Mining Incidents

Cherokee Mine Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Davis Bruce D
Polk County, TN  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4000704

MSHA record for Cherokee Mine (mine ID 4000704). Fatalities, non-fatal incidents grouped by year, current operator and controller, and mine context.

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Cherokee Mine.

Fatalities
3
Total incidents
45
Years on record
1983–1987
Latest incident
Mar 1987

Fatalities at this mine

3 recorded
December 12, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal gathering arm loader operator, loading machine operator, joy loader operator Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Fall from machine

INJ OPERATING L2ADER ON RAMP BETTWEEN 14 & 16 LEVELS.LOADER WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND STARTED BACK DOWN RAMP.OPERATOR THROWN OR JUMPED FROM LOADER.PRONOUNCED DEAD AT SCENE BY DR. OF CERVICAL FRA CTURE.--TRUCK T9AVELLING UP SAME RAMP,LOADER OPERATOR LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT THE TRUCK.

September 14, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal rock driller Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

DECEASED WAS PREPARING TO DRILL HEADING.HE WAS ON JUMBO DECK WITH PARTNER.BAULK GROUND FELL FROM BACK DIRECTLY OVER THEM STRIKING BOTH MEN.I.NAME RECEIVED SKULL FRACTURE WITH MASSIVE INJ OF PO STERIOR PARIETAL-OCCIPITAL REGION CAUSING HIS DADEATH.

January 27, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

VICTIM WAS DRILLING WITH JUMBO IN HEADING ON CHEROKEE 18N17 SUB 6 WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY BAULK GROUND WHICH FELL FROM APPROXIMATELY 4FT OVERHEAD STRIKING HIM APPARENTLY KILLING HIM INSTANTLY FR OM ACUTE FRACTURE OF NECK THE GROUND WAS APPROX 3FT IN DIAMETER 4IN THICK WEIGHED APPROX 300-400LBS

Reportable incidents

42 on file (excluding fatalities above)

1987 · 2 incidents

January 28, 1987 TN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WATER GUAGE BLE4 AWAY FROM PIPE HITTING EMPLOYEE ON LEFT SHOULDER. SPINNING HIM AROUND AND TWISTING BACK LOST TIME.

1986 · 11 incidents

December 15, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

TAKING TUBING C2UPLING OFF HOT TWATER BLEW OUT BURNING FACE,BOTH ARMS AND LEFT LEG.

September 3, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by flying object

PENETRATING FOR9IGN BODY OF LEFT EYE. WORKED ON DRILL, STARTED DRILL BACK UP, A PIECE OF METAL CAME FROM EXHAUST INTO LEFT EYE.

June 23, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ WAS CARRYIN1 5 GALLONS OF OIL BENT OVER TO GET UNDER POWER LINE AT DRILL SITE AND FELT BACK PULL SPRAIN L-S AGGRAVATED BY CARRYINGF 5 GAL OF OIL RESTRICTED DUTY

June 17, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ WAS WORKING3WITH WRENCH WHICH SLIPPED PINNING THUMB LACERATION WITH FRACTURE RESTRICTED DUTY

April 22, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS CHA3GING AIR MOTOR ON JTH DRILL,AND WAS PRIZING WITH BAR.BAR SLIPPED AND MOTOR FELL ON FINGER.LACERATION LEFT HAND,DIGIT,SUTURED.

February 24, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tennessee Chemical Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS TAK3NG DOWN BALK GROUND WHICH FELL, KNOCKING 6 INCH AIRLINE COWN ONTO HIM. AIR LINE STRUCK HIM BLOWING HIM UP DRIFT CONTUSION SKULL, STRAINE RIGHT CERVICAL, CONTUSION RIGHT 5 TH ME TACARPAL. MULTI1LE ABRASIONS, CONTUSIONS RESTRICTED DUTY TWO WEEKS.

February 12, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS HEL1ING MOVE A 55 GALLON OIL DRUM. WHEN HE PICKED BARREL UP TO END IT HE HAD PAIN IN BACK. HE REPORTED TO NURSE ON 2-14-86 & WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTED DUTY FOR ONE WEEK ON 2-18-86 F OR LUMBAR STRAI3.

February 11, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tennessee Chemical Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED STARTED3ACROSS GREASE PIT. FOOT SLIPPED & HE FELL INTO PIT STRIKING LEFT RIBS & RT KNEE ON BLOCK. CHEST WALL INJURY SOFT TISSUE SWELLING RT KNEE. RESTRICKED DUTY 3 DAYS.

January 21, 1986 TN · Metal/Non-Metal scoop car operator POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

INJ WAS USING L2ADER DIPPER TO DIG LARGE ROCK OUT. AS THE DIPPER CAME FROM UNDER ROCK, IT DROPPPED ONTO MOTOR, CAUSING LOOSE LID ON TOP OF LOADER TO COME BACK DOWN MASHING FINGER. CONTUSION A ND LACERATION R3LONG FINGER, SUTURED

1985 · 8 incidents

December 12, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal timberman POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against a moving object

INJ WAS A PSASE3GER IN UTILITY TRUCK WHICH WAS TRAVELING UP RAMP BETWEEN 14 AND 16 LEVELS TRUCK WAS STRUCK BY OUT OF CONTROL LOADER WHICH CAME BACK DOWN RAMP HE RECEIVED FRACTURED RT FEMUR

December 12, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal timberman POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against a moving object

INJ WAS PASSENG9R IN UTILITY TRUCK WHICH WAS TRAVELING UP RAMP BETWEEN 14 AND 16 L EVELS TRUCK WAS STRUCK BY OUT OF CONTROL LOADER WHICH CAME BACK DOWN RAMP HE RECEIVED FRACTURES 3RD 4TH LEFT PO8TERIOR RIBS AND PULMONARY CONTUSION

December 12, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal timberman POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against a moving object

INJURED WAS A 1ASSENGER IN UTILITY TRUCK WHICH WAS TRAVELING UP RAMP BETWEEN 14 AND 16 LEVELS TRUCK WAS STRUCK BY OUT OF CONTROL LOADER WHICH CAME BACK DOWN RAMP HE RECEIVED FRACTURES OF RIG SCAPULA 3

November 9, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HOISTING
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against a moving object

EMPL RIDING ON MANCAGE 100\BELOW COLLAR OF SHAFT GOING DOWN.WHEN HOIST LOST POWER CAUSING EMERGENCY STOP,EMPL NOT EXPECTING SUDDEN STOP,WAS THROWN TO FLOOR LANDING ON HIS LEFT ANKLE,FX IT.CAST

August 22, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CREW WAS MOVING USED PARTS AND AN AXLE SLIPPED, MASHING INJURED\S 1ST RIGHT FINGER. LACERATION OF 1ST RIGHT FINGER, SUTURED.

June 21, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against a moving object

INJURED WAS OPERATING A PRODUCTION TRUCK ON 18 LEVEL. HE APPARENTLY HIT A ROUGH PLACE IN ROADWAY & FELT STINGING IN HIS BACK. THE TRUCK SEAR REPORTEDLY HAD NO PADDING & SEAT WAS LOCATED TOO C LOSE TO STEERING WHEEL. INJURED WORKED UNTIL 7-1-85 WHEN HE WAS REFERRED TO SPECIALIST WHO PUT HIM ON BED REAST UNTIL RE-EVALUATION ON 7-11-85.

April 13, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator POWERED HAULAGE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS OPERATING AN EIMCO 915 FRONT END LOADER IN THE GRAVEL HOLE DRIFT AT 14 N 42.THE CANOPY ON THE LOADER STRUCK A LOW PLACEIN ROOF FALLING BACK,PINNING INJURED\S PELVIS AGAINST SEAT OF SEAT OF LOADER.FRACTURE OF PELVIS.HOSPITALIZED.

January 25, 1985 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS IN CHANGE HOUSE HANGING COVERALLS ON HANGER CHAIN BROKE CUTING ARM LACERATION RT ARM SUTURED

1984 · 11 incidents

November 30, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WAS OPERATING DRILL WHEN PIECE OF STEEL CAME OFF STRIKING BAR, HITTING HIM IN THE FACE. LACERATION OF UPPER LIP, SUTURED.

November 27, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against stationary object

INJURED WAS WORKING WITH CHARGERS HE STEPPED OFF TRUCK ONTO A ROCK, TURNING HIS LEFT ANKLE. HAD CHECKED X-RAYED 11-28-84 FRACTURE OF LEFT DISTAL FIBULI WITH SOME DISPLACEMENT. CAST WITH WALKIN G HEEL APPLIED

November 23, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS HELPING CHARGE A DEVELOPMENT DRIFT HEADING WHEN A FALL OF GROUND FROM THE BACK OF THROCK AND LOADER. HE SUSTAINED FRACTURE OF HUMERUS WITH ABRASIONS AND LACERATIONS.

November 4, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck against stationary object

INJ WAS PINNING GROUND SLIPPED AND FLL CATCHING LEFT HAND ON DRILL BIT LACERATION LEFT THUMB SUTURED

September 25, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal trackman, track worker, track gang HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ STANDING ON BED OF TRUCK TAKING DOWN 36\\ TUBING SUPPORTED BY 1/4\\ NYLON ROPE.HE PLACED INDEX FINGER IN LOOP OF ROPE AND AS HE CUT ROPE TUBING FELL CAUSING ROPE TO JERK HIM UP BY FINGER.F RACTURE LEFT INDEX FINGER,PROXIMAL PHALANX,FRACTURE LEFT HUMERAL NECK.

September 14, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS PREPARING TO DRILL A HEADING. HE WAS ON THE JUMBO DECK WITH HIS PARTNER. BAULK GROUND FELL FROM BACK DIRECTLY OBER THEM, STRIKING BOTH MEN. HE RECEIVED WEVERE DISLOCATION OF LEFT KNEE WITH MASSIBE LIGAMENT AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE TIR;, LACERATION LEFT PARIETAL OCCIPITAL AREA; COMPOUND FRACTURE METACARPAL RIGHT HAND WITH LACERATION.

June 20, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS CHANGING DRILL STEEL AND STEEL STRUCK FINGERS WHILE TURNING FRACTURED MEDIAL PHALANYX PROXIMAL RIGHT LONG FINGER SPLINT APPLIED RESTRICTED DUTY.

June 7, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS DRILLING AND A PIECE OF GROUND FELL OUT OF THE BACK ONLY BRUSHING HIM LACERATIONS & ABRASIONS OF LEFT THIGH AND LEFT ARM. CONTUSIONS TO LEFT THIGH AND LEFT ARM. LACERATIONS SUTURED

April 16, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS IN DIPPER OF LOADER TAKING DOWN LARGE PC OF BAULK GRTOUND GROUND SUDDENLY RIPPED EXPLODING & A PC OF IT STRUCK HIM ON HEAD FACE SIDE & ARM HE SUFFERED EXPLOSIVE FX OF FLOOR OF ORBI TK RT FX OF TWO LODER RIGHT RIBS & LACERATION OF RT FOREARM HOSPITALIZED FOR CORRECTIVE SURGERY TO FACIAL ORBIT

March 30, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS HELPING DRILL A RAISE HEADING OUT OF A LOADER DIPPER HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ON DIPPER LEAKED DOWN AND INJURED RAISED DIPPER UP AND IN PROCESS THE 6\ DRILLSTEEL WAS HUNG WITH PRESSURE A AGAINST IT IN BACK OF DRIFT. WHEN HE RESUMED WORK HE ATTEMPTED TO KICK STEEL LOOSE AND AS IT CAME FREE IT SPRANG BACK CATCHING HIM ON RIGHT ANKLE CAUSING A CHIP FRACTURE OF RIGHT MEDIAL MALLE

March 21, 1984 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS IN CHANGEHOUSE ANOTHER MINER WAS PULLING BASKET WITH HIS CLOTHES IN IT TO TOP AS IT GOT TO TOP IT STRUCK ANOTHER BASKET DISLODGING IT AND IT SLID DOWN CHAIN STRIKING INJURED ON HEA D LACERATION OF FOREHEAD SUTURESD

1983 · 10 incidents

November 24, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PREPARING TO SHOOT WINZE AT WORK PLACE.WHILE CLIMBING IN WINZE ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER ROCK WHEN TWISTED KNEE.ASPIRATION OF FLUID IN LEFT KNEE FOR SPRAIN OF INNER ASPECT LATER DIAG AS TORN MINI SCUS.HOSPITALIZED 3-7-84 FOR MICROSURGERY.

August 24, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader operator FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJ WAS OPERATING FRONT END LOADER WHEN LARGE PIECE 10 TON OF BAULK GROUND FELL FROM ROOF STRIKING HIM AND KNOCKING HIM DOWN INTO SEAT AND FLOOR OF LOADER FRACTURE OF 8TH RIB POSSIBLE FRACTUR OF STERNUM MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS OF BACK AND LOWER EXTREMITIES

August 16, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS HOOKING DRILL ROD UP & WHILE RE-ADJUSTING ROPE THE ROD SLID THRU IT STRIKING HIM ON LEFT FOOT. NON-SDISPLACED FRACTURE OF THE LEFT 4TH PHALANX. RESTRICTED DUTY 2 DAYS.

August 2, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by flying object

INJURED WAS TAKING WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS WATER HOSE LOOSE UNDER JUMBO DRILL. CARRIAGE HOSE BLEW OFF, BLOWING COMPRESSED AIR, RUST AND DIRT INTO BOTH INJURED\S EYES. MULTIPLE FOREIGN BODIES IN AN D AROUND SCLERA OF RIGHT AND LEFT EYES.

July 26, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS TAKING DOWN BAULK GROUND AND THE PIECE RIPPED LOOSE AND FELL, BURSTING INTO SEVERAL PIECES. A PIECE BOUNCED AND STRUCK HIM ON THE SIDE OF LEFT FOOT. MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS; LACERATION AND ABRASION OF LEFT FOOT. FRACTURE PROXIMAL PHALANX OF 4TH LEFT TOE.

July 25, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

DRILLING ROD COUPLING SHATTERED THROWING PIECE OF STEEL WHICH STRUCK LEFT SIDE. LACERATION LEFT SIDE OF NECK, SUTURED.

May 7, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Tennessee Chemical Company · Accident type, without injuries

FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN STARTED IN A 918 #056 LOADER AT 14S14 DRAW POINT LOADER OPERATOR JUMPED FROM LOADER AND COULD NOT GET BACK FOR ABC EXTINGUISHER WHICH WAS ON LOADER HE AND ANOTHER WORK ER USED EXTINGUISHER FROM ANOTHER LOADER TO NO AVAIL MINE WAS EVACUATED AND FIRE FINALLY EXTINGUISHED BY MINE RESCUE TEAM USING 1 1/2 FIRE HOSE WITH WATER FROM MINE AT 10 PM

February 17, 1983 TN · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator MACHINERY
Tennessee Chemical Company · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS IN BACK OF DRIFT AT RAISE DRILL SITE SHOOTING HOLES ROCK FELL FROM BACK ONTO FOOT ONE INCH LACERATION TO TOP OF LEFT FOOT WITH EDEMA SKIN CLOSURES APPLIED AFTER WOUND WAS CLEANSED RESTRICTED DUTY

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Cherokee Mine

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.