Mining Incidents

BIG SPRINGS Metal/Non-Metal

Elko County, NV  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 2602003

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
66
Years on record
1987–1994
Latest incident
Jul 1994
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
1
inspections on record
10
inspection hours
n/a
citations per 100 inspection hours
This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
Rate withheld: 10 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2001 Q2 0 0 0
2001 Q1 0 0 0
2000 Q4 952 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 947 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 960 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 930 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

66 on file

1994 · 1 incident

July 12, 1994 NV · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

FRED WQS HOLDING A BAR AND HITTING IT WITH A MALLET DURING REMOVAL OF SCALE FROM THE THICKNER TANK AT BIG SPRINGS. HE MISSED THE BAR AND LACERATED HIS FINGER.

1992 · 2 incidents

July 30, 1992 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by flying object

55061S PUTTING SAMPLE CATCHER DOWN THERE WAS NO WIPER RUBBER ON THE DRILL STEEL A ROCK WAS THROWN UP & BROKE EE GLASSES GLASS PARTICLES GOT IN HIS LEFT EYE

1991 · 10 incidents

December 9, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

FOLLOWING A BIT CHANGE ON A BLAST HOLE DRILL,EMPLOYEE WAS PICKING UP TOOLS INCLUDING CHAIN WRENCH PLATE AND BIT BASKET.HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN LOWER BACK WHILE PICKING UP THE LAST BIT BASKET.

October 22, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPL MOVING ADJUSTMENT RAM FOR CONE CRUSHER WITHOUT NOTIFYING OPERATOR AT THE CONTROLS.HAD LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN THE END OF THE CYLINDER AND THE HEAD OF THE RAM WHEN OPERATOR RETRACTED THE RAM .LITTLE FINGER WAS PINCHED-LACERATING THE SKIN AND BREAKING THE BONE.

August 20, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

OPERATOR WAS BACKING A BULLDOZER OVER ROUGH TERRAIN & WEAS SEVERLY JOLTED CAUSING MUSCLE SPASMS IN THE LOWER BACK

August 9, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Contact with heat

WHILE DRIVING TRUCK, EMPLOYEE BECAME EXTREMELY NAUSIATED AND HOT, ASLO BECAME DIZZY; HAD BLURRED VISION AND THEN GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND SOUGHT HELP.

August 9, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Flash burns (welding)

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING WHEN HIS GLOVES GOT HOT & HE DROPPED STINGER ON STEEL WHICH CAUSED FLASH BURNS TO HIS EYES

July 9, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AT APPROX 8:40AM JULY 9 1991 I NAME CALLED ON THE PHONE STATING THAT I NAME HAD A POSSIBLE BACK INJRY & REQUESTED THAT I TAKE HIM INTO ELKO GENERAL HOSPITAL UPON ARRIVAL AT ADMINISTRATION OFFI CE I CHECKED HIM OVER & FOUND NO VISIBLE INJURIEI NAME MAIN COMPLAINT WAS MODERATE TO SEVERE BACK PAIN NUMBNESS IN H IS LEFT LEG FOOT & ARM RT TOES & WRIST & LEFT EYE HE ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING

July 3, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall from machine

I.NAME STANDING ON A LADDER BETWEEN TIRE AND FRAME.THE LADDER SLIPPED OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND HIT KNEE ON THE STRUT.

June 25, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

CHANGING A CRUSHER CYCLINDER WHICH WEIGHS ABOUT 6 POUNDS WHEN IT FELL OFF THE EDGE OF CRUSHER.THE EMPLOYEE CAUGHT THE CYCLINDER BUT THE FORCE OF THE FALL CAUSED HIS HAND TO BE PINNED BETWEEN T HE CYCLINDER AND THE SIDE OF THE CRUSHER.THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYCLINDER CUT THE EMPLOYEES HAND.

March 19, 1991 NV · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

OPERATOR WAS LOADING TRUCKS WITH 992C LOADER, WAS ATTEMPTING TO DIG HARD ROCK FROM PIT. LOADER WAS BOUNCING AND SHAKING CAUSING A SORE NECK.

1990 · 14 incidents

December 12, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

TRUCK WAS JARRED DURING LOADING OPERATION.

December 7, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by falling object

MECHANIC WAS PREPARING TO CHANGE CUTTING EDGES AND CORNER BITS ON DOZER. WHILE SCALING UNDER BLADE METAL PARTICLES FELL INTO LEFT EYE.

November 19, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

LOADER BUCKET HIT CORNER OF TRUCK BED NECK DISCOMFORT

November 16, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

TRUCK WAS BEING LOADED WHEN BUCKET HIT BED OF TRUCK.

October 10, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal draftsman, surveyor/transit work supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by flying object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING BALL MILL LINER BOLTS BY DRIVING THEM OUT WITH A 12LB SLEDGE AHMMER AND A PUNCH.HE HIT THE PUNCH OFF CENTER AND THE PUNCH HANDLE BROKE OFF ALLOWING THE PUNCH TO RICOH ET BACKWARDS STRIKING HIM IN THE FOREHEAD.THE EMPLOYE RECEIVED A ONE INCH CUT THAT REQUIRED FOUR STITCHES TO CLOSE.

July 2, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

TRUCK JARRED BY LOADER WHILE BEING LOADED OR WHEN THE TRUCK BACKED INTO LOADER ARMS.

June 22, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

TRUCK WAS HIT BY 992C BUCKET WHILE BEING LOADED. JAR FROM THE HIT CAUSED A NECK INJURY TO THE DRIVE. THE LAODING FLOOR WAS WET, MUDDY AND VERY SOFT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO LOAD.

June 21, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING AND WELDING TRACKS ON DRILTECHS DK25 DRILL WHEN TORCH SLIPPED OUT OF BRACKET AND BURNED HIS HAND.

April 24, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CHANGING BYPASS VALVE STRAINED BACK Y

March 21, 1990 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall from machine

EMPL WAS STANDING ON CROSSMEMBER BEHIND TIRE ON 824 RUBBER TIRE DOZER SERVICING WHEN HE SLIPPED OFF & LANDED ON TAILBONE.

1989 · 14 incidents

November 13, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS UNLOADING TRASH BARRELS AT THE GARBAGE PTIT BY THE MILL. THE BARREL CAME OGG THE HOOKS AND STRUCK HIM IN THE BASCK AS HE TRIED TO RUN AWAY. HE GOT UP AND PUSHED THE BARREL OFF UP THE HILL. AT THE SHOP HE WAS LOOKED OVER AND TRANSPORTED BY SOMEONE TO THE OFFICE.

July 17, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall from ladders

I,NAME WAS CLIMBING LADDER TO TOP OF CRUSHER PLATFORM WITH AJUSTING PUMP IN RIGHT HAND. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SWING PUMP ONTO PLATFORM HE LOST GRIP ON LADDER AND FELL BACK AND DOWN APPROX. TEN FEET TO THE GROUND. LANDED ON LEFT ELBOW. BROKE ELBOW.

July 12, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

REPLACING STARTER ON IGNERSOLL RAND DRILL, A SMALL PIECE OF COPPER LODGED INTO RIGHT INDEX FINGER. FINGER, HAND, AND ARM HAD SWOLLEN.

May 16, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS PULVERIZING ORE SAMPLES. HE LIFTED THE LID TO CLEAN OUT THE SAMPLE. THE LID SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HAND AND DROPPED ON HIS LEFT LITTLE FINGER. THE FINGER WAS SMASHED BETWEEN THE LID A ND PULVERIZER FRAME CAUSING A SMALL LACERATION REQUIRING TWO STITCHES.

April 13, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

MOVING SPLITTER BOX MAUALLY LEFT HAND FINGER GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN SPLITTER BOX & SUPPORT FRAME

March 17, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

BROKE LEFT THUMB WITH AHMMER WHILE INSTALLING BALL JOINTS ON DRIVELINE.

March 14, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EMPLOYEE WAS CHECKING TORQUE ON BOLTS WHEN HE STEPPED ON SOME ICE AND SLIPPED FALLING FROM ONE LEVEL OF DECKING TO THE NEXT APPROX 5FEET.

March 13, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS LOWERING A TORCH HOSE WHEN THE WIND AND BLOWING SNOW CAME UP AND EMPLOYEE STEPPED BACK ONTO A PIECE OF INSULATING TIN AND SLIPPED, HITTING HIS SIDE O A HAND RAIL.

February 27, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

THE INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO FREE MUCK WHICH HAD STUCK INSIDE OF A FEED CHUTE.HE WAS USING A BAR REACHING IN THE CHUTE DOOR AND CONTACTED THE SIDE OF THE CHUTE WHICH SMASHED HIS LEFT LITTLE F INGER.

February 1, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STANDING AT EDGE OF HOPPER LOST FT FELL BACK TO HOPPER RAMP LANDED ON FT BUT INJ BACK.

January 20, 1989 NV · Metal/Non-Metal beltman, conveyor man, conveyor belt worker, mobile bridge carrierman, feeder operator, conveyor rider SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

SLIPPED OFF THE SPLITTER BOX AND FELL ON HIS BACK ON THE BELT COVER

1988 · 17 incidents

December 22, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by powered moving object

VICTIM OUR EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING OUT A DRAINAGE DITCH WITH HIS BACK TURNED WHEN A FORKLIFT CAME AROUND CORNER AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF SPEED KNOCKING THEVICTIM TO THE GROUND & PINNING HIS FE ET UNDER THE LEFT TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE BEFORE IT COULD STOP FORKLIFT & OPERATOR WERE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A SUBCONTRACTOR UNRELATED TO TIC IN ANYWAY

December 13, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRIVER HAULING WASTE-ROCKS ON PIT ENTRANCE ROAD,MOTORGRADER BUSY SO HE GOT OUT OF TRUCK & MOVED THEM HIMSELF STRAINING LOWER BACK.

December 7, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal rock driller MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

DRILLER & FOREMAN PUTTING HAMMER ON DRILL PIPE WHEN THREADS CROSSED,HAMMER SPUN OFF PINCHING DRILLERS HAND BETWEEN HAMMER BARREL AND PULL-DOWN CHAIN.

November 2, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE DRIVING TRUCK WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY SO HE TRIED TO FLIP ICE FROM THEM WHEN HE DID HE SLIPPED AND POKED HIMSELF IN THE RT EYE WITH WIPER WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES A ND WIPER CAME UP UNDER GLASSES

October 4, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

ROLLED TRUCK ON ITS SIDE PULLED ALONG SIDE OF HIGHWALL TRIED TO PULL AWAY & COULDNT STEER AWAY FROM WALL

September 12, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING DOWN AN INCLINE & TWISTED HIS ANKLE (PREVIOUSLY THIS ANKLE HAS BEEN INJURED BEFORE)

August 30, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

I. NAME ATTEMPTED TO LIFT AN EMPTY 55 GALLON BARREL UP OVER THE SIDE OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. THE BARREL WAS TOO MUCH FOR ONE MAN TO HANDLE AND I.NAME SMASHED HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL AND THE BED OF THE TRUCK.

July 14, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall from machine

LOADING GARDNER DENVEWR DRILL ON TILT TRAILER PREPARING TO MOVE IT FROM MAC RIDGE TO NORTH SAMMY CREEK PIT WHEN HE WAS GOING TO JUMP OFF OF TRAILER LOST HIS FOOTING AND FELL APPROX. 6' LANDIN ING ON ROCKY BERM ON SIDE OF HAULROAD

May 24, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal POWERED HAULAGE
Independence Mining Company Inc · Accident type, without injuries

WHILE DUMPING OVER BANK INTO STOCKPILE, STOCKPULE HAD BEEN UNDERCUT BY LOADER FROM BOTTOM BERM HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED. IT APPEARED FROM TOP OF PILE THAT BERM WAS SAFE. AS TRUCK APPROACHED BER M, BERM GAVE WAY SLOWLY ENOUGH FROM DRIVER TO EXIT TRUCK.

May 5, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INSTALLED ROTATION PUMP PUMP SLIPPED AND SMASHED FINGER.

April 21, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRILLER WAS SETTING TABLE BUSHING ON DRILL AND PUT THUMB IN PINCH POINT

February 29, 1988 NV · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

D8L CAT DOZER BACKED UP ON CUT SIDE OF ROAD WITH LEFT CRAWLER SO HIGH THAT MACHINE BECAME UNSTALE & LAYED OVERF ON ITS RIGHT SIDE ON ROAD WAY

1987 · 8 incidents

December 2, 1987 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Struck by falling object

RAISED TABLE BU8HING UP DRILL STEEL AND SECURED WITH WINCH LINE.CABLE SLIPPED ALLOWING BUSHING TO SLIDE DOWN STEEL AND PINCH FINGER.

September 29, 1987 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Independence Mining Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

DIRT EMBANKMENT312 FEET HIGH WITH LOOSE DIRT AND ROCKS DRIVER WAS WALKING DOWN EMBANKMENT FROM HIS TRUCK TO FUEL PUMP. SLIPPED AND FELL ON LOOSE DIRT AND ROCKS, TWISTING LEFT LEG UNDERNEATH H IM. AND ROLLING3DOWN EMBANKEMNT AGAINST FUEL TANK.

September 24, 1987 NV · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Independence Mining Company Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

INSECT BITE NEA9 EYE.

August 17, 1987 NV · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

DOOR OPEN FOR A3R CIRCULATION DOOR LATCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND CLOSED ON OPERATORS GLOVED HAND

August 4, 1987 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator MACHINERY
Independence Mining Company Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DRILLER LEFT DR3LL TO CALL A MECHANIC. WHILE WALKING OUT OF THE PIT HE WALKED B A WORKING DOZER. AS HE PASSED A HYDRAULIC HOSE BROKE AND SPRAYED HIM IN THE FACE WITH HYDRAULIC OIL.