Mining Incidents

Empire QuarryMetal/Nonmetal

IN Limestone Co · Surface
Controlled by Polycor Inc
Oolitic, Lawrence County, IN · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1201061
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
79
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Sep 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

79 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was struck in the arm and hard hat by a jack handle while setting track for saw. Miner was transported to clinic to be evaluated out of precaution. No significant injuries reported by clinic.

2023 · 1 incident

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner showed Standard Threshold Shift in Annual Audiogram results.

2020 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Miner was pulling an airbag (~25lbs) on a rope behind self across ledge. Pulled muscle in back.

2019 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

Quarry Saw bar was lodged in cut. Crew was unable to remove without damaging. EE blocked the bar below to keep bar from falling 4"" to the ground & began the process of loosening the bar. When it broke free EE's foot happened to be right below the water line that comes out of the bar. Bar landed on skid as planned but water line hit left foot.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee diagnosed with Standard Threshold Shift in hearing when 2019 audiogram was compared to baseline test.

2018 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

Employee walked over to check on saw progress, satisfied they turned away from the saw and began walking away. Approx 7-9 away from saw a small piece of stone ricocheted from the saw cut and struck employee approx.1"" under the hard hat brim in the back of the head resulting in 2.75cm laceration. Doctor cleaned and applied a staple to close wound.

2017 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

WHILE PREPARING TO MOVE A QUARRY SAW, MINER WAS TRYING TO DISCONNECT THE MAIN PLUG FROM THE SAW BY PULLING DOWN. EE STATED THE PLUG SEEMED STUCK SO EE PULLED HARDER. WHEN THE PLUG FINALLY RELEASED EE'S HAND STRUCK A ""J HOOK"" WE USE TO SUPPORT THE SAW CABLE CAUSING THE CUT ON THE TOP OF EE'S HAND. TAKEN TO CLINIC FOR EVALUATION. FIVE STITCHES RECEIVED.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was guiding saw track into place (track was suspended <1 foot off ground by crane)and had thumb between two track sections; the section being set and its partner track that was already set. Two pieces came together and thumb was caught between. Sent to clinic for evaluation. Three stitches received for cut. No Rx, no missed work days.

Struck against a moving object

CAT988 Loader was setting a dimensional block of stone in 769C haul truck. Back of forks caught the tailgate blocks on haul truck jarring the truck. Haul truck operator was caught off guard and reacted to regain balance. Haul truck operator complained 25-30 minutes later of back pain. Taken to Clinic and diagnosed with back strain. Rx prescribed.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee enrolled in Hearing Conservation Program showed a Standard Threshold Shift in hearing after 2017 audiogram. (Of note, employee is a Disabled Military Veteran for hearing loss sustained in combat).

2016 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While measuring for future cuts on the ledge, Employee attempted to step over a barrier rope (approx. 30"" high). Employee's foot was tripped by the rope and employee fell over the rope landing on left knee, resulting in broken patella.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee attempted to lift a medium sized tire that was on the quarry floor. Tire had sat in slurry over the weekend and dried. Employee bent over to grab it with one hand and pulled up. Tire was stuck in the dried mud. Employee reported feeling a strain in back muscles.

2015 · 3 incidents

Rubbed or abraded

Employee, empty handed, attempted to jump onto stone block approx. 30 inches tall. When jumping, left foot slipped and right leg made contact with edge of block. Laceration resulting in suture.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee operating hand drill, assumes that his pant leg was up against the highest part of the turning drill steel. Employee pant leg was pulled into the drill steel and shut the drill off. A second employee saw the entanglement and used hammer to remove the pin that holds the bit in the drill to release the bit. An abrasion with laceration of approximately 3"" was sustained.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Conditions contributing to Injury: uneven working surface, inattention to task status. Resulting in losing balance, falling on backside while attempting to break fall with hand, sprained wrist.

2014 · 4 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner experienced a seizure due to low sugar. Miner was removed by ambulance and returned to work the next working day. **Disclosure: I do not know at this time what the miner' s SSN, DOB, and years of experience are at this time. I will update this info when it is obtained.** Thank you.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Miner was lifting hydraulic splitter from before it was free from the stone.

Struck by falling object

Miner was breaking block with splitter. When miner went to pull splitter from block, block fell and pulled miner down, injuring the miner's arm and knee. Miner was sent home by manager the following day due to soreness and then miner sought medical treatment. Miner has not returned to work since.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was struck in the testicles by a jack handle. Miner was attempting to lever a saw track with a jack when he bumped the handle, releasing the lock mechanism.

2013 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was given annual audiometric test on 7/24. Test showed an STS. Miner retested on 8/21. Retest confirmed STS. Results mailed to to operator 8/26. Results of retest received by operator 8/28. Filing now, but miner is seeing a physician on 9/11 to determine source or hearing loss, seeking more info. Providing as much info as known at this time.

Drowning

Trespasser entered non-active quarry area early morning of 5/19. Drug use and mobile lab are factors. Authorities recovered body from water, woman fell from high wall to water. Mine was not contacted. Mine read of incident in local news on 5/20, immediately reported incident via MSHA 800 hotline. Details are ongoing, and mine is cooperating with investigations.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The individual tripped on a pallet. The individual fell to the concrete floor, landing on his right elbow, and fracturing his elbow. ***Miner returned to work @ full capacity w/o restrictions on 5/15/13. On 7/10/13, he went back to restricted duty & remains on restricted duty @ time of submission of E-doc 1802792. To date, missed work days are 3/7/13, 3/8/13, 10/3/13, 10/4/13.

2012 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured employee was cutting a piece of 1/8"" steel with a hand held grinder when his finger came in contact with the cutting surface and cut his left index finger.

2011 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was beginning to unbolt two pieces of saw track when one of his co-workers saw him collapsed on the ground. Two co-workers immediately began CPR while the third called 911. They continued CPR until the ambulance arrived and paramedics took over. He was transported to the hospital and died there from an apparent heart attack.

Contact with heat

The employee complained of chest pain and trouble breathing. He was taken to the hospital and was told to stay out of the heat for two days. We are in the midst of a significant heat wave, temperatures in the mid 90s and heat index above 110 degrees. The employee had been welding the day before but had no problems that day.

2010 · 5 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Pulling air hose, lost balance and landed elbow first onto a hydraulic rock splitter box.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Subject was pulling water hoses across the surface and tripped over a saw track. Subject stated that he was o.k. and refused to go to the doctor. The subject worked the next 4 days. Approximately 7 days after the incident the complainant called into work with a pain in his chest.

Struck by falling object

Subject was standing next to a dump box and a bar rack fell across the bridge of the subject's left foot.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was loading a spool of hose into the back of the truck when the spool hit an 8' steel rod and it bounced it up hitting employee in the mouth.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee was grinidng metal when the metal got caught pulling his finger into grinding wheel

2009 · 4 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was stung by a bee.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was running his saw when he laid his measuring rod down on the ground where he was working. He went to take a step and tripped on the rod falling to the ground hitting his chest/ribs.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was lying down changing a hose on the haul truck when he rolled over onto some dirt and rocks and felt pain in his side/ribs.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was stepping over track (18"") and tripped, when not raising foot high enough, fell hitting his knee/leg.

2008 · 7 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was standing in maintenance shop when a co worker was playing around and hit him with a stack of shovels he was carrying, in the lower back.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was shoveling when he hit his arm on the track.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking across ledge when he slipped in a hole rolling his ankle over and all his weight going onto rolled ankle.

Fall from machine

Delivery Driver for Brown's Oil Supply a Kat Supplier. The driver was on back of truck moving a barrel to allow fork lift room to remove. When he was pulling backwards, he stumbled stepping backwards off the back of the trailer falling about 5' to the ground.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was turning on pump, when he was stung by a bee and due to being allergic, he was taken to the ER. Was not given completed accident form until 6/26/08.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a splitter out of the rock cut, when he felt a strain in his upper rib cage area.

Fall from machine

Employee was stepping down from cut with his drill, when he lost his balance, falling approx 5 feet and landing on his left side/ribs.

2007 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling out the tracks on the excavator when he felt a sharp pain in his back.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee hurt shoulder on 9/24/07 as a near miss, did not seek treatment until 10/1/07. He was setting airbags and while pulling on an air hose, it got caught on a rock and jerked his shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was checking the depth of a cut with a measuring rod. When he put the rod into the cut and it slid through his hands to measure, he cut it on the clamp that was attached to the rod.

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

Employee was moving skids on top of a block, when on skid fell over on his left little finger.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was helping load about 30 pieces of timber when he strained his back on 6/6/07 did not seek treatment until 6/8/07

Struck by rolling or sliding object

Employee was shoveling and a splitter that was leaning againist the rock wall, slid down stricking his Left Hand on the way down

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was turning off drill when he caught his figure on the banding resulting in a laceration to Left Middle Finger

2006 · 6 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee was carrying blocking (3 ft timber) when he fell into a hole, dropping the blocking on his right middle finger.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee had 3 10-15 lb u-joints in hand when he threw them away into the dumpster, then a knot appeared on his left wrist and hand.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking around a stone when he slipped and hit his left knee

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was breaking track with a rachet wrench when the wrench slipped and pinched his left middle finger.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking and stepped on a small rock, causing him to twist his right ankle.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was pulling cable into cherry picker, when he climbed on top of unit and slipped on spool deck hitting his right knee on the counter weight.

2005 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was helping lift a saw bar when the other individual let go, causing him to strain his back.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING WHEN HE REPORTED HIS BACK BEGAN TO HURT.

Struck by powered moving object

Two employees that were not paying attention to the people or the area surrounding them.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The Employee was drilling into the stone when the drill head started getting build up around it. When he kept trying to pull the drill out of the hole, he strained his lower back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a jack to adjust the track when his hand slipped and he hit his right thumb.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Complacency of employee in placing himself in an unsafe area between two limestone blocks, muddy ground conditions, taking unnecessary risks.

2004 · 7 incidents

Struck against a moving object

The Employee complained of back pain due to the repetitive bouncing of the loader seat that he operates everyday

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Using a Bloomfield jack in an awkward position due to the ground conditions. Resulting in the employee using the opposite side of his body than he is normally accustomed to resulting in a back strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The Employee was holding the track for the crane operator, when the operator backed up too fast causing the track to swing. The track hit the Employee in the left foot knocking him to the ground

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was running to his saw when he tripped over a string line and fell to the ground

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating the drill when the drill bit got caught and wrapped in the employee's pant leg causing it to pinch the left leg

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

This employee was on the bottom of the quarry and asked for an oil can. An employee from the top line dropped a can. The employee catching it hit a rough edge on the can and cut the tip of his thumb. Employee was given 1st aid on ledge but requested to go to the doctor on 4/16/04 after he super glued the cut. Follow up appt. is on 04/27/04

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A BLOOMFIELD JACK HAMMER AND LET GO OF THE HANDLE CAUSING THE HANDLE TO COME BACK UP AND STRIKE HIS LEFT EYE.

2003 · 5 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TAKING THE CHAINS OFF THE SAW AND GOT HISLEFT RING FINGER CAUGHT IN THE CHAIN AND HOOKS ON THE SAW, CUTTING IT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS STANDING ON THE LEDGE HELPING ANOTHER EE WHEN THAT EE SLIPPED AND REACHED FOR INJURED'S ARM, PULLING IT.

Struck by falling object

EMPLYEE WAS PULLING SKIDS OFF BLOCK AND SKID FELL ON TOP OF LEFT FOOT. CAME TO WORK NEXT EBENING, FOOT HURTING, WENT TO E.R. DID NOT REPORT TO ADMINISTRATION FOR TWO DAYS.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS SETTING SKIDS ON BLOCK WHEN HE LOST HIS FOOTING ON WET MUDDY ROCKS, FELL ON RIGHT HIP.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS BREAKING STONE WHEN HE SAID HE HURT HIS SIDE, COULD HAVE BEEN FROM BREAKING OR WHEN HE PICKED UP A BUCKET OF WEDGES. *EE DID NOT SEE A DR. UNTIL 4/7/03, MONDAY.

2002 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS ON TOP OF THE BLOCK, DRILLING WHEN THE BLOCK TURNED OVER AND HE FELL WITH IT (BLOCK HAD NATURAL DEFECT IN IT)

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THIS GENTLEMAN APPROACHED ILCI WITH REGARD TO WHITE LUNG DISEASE PER HIS DR.'S INSTRUCTION.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS BREKING, WHEN HE STRUCK THE WEDGE WITH HIS HAMMER, A SHAVING FROM THE WEDGE BROKE OFF AND CUT HIS RIGHT FOREARM.

2000 · 4 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS DRILLING ON BLOCK WHEN ONE END OF BLOCK FELL 18"" WITH HIM ON TOP. EMPLOYEE DID NOT FALL OFF THE BLOCK BUT HE DID FALL ONTO A BUCKET OF TOOLS, WHEN HIS FEET SLIPPED OUT FROM UNDER HIM.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STUCK FINGER IN ROCK TO HELP PRY THE ROCK, WHEN THE BARS UNDER THE ROCK WENT TO LIFT THE ROCK, THE ROCK CAME DOWN ON HIS FINGER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON OUTSIDE EDGE OF BLOCK WHILE BREAKING AND PULLING WEDGES. THE OUTSIDE BLOCK TURNED AND EMPLOYEE JUMPED OFF TWISTING HIS KNEE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WORKED ALL DAY W/O PAIN. HE WAS CLEARING STONE DEBRIS FROM BETWEEN BLOCKS. STONE WEIGHED FROM 150-200# EACH. WOKE UP NEX DAY WITH SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN.