Mining Incidents

Sweetwater QuarryMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by USG Corporation
Sweetwater, Nolan County, TX · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4100847
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
32
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

32 on file

2024 · 2 incidents

Contact with heat

Quarry Employee was marking a shot to be drilled when they began to experience signs of Heat exhaustion. Employee was taken to an emergency room and given fluids.

Struck by falling object

While inspecting the compressor on the 401 excavator drill, the employee raised the hood covering the compressor to inspect the hinge. During inspection, the hood closed and hit the employee's finger

2023 · 2 incidents

Flash burns (welding)

Employee's eyes started watering when welding flashes reflected off wall in the welding shop.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On Thursday January 12th, an employee was cutting a drag cable from the dragline equipment with a hand torch. The cable was coiled up like a spring with a lot of tension. In the act of cutting the cable, the cable untangled and struck the employee in the thumb.

2018 · 1 incident

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was dismounting front-end loader and felt a pain on the inside of the left knee. Medical evaluation determined employee was stung by an insect.

2017 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Operator was shoveling material into White Rock Elevator in the Dryer Pit The Operator was investigating why the vibrator was not working and grabbed the hose that supplies air to the Vibrator for the Elevator. When the operator grabbed the hose it pulled the lid to the Elevator down onto the operator's wrist. The operator experienced a contusion to the left wrist/arm.

Struck by falling object

Employee was changing seat compressor on a front end loader, the porta-power jack slipped causing the blocking to come loose allowing the seat to fall on employee's hand smashing the middle finger of the employee's left hand resulting in an open fracture.

2016 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using metal bar to try and get low purity fines material to flow through the feeder when EE felt a pop/twinge followed by pain in left wrist. Employee was diagnosed with a left wrist sprain.

2015 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting conduit with a Metabo power tool, when tool kicked grazing the employee's knuckle. Employee had the wound cleaned and then 4 stitches were needed to close the wound.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was locating a hydraulic leak on a D10 dozer which could not be seen by inspection. Machine was jogged to pressurize hydraulic hoses and find leak. Employee lifted a hydraulic line to separate it from another and unknowingly placed his thumb over the pin hole sized leak causing highly pressurized hydraulic fluid to inject through his glove into his thumb causing the injury

2014 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

A mill mechanic was attempting to transfer a 220lb plate from saw horses to a service cart for transport. As the mechanic was sliding plate on to back of cart the saw horse toppled over transfering substantial weight to the employee's grip. The weight of the steel plate caused a strain of the left bicep. He was released to return to work with no restrictions.

2013 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

A haulage supervisor operating a 2500 gallon water truck removed his eyes from the road to retrieve a fallen lunch bag from the passenger floor board.

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

A Mill Maintenance Mechanic was assisting with the removal of a plow tip from a Raymond Mill. The plow tip was rigged using a chain and was being hoisted from the ground. The injured employee was guiding the plow using his right hand to hold the chain. The load shifted causing the chain to move downward, pinching the mechanics fifth digit on the right hand.

2012 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Initial MSHA Reportable Standard Threshold shift in the left ear and Confirmed MSHA Reportable Standard Threshold Shift in the right ear. The STS was confirmed by an Air Bone Conduction test.

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

Quarry supervisor was assisting another employee to lift a grease barrel onto the drag line platform. The barrel slipped from their grasp and pinched the supervisor's right, middle finger between the barrel and a ladder rung on the drag line. The supervisor fractured the tip of the right middle finger and an avulsion to the finger tip required four sutures to close.

2011 · 1 incident

Rubbed or abraded

Quarry maintenance mechanic was working on the fuel injector pump on a 35-ton water truck. The mechanic was required to kneel inside the engine compartment to access the area where repairs were required. The mechanic arose from the kneeling position and experienced pain and inflammation to the right knee.

2010 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - right ear. Employee underwent initial Audiological testing on August 24, 2010, which revealed a STS for the right ear. Employee had follow-up air and bone conduction testing which confirmed the STS.

Struck against a moving object

Pain in lower back attributed to operating a haul truck on rough terrain.

2009 · 1 incident

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing in left ear. EE underwent audiological testing July 2009 with an STS identified in the left ear. The EE was taken for an additional air and bone conduction test on Aug. 31,09. Results of the test and final coversations with the Company's Med. Review Officer were completed and the STS confirmed on 09/21/09.

2007 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - left ear. Employee underwent audiological testing June 2007 with an STS identified in both ears. He received notification of the immediate results but an additional air & bond conduction test was performed by an Audiologist on October 15 which confirmed the STS in the left ear.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - left ear. Employee underwent audiological testing June 2007 with an STS identified in the left ear. He received notification of the immediate results but an additional air and bond conduction test was performed by an Audiologist on October 11 which confirmed the STS in the left ear.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

2 quarry mechanics were attempting to remove a house roller from the 4600 dragline. The roller is approx 15"" across & 6"" deep with a weight of 250 lbs The EE's were positioned on both sides and began to lift roller out of machine. Roller slipped and pinched inj EE's finger causing avulsion & fracture to finger.

2004 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Operating front end loader on rough surface and felt pain in right shoulder

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE WALKING OUT OF THE DOORWAY OF THE PRIMARY CRUSHER CONTROL ROOM, THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT BEHIND A QUARRY MAINTENANCE EE, PINCHING HIS RT. INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME.

2003 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE UNLOADING EXPLOSIVES, EE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK ON 11-14-03. AFTER SEVERAL TREATMENTS OF PLANT FIRST AID, EE WAS TAKEN TO A PHYSICIAN ON 11-26-03.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BREAK A GYPSUM ROCK WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOW BACK.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE'S FOOT GOT TANGLED IN A WATER HOSE WHILE WASHING TRUCKS AND HE FELL. AT THAT TIME HE SAIDHE WAS NOT INJURED. ON 4-21-03, THE EE REPORTED BACK PAIN RELATED TO THE FALL THAT OCCURRED ON 3 -20-03. HE HAS BEEN DISABLED FROM WORK SINCE 4-21-03 UNTIL PRESENT.

2002 · 1 incident

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BEGINNING TO STAND. THE INDIVIDUAL USED HIS RIGHT HAND AS A SUPPORT. THE EE THEN FELT A STINGING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AREA.

2001 · 2 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE WAS STUNG BY UNKNOWN INSECT ON RIGHT WRIST WHILE REMOVING CAPS FROM CAP MAGAZINE BUILDING.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE SUFFERED AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE THAT CAUSED HIM TO FALL. EE RECEIVED A LACERATION TO FOREHEAD AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURE TO RIGHT THUMB.

2000 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TO HIS PERSONAL VEHICLE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON AN ICY AREA AND FELL ONTO HIS BACK.

Struck by flying object

2 EE'S WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A GEAR FROM A SHAFT. AFTER CUTTING GEAR WITH TORCH, EE TRIED TOFREE GEAR BY STRIKINGIT WITH A 3LB SHOP HAMMER INJ EE WAS STRUCK BY A PIECE OF GEAR TOOTH THAT CAUSED LACERATION TO RIGHT FOREARM FOREIGN BODY WAS REMOVED & 4 STITCHES WERE USED TO CLOSE WOUND