Mining Incidents

Sappington MillMetal/Nonmetal

Gallatin, Gallatin County, MT · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 2402050
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
38
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Aug 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

38 on file

2025 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While removing the metal storm drain grating near warehouse employee felt a slip/pain in my lower back. Employee did not report the incident to management till 8/11/2025

2024 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was crimping a new hoist cable when they felt a pop in their right bicep. Initially reported as an Ache and Pain. EE went to see doctor on 2/28/25 and was given restrictions

Fall onto or against objects

Employee tripped and fell against a forklift. Employee suffered a dislocation and fracture of a finger on right hand.

2023 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported to safety that they were experiencing hand pain while performing daily duties on the floor. Employee went to see the doctor on 11/30 to seek medical treatment.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Audiometric testing performed on 8/31/2023 showed that the employee had hearing loss. Audiometric retesting on 9/19 confirmed that the employee had hearing loss.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Audiometric testing performed on 8/31/2023 showed that the employee had hearing loss. Audiometric retesting on 9/19 confirmed that the employee had hearing loss.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While performing grinding on MDU parts the employee noticed that they were having pain in right thumb and began to notice swelling.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee requested to see doctor for shoulder pain and mentioned that it has been developing for years. Employee received restrictions on 7/20 after an MRI and we await further information.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was working at the densifier and was moving pallets onto the densifier deck when EE felt a sharp pain in the shoulder. Employee then helped re-rack a bag strap and the pain presented itself again.

2022 · 5 incidents

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

While performing a die change on the pellet mill the operator was loosening the clamps on the die. While rotating the die to align the next clamp the operator's ring finger on the right hand became pinched between the roller and die.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was experiencing knee pain and swelling throughout the shift. Employee went in to see the doctor the same day and was prescribed restrictions and PT.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was handed a tool bucket on 06/27 and felt a pain in EE's shoulder. The employee did not report the incident to management until 7/14 after EE felt a similar pain in EE's shoulder on 7/13. Employee did not receive medical attention until 7/29/2022 and was assigned a restriction.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported pain in right knee. The employee was operating a forklift at the time. It was determined that years of operating the forklift the employee was subject to vibration and jarring causing degradation of the right knee

Fall to the walkway or working surface

An operator was placing dunnage in a rail car. The operator exited the railcar and went down the pellet ramp to retrieve more cardboard. Operator was maintaining 3-point contact until EE needed both hands to grab the dunnage.  At this time, EE's foot slipped and EE fell.

2021 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

While walking along the outside of the front of the shop employee hit knee on an iron sawhorse while walking past. This bruised the outside of the right knee. As time has gone on it has become stiff and painful to bend. First reported as an ache and pain but employee asked to seek medical attention on 06/28/2021 due to pain coming back.

2019 · 3 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working in the lab sink cabinet underneath changing the sink faucet. They twisted to wrench off a water supply hose and felt a twinge in left hip. It didn't feel like much. Finished the job in about 45min total but the job took over 2 hours while waiting on parts. Injury resulted in need to have back and hips aligned by a chiropractor.

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

2 employees were manually rolling pellet mill die to test roller tightness when IE pinched the left middle finger between the pellet mill die and the roller resulting in a severe laceration requiring 3 stitches.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator reports pain in neck and shoulder. Can't identify incident causing pain but says pain gets better when not at work, operating the forklift exacerbates the pain. Felt tingling in neck 3/8/19. Employee was seen at the local clinic and prescribed physical therapy. The case was diagnosed as an occupational illness 5/7/19.

2018 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

On 9/28/18 employee reported left shoulder pain. On 9/11/18 Employee felt tweak in shoulder after attempting to lift the outside ring for pellet die into place. Employee did not report immediately as EE thought it was just a minor strain or bursitis that would improve. Pain got worse over time. Employee was seen at the clinic on 10/3 and was put on restricted duty.

2016 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pushing off & away from a rail car EE reports feeling a pop in left wrist. Preliminary x-rays show no fracture however a splint was prescribed as a precaution. Follow-up med. exams may be necessary to rule out fracture. EE was released & continues to work w/restrictions. Update: Further exam revealed ruptured tendon requiring surgery on 2/9/16. EE restricted from work 2 wks.

2015 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employe diagnosed with bi-lateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Employee has not missed work or been restricted, however surgery is pending workers compensation approval

2013 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee struck herself in the face with a hand tool while attempting to open the lid of a 5 gallon bucket. The bucket opening tool struck the employee in the cheek and required 2 sutures for cosmetic closure.

2009 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee slipped on a patch of ice while walking from a loader to the control room and fell on her left side. She experienced some discomfort in her shoulder and arm. The employee was examined by an specialist on June 11th and was removed from duty for further evaluation.

2008 · 2 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was eating lunch outside at a picnic table and felt a bite on the backside of his right knee. The employee dismissed the incident as an ant bite. The next day, the employee sought treatment at a local hospital. The physician diagonosed the injury as a black widow spider bite. The employee is scheduled to return to work on Friday, July 11th.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The injured employee was releasing hand brakes and bleeding the air from a string of railcars in preparation to load the next car. The employee was between the house track and side track when he slipped and fell injuring his left arm, elbow, side (torso) and hip.

2007 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

EE was trying to adjust the support straps of a semi-bulk bag filling with talc powder, the employee's hand slipped and contacted bottom metal edge of mast on forklift. The employee was not wearing gloves. The force of contact with the metal edge lacerated the employee's right hand across the knuckle of the index finger. Resulting in two days away from work.

2006 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

While operating forklift from plant to warehouse got something in left eye. This route takes the employee outside the building. Employee was wearing safety glasses. Employee was given a prescription antibiotic drops as preventative.

Fall from machine

While descending loader using 3 point contact, facing steps employee tried to place left foot on second rung of four when lost footing and fell to ground four feet. She hit the pavement below on back, left hip and back of head. Employee said was ok and refused medical attention at time of incident. 8/21/2006 she was determined to have sustained a concusion.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Employee stepped on edge of concrete pad that has a one inch lip transitioning to gravel. This caused his ankle to twist, sustaining a left ankle fracture.

2004 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

ON 8/19/04 EE FELL WHILE WORKING INSIDE A SLURRY TANKER CAR (RAILCAR) REMOVING ""HEEL"", SUSTAINING A LOWER LUMBAR STRAIN. EMPLOYEE WAS SEEN BY ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, RETURNED TO WORK WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS, BUT ADVISED PHYSICAL THERAPY. EE CONTINUED TO WORK WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS UNTIL 1/19/05 WHEN HE WAS TREATED BY PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE WORKING ON AN ACM REBUILD AN EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK WITH DUCT WORK THAT HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE MOTOR MOUNT. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE EE HURT HIS BACK DUE TO EITHER TWISTING OR THE FORCE OF THE DUCT WORK HITTING HIM.

Struck against stationary object

While replacing a roll of paper towels in the plant Quality Assurance LAB, an employee cut her finger on a sharp edge on an under-cabinet light fixture. The light fixture is located above the sink. The cut was on the top side of her finger, near her knuckle.

2002 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

THE EE WAS CHANGING DUST COLLECTOR BAGS IN THE VACUUM SYSTEM WASTE COLLECTOR. EACH BAG WEIGHTED APPROX. 80 TO 100 .BS. A ROPE WAS ATTACHED TO THE BAGS AND CAGES TO PREVENT THEM FROM FALLING IN TO THE WASTE BIN WHEN CLAMPS WERE RELEASED. NORMALLY, THE BAG WOULD STAY IN PLACE WHENT HE CLAMP IS RELEASED BUT THE ONE THE EE WAS HANDLING DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE HAND STEADYING THE BAG

Struck by flying object

EE HAD BEEM WELDING GINDING AND DRILLING ON METAL AT DIFFERENT TIMES THROUGHOUT HIS SHIFT. EE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN FOREIGN MATERIAL METAL ENTER EYE. EE WENT HOME SLEPT AND WOKE UP WITH AN EYE IR RITATION. EE WENT TO CLINIC AND WAS TREATED WITHA METAL FLAKE IN EYE. METAL FLAKE WAS REMOVED AND EE RETURNED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY WORK RESTRICTION.

2001 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE LAYING ON BACK INSPECTING THE REPLACEMENT OF A ACM MILL BELT, TAIL DUST FELL ONTO HIS FACEFROM ABOVE. WHEN THE EMPLOYEE STOOD UP TALC DUSTON SAFETY GLASSES FELL INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S LEFT EYE. REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION TO REMOVE THE EMBEDDED FOREIGN OBJECT, FROM LEFT EYE.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE ENTERED THE EE LUNCHROOM AT THE END OF SHIFT. EE STEPPED ON ANOTHER EE'S UNTIED SHOELACES. WHEN THE OTHER EE ATTEMPTED TO WALK OUT OF THE LUNCHROOM THE LACES SWEPT INJURED EE'S FEET OUT FRO M BENEATH CAUSING INJURED EE TO FALL ONTO BACK. STRAIN TO UPPER NECK MUSCLES AND STRAIN TO CONNECTIVE TISSUE OF THE CERVICLE JOINTS. EE TREATED BY CHIROPRACTOR.

2000 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE REMOVING PACKING SLIP FROM A PALLET OF TALC WRAPPED IN PLASTIC USING A UTILITY KNIFE, EMPLOYEE PULLED UPWARDS ON THE PACKING SLIP WITHRIGHT HAND, CONTACTING THE OPEN BLADE WITH THE PALM OF THE RIGHT HAND. EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED A SUTURABLE LACERATION TO PALM OF RIGHT HAND.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STRAINED LOWER BACK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TAILGATE ON A COMPANY PICK-UP TRUCK. EE SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT THROUGH A CHIROPRACTOR.