Mining Incidents

Mt Airy Mine And MillMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Polycor Inc
Mt. Airy, Surry County, NC · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 3100037
Fatalities
1
Total incidents
85
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024

Fatalities at this mine

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

THE OPERATOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO PLACE A WEDGE BETWEEN THE TWO BLOCKS THAT HAD BEEN SAWN, A ROUGH BACK FELL PINNING THE OPERATOR AGAINST THE OTHER BLOCK.

Reportable incidents

84 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2024 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Operator was picking up a water bag when EE felt a sharp pain in EE's right shoulder.

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

Miner was changing a saw blade and a gust of wind blew the blade guard door shut striking the miners left middle finger resulting in a small laceration to the left middle finger.

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

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A PIECE OF SCRAP FROM THE BANKER BY THEMSELVES AND MASHED RIGHT RING FINGERTIP CAUSING A TISSUE AMPUTATION OF THE FINGERTIP.

2023 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

EE WAS SIZING A BLOCK TO BE MOVED WHEN A SMALL UNSEEN SHELL TURNED LOOSE WHERE EE HAD DRILLED EE'S HOLES TO BREAK THE STONE. THE EE CAUCHT THE SHELL WITH EE'S RIGHT HAND TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING AND HIT EE'S WRIST ON THE SHARP EDGE CAUSING A SMALL LACERATION. EE WAS RELEASED BACK TO WORK FULL DUTY SAME DAY

2021 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOOSENING A 5' LENGTH OF DRILL STEEL TO REMOVE FROM EE'S D30 DRILL WHEN THE WRENCH CAME LOOSE AND HIT EE'S RIGHT PINKY FINGER

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TIGHTENING THE BOWL ON EE'S 4' CONE CRUSHER AND THE CABLE EE WAS USING BROKE STRIKING THE EE IN THE LEFT FOREARM CAUSING A FRACTURE AND LACERATION.

Struck by flying object

EE WAS STANDING ABOUT 4 FEET FROM A MAINTENANCE EE THAT WAS REMOVING A PULLEY LOCKING COLLAR FROM A SHAFT AND A SMALL PIECE OF METAL WENT UNDER EE'S SAFETY GLASSES AND INTO RIGHT EYE

2018 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STATED THAT LEFT WRIST STARTED HURTING WHILE HELPING OTHER EMPLOYEES PACK 50# BAGS OF GRANITE GRIT ON PALLETS. EE WAS SENT FOR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSED WITH TENDONITIS. EE STATED THAT LEFT WRIST HAD BEEN HURTING FOR A LONG TIME BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE DAY REPORTED

2017 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

EE was cleaning out a pilot hole with a PVC blowpipe so EE could wire saw when the pipe separated and struck EE on the right forearm causing a contusion.

Struck by falling object

EE was removing saw wires from a block of granite that had been sawn when the end of the roughback broke free, fell and hit EE on the neck causing a laceration, and EE's right hand causing a contusion.

2016 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The Employee was changing a piece of Drill Steel in EE's Novamac Quarry drill. The employee stated that EE had EE's hand on the drill steel and hit the wrong lever which caused the extraction clamp to close and raised the steel bringing EE's hand through the clamp causing a fracture to EE's left hand. The employee returned to work the same day with light duty restrictions.

2015 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS REMOVING A JACK STAND FROM UNDERNEATH A FORKLIFT THAT HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. EE WAS SENT FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION, AND WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTIONS, AND REFERED TO AN ORTHO FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.

2014 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

A quarry employee bent down to pick up a 4"" piece of air compressor hose to place on a pick up bed, and strained a muscle in his back.

Struck by flying object

An blasting employee stated that when he initiated a blast from a distance of 125 feet away, a piece of rock hit him in the upper left chest causing a rib fracture and contusion to his chest. Employee finished the workday, but went for medical treatment the next day 04/25/2014.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a Band Saw to saw 6""x 6"" wedges to be used as wheel chocks. When the blade went through the cut, the employees hand made contact with the blade causing a laceration.

2013 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The employee was pulling a wire saw cable by hand and felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Employee went to local emergency room on 05/03/2013. Diagnosis low back strain.

2012 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was walking up a conveyor, he slipped causing his left ankle to receive his full weight causing pain. The result was a chipped bone in his left ankle.

2011 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a water hose to wash residue off stone on the Quarry. As the employee walked backwards he stepped down approx. 8"" and twisted his ankle resulting in a right ankle sprain.

Struck by falling object

The employee was removing a piece of waste granite from a saw cart using a steel lifting cable. The employee put pressure on the waste piece with a pry bar to allow the lifting cable to go around the waste piece. As he applied pressure a piece of the waste slab broke off and fell striking the employee on the left shoulder causing an abrasion and laceration.

Struck against a moving object

The employee was dumping a piece of waste granite off the forks on a lift truck. The material rolled to the ends of the forks which lifted the back of the forklift. The material continued to fall off the forks which caused the rear of the forklift to fall back to the surface. The employee only decided to visit a doctor a couple of weeks after the event when the pain increased.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A piece of 11' drill steel fell out of a holder on a drill unit, the employee reached to catch the piece of steel and caught his finger between the drill steel and the retractor wheels.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee started to lift a metal screen up a 5 foot space when he heard his right elbow pop. He could no longer use his right arm. The result was a contusion of the right elbow.

Fall onto or against objects

The employee was dismounting a forklift, he slipped on a wet step and fell striking his elbow on the step.

Struck by falling object

The maintenance employee was testing a wire saw that had been repaired. While watching the saw move vertically, bolts broke, which held the saw to the frame allowing the saw to fall. The wheel guard struck the employee on the hard hat and shoulder. The employee fell to the floor. The employee was taken for medical attention where a contusion of the head and shoulder was diagnosed.

2010 · 3 incidents

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

While changing a drill bit on a drilling machine, the employee accidentally activated the boom movement which caught his hand between the drill bit and stone surface. The result was a fractured 5th Metacarpal of the left hand.

Struck by falling object

The employee was using a band saw to cut a steel ""H"" beam. When the employee approached to move the completed piece it fell on his right foot, resulting in a contusion to the top of the right foot.

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

The employee was standing on a platform attached to a track drill. As he moved the drill he backed it into the side of an attached air compressor which pinned his foot between the two units.

2009 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across the quarry surface, he slipped on ice and fell on his left shoulder resulting in a contusion of the left shoulder.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee bent over to pull a steel cable under a granite block, when he stood up he felt pain in his lower back. The result was a Lumbosacral Sprain.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was pushing on a hand held wrench. As the bolt came loose the employees hand hit against other metal which caused a laceration to the little finger of the left hand.

Fall from machine

The employee placed his left foot on the step of a Volvo A235 haul truck, as he raised up, the cable step broke. The employee fell, causing his right leg to hyper-extend. The result was a sprained right knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was lifting a piece of 21' long drill steel. A heavy wind caused the employee to stumble and twist causing a muscle strain to the lower back.

2008 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was unhooking crane cables from a sawn granite block. He tripped on a steel cable lying on the concrete floor. He fell on his right side to the concrete floor resulting in a fracture of the right femur.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a pry-bar to dislodge stone, which had hung in a feeder. When the stone came loose, it struck the pry-bar, causing the sharp end of the bar to puncture the palm of the employees right hand.

Struck against stationary object

Employee sat down on an electrical motor, which had a lifting bolt protruding. The employee sat on the protruding bolt. The result was a contusion to the Genitalia.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee had built a warming fire in a small stove in a building for warming on the Quarry. While operating a drill, the employee noticed a box of rags next to the stove were on fire. The employee used a dry chemical extinguisher to put the fire out, but was overcome by the dry chemical fumes.

Struck by flying object

The employee was operating a metal lathe. A piece of metal shaving came toward the employee, which the employee deflected with his left hand resulting in a laceration to the middle finger of the left hand.

2007 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

The employee was operating a front-end loader. While moving forward to load the bucket he hit an unseen rock ledge which threw the operator into the right armrest injuring the right lower ribcage.

Struck by flying object

The employee was adjusting a water supply line on a block of granite being sawn. The water spray blew a foreign body into his left eye.

Fall onto or against objects

As the employee stepped off the bottom rung of an equipment ladder he slipped causing him to strike his left knee against the steel rung of the ladder resulting in a fracture of the left kneecap.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was walking on the Quarry surface. He slipped in a water/sludge area resulting in a fall to the quarry surface. The employee received outside medical attention for a laceration above the left eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was attempting to free a stuck cutting wire on a wire saw. When the wire came free it flipped up & struck the employee above the left eye resulting in a laceration.

2006 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking on level ground, stepped in a hole approx. 1'-6"" wide x 5"" deep. He sprained his left ankle.

Struck by falling object

The employee was preparing to remove some slabs from a trolley. While reaching for a crane sling, a piece of slab fell off the trolley, striking the employee on his right arm, left hand and right foot.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was moving boxes of material. After storing one box the employee turned to get another, he tripped over a metal tank setting in the floor. The employee fell to the floor. The employee sprained his left knee.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to free a rock hang in a jaw crusher using a hook attached to an electric winch. The hook jumped back striking the employee on the arm and hard hat. That night he went to the local emergency room where a precautionary CAT scan was preformed, there were no injuries, the employee received an injection of pain medication.

2005 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After placing a piece of granite on a saw cart trolley, the employee reached over to get a pry-bar. When the employee braced himself with his right hand, while leaning, the piece of granite rolled over onto his right hand, resulting in a fracture to the little finger and ring finger of the right hand.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was changing a hydraulic fitting on a water jet using a pipe wrench. The wrench slipped causing him to strike the edge of his right hand on a piece of metal resulting in a fracture to the 5th metacarpal of his right hand.

Fall from machine

The employee was climbing up the steps on a 988 Cat loader, he lost grip with his right hand which caused him to spin left which threw him off balance and he lost his footing. He fell to the ground resulting in a fractured left ankle.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a power saw to cut the top off a plastic barrel. The blade stuck causing the saw to jump up and catch the little finger of the left hand which cut half the nail off.

Struck by falling object

The employee was installing toggle plate seats in the Primary Crusher. A metal shim fell on his left hand, resulting in a contusion to the index and middle fingers of the left hand.

2004 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was hooking slings from an overhead crane to a group of granite slabs. The slabs shifted causing the employee to step backwards into a drain ditch, resulting in a twisted right knee.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was using a wrench to tighten a bolt on a tractor drill. When the employee pushed the wrench it slipped off causing the employee to strike the knuckles of his right hand on a steel frame resulting in a contusion.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS REMOVING A STEEL LIFTING CABLE FROM A GRANITE BLOCK, THE CABLE TWISTED IN THE EE S HANDS CAUSING A CONTUSION TO THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE LEFT HAND.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS OPERATING A HYDRAULIC DRILLING MACHINE. HE WAS CHANGING THE STEEL DRILL ROD. DURING THE PROCESS HE ACTIVATED THE WRONG LEVER CAUSING THE DRILL TO ROTATE. THE ROTATION CUT AND BROKE THE SECOND FINGER OF THE LEFT HAND.

2003 · 11 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS USING A HAMMER TO STRIKE A METAL WEDGE. A PIECE OF THE WEDGE BROKE OFF AND STRUCK THE EE ON THE BACK OF THE LEFT HAND RESULTING IN A LACERATION.

Struck against stationary object

THE EE WAS REMOVING DEBRIS FROM A SHED BEING TORN DOWN, HE STEPPED ON A BOARD THAT HAD AN EXPOSED NAIL WHICH PUNCTURED THE BOTTOM OF HIS RIGHT FOOT.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS USING A PRY BAR TO POSITION 6' BY 10' BY 2"" GRANITE SLAB WHICH WAS SETTING ON ITS EDGE IN A RACK. THE EE PULLED THE SLAB PAST VERTICAL CAUSING THE SLAB TO FALL STRIKING THE EE ON THE HE AD AND SHOULDER. THE EE RECEIVED A LACERATION TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HEAD BEHIND HIS EAR AND A CONTUSION TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

PUTTING 50LB BAGS ON A PALLET, CAUGHT TOE ON PALLET CAUSING BACK TO TWIST, RESULTING IN PAIN LOWER BACK

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STEPPED OFF A TROLLEY ONTO A PRY BAR LAYING ON THE GROUND, TWISTED RIGHT ANKLE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SWINGING A SLEDGE HAMMER AT A STEEL WEDGE. THE HAMMER GLANCED OFF CAUSING THE EE TO CUT HIS LEFT HAND ON THE STEEL WEDGE.

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED, HIT KNEE ON A PIECE OF METAL ON A CEMENT MIXER. CONTUSION OF LEFT KNEE.

No Value Found

HIGH PRESSURE WATER DISLODGED A STONE CHIP WHICH STRUCK THE EE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS FACE RESULTING IN A LACERATION

Flash burns (welding)

WELDING PROJECT LASTING ALL DAY - FLASH BURN TO EYES.

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

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLOSING THE ENTRANCE DOOR TO A BUILDING AFTER STEPPING INSIDE. HE PLACED HIS LEFT HAND ON THE DOOR CASING AND CLOSED THE DOOR RESULTING IN AMPUTATION OF 3/8"" OF THE TIP OF HIS MIDDLE LEFT-HAND FINGER.

Struck by falling object

THE EE WAS HOLDING A PIECE OF STEEL TUBING WHILEANOTHER EE CUT IT FREE FROM A LONGER PIECE. WHEN THE PIECE WAS CUT FREE THE EMPLOYEE DROPPED IT ON HIS RIGHT FOOT.

2002 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS PULLING A PIECE OF CATWALK MATERIAL OVER ANOTHER PIECE WHEN THE BOTTOM PIECE SHIFTED AND CAUGHT HIS FINGER BETWEEN THEM.

2001 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE STEPPED IN A HOLE AND TURNED HIS ANKLE.

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

THE EE WAS MOVING A SCREEN BY HAND MASHED HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE SCREEN AND A RAIL 12 STITCHES TO HIS FINGER.

Struck by falling object

THE EE WAS STANDING WITH HIS FOOT UNDER A BLOCK THAT WAS BEING SPLIT WITH A HAMMER AND WEDGER. THE EE WAS PICKING UP THE WEDGES FROM THE TOP OF THE BLOCK WHEN IT SPLIT AND DROPPED ONTO HIS LEF T FOOT.

Struck by flying object

EE WAS USING A SLEDGEHAMMER AND WEDGE TO SPLIT AGRANITE BLOCK. HE STRUCK THE WEDGE WITH A GLANCING BLOW AND WITH SUCH FORCE THAT A FRAGMENT CAMEOFF THE WEDGE AND STRUCK HIS RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS STRIKING A STEEL WEDGE THAT WAS IN A DRILL HOLE, WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER. WHEN THE WEDGE WAS STRUCK IT CAME OUT AND STRUCK THE EMPLOYEE IN THE MOUTH AREA.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS PULLING A LARGE SLIDING DOOR TO CLOSE IT WHEN HE STRAINED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

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

THE EMPLOYEE WAS TAKING THE GUIDE OFF THE STEEL, HE DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE STEEL HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE COUPLING, THE STEEL FELL CATCHING HIS FINGER BETWEEN THE BIT AND THE JAWS THAT HOLD IT .

2000 · 10 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE WAS LIFTING A LIFT TRUCK FORK AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS PRYING SLABS APART WHEN THE END OF ONE SLAB BROKE. WHEN HE MOVED AWAY HE STRAINED HIS BACK.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE HAD A HEART ATTACK DURING HIS LUNCH. THE LOCATION WAS OFF SITE AT THE FLAT ROCK RURITAN BUILDING WHERE THE ANNUAL REFRESHER TRAINING CLASS WAS BEING CONDUCTED.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

THE INJURED PERSON WAS MAKING WEDGES ON THE TRIP HAMMER WHEN THE METAL KICKED BACK CAUSING THEOPERATOR TO TWIST SUDDENLY TO THE SIDE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

1 EE WAS PUSHING SLABS APART WITH PRY BAR AS THEPERSON WAS INJURED WAS PUTTING BELT AROUND THE SLAB SO THE CRANE COULD LIFT IT. THE SLAB BR0KE AS HE WAS BENDING OVER TO PLACE THE BELT UNDER & FELL TOWARD HIM STRIKING HIM BEHIND THE RIGHT EAR IN A GLANCING BLOW PUSHING HIM OUT OF THE WAY

Struck against stationary object

HE WAS DRIVING A WEDGE WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND HAMMER, HE MISSED THE WEDGE AND THE RIGHT INDEX FINGER HIT A PULLEY.

Struck against stationary object

THE OPERATOR SLIPPED OFF THE BLOCK CAR AND STEPPED ON THE OVERFLOW HISE TWISTING HIS ANKLE.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A FORKLIFT PULLING OUT A BLOCK FROM A LEDGE DRUG A SPRAWL WITH THE BLOCK WHICH TURNED OVER ON HIS FOOT.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS SPLITTING A STONE WITH A HAMMER AND WEDGE. AS HE STRUCK THE WEDGE IT BROKE AND HIT HIM ON THE RIGHT LEG, (SHIN AREA) BREAKING THE SKIN AND BRUISING IT.

Contact with hot objects or substances

HE STUMBLED AND TIRED TO CATCH HIS BALANCE WITH HIS LEFT HAND, THE TORCH IN THE RIGHT HAND WENT ACROSS THE BACK OF HIS LEFT HAND BURNING THE BACK OF THE LAST 3 FINGERS.