, without injuries

#3 SPRAY DRYER BAGHOUSE, UNIT OVER HEATED RESULTING IN FIRE, 2 COMPARTMENTS, CONTAINED, INITIAL INVESTIGATION STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. LOCAL FORE DEPARTMENTS (2) RESPONDED.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE BRAKE ON HOPPER CAR. CHAIN WOULD NOT RELEASE EE APPLIED MORE PRESSURE, FOOT SLIPPED BRUISING INSTEP OF LEFT FOOT WET WEATHER CONDITION.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REMOVING PIPING UNDERNEATH MANIFOLD. REMOVED CLAMP FROM ONE END. PIPING SWUNG DOWN FROM OTHER END/ CLAMP. JAMMED LEFT HAND AGAINST HANDRAIL OF WORK PLATFORM. (UNSECURED PIPING) FRACTU RE TO LEFT THIRD FINGER. LIMITED USE OF LEFT HAND, 10 LB LIFTING, APPROX 3 WEEKS.

2001 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE TAKING SAMPLE OF PRODUCT, FELT ""TWINGE"" IN LOWER BACK. LOW BACK STRAIN.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE CARRYING WATER HEATER INTO LEACH CONTROL ROOM (FOR INSTALLATION), HAND WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN HEATER AND DOOR FRAME CAUSING LACERATION TO LEFT MIDDLE RING FINGER REQUIRING SUTURES.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STEPPED OFF BOTTOM STEP ONTO CONCRETE FLOOR; LEFT ANKLE TURNED CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO FALL RESULTING IN SPRAIN TO LEFT ANKLE.

Struck against stationary object

MECHANIC WAS LOOSENING A NUT & BOLT WITH A SOCKET WRENCH, THE WRENCH SLIPPED CAUSING THE MECHANIC'S RIGHT HAND TO STRIKE NEARBY STRUCTURE RESULTING IN A LACERATION REQUIRING FOUR STITCHES.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE WASHING UP EMPLOYEE STRAINED MUSCLE IN HIS BACK DUE TO PULLING ON WASH UP HOSE THAT WAS STUCK IN CLAY PRODUCT.

Struck against stationary object

EE BROKE HER FINGER (FINGER BETWEEN LITTLE AND MIDDLE FINGER) WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BREAK LOOS CLAY WITH A STEEL ROD.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MILLWRIGHT REMOVED ALL BOLTS TOPUMP BEARING HOUSING AND THE BEARING HOUSING SLIPPED OFF AND CRUSHED THE LEFT RING FINGER AND LACERATED THE LEFT MIDDLE AND LITTLE FINGERS.

2000 · 13 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

MAINTENANCE EE WAS STEPPING BETWEEN TWO CONCRETE MOUNTED PUMPS AND HIT HIS HARD HAT ON A BEAM CAUSING HIM TO FALL.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HOSE CLAMP CUT RIGHT HAND'S THUMB REQUIRING SUTURES.

Fall down stairs

SLIPPED ON STAIRS DUE TO CLAY SLURRY BUILD-UP.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

WASHING UP CLAY SLURRY ON CONCRETE BETWEEN CURBING/DIKES AND MISPLACE FOOT SUPPORT CAUSING FALL TO LEFT SIDE, WHICH RESULTED IN A LACERATION REQUIRING TWO SUTURES ON LEFT ELBOW.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

BENT OVER WHILE WASHING C9OMPANY TRUCK AND PULLED BACK MUSCLE.

Fall down stairs

EE SLIPPED AND FELL OFF STAIRS.

Fall from machine

SLIPPED OFF LADDER INSIDE RAILCAR.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE PUSHED STARTER BUTTON, BREAKER SHORTED INSIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL CAUSING PANEL BAR TO BURST OPEN CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO FALL BACKWARDS ONTO HIS RIGHT LEG ON GRAVEL SURFACE, WHICH RESULTED IN A LACERATION TO HIS RIGHT LEG NEEDING SUTURES

Accident type, without injuries

B-FRACTIONS IMPOUNDMENT DAM FAILED. WATER AND CLAY SLID DOWN GRADIENT TO NEXT IMPOUNT (5A IMPOUNT), WHICH IS IN SERIES. NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN DAM AND SLOPE (REMOVAL OF TREES).

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A DRILL PRESS TO DRILL HOLES IN METAL PLATE. METAL PLATE WAS NOT COMPLETELY TIGHTENED DOWN WITH VICE. AS A RESULT, THE VICE SLIPPED AND SPUN CATCHING EMPLOYEE'S LEFT RING F INGER AND CAUSING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WASHING MAKEDOWN MIXER OVERFLOW OF DRY CLAY PRODUCT OFF METAL SURFACE WITH WATER CREATING SLICK SURFACE OF CLAY AND WATER. CLAY & WATER MIXTURE DOES NOT PROPERLY DRAIN AT THIS LOCATION.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

UTILITY WORKER CLEANING UP EXCESS POLYMER AND CLAY SLURRY. SLIPPED WHILE CLEANING AT WHITE CLAY BUILDING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EXITING UP A RAILCAR EE TANGLED RIGHT LEG WITH WATER HOSE AND TWISTED RIGHT KNEE POINT OF INJURY ATTEMPTING TO UNTANLE WATER HOSE FROM LEG.