Mining Incidents

Sandersville Calcine PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Imerys Clays Inc · Facility
Controlled by Imerys S A
Sandersville, Washington County, GA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0900111
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
36
Years on record
2001–2025
Latest incident
Oct 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

36 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Fall down stairs

Employees knee buckled while descending the stairs and employee fell and twisted their knee.

2023 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Miner was attempting to retrieve a bag from conveyor.

2022 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was using a knife to cut plastic electrical flex with an electrician knife. EE cut EE's left hand/wrist resulting in a laceration requiring 10 sutures.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE tried to tighten the hand brake wheel on a railcar to release brakes. EE felt a pop in the left wrist.

2021 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

On 04/07/2021, an Imerys employee approached me at 8:00AM in my office, in reference to a possible shoulder injury EE sustained several weeks ago. EE stated was restacking a pallet at the Lapp Warehouse when EE felt a pain in the shoulder. EE had surgery on 7/08/2021 to repair torn rotator cuff.

2019 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

3 mechanics were working on a screw and motor. when the last bolt was removed, the screw twisted around and bumped the mechanic and knocked EE down.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was exiting warehouse C thru the rear door. Employee slipped and fell on the wet concrete floor that had a small section of algae on the floor. They landed on their left shoulder. Employee got up and continued working. They requested to go to doctor on 3/6/19

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was descending the calcine silo stairs carrying post mill samples (3 samples weighing approximately 6lbs each), EE turned to stepped down from the landing to the next step. While shifting EE's weight onto one leg, EE felt a sharp pain in EE's left hip followed by a burning sensation down EE's left leg

2018 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The EE was operating bag machine when the EE reached up to position a fan. The blade on the fan struck EE's thumb causing a cut. Stitches were required in thumb.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was reclaiming 50lb bags and strained EE's back.

2017 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was using a packer pole while loading a bulk truck. Employee strained a mid back muscle while using the packer.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Lifting an approximately 65 - 70 lb roller slide.

2016 · 3 incidents

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

Employee applied light pressure to the aerial lift joystick expecting to raise the basket just a few inches. The lift responded to the controls by abruptly raising at least a foot crushing the employee's hand between the lift basket and an I beam. Employee received severe lacerations and a joint fracture to the little finger on EE's right hand.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was looking for a leak in dust collector. As ee went to shut the door it did not close properly and as ee tried to adjust the door it caught middle finger. EE was wearing gloves and ee removed it to find it had cut finger. EE then was taken to doctor where ee stitched it up and the employee returned to work the next day.

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

Placing roof decking on a warehouse with half ownership. Could not disturb the other side. The ridge cap was lifted by hand to slide new roof panels under. EE finger became pinched between the ridge cap and the new roof panel cutting finger.

2014 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The employee reached into a moving conveyor to attempt to remove an empty bag that was caught in the roller. While attempting to remove the bag, his arm was pulled into the conveyor.

2012 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was removing bolt from sweco screen band when the wrench slipped off bolt and struck employee in mouth resulting in a small chip of a front tooth.

2010 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was replacing bricks in calciner hearth door, after he finished he felt a pain in lower back.

2009 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was found on floor of office unconscious, EMS called and employee died at the hospital ER, probably from cardiac arrest.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was repairing a water ring. A piece of the floor grating was removed to access the area. The employee stepped back and fell in the opening. The employee recieved a laceration to his right elbow.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a pipe to unstop a screw conveyor and the pipe struck the employees hand causing a bruise.

2007 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was attempting to bolt a shaft to a gearbox, when the shaft slipped in clamp pinching left thumb betwwen clamp and coupling.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

AT END OF SHIFT EE DISMOUNTED HOPPER RAILCAR & BEGAN WALKING ACROSS CROSSING AREA BETWEEN TRACKS & STEPS AT ENTRANCE TO CALCINE BAG SHACK WHEN HE SLIPPED & FELL, BRUISING LEFT ELBOW. AREA HAD JUST BEEN WASHED OFF & WAS CLEAN, BUT WET & SLIPPERY.

2006 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was picking up #50 bag and turn to step up and felt a pull in his groin area.

2005 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt pain in back while tying shoe.

2004 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS GETTING OUT OF TRUCK AND PUSHED DOWN ON DOOR HANDLE. IT BROKE OFF, LEAVING A JAGGED PIECE WHICH CUT HIS FOREARM. TEN STITCHES REQUIRED.

2003 · 4 incidents

No Value Found

Slip (kaolin) was on work area floor. Employee lost footing, fell, and landed on back/buttocks resulting in contusion...Slip/fall

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE TRIPPED OVER A PRUTUDING FLOOR BOLT TRIPPED AND JAMMED HIS RIGHT HIP WHEN HE CAUGHT HIMSELF.

No Value Found

MECHANIC WAS WORKING ON A TRUCK TIGHTENING PTO SHAFT. WRENCH SLIPPED IN TIGHT SPOT AND MECHANICHIT HIS ELBOW ON HYDRAULIC PUMP. SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AS CONDITION WORSENED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. HE WAS EMAMINED AND GIVEN CELEBREX ANDRELEASED TO RETURN TO WORK.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING CALENDER AND TOP ROLL DROPPED UNEXPECTEDLY PULLING EMPLOYEE'S HAND BETWEEN ROLLS RESULTING IN CONTUSION TO THE RIGHT HAND.

2002 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

WALKING ACROSS ROUGH CLEARED GROUND AND TRIPPED OVER A ROOT AND FELL ON SIDE. WHEN EMPLOYEE STOOD UP, LOWER BACK WAS HURTING SEVERELY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped off a forklift and felt a pain in his left knee. The accident was not initially reportable to MSHA. He continued to work unrestricted until 02/17/05 when surgery was preformed to correct the pain problem.

Struck by falling object

EE ATTEMPTED TO CATCH CERAMIC JAR AS IT FELL TO CONCRETE FLOOR. HAND LACERATED BY BROKEN JAR.

2001 · 3 incidents

Struck by flying object

MILLWRIGHT WAS WORKING ON A PIPE SWITCHING BETWEEN WELDING AND GRINDING. WHILE GRINDING, A PIECEOF METAL WENT INTO EYE. HE WAS WEARING FACE SHIELD.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

SHAKING A 1,000 LB BAG OF CLAY THAT WAS HANGING ON THE BIG BAG DISPENSER WITH SIDE OF BODY OR HIP.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING & STACKING 50LB BAGS OF CLAY ONTO PALLETRESULTING IN PHYSICIAN DIAGNOSED TENDONITIS IN THE LEFT SHOULDER.