Mining Incidents

Patriot Aggregate PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by John F Steele Jr
Patriot, Switzerland County, IN · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1200670
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
106
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Oct 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

106 on file

2025 · 5 incidents

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

While the Mobile Equipment Mechanic was in the process of closing one of the Shop sliding doors with left hand, their left thumb was located between the side of the left door and the right door, resulting in the thumb being pinched between the two doors when at the closed position. The injury required closing lacerations of the thumb tissue.

Fall onto or against objects

While trying to access the 2nd deck of a 3 deck vibratory screen, employee slipped on a wet surface and twisted their right knee.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Operator was removing spillage from a product reclaim tunnel utilizing high pressure water supplied by a 1.5"" dia. heavy duty rubber hose. While performing this task, the operator pulled on the hose and strained muscle in the right side of the lower back.

Struck by falling object

While utilizing flanged clamps to connect a section of rubber hose 14""dia. x 4' long to rigid steel pipes w/ loose flanged ends above and below the hose, the top steel pipe section flange slipped downward smashing and breaking an employee's right hand middle finger while first connecting the lower pipe flanges.

Struck by falling object

While in the process of de-coupling the bucket of a 903C clean-up loader in the shop on a cold winter day by trying to work the bucket release levers, the bucket unexpectedly de-coupled and fell to the shop floor striking the mobile mechanics right foot. The right foot was broken in 2 places.

2024 · 3 incidents

Struck by flying object

While assisting the installation of a belt conveyor's new belting the pulling cable broke, resulting in the supporting chain hook swinging and hitting a maintenance man's right ankle, bruising the ankle.

Struck by falling object

A miner was positioning a 2-15/16"" x 58"" long steel shaft in a band saw for cutting, when the supporting saw horse fell over due to the force exerted to move the heavy steel shaft, which then fell to the shop concrete floor, striking the right foot of the miner. The right foot was broken, resulting in the employee being restricted to ground level work only (no driving).

Flash burns (welding)

Assisted welder by holding a metal liner in place while another employee was welding. The employee was wearing safety glasses, not a welding hood. Employee was diagnosed with Photokeratitis of both eyes and will miss a couple days of work.

2023 · 1 incident

Contact with hot objects or substances

The torch tip was plugged so employee tried to brush away slag build up with glove on and accidentally hit the trigger which burned EE's index finger with hot air.

2022 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE grabbed liner from co-worker and turned to place liner and EE's knee popped and started hurting. EE went to Concentra on 3/1/22 and was put on modified duty. Has follow up in two days.

2021 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

employee was using a shovel to clean up on a pontoon on dredge twisted and felt sharp pain after arriving home felt more pain so went to medical facility on 6/29/2021 brought a note in reading may return to work 7/2/21.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was helping install a plate estimating to weigh 30 pounds EE and another employee while holding plate in place shoulder popped and started hurting worse around 12:00 pm EE was treated ST. Elizabeth Business Health was put on restricted duty until follow up appointment 2/8/2021

2020 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Changing screen cloth, employee was pulling and tugging on screen cloth said shoulder started hurting. Was seen at health care and was told they had a shoulder sprain.

2019 · 5 incidents

Struck by flying object

Employee was cutting shaft with Band saw blade stuck when walked around to lift blade, shaft fell hit piece of metal on floor which flipped up causing facial laceration. Employee received sutures and returned to work

Struck by rolling or sliding object

EE wrote was pitching mud out of k-4 chute and rock rolled down and hit backside of hand and wrist. Doctor put EE on modified duty on 5/8/2019. EE is not to use right arm until follow up appointment.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE handed IE a metal liner. When IE grabbed liner and twisted to set down, IE felt a sharp pain up back. Hand and foot went numb - pain in upper back. IE was taken to health care center. Work release reads may return tomorrow if able to work without taking pain medicine to do light duty. Needs follow up 3-4 days for further evaluation.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

employee had tightness in chest thought EE was having a heart attack employee was taken to high point health employees second blood test showed EE may have had a mild heart attack employee is having more test for results EE was admitted to the hospital

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was cutting performing maintenance. After viewing work area, employee attempted to re-lite torch and welding glove ignited burning right hand. Employee was seen at the emergency room and released to return back to work with no restrictions.

2018 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

shoveling material in 2 tunnel pain in lower back employee was taken to high point Health physician diagnosed right lumbar strain.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee went to catch water hose so it would not fall and when reached ee felt a pop in shoulder blade down back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cutting new skirt rubber knife came off rubber cut right leg employee received three stitches was put on restricted duty for one week

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

Was holding up skirt board rubber while pulling a belt on when the pry bar came in contact with the tail pulley pinching finger between the pry bar and I beam. Employee was put on light duty or restricted duty.

Struck by falling object

EE and another ee was carrying a shaft in the new barn shaft slid through hangers contacting ee on left foot ee was placed on restricted duty.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

removing a 7"" x 116"" pipe from D-2 Laundry (removing Pipe from under Screen Area) with the help of three other employees.

2017 · 4 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Cutting off bearing tried to clean torch tip by rubbing on hand torch lit up and burnt wrist

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE wrote was shoveling under the conveyor belt because material was packed up under it and when EE went to throw the material on the belt felt a sharp burning pain in shoulder. EE was put on light to restricted duty. Resume normal activity 10/02/2017 according to M.D.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

employee said handling twisting pushing 55 gal oil drums to change oil on hydraulic pump on dredge finished job left at end of shift at 7.30 am went home went to bed woke up late afternoon felt a little sore wasn't bad sat morning woke up in a lot of pain it progressed through weekend

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Lining up truss on F-5-B with come a long when chain broke hitting EE right wrist. Physician performed procedures Laceration/wound repair at Dearborn county Hospital phone 8125378240

2016 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Working on plant stepped on rock twisted ankle.

2015 · 3 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

cutting off bearing hot slag fell on boot

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Bent over to shovel last part of tunnel, when straightening, back tightened and miner said he had constant back pain.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Miner was carrying a section of pipe, weighing approximately 20 pounds, up the stairs when he felt a pain on the right side of his lower back.

2014 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking down steps with a screen and felt a pain in his right calf. Diagnosis from physician is muscle/tendon strain.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured was doing clean-up at the stacker, shoveling material when he got a sharp pain in his back. He was able to continue working with slight back pain but after he got home, the pain became unbearable and he went to the emergency room.

2013 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While installing a discharge lip liner on the bottom deck of K-4 he twisted his back.

Struck against stationary object

Miner reported that he was walking quickly and turned the corner at barge loading cell powerhouse and struck his left shoulder against the powerhouse causing the injury.

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

Injured miner was installing chute liner in the K-12 Classifier chute when the liner fell pinning miner' s right hand between the liner and the chute. Injured miner was diagnosed with a wrist fracture.

2012 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Miner went to doctor for pain/discomfort in his shoulder and underwent surgery on January 8, 2013. Physician believes the pain/discomfort is linked to either joint degeneration, or a minor shoulder strain miner received on August 13th for which he received first aid and returned to work.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Injured was walking across dredge deck to turn on lights, tripped over the hoist cable, fell to the deck and injured his left arm. The original diagnosis by attending physician is a broken left elbow.

2011 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

The employee was removing an intercooler from our haul truck (Unit # 232) and the cooler slipped off the mounting brackets and fell on his finger.

2010 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

EE was following another employee into Bin #8 (plant area) and some dirt and/or rust fell into his face. EE went to the E.R. first thing the following day-2/4/2010 after his injury. This is when the supervisor was notified of the injury.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was climbing out of M-18 head box and felt like he pulled a muscle in his groin area.

2009 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was trying to catch the men on 3rd shift before they left the plant, because they didn't have to report for work that evening. He got out of Unit #220 & shut his finger on his right hand in the driver side door. He didn't miss any work because he wasn't scheduled to work on Friday, 10/23/09 & he returned on his regular shift on Sunday, 10/25/09 at 11:00 P.M.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured was replacing a bad TRA and when he lifted the idler, he pulled something in his right side. His shift started at 11:00 P.M. on 4/26/09.

2008 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling material from under the conveyor and his shoulder popped.

Struck by falling object

Employee was replacing a return roller on the M-25 conveyor; the roller came out of the opposite end bracket and hit his right ankle.

Struck against stationary object

Employee shut down the Plant & while exiting the shack, he stepped on a piece of screen that someone welded on the catwalk. He twisted his left foot/ankle. He returned to work on 8/19/08. He had follow-up appt. with another dr. on 8-20-08. He had restrictions, therefore, he will not be returning yet. His next appt. is on 8-29-08.

Fall onto or against objects

EE was working on the Telsmith #44 tightening bolts. Wrench slipped off the bolt causing him to fall into the belt guard and motor. He received a scraped shin and buttocks. He did not go to the doctor until 5/20/08.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing out of the shaker on the Dredge and something tore in the lower part of his left leg.

Struck by falling object

Employee was cutting a toggle bearing out and when he went to pry it off, it fell out and hit his left foot, behind his steel toe.

2007 · 10 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was installing liners in M-2 Syntrons. The pry bar slipped and hit his upper lip and lacerated it.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Slipped on ice on stairs. Injured his back.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was using a 2"" wire reinforced hose to cleanup in the Plant. He didn't notice a wire sticking out of the hose and cut his finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was laying down a piece of C-channel and his shoulder popped. Addendum: Employee returned to a follow-up appointment 10/12/07, to an orthopedic surgeon in Aurora, Indiana. The doctor put him on a restricted work activity schedule. There is no position in this capacity at Hilltop at Patriot.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was carrying a turbo off of Unit #232 and while climbing down the ladder, he noticed a small pain in his lower back and leg (left-side).

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling material away from a berm to the hopper so he could replace rubber over a hole; he hurt his back while shoveling the material.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was trying to unplug the crusher using a pry bar and hammer. While he was driving the bar into the material, he hit his index finger on his right hand. His finger was laid open.

Flash burns (welding)

Employee was welding a discharge tail box for C-12 conveyor and received flash burn. He was welding inside a tight area and was wearing all necessary safety equipment.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting the belt off on M-17 conveyor and slipped. He hit his knee with the belt and slipped and cut his knee. Due to weather conditions, this was a factor in the injury.

Flash burns (welding)

Ee was holding a liner for another ee in the plant in bin #7 and received a welder flash.

2006 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a screen out of K-1 shaker and pulled something in his wrist.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing up into the cab of unit #230, (Loader) and felt something pop in his lower back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While doing daily plant inspections, tripped over hose laying on catwalk. While looking back at hose, he missed a step and bent his foot back.

Struck against stationary object

Inj Employee and another employee, were replacing return rollers on m-23 converyor and while trying to break the bolt loose, the bolt broke, causing inj EE to ram his elbow against the trough roller assembly.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was installing Huck Bolts in the pan feeder with a huck bolt gun. He went to put the huck bolt in and the huck bolt gun turned and pinned his finger where he could not release the trigger, mashing his finger.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REPLACING DISCHARGE LINERS (K2 CHUTE/PLANT) AND AS HE WAS CLIMBING OUT, HE HIT THE T.D. DISCHARGE APRON. HE SLIPPED AND GRABBED THE APRON METAL AND HURT HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

2005 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE stated his partner was welding a patch, it slipped out of his hand and hit him in the mouth.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was bent over using a grease gun when he felt a pop in his lower back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a water hose to do cleanup at changeover. When plant valved down sand side of plant, the water pressure increased causing employee to pull a muscle in his back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

He was working in a small electrical box and was stripping a wire and cut his left forearm.

2004 · 5 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee was mounting the shaft and gear reducer on the belt winding equipment. He was using the front end loader with a chain to hold the gear reducer and the chain slipped off of the edge of the bucket.

Struck by falling object

Ee was attempting to pry loose bridged conglomerate from crusher opening. the bridged material came loose and caused the pry bar to hit him in the head.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was shoveling material on M-2 belt, while putting material on the belt. He twisted wrong, pulling or pinching something in lower back area.

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

EE WAS HELPING TO CLEAN OUT THE CHUTE TO THE IMPACT CRUSHER. HE WAS MOVING THE JACKHAMMER AND MASHED HIS LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN THE JACKHAMMER AND THE SIDE OF THE IMPACT CRUSHER.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS HELPING ANOTHER EE LIFT A LINER AND TWISTED HIS LEFT ANKLE WHEN STEPPING BACK.

2003 · 5 incidents

Fall from machine

EE WAS CLIMBING LOADER TO PUT WINDSHIELD FLUID IN THE LOADER. WHEN TRYING TO CLIMB LADDER WITH FLUID, HE LOST FOOTING & FELL TO THE GROUND, HITTING HIS ELBOW.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INSTALLING V-BELT HAD A COME ALONG ON REDUCER TO PULL TURNBUCKLE BACK. COME A LONG CAME LOOSE, REDUCER TURNED AND HIT EE S TAILBONE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CARRYING SCREEN TO K-5 SHAKER AND SAID HE FELT SOMETHING PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS SHOVELING IN SAND TUNNEL AND PUTTING MATERIAL ON THE BELT WHEN HE PULLED SOMETHING IN HIS BACK.

Flash burns (welding)

EE WAS WELDING LINERS IN THE DREDGE HOPPER. HE GOT OFF OF WORK AT 4 P.M. BY 7 P.M. HE SAID HIS EYES WERE BOTHERING HIM AND HE WENT TO THE E.R. HE HAD WELDERS FLASH TO HIS EYES.

2002 · 8 incidents

Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING THE LADDER ON UNIT #210, HE SLIPPED AND HIT HIS RIGHT KNEE ON THE LADDER.(UNIT #210 FRONT END LOADER).

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS PRYING THE COUNTERWEIGHT OFF OF THE FLOAT SIDE BEARING, THE PRY BAR SLIPPED & HIS HAND HIT THE CORNER OF THE COUNTERWEIGHT. IT TORE HIS SKIN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS NEXT TO THE STACKER TRACK, WHERE PLANT MAINTENANCE WAS MAKING REPAIRS, AND SOMETHING WENT INTO HIS EYE. (SLAG).

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CUTTING THE BELT & LOST HIS FOOTING, CAUSING HIM TO CUT HIS FINGER.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS ON UNIT #221 (LOADER) TO LIFT THE GRAVITY TAKE UP WEIGHT SO MAINTENANCE COULD CHANGE A RETURN ROLLER. AFTER LIFTING THE WEIGHT HE WENT TO EXIT THE LOADER. AS HE EXITED THE LOADER THE RE TURN ROLLER FELL STRIKING HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS HARD HAT. HIS HARD HAT WAS DRIVEN INTO HIS HEAD.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CARRYING AN OXYGEN TANK UP TO THE PLANT AND HURT HIS LEFT SHOULDER.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS USING A PORTAPOWER AND WHEN THE PRESSURE WENT UP HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED AND HIT EE IN THEEYES. (THE PRESSURE IN THE HYDRAULIC HOSES CAUSED THE FLUID TO SPRAY FROM OUT AROUND COUPLINGS).

Struck by falling object

INSTALLING A T.D. SPRAY BAR, EE STARTED SCREWING THE SPRAY BAR IN AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS STARTED.THE SPRAY BAR FELL AND HIT HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE SPRAY BAR AND SHAKER.

2001 · 12 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CHECKING HIS BINS WHEN HE STEPPED ON A 2"" WATER HOSE AND TWISTED HIS ANKLE.

Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS CLIMBING OFF THE TOP OF UNIT #225. HE JUMPED FROM THE BOTTOM STEP OF THE LADDER AND HIT HIS LEFT KNEE ON THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TORCH TANKS.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS SWINGING A SLEDGE HAMMER, HITTING A BOARD TO INSTALL THE HOUSING. THE HAMMER KICKED BACK AND EE'S HAND HIT A PIN ON THE SHAKER.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING A SIDE RAIL ON THE SHAKER WHEN HIS HAND SLID DOWN THE TOP EDGE OF THE RAIL, CUTTING HIS HAND OPEN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HOISTING A BARREL OF OIL UP TO THE PLANT. EE SAID THAT HE THOUGHT HE HEARD A POP AND HE EITHER LET GO OF THE HOIST HANDLE OR HIS HANDS SLIPPED. THE HOIST HANDLE HIT HIM IN THE FACE.

Struck by flying object

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO DISLODGE A ROCK FROM THE GRIZZLY, WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER, AND THE ROCK HIT HIM IN THE CHIN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE MEN WERE REMOVING A TAIL PULLEY, USING A PULLING BAR TO MOVE THE BELT BACK AND THE LUG BROKE. THE CHAIN AND LUG OFF OF THE BAR HIT INJURED IN THE FACE.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS INSTALLING THE DIE IN THE JAW CRUSHER, WHEN THE CHAIN HOLDING THE CHAIN HOIST CAME UNDONE. THE CHAIN HOIST FELL, HITTING EE IN THE LEFT SHOULDER.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS CROSSING THE DRAINAGE DITCH AT THE TAIL OF M-23-A. WHILE GOING TO THE TRUCK HE SLIPPED ONSOME MUD OR GRAVEL. HE FELL FORWARD AND HURT HISSHOULDER.

Flash burns (welding)

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING A PLATE OVER A CONTROL BOX FOR THE RINSE STATION, HE BURNT HIS ARM FROM THE FLASH.

Fall from machine

EE WAS REMOVING THE TAIL GUARD ON M-74. UPON REMOVAL, THE GUARD GOT HUNG UP. EE CLIMBED UP ON THE BELT TO FREE IT AND WHEN HE WENT TO THROW IT OFF IT CAUGHT HIS COVERALLS. IT FLIPPED HIM OVER AND HE HIT AGAINST THE TAIL SECTION OF THE CONVEYOR AND THE GROUND.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING FROM HIS TRUCK TO THE SHOP AREA AND SLIPPED ON THE ICY GROUND. HE LANDED ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

2000 · 6 incidents

Fall down stairs

EE WAS STEPPING DOWN THE STAIRS. HE SLIPPED AND HIT HIS LEFT KNEE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HOOKING UP COMEALONG AND BENT HIS LITTLE FINGER BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING ON A BEND PULLEY TO GET IT IN PLACE. HE TWISTED AND IT HURT HIS BACK.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REMOVING A BAD TRA ROLLER AND CUT HIS FINGER ON THE ROLLER.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS LIFTING A DROP IN LINER FOR THE DREDGE AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HANDS AND HIT RIGHT LEG ON THE SHIN. I ASKED EE IF HE WANTED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, HE SAID HE WAS O.K.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS JOGGING A CONVEYOR BELT FORWARD TO MAKE A BELT SPLICE. A PIECE OF SAND WENT IN HIS EYE. EE WAS WEARING HIS SAFETY GLASSES.