Mining Incidents

Mesabi Nugget Delaware, LLCMetal/Nonmetal

Hoyt Lakes, St Louis County, MN · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 2103689
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
72
Years on record
2010–2021
Latest incident
Jul 2021
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

72 on file

2021 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was heating some bent steps on an excavator and attempting to bend them back into place with a 5' pry bar. The pry bar slipped and the employee stepped back with left leg which twisted and fibula bone by employee's left ankle fractured.

2015 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee was pushing a wheel-barrow to clean under the dryer screws in area 200 and hit her head on the low hanging screw causing neck strain.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee stepping out of their truck and stepped on a frozen chunk of material that had likely fallen from a wheel well off another vehicle. Employees foot slipped and employee fell out of the vehicle landing on left shoulder. Employee sustained a broken bone in the left shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee air lancing in the bottom of a bin with the lance against the wall. A chunk fell off the wall landing on the air lance causing the other end the employee was holding to bounce up and hit employee on the right side of the bottom of their jaw which caused a contusion and bruising. This was strictly a first aid case until 01/29/15 when employee missed work due to pain in jaw.

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

Employee was operating a Vermeer ride-on Dingo doing clean up when she backed into an overflow pipe from TK-1400. She was caught between the overflow pipe and the Dingo. This caused low back pain and hamstring tendonitis.

2014 · 18 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped onto a sloped walkway and twisted her left knee causing damage to her MCL and ACL. Employee worked normally scheduled shifts until she sought medical treatment on December 31, 2014, at which point she was placed on restricted duty. There was no medical treatment, nor lost time, nor restricted duty until December 31, 2014.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

SUBCONTRACTOR LANDED ON CONCRETE GRADE WHEN HE STEPPED THROUGH THE 42"" SQUARE OPENING IN THE PLATFORM HE WAS PREPARING TO COVER. HE LANDED ON HIS BACK AND SHOULDER. HE SUFFERED A BROKEN COLLARBONE, 2 BROKEN RIBS, AND A CONCUSSION. PLATFORM HAS BEEN BARRICADED WITH CAUTION TAPE UNTIL WORK COMMENCES.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was at the end of a conveyor belt to gather samples. He set his bucket down, the wind caught the bucket and he stepped to catch it and hit his hard hat on a support beam. As a result, he had a concussion.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was climbing a fixed ladder to an elevated work platform. At the top of the ladder, when the employee stepped off the ladder, he hit his hard hat on a low clearance beam causing neck strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee spent 4 hours working around the fines discharge chute during shift. When employee got home that night, he had discomfort in his eyes, tried to flush them with no success. Employee sought medical treatment and had multiple microscopic particles removed from both eyes.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

There is no specific incident. Employee stated his back was sore on Wednesday 7/30 in the morning and attributed it to operating the loader all day Tuesday 7/29. Employee stated again of Friday 8/1 that his back was stiff. Saturday morning he went to the ER and was diagnosed with back strain.

Struck by flying object

Employee was working in area 3100 doing normal job; he did not notice any discomfort until he was on his way home from his shift on the next morning. There is no specific incident that occurred which caused employee to get particles in his eye. When the discomfort in his right eye did not go away, he went to the eye doctor and had particles removed from his right eye.

Unclassified, insufficient data

There is no specific incident that can be pinpointed as to the cause of getting foreign body in eyes. Employee noticed discomfort in his eyes and after attempting to flush eyes, the discomfort persisted and it was recommended that he see the eye doctor. Employee had 5 particles in his left eye and 3 particles in his right eye that were removed.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was spraying Zep 45 lubricant on a sticky valve when the spray defected under his safety glasses into his eye.

Struck by flying object

A cloud of dust was sent airborne by a gust of wind. Dust entered eyes of employee.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Comfortable, sunny day. Work area was well lit. EE was installing stainless steel baffles in duct work system. Slid first 2 baffles in without incident. Placed 3rd baffle in duct work. EE did not notice channels were larger than baffle assembly. Baffle assembly slid out striking EE's finger, causing laceration to right ring finger.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was wrapping a come-along around a pipe and the hook came around and hit the employee in the mouth and nose. Result was a bruise and a couple of lose teeth which were expected to tighten after a couple of days. A few weeks later, the ee notified the employer that he had sought dental treatment and had 2 teeth pulled and would have one more pulled at a later date.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Laying brick on the ceiling in Zone 8, another bricklayer tapped the brick next to him and brick mortar went in eye. Employee had his safety glasses on at the time of incident. His left eye became red. Raw hide mallet tool was being used, and the brick mortar was Korundal Bond.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injured was pulling on 5 ft pry bar to align conveyor frame for final placement, Bar slipped from steel causing him to lose control of the tool which then struck the employee on the outside of left knee cap resulting in fracture of the patella. Employee was released to return to restricted duty following medical attention.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Foreign body in the right eye while pulling bags from the limestone baghouse resulting in a corneal scratch

Struck by falling object

Employee working in the cooler building near the hot screw tracing conduit, when employee removed his glasses to wipe the fog from them, a blob of material fell from overhead and got into his left eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing a mag drum when he felt discomfort in his left eye. The chain fall that was being used came into contact with an overhead cable tray knocking some dust onto employee. He had foreign body in his left eye.

Struck against a moving object

Rough terrain and speed while moving material employee hit bump while running skidloader and jarred shoulder and neck

2013 · 22 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

There was a plugged condition in the discharge area of the Rotary Hearth Furnace which we believe resulted in uncontrolled combustion of CO. There were no injuries and no damage to equipment. This does not constitute an admission that an ignition occurred. This report is filed out of an abundance of precaution.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee exiting CR-112 pulverizer when his retrieval line got snagged. He bent down to unhook it, when he stood back up to exit, he felt a pain in his lower back.

Accident type, without injuries

A 24 volt breaker tripped, resulting in a couple of small CO combustions. There were no injuries and no damage. This does not constitute an admission that an ignition occurred. This report is filed out of an abundance of precaution.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee cutting open a tube of caulk with a utility knife and punctured his right thumb requiring sutures.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee had been in the restricted area of 50% sodium hydroxide solution to turn the caustic system on. Employee was wearing all his PPE while in restricted area. He completed his task and left the restricted area to remove PPE. A hose on the system burst as employee was walking away after removing PPE. Employee received chemical burns to back of neck and back of legs.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Dark dirty area. Knife slipped while cutting a zip-tie.

Struck against stationary object

Employee walking under a low screw trough under dryers in area 200 and stood up too soon bumping head on the low trough. Employee has concussion and neck strain.

Fall from ladders

employee coming down a ladder, reached up to grab sample bucket, missed a step and caught himself with his right hand causing strain to his right shoulder

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

Employee carrying parts for the coal pulverizer. Employee went to set the parts down and parts shifted pinching employees left middle finger between floor and parts. The pinch caused a laceration requiring 3 stitches.

Contact with heat

Individual was working indoors setting structural steel components. Work area was hot and humid due to elevated weather conditions and heat producing operations in work area.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee inadvertently put hand into a hot pile of ash causing burns to left forearm, left wrist and pointer and middle finger on left hand.

Struck by falling object

EE powered down the screening plant, while standing along side machine the plant vibrated one additional time causing a rock to fall off the top of the screen striking EE on the upper back. EE cont. to work but soreness developed later into his shift and was treated for a back contusion.

Accident type, without injuries

Between 8:00 p.m. and 12:a.m. Appears to have been an electrical fire that started in the electrical junction box. Damage to locker and meeting rooms. Smoke damage to entire trailer and contents.

Accident type, without injuries

Dryer bed had stopped while hot dryer air continued to be introduced to dryer. Over time, pellets completely dried, overheated, & started on fire. Program/Equipment was inadequate for situation. When burning pellets were discharged from dryer, downstream belt conveyors caught on fire. Damage occurred to belt conveyors, some dryer and related baghouse components.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee noticed irritation in his left eye on the date indicated above. He sought medical treatment for watering, red, sore left eye on Wednesday April 17, 2013. Employee had been working in areas 300 and 400, but cannot pinpoint the area where or when incident occurred.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Two EE's were cleaning the floor sump and trench in building.The task was to vac the damp lime material onto the trench and sump washing the material down with water. After the task the EE complained of irritation to the right forearm. EE was brought to job trailer supervisor removed his boots and noticed burn on his foot.

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

Employee opening north access door to second stage mixer using a come-along to lift door. Door slipped free of come-along and fell onto employee's right thumb which was between the door and the mixer wall. Employee sustained 5 broken bones in the right thumb.

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

Employee swinging hammer in tight space around locked out screw conveyor. Employee got his finger caught between a flight on the screw conveyor and the hammer. Employee received a cut on his right index finger which resulted in 3 sutures.

Struck by flying object

Employee released latch on doors for over size container and set latch on a flat piece of steel. Employee then reached down to pick up cable to open door, latch slipped and came down smashing right thumb. Employee lost thumb nail, no broken bones, no sutures.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Oversize chute form screensizer to oversize container was plugged. EE had inspection door at screensizer open while another group of ee opened doors on oversize container. Caused material to drop through chute which apparently created a chimney effect. Pushed hot gases & materials out screensizer inspection door. EE received burns to back of head

Contact with hot objects or substances

Oversize chute form screensizer to oversize container was plugged. EE had inspection door at screensizer open while another group of ee opened doors on oversize container. Caused material to drop through chute which apparently created a chimney effect. Pushed hot gases & materials out screensizer inspection door. EE received burns to back of head and left hand.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Oversize chute form screensizer to oversize container was plugged. EE had inspection door at screensizer open while another group of ee opened doors on oversize container. Caused material to drop through chute which apparently created a chimney effect. Pushed hot gases & materials out screensizer inspection door. EE received burns to 20-29% of body

2012 · 13 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working in an extremely dusty area (metallic fine dust and rock dust). Employee wore safety goggles over prescription safety glasses and a half mask respirator. Employee experienced eye irritation but did not recall a specific incident. Employee sought medical care prior to work the next day and was prescribed antibiotic eye drops for corneal abrasion.

Accident type, without injuries

It is believed that a combustible gas mixture ignited upon reaching the flue of the RHF causing the vents to relieve as designed. There were no injuries or damage to equipment. All safety precautions in place at the time worked to keep employees safe.

Accident type, without injuries

Air was found cross-tied with nitrogen feeding the cooler. During a ramp down of production, it is believed that air mixed with combustible gases caused sufficient pressure to open the relief door on cooler. There were no injuries or damage to equipment. All safety precautions in place at the time worked to keep employees safe.

Struck by flying object

dust and wind

Struck by flying object

While inspecting area, wind blew dust into employee's eyes causing irritation.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee removed samples from furnace by sampling rod with coworkers. Employee's left hand was used as main support and grip of the rod while right hand was used as guide hand. Rod is hot and was held away from center with added heat gloves. Uneven load of rod's weight, rotation and strained grip of sampling rod on a repetitive basis were contributing factors to wrist injury.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on a fines pile when dust was blown into his eyes by windy conditions.

Accident type, without injuries

Pressure build-up and release from within cooler off-gas system; two inspection doors (approximately 12x18"") were pushed free of hinges; one inspection door was bowed out; one wall on a fan was bowed out. Time of possible ignition is unknown. **This does not constitute an admission that an ignition occurred. The report is filed out of an abundance of precaution.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting a 3"" pipe to place it in a pipe stand. He felt a pop in both the lower and upper arm. Felt faint after injury and was treated by a first medical responder taken for more medical attention.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping onto a truck when he slipped on a frost covered step he slipped to ground jarring his back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

employee placing a 50 pound can of welding rods on a ID Fan platform over his head, can rolled and cut his middle finger on his right hand

Struck by falling object

EE was lifting a piece of scrap steel when his partner dropped his end the piece then fell from the EE's hands striking him on the foot.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking to work station when he stepped on a small patch of ice. Employee slipped and twisted knee.

2011 · 10 incidents

Struck by flying object

Employee was standing by door when tin blew off wall striking him knocking him to the ground.

Accident type, without injuries

Pressure build-up and release from within the cooler. Sheeting on the south wall of area 500 building was pushed free of screws where sheets were secured together. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ADMISSION THAT AN IGNITION OCCURRED. THIS REPORT IS FILED OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF PRECAUTION. A CONTRACT EMPLOYEE WAS INJURED; A 7000-1 WAS FILED BY THE CONTRACT COMPANY.

Accident type, without injuries

Coal in TK-102 was heating up the lower cone of the tank. Tank was emptied, water was used to cool the hot coal. Electric radiant heater was installed too close to the cone. Heater was temporarily removed and planned to be re-installed at a safer distance from cone.

Struck against stationary object

Using a flashlight to approach trailer where gas was stored. Lost footing in dark area, tripped, struck arm against trailer fracturing it.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Worker was exiting furnace when his right boot lace snagged on a piece of steel. He fell on his right elbow and hand. He kept working but hand started to hurt at end of shift. Worker was brought to clinic and was found to have a strained right thumb and then returned to work.

Accident type, without injuries

SC511 Screensizer chute plugged with hot material which emanates gases that combust when exposed to air. Flames escape through doors located on the top of the screensizer. No damage to equipment or personnel. Equipment is designed to withstand this condition.

Struck by flying object

Driving bobcat out of the bottom door of area 300 carrying a load of recycled fines, wind was blowing into the door as employee was driving out. employee had safety glasses on.

Fall from machine

EE mis-stepped when exiting a 544 John Deere loader. EE missed the bottom step and fell onto his backside.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was under a catwalk with another employee on the catwalk. When injured employee looked up to talk with the employee on the catwalk, that employee moved his foot and dust fell in the employee's left eye.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE was commissioning a chemical feed line with 50% sodium hydroxide in it, utilizing a pump that would run 15 gallons per hour, a fitting on one of the hoses failed and ee got splashed with sodium hydroxide on neck, wrists, ear lobe and left eye

2010 · 4 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

ee was carrying a bucket approximately 1/3 full of RHF clips. ee's right foot tripped on a guard that was laying on the floor. Guard was off during a period for maintenance. ee fell on left knee on concrete floor.

Fall down stairs

Employee slipped on second step coming down a flight of stairs, tried to catch self on the way down, straining right shoulder, right elbow, and bruising right knee. Employee states there was no snow/ice build-up on stairs.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

ee was putting up a hanging bracket for a screw conveyor, while hanging bracket, finger was pinched, tearing the end of his finger. ee recieved 2 stitches in end of finger.

Struck by flying object

Wearing of contact lenses in an area that has dust present. Doctor stated that employee had metal particles on his contact lenses. Employee was not exposed to any metal particles at his job cleaning up at Mesabi Nugget site.