EE WAS CARRYING TWO 5 GALLON WATER JUGS OUT OF THE OLD OFFICE. EE HAD THE JUGS IN BOTH HANDS. EE HIT THE DOOR ""PUSH BAR"" WITH EE'S RIGHT ARM / SHOULDER TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND EE HIT EE'S SHOULDER INTO THE DOOR. SHOULDER WAS HURTING A BIT BUT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL. WENT TO DR ON 05-19-2025 AND HAS NOT RETURNED TO WORK.
EE WAS LOOSENING A CUTTER BAR RETAINING BOLT WITH A 36"" WRENCH. THE WRENCH SLIPPED CAUSING EE'S HEAD TO WHIPLASH AS EE CAUGHT SELF. BACK & NECK PAIN. CLICKING IN NECK. NUMBNESS IN LEFT FINGERTIPS.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING THE LHD TRACTOR LOADER BACK INTO A ROOM WE ARE MINING. EE HIT A RAISED CUT IN THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE TRACTOR TO BOUNCE. EE'S HARD HAT FELL OFF AND EE HIT HEAD ON THE CEILING/ROOF OF THE TRACTOR CAB.
EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING SALT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE MILL BUILDING AND FELT A POP AND PAIN IN THEIR RIGHT SHOULDER.
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING FROM THE UNDERGROUND LUNCH ROOM TO EMPLOYEE'S KUBOTA CLUB CAR. EMPLOYEE STEPPED OFF A SLIGHT CUT ALONG THE WALKWAY AND INJURED BACK.
WAS ASSISTING WITH PAINTING THE POWDERWAGON AND GOT SOME PAINT ON SKIN DURING THE PROCESS. DIAGNOSED WITH CONTACT DERMATITIS DUE TO RASH AND SWELLING. ALLERGIC REACTION STARTED 05-19-2024.
NO LOST TIME AT DATE OF ACCIDENT - NOT REPORTABLE UNTIL 04/08/2024 WHEN EMPLOYEE UNDERWENT SURGERY. EE WAS PUTTING FUEL IN THE DRILL. WHILE LIFTING THE FUEL CONTAINER EE FELT A POP IN RIGHT ARM. EE'S ARM / BICEPS AREA WAS BRUISED.
EE WAS WALKING DOWN THE STEPS IN THE LOADING AREA AFTER LOADING A RAILCAR AND TRIPPED ON THE STEPS. EE DID NOT FALL BUT LANDED FUNNY ON EE'S RIGHT LEG. RIGHT LEG FROM HIP DOWN IS HURTING.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING A JOHN DEERE TRACTOR HAULING A TRAILER WITH SUPER SACKS OF SALT. THEY STOPPED TO UNLOAD THE BAGS AND ROLLED AN ANKLE WHILE STEPPING OFF THE TRACTOR.
EE STEPPED OFF THE DRILL AND STARTED TO TURN AND WALK. EE TRIPPED OVER A ROCK IN THE ROADWAY AND FELL ON EE'S LEFT SIDE AND INJURED EE'S RIBS
EE WAS HOLDING A POWDER HOSE WHILE POWDERING A DRILLED HOLE. THE POWDER HOSE GOT PLUGGED UP AND BROKE FREE AND FORCEFULLY EXITED THE HOLE IN THE WALL. THE MOTION OF THE HOSE EXITING THE HOLE OVER EXTENDED EE'S RIGHT SHOULDER.
EMPLOYEE WAS SCALING THE ROOF. A PIECE OF SALT FELL ON EE'S SCALING BAR AND EE'S RIGHT INDEX FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE BAR AND THE FACE WALL OF MINE.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING AN LHD LOADER TOWARDS THE FACE OF THE MINE. TRACTOR HIT A POTHOLE WHICH CAUSED THE MACHINE TO BOUNCE. EMPLOYEES HEAD BOUNCED AND STRUCK THE TOP OF THE TRACTOR CAB.
EMPLOYEE WAS HOLDING PIECES OF METAL WHILE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WELDED THE METAL TOGETHER. EMPLOYEES EYES BOTHERED EE AFTER WORK AND EVENTUALLY EE WENT TO THE ER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ARC BURN IN EE'S EYES.
EMPLOYEE WAS MARKING A ROOM FOR DRILLING AND TRIPPED ON A ROCK, LOST BALANCE, AND FELL TO THE GROUND. LESION ON RIGHT FOREARM AND LANDED ON LEFT SHOULDER.
EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING A TRAP DOOR ON A RAILCAR. EE HAD A PORTA POWER HYDRAULIC JACK THAT WAS ASSISTING WITH LIFTING THE TRAP DOOR TO THE RAILCAR LEVEL TO BE WELDED. THE PORTA POWER JACK SLIPPED AND STRUCK EE IN THE FACE.
EE WAS DRIVING A GOLF CART TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT AT THE END OF SHIFT. EE HAD LEG/KNEE HANGING TO THE SIDE OF THE CART. EE WENT THROUGH A CURTAIN AND AN LHD TRACTOR WAS PARKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CURTAIN. GOLF CART AND EE'S KNEE HIT THE PARKED LHD. HAD A SCRAPE BELOW THE KNEE AND IT SWELLED UP.
EMPLOYEE WAS POWDERING A DRILLED HOLE IN A WORKING ROOM. POWDER HOSE GOT PLUGGED UP. EMPLOYEE WAS HOLDING THE HOSE WHEN THE PLUG BROKE FREE AND IT FORCEFULLY EXITED THE HOLE IN THE WALL. THE MOTION OF THE FORCEFUL EXIT OF THE HOSE OVER EXTENDED (BACKWARDS) THE EMPLOYEES SHOULDER.
PLANT POWER WAS LOST AT 6:55AM DUE TO A ROLLING OUTAGE DUE TO EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS, INCREASED DEMAND, AND LIMITED SUPPLY. THE OUTAGE LASTED UNTIL 8:13AM. MSHA WAS NOTIFIED AT 7:05AM. FOUR EMPLOYEES WERE IN THE SKIP HEADED DOWN THE SHAFT WHEN THE OUTAGE OCCURED. THEY REMAINED IN THE SHAFT UNTIL POWER RESUMED AND THEY WERE SAFELY HOISTED BACK TO THE SURFACE.
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BACK TO EE'S LOADER FROM BREAK WHEN EE SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN LANDING ON EE'S BACK AND HITTING EE'S HEAD ON THE GROUND. WITNESS HELPED EE GET UP. EE WORKED THE REST OF EE'S SHIFT AND WORKED SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT REPORTING THE ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED ON 09/15/2020 WHEN EE WAS EXPERIENCING PAIN IN EE'S NECK AND LEFT SHOULDER AND ARM.
EE'S HAND SLIPPED WHILE OPENING A BOX OF FUSES AT THE ANFO TRAILER WITH A KNIFE. EE CUT EE'S RIGHT THUMB. EE INITIALLY WRAPPED IT IN A CLEAN RAG. EE ASKED ANOTHER EMPLOYEE TO CUT OFF PART OF THE EXCESS RAG. EE'S KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT IE'S RIGHT THUMB A SECOND TIME.
EMPLOYEE WAS CLOSING AN OVERHEAD DOOR AT THE HOIST BUILDING. EE WAS USING A PULL CHAIN TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE CHAIN SLIPPED OUT OF HAND AND THE DOOR SHUT ON A FOOT. BROKEN BONE IN LEFT FOOT.
Employee was standing up tightening bolts on the south skip. Heard a ripping sound from left knee and felt pain. Could not bear any weight on left leg.
EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING SALT ONTO CONVEYOR BELT WHEN EE FELT PAIN IN LOWER BACK.
EE was opening the lids on the top of a railcar to load the car with salt. Injured lower right side of back while opening the last lid on the car.
Employee was in the warehouse lifting a bag of salt from a pallet onto a conveyor, to have the bag re-stacked by the robot and injured their back during the process.
Employee was sitting in a chair in the mill building office and bent over to pick up a tool and felt a pop in back
EMPLOYEE WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT PREPARING THE SKIP FOR MAN TRANSPORT. HE WENT TO LOWER THE SKIP DOOR AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.
Employee carried (4) 10' sections of auger up a few steps in the screen room mill building to assist maintenance with the replacement of the augers. He felt pain and strain in his left elbow.
EMPLOYEE TWISTED HIS LEFT KNEE WHILE DISMOUNTING FROM THE RAIL KING RAIL CAR MOVER.
EE WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THE TRACKMOBLE. UPON COMPLETION EE STARTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE TIRE. THE SPLIT RIM FAILED AND SHOT OFF THE UNIT. IT BLEW DIRT AND RUST PARTICLES INTO HIS ARMS, CHEST, STOMACH, AND LEGS. THE RIM HIT HIS LEFT LEG AND HIS KNEE SWELLED UP. RIM WAS RUSTED BUT DID NOT SHOW VISABLE SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
EMPLOYEE DISMOUNTED FROM THE CLARK FORKLIFT OPERATOR'S SEAT AND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS LEFT TESTICLE. EMPLOYEE FELT SHARP PAIN IN LEFT TESTICLE.
EMPLOYEE WAS CHIPPING OUT CONCRETE FROM MINE AIR SHAFT WALL USING AN AIR HAMMER. A BLISTER FORMED ON HIS RIGHT PALM WHILE USING THE HAMMER. EMPLOYEE NOTICED ON 07-20-13 THAT THE BLISTER WAS INFECTED AND THE INFECTION WAS RUNNING UP HIS WRIST & ARM. TREATED WITH IV AND ORAL ANTIBIOTICS.
A HEAVY STORM CREATED 65-80 MPH WINDS. THE WINDS BROKE A WOODEN POWER POLE LOCATED ON US 40 HWY 2 1/4 MILES NW OF THE MINE. POWER WENT OUT AT MINE WHEN POLE BROKE. POWER OUTAGE OCCURRED AT 5:50PM, MINERS NOTIFIED TO EVACUATE AT 5:52PM, MSHA 800# WAS CALLED AT 5:58PM. MEN ARRIVED ABOVE GROUND AT 6:20PM USING ESCAPE SHAFT. POWER RESTORED AT 6:30PM.
EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING A TOP ROLLER ONTO A SKID STEER WHILE TEARING DOWN OLD BELT LINE AN SMASHED HIS LEFT MIDDLE FINGER BETWEEN THE SKID AND THE ROLLER. LEFT MIDDLE INDEX FINGER BROKEN AT TIP OF FINGER
EE was helping another employee unload and move an electrical disconnect box from a golf cart. EE felt a pain in his left forearm while setting the box down. Injury was not reported until 04-16-13.
DURING INSPECTION OF THE NORTH AIR SHAFT, THE TEMPORARY CAPSULE GOT CAUGHT AND BECAME LODGED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. CABLE SPOOLED ON TOP OF THE CAPSULE CAUSING IT TO DISLOGE AND FREEFALL. IT STRUCK AND DAMAGED 2 5KV CABLES CAUSING POWER OUTAGE TO THE ENTIRE MINE. HOIST POWER WAS RESTORED AT 6:30PM. REPAIRS PERFORMED AND UNDERGROUND POWER WAS RESTORED ON 12/05/12 AT 5:00PM
THE MAIN #1 HOIST (NORDBERG 7030-1084) WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE 10-29-2012 AT 7:40AM. SERVICE WORK ON THE MG SET WAS PERFORMED OVER THE WEEKEND. NOISE AND LIGHT SPARKING WAS COMING FROM THE MOTOR. INDEPENDENT ELECTRIC WAS CALLED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT 2 WIRES HAD BEEN CROSSED. THE WIRES WERE DISCONNECTED AND HOOKED UP PROPERLY. HOIST WAS PLACED BACK INTO SERVICE AT 8:20AM.
Employee was using a skid loader to clean up and move salt from the mine floor. Skid dump was lifted and a chunk of salt approximately 150 lbs rolled over the top of the bucket and entered the front left corner of the operators cab. Chunk of salt struck Employee's left hand/arm. Employee has broken bone in left hand.
EMPLOYEE HAD BOTH ARMS RAISED ABOVE HIS HEAD TO OPEN A FINE SALT CHUTE TO BEGIN TO SACK SALT. PULLED LEVER BACK AND FELT A PULL OR TEAR IN RIGHT SHOULDER. EMPLOYEE THOUGHT IT WAS INSIGNIFICANT AND DID NOT REPORT TO SUPERVISOR OR MANAGEMENT UNTIL 04-16-2012.
EE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN HIS LOWER RIGHT ABDOMEN ON 12-28-2011. INITIAL DR VISIT ON 12/29/11 REVEALED HERNIA. EE SOUGHT 2ND OPINION. THAT DR DIAGNOSED ONLY A MUSCLE PULL/STRAIN AND GAVE EE A NO RESTRICTION DR NOTE. EE BELIEVES THE CAUSE WAS HEAVY LIFTING AND SHOVELING OF SALT OVER EXTENDING PERIOD OF TIME. RELATED TO ACCIDENT REPORTED JUNE 2011. EE QUIT 1/13/12.
THE MAIN PRODUCTION HOIST WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE THE MORNING OF 10/21/2011 AT 7:00AM TO PERFORM HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. AT 6:05AM, THE MSHA 1-800# WAS CALLED BY AN EE TO ADVISE THEM OF THE SITUATION. THE HOIST WAS PLACED BACK INTO SERVICE AT 5:40PM. NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS ONLY THE HYDRAULIC MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED.
MAIN PRODUCTION HOIST WOULD NOT START AT BEGINNING OF SHIFT. TROUBLE SHOOTING AND INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. DISCOVERED A BAD BEARING THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. BEARING WAS REPLACED 10/20/2011.
EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEEL OF THE ANFO HAULING TRAILER. A LUG THAT WAS TIGHT BROKE LOOSE. WHEN THE LUG BROKE LOOSE, THE EMPLOYEE WENT WITH IT AND CAUSED HIM TO HIT HIS HEAD (JUST ABOVE HIS LEFT EYE) ON THE TRAILER. EMPLOYEE'S GLASSES WERE BENT AND HEAD WAS CUT.
EMPLOYEE WAS UNLOADING SALT FROM A RAILCAR AT THE UNLOAD STATION. LARGE CHUNKS OF SALT BEGAN TO BUILD UP IN THE UNLOAD CHUTE. EMPLOYEE USED A 1/2"" PIPE IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISLODGE THE SALT AND THE PIPE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE AUGER. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE PIPE WAS FORCED TO THE NORTH AND THE EMPLOYEES RIGHT INDEX FINGER IMPACTED THE BOTTOM OF THE RAILCAR TRAP.
EMPLOYEE WAS REPAIRING / INSTALLING ROLL MILL AND HAD LEFT POINTER FINGER SMASHED BETWEEN THE FRAMEWORK AND PIPE.
MARK WAS OPERATING THE AUTO SACKING SYSTEM AND HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BAG SEALS. MARK WAS STACKING THE UNSEALED BAGS INTO A PILE. MARK BEGAN TO WALK OVER TO THE AUTO SACKER CONTROL PANEL AND CAUGHT HIS LEFT FOOT ON A BAG. HE TRIPPED BUT WAS ABLE TO CATCH HIS BALANCE. LEFT HIP WAS SORE.
EMPLOYEE LIFTED A BARREL OF GREASE ONTO THE BACK OF THE GOLF CART WHILE UNDERGROUND. FEELS PAIN AROUND THE LOWER RIGHT RIB CAGE (FRONT OF BODY).
The main hoist went out of service at 4:15pm. Upon investigation a hydraulic line fitting blow out was discovered. At 4:40pm the men underground were evacuated to the surface of our #3 shaft. At 4:45pm the hydraulic line and fitting were repaired. At 4:55pm the MSHA 1-800# was called to advise of the situation. The hoist was placed back into service at 5:20pm.
The #1 hoist went out of service due to rope stretch. It was observed that the skip was unable to to reach elevations high enough to dump. The rope was taken up to to correct the problem. Hoist was placed back into operation at 12:00 am 01/19/2011. All miners were promptly evacuated through the #3 escape shaft after discovery of hoist malfunction.
Employee was driving a golf cart from the working face of the mine to the lunch room when making a turn the cart rolled and employee fell out and impacted shoulder to the rough salt floor. Employee suffered a left shoulder contusion.
Employee was helping to put a shaft timber in place. When he pulled down on a pry bar he felt a pain in his mid-section. He finished his shift that day, but upon returning to work the next day he was unable to perform his duties due to pain. Diagnosis was pulled muscles in his mid-section.
Main production hoist would not operate due to a hydraulic fault. Fault was determined to be the result of the hydraulic contact switch not working properly.
Due to a problem incurred somewhere along the transmission lines of the company that provides electricity to the mine, electricity to the mine was lost. This resulted in the main hoist being inoperable until electricity was restored.
Hoist operator lost power to hydraulic controls due to a burnt up hydraulic electrical control switch. The control switch was replaced and the hoist was operational at 11:00 pm.
During the quarterly inspection, MSHA inspectors requested to exit the mine through the escape shaft. When decending the skip to the bottom, the skip would get stuck prior to reaching the bottom. Upon investigation it was discovered that a bulge had developed at approximately the 350' level of the shaft.
Employee was experiencing discomfort in his right forearm and elbow. Medical diagnosis is belief that employee has tendinitis secondary to repetitive movements at work filing sacks of salt.
Main hoist would not start up. Weather overnight was extremely cold, and it is believed that extremely low temperatures was causing too much drag on the M.G. Set during startup. Hoist was placed in service at 10:25 AM.
Main hoist would not start. Trouble shooting & inspection was done on the hoist. During a start up, it was noticed that M.G. set was making a noise. A shaft bearing on the DC side of the M.G. set was running hotter than normal, and bearing drag likely kept the M.G. set from coming up to speed within the parameters allowed by computer. Bearing was changed out on 12/12/09.
The main hoist would not start. After checking system over, the operating parameters were changed allowing the M.G. Set to start. However, the voltage level was twice the norm. The Static Field Comp, which was believed to have failed, was replaced. The operating parameters were returned to original settings, the hoist operated and was placed back in service.
Employee was experiencing pain in his left shoulder. Medical professional feels that it is likely tendonitis brought on by the repetitive motion involved with the employee's work.
Pinched fingers between guard on scissor lift.
Employee was driving a golf cart along the underground conveyor beltline and his leg struck an emergency stop box that protrudes out from the beltline. Employee suffered a broken left leg.
Failure of drive communication board in hoist system resulted in shutting down the hoist to replace the board. It is believed that a thunderstorm from the prior day may have contributed to the failure of the drive communication board. Hoist was out of service for approximately one hour.
On April 6, 2009, employee reported that he was going to see the doctor regarding pain and inflamation in his left arm (elbow area). Employee was given injections to help alleviate the problem. From a prior occurrence, it is assumed that problem arises from placing stress on the arm and elbow.
Main hoist system experienced a field loss when running the daily brake test. After locating the problem, fuses were replaced and the problem was corrected. No men were underground at the time of the problem, and no injuries resulted from the hoist being out of service.
An apparent power spike went through power lines of Western Electric over the weekend. When our hoist operator attempted start up on Monday, hoist did not operate. This was prior to shift starting. Through trouble shooting we were able to track down a small battery backup that needed to be replaced. The power surge caused the logic control of the hoist to fail. Program was reloaded
A section of frame for a new wheeloader was being lowered down the main production shaft into the mine. During the lowering, the frame began to rotate and got caught. The main production shaft was out of commission until the frame could be freed.
Employee was in a manbasket on a forklift painting a warehouse loading dock canopy. When the forklift operator moved the forklift, he misjudged the distance between the manbasket and and a steel girder, and momentarily pinned the employee between the girder and the back of the manbasket.
Dus to intermittent loss of power to the synchronous motor protector, the hoist was taken out of service @ 445pm. After resetting the field with amps, the hoist was placed back in service @535pm. The electrial engineer who was called in believes that a relay on the synchronous motor protector may be going bad.
The driver of a customers truck fell as he getting out of his truck.In trying to catch/brace himself the man landed on his right hand.Due to swelling and pain, a mine EE applied a samsplint,ice pack and co-band.Driver reported that he never saw a DR and that the swelling and pain were gone by the time he went home.
At 4:08 PM an interruption in the electrical supplyoccurred, which we believe was a surge in power and to which the power company said likely did happen. Result was damage to a circuit board panel in the DC converter of the hoist system. A new circuit board was flown in on 12/18/2007. Following hoist checks and inspections, the hoist was put back in service at 7:45 PM.
Downed power lines, etc. brought about by a heavy ice storm resulted in electricity going out at approximately 11:30 AM, December 11, 2007. The power company finally restored power to the mine location at approximately 5:30 PM, December 12, 2007. Following hoist checks and inspections, hoist was placed back in service at 6:45 PM, December 12, 2007.
At 10:40 AM the hoist stopped responding and all men were immediately brought up out of the mine. Technicians were called out, and problem was found to be a bad wire connection in an electrical panel. The connection was repaired, and after operating the hoist in test mode for 15 minutes, the hoist was again operational.
After initial inspection and tests were run, hoist did not respond properly. Computer was reading a PLC communication fault. Technicians were called out, and at 9:45 AM the hoist responded. Following inspections and tests, the hoist was back in service.
Motor generator set that generates direct current power for the production/man hoist would not synchronize. Problem appeared to be temperature related. Notification was made to toll-free #, and no employees were ever entrapped or endangered.
A hydraulic fitting on the hoist braking system cracked and leaked hydraulic oil. The hoist was shut down to install replacement fitting. No one was underground whle the hoist was down. Incident reported to MSHA Inspector Dustin Crelly who was on-site.
Hurt his right elbow when a guard he was fitting on an overhead conveyor slipped.
Employee was grinding on a piece of metal with a hand grinder when a fleck of metal got past his shield and safety glasses and entered his left eye. Employee went to ophthalmologist to have the foreign body removed.
Employee was working in the shaft when his left hand struck a nail, which pierced the skin and resulted in some bleeding. Overnight the employee had swelling in the area where the nail pierced his hand. He was given a tetanus shot and an antibiotic prescription.
Employee was grinding a piece of iron with a hand grinder when a fleck of metal got past his shield and safety glasses and entered his left eye. Employee went to the optometrist to have the foreign body removed.
Employee was tapping out a 3/8"" nut for a guard when the tap slipped out of the employee's hand. The employee reached suddenly to catch the tap and felt a sharp pain in his lower back.
Motor generator set that generates direct current power for the production/man hoist would not synchronize. Problem appears to be temperature related. Item was reported to Dustin Creley who was on-site doing quarterly inspection.
Employee struck his hard hat/head against a wire insulator attached to the mine roof as he was carrying parts across a catwalk on the surge bin at the shaft bottom. Employee injured his neck - cervical sprain.
500KW generator portion of MG set was showing temperature readings in excess of nominal. Investigation revealed some broken springs used to apply proper brush friction. All brushes and some springs with holders were replaced. Topeka office was notified of hoist shutdown and re-start.
Employee was pulling cable down a belt line when he slipped and fell. Upon falling, the employee's right leg landed on a chunk of salt just below the knee. The employee sustained a deep bruise to his right leg.
Prior to start of daily operations, hydraulic pump to the hoist brake system was showing inadequate pressure. After adjustments, the hoist was put back into service at 9:00 AM. Later in the morning the hoist was again taken out of service to replace the pump, oil and filter. Hoist was put back in service at 2:30 PM. MSHA Inspectors on site this day doing quarterly inspection.
Employee was filling 50lb bags of salt. While holding a bag up to the spout and filling, he lost hold of the bag. This resulted in his arm rising quickly and striking his left forearm against the chute.
Individual was participating in a mine rescue team competition/training at Hutchinson, KS. Due to exteneded exposure to midday sun during the competition/training, the individual sustained a blistering sunburn to the back of his neck. He laid off work to avoid breaking the blisters.
Employee started experiencing extreme shortness of breathe and a burning sensation in his chest. He immediately left work to go to the hospital. The employee was starting to have a heart attack and subsequently had to have bypass surgery to correct blockage.
At 1:55 pm the electric company experienced some type of problem which resulted in the loss of transmission of electricity to the area that included Independent Salt Comapny. Three employees who were in the mine at that time were brought up through the escape shaft.
The production/man hoist is computer controlled. The computer was not able to display information on the monitor to permit the hoist operator to complete his safety checks nor to re-set any faults that might occur. The shift was cancelled and no individuals were sent underground.
Blown fuse on circuit board that controls high speed breaker. Circuit board was faulted due to a faulty coil.
HOIST WAS BEING OPERATED WITH 3 MEN DOING MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE SHAFT. HEAVY RAIN WAS FALLING. RUNOFF EVENTUALLY OVERCAME THE DITCHING AROUND BUILDINGS. WATER FLOODED INTO A STORAGE BLDG., INTO AN OLD CABLEWAY IN THE FLOOR, THROUGH CONDUIT INTO AN ACTIVE MANHOLE, THROUGH CONDUIT INTO THE HOIST BLDG. & FLOODED THE BASEMENT PIT.
AT APPROX. 1:10AM, A CITY WIDE POWER OUTAGE OCCURRED WHICH RENDERED THE HOIST INOP, DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE AT THE SUB-STATION. AT THAT TIME, 3 MEN WERE WORKING IN THE PRODUCTION SHAFT. UPON ARRIVING AT 1:25AM, COMMUN. WAS RE-ESTABLISHED WITH THE MEN USING A PORTABLE GENERATOR & ALL WAS WELL. POWER CO. WAS NOTIFIED IMMED. & THE MINE MNG. AT 2:10AM POWER WAS RESTORED.
During a shift change, the hoist operator noticed that the hydraulic oil had a milky white appearance to it. The hoist was shut down until the hydaulic oil in the hoist brake system was drained, flushed and replaced. No employees were in the mine.
During the weekend of 5/29-5/30 the hoist basement took on water during hard rainfalls during short periods of time. The water submerged brake pumps and the drum gear pump. The basement was pumped dry, the pumps were disassembled, cleaned, baked, replaced and tested, and the hoist was tested and placed back into service at approximately 1:45 pm on 6/1.
The employee's left eye began bothering him after work the evening of 03/22/04. During his shift that day he did numberous jobs which included grinding, welding and using a torch. Apparently some time during the day he got a foreign body in his eye that resulted in irritation of the eye.
EE WAS WAXING A CHUTE BETWEEN THE #12 REVERSIBLE BELT & THE WEST SLINGER. WHEN MOVING TO THE CHUTE HE STEPPED ON A BAG OF SALT. THE BAG OF SALT SHIFTED WHICH CAUSED THE EE TO LOSE HIS BALANCE. THE EE HEARD HIS LEFT ANKLE ""POP"" & HE FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE EE SUSTAINED A SPRAIN TO HIS LT. ANKLE.
EE STARTED EXPERIENCING SOME VISION PROBLEMS IN HIS LEFT EYE ON 8/26/03. THE EE WENT TO AN OPTOMOTRIST ON 9/4/03, WHO DISCOVERED A METALLIC FOREIGN OBJECT IN HIS EYE. THE FOREIGN OBJECT WAS RE MOVED AND THE OPTOMOTRIST GAVE HIM SOME SAMPLE ANTIBIOTICS TO USE.
EMPLOYEE REPORTS HE WOKE UP WITH A SORE BACK THE MORNING FOLLOWING THE EVENING THAT HE OPERATED AN LHD TRACTOR. THE EE WENT TO A CHIROPRACTORFOR TREATMENT OF HIS BACK.
EE WAS WELDING AN AR PLATE IN THE DUMPING BINS WHEN A METALLIC FOREIGN BODY GOT IN HIS RIGHT EYE. THE FOREIGN BODY WAS REMOVED BY AN OPTOMETRIST. THE EE WAS WEARING A WELDING HELMET AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
EE WAS BACKFILLING AN OLDER, NON-WORKING AREA OF THE MINE USING A 915 LHD. AFTER DUMPING A LOAD OF MUCK, EE WAS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM STARTING TO BACK DOWN THE ALLEYWAY WHEN HE HEARD A ""SN AP"" & SAW A MOVEMENT ALONG THE ROOFLINE. A PIECE OF SALT APPEARS TO HAVE STRUCK THE TRACTOR, W/SOME OF IT EITHER HITTING THE EE DIRECTLY OR DEFLECTING OFF THE TRACTOR & SUBSEQUENTLY STRIKING
EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING THE FILTER ON A DIESEL TANK. THERE WAS PRESSURE ON THE FILTER WHICH SPRAYED DIESEL FUEL INTO HIS FACE, AND GOT INTO HIS EYES.
EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING UP SPILLED SALT ALONG BELTLINE WHEN HE HURT HIS LOWER BACK.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING A GOLF CART WITH HIS LEFT LEG HANGING OUT THE SIDE OF THE GOLF CART. THE EMPLOYEE'S FOOT STRUCK A CHUNK OF SALT AND TWISTED HIS ANKLE.
EE WAS BACKING AN LHD AWAY FROM THE FEEDER BREAKER. AS HE TURNED TO OL SERVE THE BUCKET, THE LHD RAN OVER A CHUNK OF SALT. THE LHD BOUNCED, CAUSING THE EE S HEAD TO HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CA NOPY OF THE LHD.
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A PALLET OFF THE GROUND AND INJURED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. IT APPEARS THAT HE MAY HAVE SUSTAINED A ROTATOR CUFF INJURY. EMPLOYEE DID NOT REPORT ACCIDENT UNTIL FEBRUARY 10, 20 03.
EE WAS LIFTING A GREASE BARREL ONTO A TRAILER WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. UPON A VISIT TO A PHYSICIAN AND HAVING AN MRI DONE, THE EE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FULL THICKNESS TEA R IN THE TENDON IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT SURGERY MAY BE NECESSARY AND MAY RESULT IN A LOST TIME ACCIDENT AT SOME POINT IN HTE NEAR FUTURE.
EE WAS CHANGING BITS ON AN UNDERCUTTER USING A SLIDE HAMMER. WHILE INSERTING A SHARPENED BIT, THHE SLIDE HAMMER SLIPPED & DROVE HIS LEFT HAND INTO THE BIT & CUTTING IT. ONE SUTURE WAS NEEDED.
ON SEPT 17, 02 EE WENT TO SEE DOCTOR RELATING TO PAIN IN HIS LEFT ARM. THE DR HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN AGGRAVATION OF THE TENDONS THAT CONNECT MUSCLES TO THE BONES WHICH IS THE RESULT OF REPETITIVE MOTION FROM HIS WORK. THE DR HAS ORDERED ULTRASOUND MASSAGE AS WELL AS A SPLINT TO BE WORN. THIS MATTER WAS REPORTED TO MANAGEMENT ON SEPT 23, 02.
EE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN BOTH WRISTS. EE BELIEVES THAT IT IS THE RESULT OF REPETITIVE MOTION INVOLVED WITH HIS JOB AS A TRACTOR (FRONT-END LOADER) OPERATOR. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE EE WILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY, BUT AT THIS TIME THE AMOUNT OF DAYS REQUIRED TO BE OFF WORK IS NOT YET KNOWN.
EE WAS OPENING THE OUTLET GATE ON A HOPPER RAIL CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SO, THE BAR USED TO OPEN THE GATE SLIPPED, PINCHING THE EE'S FINGER BETWEEN THE BAR AND THE RAIL. THE EE SUSTAINED A BROKEN FINGER.
EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING BUCKETS ON A BUCKET ELEVATOR. WHILE STANDING BENEATH BUCKETS ON THE ELEVATOR, THE EMPLOYEE NOTED DUST AND OTHER PARTICLESGETTING INTO HIS EYES. A FOREIGN BODY LODGED IN THE EMPLOYEE'S LEFT EYE AND WAS REMOVED BY AN OPTOMETRIST LATER THAT EVENING.
EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A SACKING MACHINE WHEN THE RING FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND WAS CAUGHT IN A CHAIN. THE EMPLOYEE'S FINGER WAS PINCHED AND CUT.
WHILE GRINDING ON A PIECE OF METAL PLATE FOR A FEEDER, A PIECE OF THE GRINDINGS BECAME STUCK IN THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT EYE. THE EMPLOOYEE WAS WEARING BOTH SAFTELY GLASSES AND A FACE SHIELD AT TH E TIME. THE EMPLOYEE IS NOW ADDITIONALLY WEARING A PAIR OF GOGGLES TO ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE ANY FUTURE RECURRANCE.
WHILE GRINDING ON A PIECE OF METAL PLATE FOR A FEEDER BREAKER, A PIECE OF THE GRINDINGS BECAME STUCK IN THE EE'S LEFT EYE. THE EE WAS WEARING BOTRH SAFETY GLASSES AND A FACE SHIELD AT THE TIME .
EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING BAGS OF SALT ON PALLETS IN THE WAREHOUSE. THE EMPLOYEE CAUGHT ONE OF THE BAGS OFF-BALANCE AND STEPPED BACKWARDS. WHEN HE TRIED TO THROW THE BAG OF SALT ON THE PALLET HE HE ARD A POP IN HIS SHOULDER AND STARTED EXPERIENCING PAIN. THE EE HAS INFLAMMATION IN THE MUSCLES IN THE SHOULDER AREA AND THERE MAY BE SOME NERVEDAMAGE.
EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING BAGS OF SALT ONTO THE FLOOROF A TRUCK. UPON CATCHING ONE OF THE BAGS COMING OFF HE CONVEYER BELT HE FELT SHARP PAIN IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. THE EMPLOYEE APPARENTLY PULLED SOME MUSCLES IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AREA.
EE WAS OILING AND CLOSING DISCHARGE SLIDES ON AN EMPTY RAILCAR. WHEN EXITING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR HE DROPPED A BAR WHICH PINNED HIS FINGER GAAGAINST THE RAILCAR. HIS FINGER WAS CUT, AND REQ UIRED STITICHES.
ON 9/25/01 EE WENT TO DOCTOR ABOUT INFLAMMATION & PAIN IN RIGHT ARM. DOCTOR DIAGNOSED AGGRAVATION OF TENDONS, PROBABLY WORK-RELATED INJURY RESULTING FROM PLACING PRESSURE ON ARM & ELBOW. EE WA S PLACED ON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION AS WELLAS STEROIDS AND WET HEAT.
EE WAS LOADING BAGS ON A TRUCK. WHEN TURNING TO TAKE A BAG OFF THE SLINGER & THROW IT ONTO A PALLET, HIS LOWER BACK WENT OUT.
INDIVIDUAL WAS ON HIS FRIST DAY OF TRAINING AS A SCREEN ROOM OPERATOR. IN WALKING UP A SET OF STEPS, HE MISSED A STEP, AND HIS FOOT LANDED UNEVENLY. THE INDIVIDUAL SUSTAINED A TWISTED ANKLE.
INDIVIDUAL WAS GRINDING ON A PIECE OF METAL. A SMALL FLECK OF METAL GOT BEHIND HIS SAFETY GLASSES & INTO HIS LEFT EYE. AS THE OBJECT DID NOT WORK ITS WAY OUT AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, HE WENT TO AN OPTOMETRIST ON 12/18/00 TO HAVE IT REMOVED.
INDIVIDUAL WAS PLACING A BAG IN THE SEWING MACHINE WHEN THE MIDDLE FINGER OF HIS LEFT HAND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE INTAKE CHAINS, PINCHING HIS FINGER. THE INDIVIDUAL SUSTAINED A SUBUNGAL HEMOTO MA AND BLOOD WAS DRAINED FROM UNDER THE FINGER NAIL.
EMPLOYEE WAS DRILLING ANCHOR HOLES IN THE HIGH-TOP MINE ROOF WHEN HE PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS BACK.
EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ONA GOLF CAR THAT HAD ITS FRONT AXLE ATTACHED TO A CHIN HOIST. APPARENTLY THE CONTACTS WERE STUCK AS THE GOLF CAR TOOK OFF WHEN THE EMPLOYEE CEHCKEC THE SWITCHES. AS THE EMPLOYEE CHASED THE CART TO DISENGAGE IT, IT SWUNG AROUND AND STRUCK HIM ON THE KNEE.
EE WAS PUSHING AGAINST A SECTION OF SLINGER BELT TO HELP MOVE IT INTO A TRUCK WHEN HE INJURED HIS BACK.