Mining Incidents

The Feldspar PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, NC · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3100354
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
58
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Dec 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

58 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

During a bi-yearly chest x-ray a miner was thought to have a spot on EE's lungs that is consistent with ""Chronic Silicosis""

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

While attempting to close tailgate on haul truck, employee placed hand in pinch point. When tailgate closed, hand was caught in pinch point injuring third right finger.

2024 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a razor knife to strip the insulation from the end of a wire when the blade slipped and cut two of the employee's fingers through employee's leather gloves.

2023 · 2 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee captured HF acid in a bottle, placing it in their pocket and the bottle ruptured as EE walked back to plant burning EE's skin with chemicals.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Maintenance employee bent over picking up hand tool and felt a pain in EE's lower back. EE reported it to management immediately.

2022 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was loading and lifting screens. Several hours after lifting the screens and placing them in a separate storage area. The employee felt pain in lower left back.

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

2 miners were attempting to load a roll of plastic shrink wrap onto a stand. As miner #1 was removing the steel bar that holds the roll, miner #2 placed hand in the area of a pinch point to assist miner #1. Miner #1 lost the grip on the steel bar dropping it which cause an abrupt upward motion pinching the right index finger of miner #2.

2020 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

While working in Plant 3, an engineer from the lab got sand in eyes. Employee was wearing safety glasses & full face shield at the time. Employee felt that the wind had blown it past the protection. Employee was taken to local eye dr who gave employee prescription eye drops. The employee had gone blind a couple years ago & has had eye transplants so ALL precautions were taken.

2019 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The miner was using a portable cement mixer to mix a cement compound to repair a crushing mill. While the miner was attempting to remove the cement compound from the portable mixer EE's left hand contacted the rotating paddles inside the mixing barrel. The employee stated ""EE was in a hurry and did not disengage the rotating parts of the portable mixer"".

Fall onto or against objects

Plant 1 supervisor was accessing steps to 8 deck screen. As ee reached the top step ee stumbled, falling forward onto the hand rail injuring ribs. Left side of body.

2017 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

As employee crossed Altapass road to enter Plant 1 dust was blown into right eye. EE entered Plant 1 and flushed eye to remove dust. Then on 4/27/2017 EE reported to supervisor that EE thought eye was scratched. Management took the employee to eye doctor and had eye examined. It was found to be scratched but no particle found in eye.

2014 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Emp. was removing blower assemble from dryer. He pulled forklift to side hooked a strap onto blower, & raised the forks to put tension on the load, thinking the anchor point was center of gravity for lifting he remove the bolts where the blower was attached to the dryer, when the last bolt was removed blower shifted striking right leg, laceration to lower rt leg calf muscle area.

2012 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

EE was holding a pipe onto a small screw shaft, while another EE was hammering the shaft to help remove it, when the pipe slipped off, jamming the EE's right little finger onto the screw housing.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was reaching for a nearby control valve when he heard a ""popping sound"" emanate from his chest area that was braced against a railing.

2011 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was adjusting a hatch opening back onto a rodmill when the hatch shifted, pinching the employees finger against the rodmill causing a laceration.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was using a tool to clean out a blockage in the lime feed to the flouride tank when he scraped his right arm, and the lime slurry caused an irritation to that area.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After working to thaw out a come-a-long latch mechanism, EE proceeded to move the ratchet handle in order to crank up loading chute, when the ratchet handle slipped, striking EE on left eye socket area causing a contusion.

2009 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee lacerated pinkie finger on left hand when it struck against the edge of a piece of angle iron.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was repairing packing on a vacuum pump. Water sprayed in miner's eyes. Foreign object embedded (small bit of metal) in right eye either when water sprayed or when miner wiped his eyes to clear water. Miner received a prescription.

2008 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

Independant truck driver, who is self employed, fell approx 4-5' from his truck trailer. Visit to doctor showed broken heel of left foot.

Struck against stationary object

EE was tightening belt that holds skirting in place along feed belt that conveys product to plant rodmills. Socket slipped ogg belt causing his right elbow to strike conveyor frame.

2007 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee strained lower, right side of back while pulling up a load-out hose at Upper Loading.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Washing off spilled sand between #2 & #3 F-20 Storage Bins, slipped, & fell twisting right knee. Employee refused medical attention. On May 9, after working half the day, employee was examined by a doctor resulting in lost time (beginning May 10).

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Filter Plant Helper was cleaning #2 Filter and the metal floor grating gave way. The employee partially fell causing injury to his right knee & left hand. On April 8, the employee did not seek medical attention. On April 17, the employee requested medical attention. The treating physician issued work restrictions resulting in lost time (no ""seated"" light duty available).

2006 · 1 incident

Struck against a moving object

While moving a loaded railcar injured employee was using the wheel brake and collided with another railcar causing his head to strike the railcar he was standing on. Injured employee was not able to tighten the wheel brake fast enough. Injury is suspected a mild concussion and doctor put employee on lost time starting May 25.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

Picking up a metal pipe with left hand when another pipe fell onto left hand causing a laceration into left hand's index finger.

2004 · 5 incidents

Struck by flying object

Injured employee was checking product bin levels outdoors when he felt something in his left eye. Employee could not specify when & where his eye became discomforted. Employee alleges that some fugitive dust entered his left eye. Employee was wearing appropriate safety glasses. Treating physician prescribed antibiotic eye drops & an eye patch for the day of injury only.

Fall from machine

Injured employee was standing on the railing at the bagging machine and slipped causing him to stumble and fall. He caught himself with his left arm causing his left shoulder to become sprained resulting in ""one-handed duty"" from the treating physician.

Contact with hot objects or substances

A Mechanic received some 2nd degree burns from starting a Miller Sturdi-Saw. The Mechanic's body position caused him to contact the engine's exhaust on his left hand's palm, ring finger, and little finger.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HELPING LINE A ROD MILL AT THE FELDSPUR OPERATION. EE WAS USING SLEDGE HAMMER KNOCKING OUT BOLTS THAT WAS HOLDING THE OIL LINING IN.EE STARTED TO HIT BOLT, MISSED. EE CAUGHT LEFT THUMB BETWEEN HAMMER HANDLE & BOLT. EE REC'D OPEN FRACTURE OF LEFT THUMB.EE WAS TAKEN TO E.R. WHERE HE REC'D 6 STITCHES & BRACE. LIGHT DUTY

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pushing rods into rod mill & felt a sharp pain in his neck & back. Employee was instructed to see the doctor on 6-23-04. Doctor placed him on restricted work duty. Employer put him out of work because he could not meet the physical job requirements. Employee will be allowed back to work when his doctor has lifted these restrictions.

2003 · 9 incidents

No Value Found

EE WAS CLEANING SCREEN ON SPLITTER BOX. AS EE WAS REMOVING SCREEN FROM HOLDER THE SCREEN SLIPPED & EE GRABBED FOR IT, FEELING PAIN IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER. EE WAS TAKEN TO THE DR. AND WAS DIAGNO SED WITH A STRAIN BUT DID NOT PLACE HIM ON LIGHT DUTY AT THAT TIME. EE WORKED THRU CHRISTMAS BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. MRI WAS PERFORMED WHICH DETERMINED A DISC PROBLEM. PLACED ON L.DUTY

No Value Found

EMPLOYEE WAS RETURNING TO THE PLANT ALONG ALTAPASS ROAD WHEN HE SAW A CAR HAD STOPPED AHEAD OF HIM ABOUT TO TURN LEFT. HE SWERVED RIGHT TO AVOID THE CAR. IT WAS RAINY AND FOGGY. HE SLID INTO A POST FILLED WITH CONCRETE ON THE CORNER OF THE FELDSPAR SCALES. HE WAS TREATED AT THE E.R. FOR A LACERATION OF THE FOREHEAD (12 STITCHES) AND BRUISED RIBS.

Contact with hot objects or substances

EE WAS HEATING SHRINK WRAP AROUND PRODUCT. THE SHRINK WRAP FLAMED UP. EE STRUCK SHRINK WRAP WITH BACK OF HAND & PLASTIC STUCK TO HIS HAND CAUSING A BURN. THE DR PLACED EE ON ONE HANDED WORK UN TIL HAND STARTED TO HEAL.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING BETWEEN FLOAT CELLS & STRUCK METAL RAILING AT BACK OF FLOAT CELLS STRIKING BRIDGE OF NOSE ON RAILING. THE NOSE WAS BROKEN.

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

EE WAS REPLACING LINING IN A 6X 10 ROD MILL. EE ALONG WITH ANOTHER EE WAS TRYING TO WORK A PIECE OF LINING INTO PLACE WHEN THE LINING MOVED SUDDENLY, PINNING THE EE'S FINGER BETWEEN ANOTHER PI ECE OF LINING. THE EE WAS TAKEN TO THE DR. EE HAD A CUT, AND A BONE CHIPPED ON END OF FINGER AT THE FIRST JOINT. EE HAD 8 STITCHES AND A SPLINT.LIGHT DUTY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STEPPED OFF FORKLIFT AND RIGHT KNEE GAVE WAY. EE HAS A HISTORY OF KNEE PROBLEMS NONE OF THEM WORK RELATED UNTIL NOW. TOOK EE TO DR HE WAS SENT TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DR. EE WAS GIVEN PAIN MEDICIN E THAT HE COULD NOT WORK WHILE TAKING MEDICINE. EE WAS ON LEVEL GROUND SMOOTH SURFACE WHEN ACCIDENT HAPPENED.

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

EE HAD JUST CLEANED 2 TROUGHING IDLERS. EE TOOK LOCK AND TAG OFF AND STARTED BELT TO SEE IF THE BELT WAS GOING TO TRACK, ONE OF THE ROLLERS ON THE IDLER WAS NOT TURNING, EE REACHED THE TOP ROL LER WITH HAMMER TO START IT TURNING. WHEN EE DIDHIS GLOVE WAS CAUGHT BY THE BELT AND HIS LEFT HAND WAS PULLED INTO THE ROLLER AND BELT.

Struck against stationary object

EE STRUCK HEAD WHILE UNDER A BEAM. HE WAS PUTTING IN A PLUG IN AN AIRSLIDE IN THE FIND GRIND AREA. HE DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO THE DR. AT THAT TIME ON THE 10TH OF MARCH HE WANTED TO GO TO THE DR. AT THAT TIME DID NOT PLACE EE ON LIGHT DUTY HOW EVER ON 3-17-03 THE DR. PLACED HIM ON LIGHT DUTYEE'S NECK AND LEFT SHOULDER IS STRAINED.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS GETTING OUT OF PICKUP TRUCK AT PLANT 1 SHOP AREA. THERE WAS SNOW & ICE ON THE GROUND. THE LOADER OPERATOR HAD JUST CLEARED THE SNOW. THE EE STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK. HIS FEET SLID ON TH E ICE & HE HIT THE GROUND VERY HARD. HE FILLED OUT A REPORT BUT DIDN'T GO TO DR TILL 1-21-03. HE HAD A NERVE PROBLEM & BRUISED MUSCLES IN RT SHOULDER & NECK. PLACED ON LIGHT DUTY.

2002 · 7 incidents

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEARING OUT BAGGING MACHINE. EMPLOYEE WALKED OVER TO HEATER TO GET WARM. THE HEATER WAS BESIDE BAGGING MACHINE. DUST BLEW UP IN THE EMPLOYEE'S EYE'S. BAGGING MACHINE EMPLOYEE RUB BED EYES & THE EYE'S BECAME SCRATCHED. EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN TO AN EYE DR WHERE PATCHES WERE PLACED OVER THE EYE'. HE MISSED 1 DAY'S WORK.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE IS A UTILITY EE. HE WAS WATCHING THE DUMP HOPPER. EE WAS WALKING DOWN TO THE BOFFO OF THE HOPPER TO LOOK AT THE BELTS. IT HAD BEEN RAINING & EE SLIPPED ON SOME MUD A FELL. HE STUCK HIS ARM ONT HE GROUND. EE DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE DR. ON 11-20-02 EE WANTED TO GO TO DR. THE DR CHECKED ARM AND SAID IT WAS PULLED MUSCLE AND TENDON. X RAY WERE TAKEN. EE WAS THEN PLACE LITE DUTY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CHANGING A HOSE FROM ONE MILL TO ANOTHER BIN BECAUSE THE BIN HE WAS RUNNING IN WAS FULL. HE REACHED DOWN TO MOVE HOSE & FELT PAIN IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. HE WAS TAKEN TO E.R. WHERE HE WA S TOLD HE HAD A STRAINED SHOULDER MUSCLE. HE WAS PLACED ON LIGHT DUTY.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS REMOVING GUARD OVER A RETURN IDLER. AS HE SLID THE GUARD OFF IT CAME DOWN ON HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER & MASHED THE TIP. THE NEXT DAY HE WAS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR. WHO ORDERED X-RAYS. THE TIP OF THE FINGER HAD A FRACTURE OF THE BONE. A METAL TIP WAS PLACED OVER THE END OF THE FINGER SO NOTHING WOULD HIT IT.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS MOVING PALLET JACK FROM UNDER PALLET. THE JACK HUNG UP UNDER PALLET AND JERKED EE, PULLING MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK LEFT SIDE. EE WENT TO THE DR. ON 5-3-02 WHERE HE WAS PLACING ON LITE DUTY . IT THEN BECAME REPORTABLE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS PLUMBING IN A SINK W/QUEST PIPEING AT THE FILTER PLANT. THE PIPE WAS TOO LONG. EE COULD NOT GET A HACK SAW IN THE SPACE BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL SPACE. EE TRIED TO CUT THE PIPE W/A POCKET KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED & CUT LEFT PALM OF HAND JUST BELOW THE THUMB. EE WAS TAKEN TO THE COMPANY DR WHERE HE RECEIVED 6 STITCHES.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WALKING DOWN ROAD TO HIS WORK STATION. IT HAD NOWED THAT NIGHT. WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SCRAPING ROADS & PUTTING DOWN IC MELT. EE SLIPPED & TWISTED MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK, RIGHT SIDE. E E WAS TAKEN TO DR. THE DR. PLACED EE ON LIGHT DUTY THE REST OF THE WEEK. HE WAS ALSO SENT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY.

2001 · 4 incidents

Struck by powered moving object

EE WAS WALKING ON SIDE OF RAOD FROM PLANT #2 TO STOCK PILE WHEN HE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A PRIVATE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ON HIS WAY HOME WHEN HE STRUCK THE EE. THE DRIVER'S WINDSHIELD W AS FOGGED OVER. THE INJURED EE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL ER. HE WAS TREATED FOR BRUISES ON HIS LEGS & HIPS & A SHOULDER SPRAIN. HE WAS GIVEN LITE DUTY BY THE DR. X-RAYS TAKEN LEFT LEG,FX

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS PUTTING ROBSIN ROD MILL. EE STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE ROLLER BED WITH HIS RIGHT ARM AND CUT A SMALL CUT. CUT WAS ABOUT 1/4"" LONG BUT IT WAS DEEP. EE WAS TUBES TO THE DR WHEN HE RECEIVED 2 STITCHES. EE RETURN TO WORK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS STACKING 50 LB. BAGS ON PALLET ASSEMBLY. AS HE TURNED TO THROW A BAG HE FELT PAIN IN THE LOWER RIGHT SIDE OF HIS BACK. DOCTOR DETERMINED THAT HE HAD A MUSCLE STRAIN.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

LEFT HAND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN CONEALONG HANDLE AND A PIECE OF METAL. THE COMEALONG WAS ATTACHED TO AND CUT TOP SIDE OF LEFT HAND. WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL ER WHERE HE RECEIVED SIX STITCHES I N HAND. THEN IT BECAME REPORTABLE.

2000 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

PICKED UP SLEDGE HAMMER TO HIT SIDEOF SAND TANK TO LOAD OUT A TRUCK. THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD AND THE SAND HA DFROZEN. AS THE EMPLOYEE HIT THE SIDE OF THE TANK HE FELT A PULL BETWEEN HIS S HOULDERS ON THE LEFT SIDE. HE AHD PULLED THE MUSCLE JUST UNDER THE LEFT SHOULDER. HE WAS TRANSORTED TO THE DR WHO PLACED EMPLOYEE ON LITE DUTY.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

7EMPLOYEE WAS PACKING A PUMP WITH ANOTHER EMPLOYEE. THE INJURED EMLOYEE WAS HOLDING THE PACKING GLAND AS THE SECOND EMPLOYE EWAS PUSHING WITH A BAR. THE BAR SLIPPED AND STRUCK THE INJURED EM PLOYEE ON THE LEFT INDEX FINGER. THE FINGER BECAME INFECTED 3 DAYS LATER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS TAKING DOOR OFF OF SAND TANK AT LOWER LOADING. THE DOOR CAME OFF AND SOME WATER CAME OUT THE EMPLOYEE JUMPED BACK TO KEEP FROM GETTING WET TO PULLED MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK AREA. E MPLOYEE WENT ON VACATION THE NEXT DAY AND DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE DR EMPLOYEE CAME BACK FROM VACATION AFTER A WEEK OFF.

Struck by falling object

EE WAS UNLOADING BARRELS SENT BY GE. THEY WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO BE EMPTY. SOMEHOW GE LOADED A FULL BARREL ON TOP OF EMPTY BARRELS. WHEN EE STEPPED ONTO THE TRAILER TO CHECK THE BARRELS ANOTHER EE CAME WITH A FORKLIFT TO MOVE THE BARRELS. THE OTHER EE PICKED UP THE BOTTOM PALLET & THE FULL DRUM ON TOP FELL OFF, STRIKING THE EE ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STEPPED OFF BERM INTO ROAD AND STEPPED ON GRAVEL AND SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE; THE GRAVEL ROLLED AND HE SLIPPED.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING HOSES ON BAG MACHINE; WHEN HE FINISHED, HE WALKED AROUND TO WHERE THE OTHER EMPLOYEE WAS STACKING BAGS. EMPLOYEE BEGAN TO HELP STACK BAGS AND TWISTED TO LAY A BAG DOWN; HIS LOWER LEFT BACK MUSCLE PULLED.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS BENDING OVER DRIVING A SCREW OFF OFA SHAFT WITH A 24 OZ. HAMMER. HE STARTED TO RAISE UP AND STRAINED HIS BACK WENT TO DOCTOR ONTHE 17TH OF MAY.