Mining Incidents

PrincetonMetal/Nonmetal

Portersville, Lawrence County, PA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3608093
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
50
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Mar 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

50 on file

2026 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was moving crusher break plates in storage building. One of the plates started to fall over and EE pushed it back with EE's foot and felt a pop in EE's knee. EE went for treatment on 03/19/2026 and was diagnosed with a right knee injury and primary osteoarthritis.

2024 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was exiting CAT 777 rock truck to fill the oil. While climbing down the ladder, the employee's foot slipped off the ladder and employee suffered a rupture of the right proximal bicep tendon.

2022 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking to place EE's timecard in the mailbox. EE was walking through snow from the prior night and EE slipped on ice that was covered by the snow. EE suffered a tear of EE's right rotator cuff.

2021 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

It is possible that this employee contracted COVID after riding in a pickup truck with another employee who tested positive for COVID.

Struck by flying object

There was a rock wedged between the dual wheels on the lube truck. After a few attempts at trying to remove the rock, the employee leaned over the tire and the inside tire blew out. The employee suffered a broken nose and facial bruises.

2020 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was dismounting bulldozer. EE's foot slipped which caused excessive weight on EE's right shoulder. The physician believes EE suffered a torn right rotator cuff.

2019 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling a rope attached to a water suction hose and they felt their wrist pop. They were diagnosed with a wrist sprain.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing down the ladder, exiting the haul truck when EE felt a pain in EE's chest. EE was diagnosed with a strained chest muscle.

2018 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee climbed into the foreman's pickup truck and while riding around, ee noticed swelling and pain in left knee. EE went to the ER that evening.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was unloading material from the back of the plant truck when employee felt pain in groin. Employee was diagnosed with a hernia. This was not a restricted duty or lost time injury until employee had surgery on 06/15/18.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating haul truck when employee began to feel ill. Employee was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The physician stated that it was not a work related issue. This illness was due to high blood pressure which was a preexisting condition. The employee was taking medication for this condition, but it became ineffective.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was using a breaker bar to remove a bolt on the wheel assembly on a Komatsu WA 800 when EE felt a pop in lower groin. EE was diagnosed with a hernia. EE remained on regular duty and this did not become an MSHA reportable injury until EE had surgery on 02/16/2018.

2016 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a bracket for a conveyor and EE felt pain in EE's abdominal area. EE went to see a physician on 04/06/2016 and a small sliver of metal was removed. EE was also diagnosed with a small abdominal hernia.

2014 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was exiting his pick up truck and his foot slipped on the ice and he twisted his back. He did not see a physician until 11/18/2014. He is now receiving physical therapy.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee got a piece of rust in his right eye on 11/3/14. He thinks that the rust either was blown into his eye by the wind or it was on his hand and he wiped his eye. He was wearing eye protection. He went to the ER on 11/4/14 and is scheduled to see an eye specialist on 11/5/15 to have the rust removed.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing screens at the plant when he went to turn while standing, his knee twisted and he felt a pop.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was treated for poison ivy on his arms and face after using a weed whacker at various areas around the plant.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing the ladder to enter the CAT 777 haul truck when his foot slipped off the step which left him hanging from the grab rail with his right arm. He continued to work until 04/09/2014. At this time he went to see a physician and is now off work for at least 2 weeks. He will be receiving occupational therapy for a right shoulder strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a conveyor belt with a knife and he cut the back of his hand that was holding the belt. Three sutures were required to close the laceration.

2013 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

The employee turned a water valve on to a hose so that he could rinse off his truck. The pressure from the water caused the nozzle to separate from the hose. The nozzle or hose clamp struck him in the back of the right hand, causing a laceration which required 8 sutures.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cutting a hole in a chute using cutting torches when a piece of metal got behind his cutting safety glasses and went into his left eye. He went to the ER and was told he had scratched his eye. They did not remove anything from his eye at the ER, but he was given prescription eye drops.

2012 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

The employee had climbed onto a diesel pump to hook a chain to it, to lift the pump out of the area with an excavator. The employee slipped and fell onto the pump.

2011 · 2 incidents

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

The Employee was changing a starter in a Cat 777 haul truck, when the starter fell from its Position on to the employee's right thumb. The thumb was caught between the starter and a support, smashing it.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was closing a crusher cover using a ""porta power"" hydraulic unit. The lines were connected from the ""porta power' to the crusher cover lines. The crusher cover hydraulic line failed at the fitting and used a whipping action. The line hit the employee in the groin/ testicle area.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a grinder with a cut-off wheel, to cut a piece of allthread. The employee had a nut on the allthread to use as a guide and the allthread was secured in a vise. The employee had one hand on the grinder and the other hand on the allthread. He was using a saw motion to cut through the piece and the grinder jumped off the piece onto his hand causing a cut.

2009 · 5 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was working on an excv. and was dismounting the equip. via a ladder. The employee had one foot on the ladder and one foot on the tracks. The ladder slipped away from him and he started to fall from the tracks. The foot that was on the tracks was ""caught"" in the tracks bolts momentairly. This caused a strain in his knee as he was falling.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was found outside of scale trailer vomiting, disorented, and complaining of head pain- transported to E.R.. Several days after the E.R.and hospital stay the E. stated that the morning of the E.R. visit, he struck his head while preshifting his equipment. The E. stated that he was bent over checking the head of his vacuum truck, rose and hit the underside

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was attempting to connect 2 sections of pipe together. A pipe that was beinng attached to a permanent section of pipe had resistance to it because of size and weight. The couplers were put together, but before they could be secured (locked) they came apart. A coupler struck the face of the employee. He sustained a cut below his lip requiring stitches (4).

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While walking on snow/ ice covered ground, the employee lost traction and fell onto his right knee. The temps were at or below zero for several days, and material had been spread in other areas, around the plant, to assist in traction.

Struck by rolling or sliding object

While clearing frozen material off of a side wall of a bin, a large section of frozen material slid, striking the employee in the left leg/ knee. The employee went to the local E.R. and was diagnosed with a hyperextension of the knee.

2008 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was decending the ladder from the operators station, using 3 points of contact. The last few steps are wire rope constructed and the wire rope failed. The employee caught himself with his hand, thus pulling at his elbow and shoulder in supporting his weight, until he was able to stablize himself.

Fall onto or against objects

The employee was operating an overburden drill, when for some unknown reason the drill rig toppled over onto its left side. The employee fell from the cab against the drill steels. He received a cut above his eye and scrapes to his right side. The outriggers were extended and the rig was leveled before the boom was rasied.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was operating equipment and went to exit the equipment by climbing down the ladder. He was using 3 points of contact (2 feet, one hand) when his feet slipped(due to mud and temps). He caught himelf with his hand, pulling on his shoulder. He completed the shift.

2007 · 5 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee had exited his dozer and was walking across the snow and ice for his lunch break. He slipped on the ice and fell to the ground. While falling the employee tried to brace the fall with his left arm. When he hit the ground, he jarred his shoulder.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was climbing down from a cat 928 loader. When stepping to the ground, the employee stepped on a rock and twisted his ankle, causing a slight fracture.

Accident type, without injuries

Equipment operator started to straighten his area up to level out excavator. He noticed a spray of oil and then the rear of the excavator was on fire. The operator evacuated the equipment and moved to a safe area. Local fire dept. called to exting. flames. The excav. was on fire for about 40 mins..

Struck by falling object

The employee was tightining lugs on a piece of equipment. While applying a great amount pressure to torque to specs, the wrench came loose and the employee slipped to the ground and the wrench went into the air. The wrench fell down, striking the employee in the forehead. The employees hard hat and safety glasses fell off when he slipped to the ground.

Struck by falling object

The employee was welding on an excavator bucket that had frozen material stuck in it. The material became loose and fell on the employee striking him on the head and torso. The employee was transferred to the hospital with cracked ribs and various cuts.

2006 · 3 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

While employees were on break in the pit, they noticed a small fire in the engine compartment of the Kom. PC1100 excavator. Two employees took Fire Ext. onto the equipment to try to put out the fire. A third Fire Ext. was handed to them, but the fire got to big. Local Fire company called to put out the fire. The fire lasted about 45 mins. No injuries

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was loosening a plug to change oil in equipment. While pressure was being applied to the wrench to open the plug the wrench slipped off of the plug and struck the employee in the right elbow/forearm area causing a cut. The employee went to ER for treatment (stitches) and returned to work.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

While greasing the equipment, the operator bent over to clean a grease fitting. The next thing he can remember is lying on the ground. He fell from an opening in the cat walk (enter/exit ladder) of the excavator/hammer to the ground (approx. 6 feet). Another employee found him and called for help. The employee was transfered to the local ER and evaluated.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

The employee was using a hammer to dislodge a broken ""U"" joint from a drive shaft in a vise. He was wearing eye and hand protection. While hammering, a piece of metal ""flaked"" off and struck him in the belly left of the belly button. The hole from the metal was less than the size of a pin point. Unable to control the bleeding, the employee was transfered to the E.R.

2004 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

...THE BANANA BELT WAS THEN TURNED ON. THE LEAD PERSON CAUGHT EE OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE STUMBLING NEAR THE DISCHARGE OF THE BANANA BELT.....IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE BELT OFF BUT NOT BEFORE EE TRAVELED TO THE END OF THE BANANA BELT THEN DROPPED 3 FEET ONTO THE 8X20 BELT. EE CAME TO REST BETWEEN THE HEAD PULLEY OF THE BANANA BELT AND THE TAIL PULLEY OF THE 8X20 BELT...UNCONSCIOUS

2001 · 4 incidents

Struck against a moving object

WHILE MOVING OVERBURDEN TO SPOIL PILE, THE EMPLOYEE WAS DUMPING HIS LOAD. THE BED WAS RETURNING TO THE DOWN POSITION WHEN IT SLAMMED TO REST ON THE FRAME.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AFTER A FOREIGN MATERIAL PASSES THRU THE IMPACTOR, THE EE WENT TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. WHILE REMOVING THE 2"" THICK STEEL WALL SECTIONS, ONE OF THE SECTIONS SLIPPED AND HIT THE EE'S RT. HAND. THE HAND SWELLED & WAS BLEEDING. THE EE WAS TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL ER. TENDONS DAMAGED & STITCHES FOR THE CUT. THE EE RETURNED TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING W/ 2 DAYS RESTRICTED DUTY.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

WHILE WALKING DOWN A SMALL GRADE TO FUEL A WATER PUMP THE EE SLIPPED AND FELL CAUSING A BRUISE TO HIS RIGHT LEG/KNEE. AFTER A WEEK, THE BRUISE WAS NOT HEALING AND PAIN WAS STILL PRESENT, THE E E WENT TO THE DRS.(4/27/01) AND IS BEING REFERRED TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DR. (5/3/01).

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE REPAIRING VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PLANT-PRYING, LIFTING, PULLING, THE EE INJURED HIS BACK. WHILE TIGHTENING SPRAY BARS THE EE FELT SOME PAIN,BUT CONTINUED TO WORK. THE EE WENT TO THE ER ON 3-18-01 WITH BACK PAIN. DR. GAVE MEDS AND TOLD TO FOLLOWUP W/PERSONAL DR. THE EE CALLED OFF 3-19 & 3-20 AND FOLLOWED UP W/WORKERS' COMP. DR ON 3-21-01. WORKERS' COMP DR SAYS POSSIBLE HERNIATED

2000 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLEANING ON TO THE EXCAVATOR AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF OF THE STEP. THE EE WAS HOLDING ONTO THE RAILING AND WAS SUPPORTING HIS BODY WEIGHT W/ARMS UNTIL ABLE TO PLACE FOOT ONTO STEP AGAIN . THE NEXT DAY EE REPORTED GROIN PAIN. ON 9/14/00 EE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A HERNIA.

Struck by flying object

WHILE THE EE WAS GREASING UNDER HIS ROCK TRUCK DEBRIS FELL MUD ON TO HIM GETTING BEHIND HIS GLASSES AND INTO HIS EYE. EE FINISHED HIS SHIFT WENT TO ER NEXT DAY. DR REQUIRED HIM TO BE OFF WORK 2 DAYS.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EE WAS GRINDING CLIPS ON CONVEYOR BELT TO REPAIR BELT A PIECE OF THE GRINDING WHEEL BECAME LODGED IN HIS EYE. EE COMPLETED HIS SHIFT (AFTERNOON). THE NEXT ORNING HE WENT TO THE DR. AND H AD THE ITEM REMOVED. DR. APPLIED ANTIBIOTICS ANDEE WAS GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION FOR ANTIBIOTICS FOR THE FOLLOWING 3 DAYS. EE WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES.