Mining Incidents

Carolina Stalite Company -Aquadale MillMetal/Nonmetal

Stanley, Stanly County, NC · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3100135
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
46
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Jun 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

46 on file

2025 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE stepped off a concrete pad (6"") and rolled right ankle on 5/13/2025. EE has worked with discomfort in it since then. EE wanted to be seen for the lingering pain on 6/24/2025 and was released to work with weight baring restrictions making this accident MSHA reportable.

Struck against a moving object

Kiln Helper was operating a loader in the coal yard, the loader lunged forward irritating a pre-existing condition. The kiln helper requested not to see a Dr. at the time of the accident. On 6/24/2025 EE went to see the Dr., EE pulled a muscle and was proscribed a muscle relaxer.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was in the kiln shack grabbing a pair of gloves & after a while of wearing them their hand began itching and had swollen up. Harvey believes the glove had a insect in it that had bit them irritating their hand.

Unclassified, insufficient data

EE called another EE around 7:00 am as EE was pulling into the plant explaining IE was not feeling well and a bit lightheaded, When EE went up to check on IE who seemed out of it and confused at which point immediately had other EE call 911 between 7:15 & 7:30 am 01-17-25.

2024 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

The doctors classified it as a mini-stroke.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee washing out in the kiln tunnel under the cooler while doing so they crouched down to move under the cooler & when they stood up, they said they felt their back catch & pop sending pain through left leg immediately. Employee stated while standing the pain in their leg was mild & when sitting it would become worse.

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

EE was using a 24"" pipe wrench and mashed finger in between the wrench's handle and another pipe lacerating and fracturing the tip of EE's right ring finger through EE's glove. The laceration required stitches thus making this MSHA reportable.

2022 · 1 incident

Struck against a moving object

EE was driving haul truck from upper pit. There were ruts in the road from the rain the night prior. On EE's way down the ramp, EE hit one of the ruts, it jostled EE around, and EE felt discomfort in EE's back. On Sunday, June 19th, EE went to ER and they prescribed steroids and muscle relaxers and wrote EE out till Wednesday, June 22nd, making it reportable.

2021 · 3 incidents

Fall from machine

EE was climbing on excavator after changing hydraulic hose to retrieve rags. While climbing down EE missed the last step with EE's foot and fell to the ground. EE landed on EE's right side, EE's hard hat came off and EE hit the back of EE's head on a rock. The wound required 4 staples.

Struck against a moving object

EE changed the rear diff fluid in water truck at shop. EE checked the brakes and low pressure light in the cab to make sure they had pressure. On the way back to the pit, EE stopped several times and knew they had brakes. At some point on the pit road, EE was unable to stop and wrecked the truck at the bottom. EE was fine, but the doctor kept EE out on Monday.

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

The EE was tramming the drill in the pit. The door was latched open. While moving, the door shut onto the EE's left hand. At the time, the injury consisted of minor lacerations. On 9/7/21, the EE's finger was swollen. We took EE to the doctor and EE had a minor fracture thus making the accident reportable.

2020 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Employee was installing a cooler seal in the upper cooler arm on the # 8 Kiln. Employee was having difficulty putting in the seal. They took a glove off, then accidently rubbed their hand across a sharp object.

2019 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

Employee said was climbing onto the 824 J John Deere Front-end articulated loader. EE's foot slipped off from the first step approximately 24 inches. EE was unable to hold onto the grab irons, falling backward onto back. EE also said had muddy boots.

Fall from machine

The EE was going to the pit to check on a haul truck driver that said truck was overheating. While in route, the superintendent told the EE's NOT to take the radiator cap off. One of the EE's did, burning the injured EE's left elbow and forearm. The injured EE jumped off of the truck and fractured EE's left heel.

2011 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

EE was washing down some material when a rock, approximately 12"" x 8"", slid into the EE's left foot. At the time, the EE said it was fine. On 9/14/2011, the EE complained of pain in his foot, he went to the doctor and the doctor said he had a bruise. The doctor told him to prop his foot up occasionally while at work, restricting his duty, thereby making the incident reportable.

2010 · 4 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee clocked in at 7:00 a.m., he had been feeling sick since 3:30 a.m. that morning. He came to work anyway to learn he wasn't feeling any better. Another employee helped him to the office where he described to us that he was having chest pains and difficulty breathing. We called 911 for assistance.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking down a slight grade when he lost his balance, when he tried to regain his balance he strained himself.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE left the MCC room with a shovel in hand to clear the snow and ice from the #1 screening tower area so they could start up that part of the plant. Preceding to that area the EE lost his balance and fell, injuring his right shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was changing screens with fellow ee. EE was prying up screen with pry bar, the screen cloth broke loose and hit employees finger causing a fracture.

2009 · 4 incidents

Contact with heat

Employee was injured when two other ee's were using jack hammer to chip away edge of hot clinker. Tje employees stopped working to take cool down break. One of the employees found the other employee unconscious away from the area where they had been working.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was attempting to remove the anti-theft plastic band from a new socket wrench set. He began using a pair of pliers, which didn't work, so he used a utility knife instead to cut the plastic tabs. When he exerted pressure to the tab, part of the tab broke off allowing the force of the utility knife blade to hit his inner thigh, giving him a 1 inch laceration.

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

EE was unclogging a chute using a crowbar through a hole in the chute. When the rocks broke loose, the weight of the rock forced the crowbar down and the EE's hand got pinched between the crowbar and the chute. This caused a laceration to his thumb requiring stitches.

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

EE was using a Purox oxygen & accetylene cutting torch to cut an 8"" I-Beam which was at a 45 degree angle & secured with a chain fall on 1 end & welded to another I-Beam on the other. It must have been under pressure because when beam was cut the chain fall slid down & allowed beam to drop Appx 3"" & during this our employee's wrist became squeezed betwen the chain fall & beam.

2008 · 7 incidents

Struck against stationary object

The ee was helping load a section of kiln shell onto a truck. One ee threw over a rope to pull over a chain to secure the load but the rope got hung. The injured ee jumped to get rope, hit hand on side of kiln shell, and lacerated three fingers on right hand, requiring four (4) stitches in one finger.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Two electricians were changing a motor on a dust auger. As they entered onto the concrete foundation underneath the kiln's bag house, one slipped and fell hands first into wet fly ash, a byproduct from coal that also has lime mixed with it. He stopped to wipe his hands off then they continued to finish their task of changing the motor.

Struck against stationary object

EE was working with another EE replacing the oil into the outside trunion roller on the #9 kiln. EE's job was to fill a 5 gallon bucket with oil, then hand it to the other EE which would pour the oil into the kilns trunion roller. Another EE that had been operating crane, left the cranes pulley block, head high, allowing EE to make contact with the cranes pulley block.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was operating a rubber tired front-end loader. He felt sweat about to run into his eye, so he wiped his eye area with his shirt sleeve which had dirt/grime, and some dry lime dust on it. He immediately felt his eye start to burn. The he said he rubbed it which by doing this scratched his eye.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Two EE's were sent to change some screens. One EE left to get tools and the injured EE decided to go ahead and begin pulling out old screens, without waiting for help. The EE felt a pull in his back. EE continued to work, but went out on lost time 4/15/2008 and accident became reportable.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was in the maintenance shop tacking some pieces of metal together. He was wearing his safety glasses not his shield while doing this task. He positioned his metal and then looked away as he struck arc. At this time he believes the rusty material got into his eye.

Fall onto or against objects

EE entered the mechanic shops open bay to get some electrical parts. He was approaching a pallet with hydrauylic hose placed on it. About a foot of the hose was hanging off of one corner of the pallet. EE saw a wheelbarrow in the area of his walk space. He was focused on the wheelbarrow and did not see the hose. He tripped and fell into the wheelbarrow causing the injury.

2007 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was removing refractory (Castable) material from the #8 Kiln with an air jack hammer. He had his right hand positioned between the anchor that holds the refractory & the jack hammer handle. When he engaged the jack hammer his hand got caught in between the anchor and jack hammer handle.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Operator was on the kiln firing deck observing the material inside the kiln. His helper sounded the horn on the front-end loader, where at this time the operator has instruction to go inside the control room for safety. The helper was removing hot rock from underneath the firing deck platform. Hot steam came up and burned the operator.

2006 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

The EE climbed onto the coal mill journal base plate to see if the coal mill was receiveing coal. On his descent, his feet slipped off the coal mill journal base plate and he fell 32"" to the bar grated platform.

2005 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

EE WAS HOLDING A HAND RAIL STANDARD (ANGLE) AND USING A LEVEL TO LEVEL THE STANDARD SO THE OTHER EMPLOYEE COULD WELD IT. WHEN HE LOOKED AWAY A PIECE OF RUST SHOT INTO HIS RIGHT EYE AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT WAS IMBEDDED TO HIS EYE

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The EE was working on a dust auger. The auger contained fly ash and hydrated lime. During this task the lime material got in his boot and blistered his ankle. A couple of days later it got a little infected.

2004 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting a recently purchased, empty toolbox off a truck with the aid of another EE. While lifting the box, the injured EE said he heard his arm pop and then felt severe pain in his right elbow. The EE tore ligaments in his right elbow.

2002 · 1 incident

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

THE EMPLOYEE WAS LEVELING V-BLOCKS WITH A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON. THE BACKHOE BUCKET SWUNG OVER CAUSING THE ANGLE IRON TO PINCH HIS RIGHT HAND AGAINST THE V-BLOCK.

2001 · 6 incidents

Struck by falling object

WHILE CHANGING OXYGEN ON MAINTENANCE TRUCK, EMPLOYEE PICKED UP CYLINDER AND THE CYLINDER SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HANDS. WHEN IT FELL, IT LANDED ON INJUREDS FOOT, FRACTURING SMALL TOE AND METATARSAL .

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE BUILDUP OUT OF KILN, WHEN HE PULLED HIS HAND OUT OF KILN, HE HIT RIGHT HAND ON KILN DOOR AND CUT HAND.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS POURING REFRACTORY IN KILN WHEN A PIECE OF REFRACTORY OVERHEAD BROKE LOOSE AND HIT LEFT FRONT OF HEAD.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

A PARTICLE IN THE AIR, SUPPOSEDLY DUST OR SOME O

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A PARTICLE IN THE AIR, SUPPOSEDLY DUST, IRRITATED THE EYE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS MIXING CEMENT. WHEN HE PICKED UP A BUCKET OF CONCRETE, HE PULLED A MUSCLE IN HIS LOWER BACK.

2000 · 3 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS WITH A COAL MILL, EMPLOYEE OPENED OIL RESERVOIR, AND HOT OIL SPLATTERED, BURNS TO ARMS, NECK, AND FACE.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

WHILE EXITING COAL BELT, EMPLOYEE TRIPPED, ATTEMPTING TO BREAK HIS FALL, HE LANDED ON RIGHT HAND, INJURING 5TH FINGER.

Contact with electrical current

ATTEMPTING TO RESET A TRIPPED STARTER, A FLASH OCCURRED CAUSING BURNS TO THE NECK AND LEFT FOREARM OF EMPLOYEE.