EMPLOYEE TOOK A ""SHORT CUT"". EMPLOYEE NEVER USED HIS FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT WHILE TAKING HIS ""SHORT CUT"", THE RESULT WAS THIS EMPLOYEE FALLING OFF A BEAM. THE EE FELL TO HIS DEATH 46' BELOW . EMPLOYEE HAD ALL HIS FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTSECURED TO HIS HARNESS AND NEVER ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THEM TO PREVENT THE FALL.
3M PittsboroMetal/Nonmetal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Total incidents
- 81
- Years on record
- 2000–2026
- Latest incident
- Feb 2026
Fatalities at this mine
1 recordedReportable incidents
80 on file (excluding fatalities above)2026 · 1 incident
A miner was pulling on a screen in a screener with a metal hook to get the screen over the tension bar, when the hook slipped from the screen. The miner fell backwards and landed on their right elbow causing pain. The miner was seen at an Occupational Health Clinic and received job restrictions.
2025 · 4 incidents
A miner was working at an electrical panel when they attempted to wipe sweat from beneath their safety glasses with their left hand. They did not realize that they were holding a small 14-gauge jumper wire, which contacted the white area of their left eye causing visible redness and slight bleeding. The miner was seen at a clinic and received prescription medication.
A miner was using a stand-on skid steer to perform housekeeping around a transition point of two outdoor conveyors when they struck their hard hat on the end of a pipe. The miner was taken to the emergency room where they were diagnosed with a head and cervical spine injury and prescribed lost time.
A miner was performing housekeeping duties by sweeping material between two conveyors into an access hole to a bin. As they backed up and turned to get more material, they stepped into the access hole with their left foot causing their right ankle to bend. The miner was seen at a clinic and given a walking boot and restrictions.
A miner twisted their knee while moving a tank grate from a welding table to a cart. The miner was seen at a local emergency room and received a knee brace and job restrictions.
2024 · 5 incidents
A miner was inspecting a crusher from a platform. When they stepped down to the floor they rolled their left ankle. The miner initially received first aid and on 12/3/24 went to an occupational clinic for medical treatment. The miner was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and received work restrictions.
A miner was walking out onto the crusher floor from the control room and realized they forgot their earplugs. They abruptly turned back the opposite direction and as they planted their foot and turned they felt a pop. The miner went to an occupational clinic and was prescribed restrictions.
A miner was performing a crusher inspection and was in the process of reaching overhead to a work platform to retrieve a tool when they strained their right shoulder. First aid was administered and the miner was sent to an occupational clinic where they received work restrictions.
A miner was troubleshooting a crusher oil leak. While leaning over shining a flashlight, the miner felt a sharp pain in their lower back. The miner went to the Emergency Room, was diagnosed with a strain and prescribed restrictions and medication.
A miner was using a wrench to remove a tachometer bolt when they injured their shoulder. They notified their supervisor and received first aid. They continued to self-manage the injury with first aid. On 01/16/2025 they notified their supervisor that pain was persistent and they would like to go to a clinic. The miner received prescription medication and work restrictions.
2023 · 9 incidents
A miner was carrying their tool bag when they slipped on a wet, muddy cement pad. The miner was able to catch their fall, but strained their back. The miner was seen at an occupational clinic where they received work restrictions.
A miner was shoveling a granule spill from underneath a conveyor head box when they felt their back tighten up. The miner reported the injury to their supervisor and received first aid. The miner's injury did not improve over the course of 2 weeks, so they were sent to a clinic. The miner received prescription medication and restrictions on 10/5/23.
Miner suffered hearing STS in both ears and average shift of > 25 dB in their left ear.
A miner was holding a section of conveyor belt while another miner used an angle grinder with cut-off wheel to cut screws from a splice. The angle grinder kicked and made contact with the miner holding the conveyor belts left forearm resulting in a laceration. The miner received 5 stitches to treat the injury.
While stepping over a hose a miner tripped and fell to the ground. While falling to the ground they attempted to catch themself with their left hand and struck it on a handle to an electrical box. The handle caused a laceration to their left ring finger requiring 5 stitches.
Miner strained their neck pulling shipping chute chains to close a flop gate. Miner was seen at a clinic and received job restrictions.
Miner was cleaning out a spill containment pallet and placing material into a 5-gallon bucket to be lifted into a 55-gallon drum. The miner overloaded the 5-gallon bucket to approximately 80 lbs. and when lifting it strained their back. The miner was not seen at a clinic until 3/17/23 where they were prescribed medication and restrictions.
A contractor truck driver was leaving the site after picking up a load when they reached down to pick up a water bottle and veered off of the main road out of the plant down a road bank into a rock berm and overturned the trailer causing a neck strain.
Miner twisted knee while shoveling rock dust from under a conveyor resulting in a strain and work restrictions.
2022 · 3 incidents
Striking chisel with a Hammer (head of chisel was NOT mushroomed), to turn bearing take-up nut tapered adaptor sleeve. A very small piece of chisel broke off and penetrated the leg of the individual using the hammer.
A miner was cleaning out a chute and auto sampler when the sampler cycled pinning the employees right arm against the sampler and opening of the chute. The employee was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a compression injury.
A miner was moving the ""A"" portion of a shipping chute when the ""B"" chute began to move towards them. The miner reached out to stop the chute and jammed their right middle finger causing it to dislocate. The miner was seen at a medical clinic where they were prescribed a splint and restrictions.
2021 · 9 incidents
A miner experienced left forearm discomfort after clearing excess rock on a conveyor with a 2' x 6' x 3' wooden board. The following day the miner reported pain in their forearm. On 1/4/2022 the miner contacted the nurse and was directed to schedule a clinic visit since their forearm had not improved. On 1/5/2022 the miner received work restrictions.
A miner was in the process of locking down a flop gate with a bungie cord when their left hand was struck by the ""S"" hook. The bungie cord did not fully seat at the bottom of the chute causing it to snap back causing a laceration to their left hand. The miner was seen at a clinic where they received 3 stitches.
A miner had been stick welding carbon steel in a head box and later experienced welders eye due to exposure to UV light. The miner received medical treatment and was prescribed medication and lost time.
A miner was bringing screens from the warehouse to the screening building using a forklift. While driving over uneven surfaces the screens shifted on the forks and slid onto the ground. When repositioning the screens onto the forks the miner strained their back. First aid was applied, but the injury required medical attention. The miner received work restrictions.
A miner strained their back lifting a wheelbarrow with rock and did not report it to their supervisor. On 07/21/2021 the miner changed screens inside a screener and further strained their back. The miner again didn't report the injury to their supervisor. After seeking medical attention and being prescribed lost time the miner reported the injury to their supervisor.
A miner was lifting a 5-gallon bucket filled with approximately 35-40 lbs. of granule onto a pallet when they felt a strain in their lower right back. They later received medical treatment including prescription medication.
During a crusher steel change a miner was removing a plate from a mandrel. In doing so they pulled the snap ring that holds the plate onto the mandrel. The plate released and struck the employee in the hand causing a contusion.
A miner was mixing pigment at the mixing pot. Pigment got in between their glove and sleeve and caused mechanical irritation and an allergic reaction requiring medical treatment that included prescription medication.
Miner was working in screening building and reported discomfort and watering of the eye due to suspected dust. Miner was given first aid to flush the eye out. The next day the miner reported the same symptoms and was sent to a health clinic. The miner was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and prescribed medication and lost time.
2020 · 2 incidents
Employee working the mix pot. When employee turned around, employee felt that something went into right eye. Employee informed the supervisor and we flushed employee eye with solution, then we flushed the eye under the eyewash station.
EE AND FELLOW CREW MEMBER WERE HANDLING A 250 LB HAMMER TO KNOCK THE NUT LOOSE OFF OF CONE. THEY HIT THE NUT, AND THEN THE HAMMER SLIPPED TO THE SIDE, AND EE'S RIGHT HAND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE HANDLE OF HAMMER & THE CONE STEEL CRUSHING RIGHT THUMB.
2019 · 2 incidents
Employee was attempting to extract a bolt to remove a paddle from a pug mill shaft. The employee was driving out the bolt with a 3lb sledge hammer and drift pin when the employee struck the edge of the paddle causing a section to chip away and consequently flew up striking the employee in the mouth.
Employee climbed up the ladder and proceeded to set the nip on the crusher. The employee then began descent down the ladder, when they stepped off the ladder to the floor, right ankle turned causing the Employee to fall to the floor. Employee went to the control room where the shift lead called 911. Employee had a lot of pain in the upper leg/hip area.
2018 · 2 incidents
Employee was using a walk behind Dingo to clean up an area near the crusher building. EE got right index finger caught between a support beam and the Dingo handle. Finger laceration and 9 stiches. No lost time.
Employee was placing gyra disc torch ring on shelve when it slid and pinched right long finger in between parts on the pallet causing a laceration to the tip of finger. Employee was taken to the ER where ee received stitches and was discharged.
2017 · 2 incidents
Employee was working to free up a frozen tunnel feeder in C&S. While freeing the feeder employee jammed EE's right thumb against the frame of the feeder, which caused EE's thumb area to be discolored and sore. Employee went to ER after EE's normal shift for x-ray, (no fracture). Next day 3M sent EE to the clinic for a check up and to relieve blood under nail.
Employee was installing grating on the steel support when finger was pinched between the steel and the grating.
2016 · 1 incident
Employee was laying on stomach in an awkward position, using two spud wrenches trying to free a steel frame from a wedged position. The employee felt a sharp pain in right shoulder.
2015 · 1 incident
The SIC employee bent over to pick up a aluminum frame from the bottom and jerked up on the frame to lift it on the saw horse when ee felt a sharp pain in lower back and down leg.
2014 · 3 incidents
Employee had extreme chest pains. Fellow employee called 911. Employee was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Returned to work on 12/18/2014.
Employee was cutting a metal strap off of a pallet holding a set of new screen frames. Employee was reaching across the pallet to cut the strap using a hand cutting tool and it snapped back and cut the underside of the forearm.
Employee was assisting to empty out waste tank 36. As they were cleaning out the chute, the employee tried to back up out of the way and tripped over their feet and fell back on to the floor. Scrape on their head and lower back and sore muscles in lower back. Employee was taken to Sanford Medical to be checked out. Employee returned later that day
2013 · 1 incident
Employee's knee gave out walking down stairs, no swelling to the knee., no loss time and return to work the same day.
2012 · 1 incident
Employee was building rotex screens and he told his supervisor that his hip was sore. He went home & called the supervisor a few hrs later as said his hip was still sore and that he would ice it down.
2011 · 3 incidents
Employee was out at the Bldg 16/30 smoking area during a meal break and tripped over a wheel chock staged adjacent to the well lit area for delivery vehicles utilizing the ramp entrance. The employee fell as a result of this trip and injured the lower portion of his left leg.
SIC employee was installing sound insulation blankets on line 1 at the crushing bag house. The blanket had metal ID tags to show where they needed to be installed. As he was swinging a hammer to pack the blanket in place, his right hand hit one of the metal ID tags causing a cut. He did have on the Mechanic's gloves.
On 3/9/11, EE suffered severe dizziness due to Meniere's disease. He fainted on the job and was taken to local hospital. Was also vomiting and unable to stand.
2009 · 1 incident
Employee was using utility knife to cut strap. Knife slipped and employee cut his arm.
2008 · 6 incidents
Employee was working in the security guard house when a spider fell on her. She knocked the spider off her head, but was bitten on the hand.
At 0700 the EE was found laying on the floor in the control room in Building 12 unresponsive. The supervisor on shift was notified as well as 911. The EE was transported to the hospital and later relaeased (same day) and returned to full duty next day with no restrictions. Employee has pre-existing, non work related illness.
Employee was lifting a bag of pigments and grabbed it by the top corners and it slipped out of his right hand and the weight transferred to the left hand and he twisted his left wrist.
Employee reported he was walking down stairs and got to the bottom step and felt a pull in his middle back area. He fell against the wall and let himself to the floor.
Standard Threshold Shift in hearing of the left ear. Doctor requested second test to confirm STS. Employee has exposure as a miner for over 29 years.
EE was working on elevator head pulley and when he walked around the back of the elevator he caught his shoe on the elevator door.
2006 · 2 incidents
EE was installing coupling on crusher. Coupling became stuck on shaft and had to heat so they could remove. While other EE was hitting coupling, injuried EE was heating and when coupling became loose, he put his PPE gloves on and was going to sit coupling down. Coupling was too heavy for one person, so when coupling came off shaft it landed on right index finger.
Shipping employee attempted to move the chute by himself and felt a pull in his upper right shoulder. The employee was pulling the chute across their body when the sharp pain was felt.
2005 · 5 incidents
Employee was attempting to cut end off of air hose that goes into tank to clean tank. Employee had air hose placed on the top of the tank to cut the hose when he cut through the hose the knife blade cut through his leather glove and into his left index finger.
The operator was moving supplies with the forklift and started having muscle spasms in his lower right side of his back. He had also been lifting bags of pigment earlier in the day. He did not report the pain until the next day when he began lifting bags of pigment again.
Employee felt an instataneous pain in his upper right shoulder and arm while lifting pigment bags at mixing pot
The conveyor #46 had plugged up. It was decided that the cover had to be removed. The bolt in the slip stick had been put in before with an impact wrench. The bolt head needed to be sheared off. A chisel and hammer was used. While swinging the hammer at the chisel, it slipped off and struck the left index finger of the employee causing a contusion.
Employee was shoveling 4 inch rock and dirt spillage from conveyor and felt pain in his lower left side of back. Strained muscle
2004 · 7 incidents
Employee was using gasoline blower to blow granules from under truck scales and broke out in a rash on her skin
Employee was shoveling out rock granules in the silos when he felt a sharp pain in his back. He felt stiffness the rest of the day and reported it to his supervisor near the end of the shift. He did not request to seek medical attention at that time.
Employee was changing Z-screen in Deister and was using a crowbar, the end of the crowbar was under the corner of the Z-screen and as the employee pushed down on the crowbar it slipped out of the corner and smashed the finger of the opposite hand. The left index finger required two stitches.
Employee was shoveling granules that had spilled onto the floor from the tripper car back into the holding tank when he felt a pain in his center lower back.
Employee was exiting out of confined space area (Cone Crusher), indicated that he blacked out, fell @ 2 feet landing on ankle. Employee was secured with body strap tied to lifting hoist.
Employee was lifting bags of pigment and dumping into mixing pot when he felt a pull in his left back muscle
Employee was moving a piece of equipment on a maintenance shop work table and pinched right middle finger
2003 · 6 incidents
EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING TANK AND HAD LIFTED METAL LID TO REACH IN TANK WHEN LID FELL SHUT ON EMPLOYEE'S TOP OF LEFT HAND.
EE REPORTED FEELING A STRAIN IN HIS BACK WHILE LIFTING PIGMENT BAGS.
THE EE SCOOPS PIGMENT POWDER WITH HAND SCOOP FROM 40 LB BAG AND DEPOSITS THE SAME INTO BUCKET. EE IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT HAND AND RIGHT WRIST PAIN.
EE TRIPPED ON EDGE OF CARDBOARD WHICH WAS ON THEFLOOR. EE ATTEMPTED TO CATCH HIMSELF AND AS HE FELL HE STRUCK HIS RT.WRIST AGAINST ANOTHER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT (SET OF SCALES).
WHILE MOVING A HYDRAULIC TAKE UP ARM, THE MEPLOYEE'S FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN TWO METAL PARTS.
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A BAG OF PIGMENT AND TURNED TO GO TO THE SCALE AND FELT A PULL IN HIS LOWER BACK.
2002 · 2 incidents
EMPLOYEE REPORTED THAT WHILE POSITIONING A GRANULE SHOOT OVER A TRUCK, SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL A SLIDE GATE OUT OF THE SHOOT TO ALLOW GRANULES TO FLOW. EMPLOYEE STRAINED HER RIGHT ARM.
EE WAS SHOVELING ROCK UP OFF THE FLOOR CREATED BY A ROCK SPILL OUT OF THE SCREENING OPERATION. HE EXPERIENCED INSTANTANEOUS PAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS UPPER BACK & NECK. HE REPORTED THE INCIDEN T TO THE SAFTEY DEPARTMENT ON 8/27 & ADVISED HE HAD VISITED HIS FAMILY DOCTOR ON 8/26. DOCTOR DID NOT PLACE HIM ON RESTRICTION BUT DID ISSUE TWO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR A STRAINED MUSCLE.
2001 · 1 incident
EE WAS DESCENDING FROM THE BACK OF THE WATER TRK& HIS R FOOT SLIPPED CAUSING HIS R SHIN TO SCRAPAGAINST THE EDGE OF THE PLATFORM LEAVING THE EE WITH A LACERATION & BRUISING TO THE EFFECTED SHIN.
2000 · 1 incident
EMPLOYEE WAS DESENDING STAIRS AND SLIPPED ON TREAD DUT TO RAIN AND MUDDY SHOES.