Old Hickory Mine & ConcentratorMetal/Nonmetal

Employee was leaning over pipe flange in order to line up bolt holes with a spud bar for connection. As he stood up, he felt a sharp pain and cramping in his mid-lower back.

Employee states while splitting sand he hurt his neck. He has stated that while he was standing with his arms fully in front of him at chest level, his pain started in his neck.

Tailings pond #823 failed along the eastern wall from decant water piping through a deep linear crack. All water flowed into pond #827. Pond had just been repaired from previous failure.

EE was clearing blockage on distributor pot of coronastat. Rubber and metal end cap came off pipe and landed on hand, causing laceration to right middle finger. Seen in ER and given 4 stitches to close wound. Returned to work, no restrictions.

Tailings pond #823 developed a failure in the eastern berm wall from decant water piping thru a deep linear surface crack into pond #827. No persons or equipment were in danger at any point. Cause is shrinkage of clay material from 3 month drought.

EE was lifting laboratory sample and felt sharp pain in lower back. Seen by company's occupational physician, who diagnosed lower back muscle strain and gave prescription meds X3 (muscle relaxer, analgesic cream and 800 mg Motrin). Lifting restriction X 1 week, did not affect ability to perform primary duties or tasks.

Employee was using maul and brass punch to drive out stuffing box on 2"" X 1.5"" pump. Missed punch with maul and struck top of left hand causing large hematoma.

Employee opened flush water valve on 3"" X 2"" pump and hot sand immediately sprayed on right arm, resulting in second degree burns to upper and lower right arm.

Employee was carrying tool bag to truck. He noticed itching and swollen red spot on his left hand that appeared to be a bite/sting from an unknown insect. Seen by company doctor for localized swelling of hand. Anti-histamine & anti-inflamitory prescribed.

EE was walking through parking lot to shop bldg. EE fell to ground suffering abrasions to arms & hands and sprained rt. ankle. EE has history of sprained ankles as this is his 4th in 3 years.

Employee threw a metal pipe patch approx. 10' into a tool box. As he released it from his hand the patch cut his right forearm 2"" long x 1/2"" deep requiring 12 stitches and a tetanus shot. Returned to full duty immediately following Dr's visit.

EE was stripping electrical cable jacket to facilitate termination in junction box. Knife blade slipped out of rubber jacket, stabbing EE in the left pointer finger. EE was cutting towards himself with knife. Required 4 stitches to close laceration.

Employee was walking down stairs to office trailer while carrying out trash bag. He slipped, grabbed handrail and reportedly injured wrist. He made notification to supv. but stated he was ok. On 5/31/06, he was diagnosed w/torn ulnar collateral ligament by MRI. Surgery scheduled on 06/07/06.

EE was ground man working with cat 320 to set. diesel pump in place to remove excess water from pond. EE states his R foot slipped while walking on a slope and his knee ""buckled"". EE did not report injury until next day 1/31/06. Surgery to repair on 3/29/06 torn cartilage.

ROTARY KILN IN ZFP @ MINERAL SEPARATION PLANT EXPERIENCED MINOR RAPID COMBUSTION/EXPLOSION DURING SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE. MINOR DAMAGE TO DISCHARGE EXHAUST COWLING, DUCT WORK & SUPPORT PIERS.

EE bent over to adjust valve on overflowing sump. Cascading water knocked off hard hat while bent over. EE stepped back away from valve-stood up and struck top of head on drain plug of another valve causing laceration. V shape 4"" long.

EE WAS BOLTING/UNBOLTING A DPE WATER PIPE. AS EE STEPPED BACK AWAY FROM CONNECTION FLANGE, EE FOOT LANDED ON FROZEN DIRT RIDGE CAUSING LEFT ANKLE TO ROLLOVER. SEEN BY MD, PRESCRIBED MOTRIN, LIGHT DUTY X 4 DAYS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY X 6 DAYS

EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING 10 LB. METAL BOWLS OUT OF GRINDING MACHINE IN LABORATORY. EE TWISTED AT THE WAIST & LEANED TOWARDS MACHINE INSTEAD OF STEPPING OVER TO IT. WHILE LIFTING THE 10 LB. BOWL WITH HIS LT. ARM, EE FELT PAIN & TIGHTNESS IN LT. SHOULDER BLADE AREA. DIAGNOSED AS LT. RHOMBOID STRAIN W/SPASM.

EMPLOYEE IS HIRED THROUGH A TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY. ON 8/13 THIS LABORATORY TECH COMPLAINED OF RIGHT THUMB PAIN FROM USING INDUSTRIAL SHEARS ON A REPETATIVE BASIS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. SEEN BY TEMP AGENCY PHYSICIAN & DIAGNOSED WITH RIGHT THUMB TENDONITIS/STRAIN. RIGHT HAND SPLINTED WITH LIMITED & RESTRICTED DUTY FOR 2 WEEKS.

EMPLOYEE WAS MANUALLY LIFTING A 150 LB KNIFE GATE VALVE OUT OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. THE TAIL GATE DID NOT WORK SO HE AND HIS PARTNER HAD TO LEAN OVER IT TO PICK UP THE VALVE - TWISTING THEIR BODIES ON THE WAY TO THE GROUND, TO SET THE VALVE DOWN. EMPLOYEE DID NOT REPORT INJURY TILL 7:15 AM ON 8/10/04. *GIVEN LIMITED DUTY, MEDICATION, & PHYSICAL THERAPY X 6 VISITS BY MD.

A mechanic and electrician were manually moving a 6' screw conveyer into the bed of a pick-up truck when it bound the tail gate joint. the mechanic repositioned his gloved hand to unbind it and was cut by the waning end of the screwflight which had been sharpened by the sand pieces.

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING A TRIPLE ROLL MAGNET BEARING. ROLLER WAS LIFTED OUT OF PLACE & PARTIALLY BLOCKED TO FACILITATE WORK. ROLLER SHIFTED CATCHING EE'S RT. RING FINGER BETWEEN THE ROLLER & MACHINE FRAME. EE SUFFERED 1/2""LACERATION TO RT. RING FINGERTIP RESULTING IN 4 STITCHES. EE WAS WEARING GLOVES.

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SEAT A 4'X 6'PIECE OF STEEL PLATING OVER A MANHOLE. THE PLATING WAS STILL PARTIALLY SUSPENDED FROM A FORKLIFT WHEN THE EE INADVERTENTLY STEPPED ON THE PLATING. THE PLATING SHIFTED CAUSING THE EE TO FALL 4' INTO THE HOLE STRIKING HIS CHEST ON THE CONCRETE WALL.

Employee was using a wrench to loosen interior fittings on an air compressor. While exerting pressure on the wrench, the fitting released causing him to strike the middle knuckle on his left middle finger against a sharp edge. This resulted in a jagged laceration requiring 2 stitches to close the wound.

EE WAS CUTTING DEBRIS OFF HDPE PIPE END WITH A POCKET KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED OFF THE MATERIAL AND STRUCK HIS R THUMB. HE RECEIVED APPROX. 1"" U SHAPED LACERATION ON PAD OF R THUMB. SEEN AND D R'S OFFICE AND GIVEN 5 STITCHES AND TETNUS SHOOT RETURN TO WORK BUT KEEP WOUND DRY.

WHILE INSTALLING CUTTING EDGES ON D7R WAS TIGHTENING BOLTS WITH A 3/4 IMPACT & STRAINED LOWER BACK

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WERE USING OXY-FUEL BURNING EQUIPMENT NEAR A CONDENSATE WATER TANK FOR A STEAM GENERATOR, WHICH WAS SHUT DOWN & COLD. A COVER PLATE ON THE CONDENSATE TANK (NOT A PRESSURE VESSEL) BLEW OFF DUE TO SOME SUDDEN RELEASE OF PRESSURE. IT IS BELEIVED A SMALL QUANTITY OF HYDROGEN GAS MAY HAVE ACCUMULATED IN THE TANK & WAS IGNITED BY A SPARK FROM THE TORCH. NO INJURIES.

EE WAS BEGINNING TO CLIMB DOWN FIXED METAL LADDR. A CO WORKER REOPENED THE LADDER GATE AT THE UPPER PLATFORM LEVEL AS SHE STARTED DOWN, PINCHING THE TIPS OF HER FINGERS BETWEEN THE GATE AND TH E HANDRAIL. X RAYS REVEALED HAIRLINE FRACTURES AT THE TIPS OF TWO FINGERS ON HER RIGHT HAND. SHE WORE FINGER SPLINTS TO PROTECT THE FINGERTIPS FOR A WHILE, BUT THEY DID NOT AFFECT HER JOB DUT

INJURED MAINTENANCE MECHANIC AND CO-WORKER WERE INSTALLING SAMPLEPOINTS IN METAL PIPE. INJURED HELD CUT PIPE IN ONE HAND AND A LIGHT IN THE OTHER HAND. THE PIPE SECTION WAS HEAVIER THAN HE EXP ECTED, AND IT MOVED HIS WRIST AGAINST A SHARP EDGE, LACERATING IT AND REQUIRING FOUR (4) SUTURES. HE WAS WEARING A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, BUT NO GLOVES, HOWEVER THE INJURY WAS ABOVE THE CUFF LINE

INJURED EE WAS DISMOUNTING FROM CAB OF D-7. EVIDENCE INDICATES HE WAS NOT FACING THE EQUIPMENT AND DID NOT MAINTAIN 3-POINT CONTACT. HIS HSOE CAUGHT ON A SAW TOOTHED SAFETY STEP AND HE FELL AP PRO. 30 INCHES TO GROUND, TWISTING HIS KNEE. HE WAS RELEASED FOR MODIFIED DUTY, BUT HAS NOT RETURNED TO WORK.

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT BETWEEN 10/24-28/2002, HE TWISTED HIS RIGHT KNEE WHILE STANDING IN MUD NEAR MINING UNIT. HE CASUALLY TOLD HIS TEAM LEADER DAYS LATER HE THOUGHT HIS KNEE WAS INJURED, BUT DID NOT RELATE IT TO WORK. HE SAW A DOCTOR IN LATE OCT AND TOLD HIM HIS KNEE HAD BEEN HURTING FOR 1 MONTH. IN LATE JANUARY HE SAW A SPECIALIST WHO RESTRICTED HIS WORK DUTIES. HE HAD ALLEGED TH

EE AND CO WORKER WERE MOVING MANLIFT IN ITS TILTED BACK TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT. THE SUPPORT BRACE AND LOCKING PIN WERE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE AND CHECK FOR PROPER POSITIONING. THE BRACE COLLAPSED AND THE MANLIFT FELL, STRIKING ONE EE, LACERATING HIS SCALP. SEVEN SUTURES WERE NEEDED.

EE WAS STRUCK ON THE NOSE BY A SECITON OF PLASTIC PIPELINE THAT SPRUNG WHILE HE WAS CUTTING IT TO RELOCATE IT. EE HAD STEPPED AWAY WHILE PIPE WAS BEING TURNED WITH A FORKLIFT. DURING TURNING O PERATION IT BROKE, STRIKING EE AND CAUSING HAIRLINE FRACTURE TO NOSE.

THE EE WALKED OUT TO A D6 CATERPILLER BULLDOZER THAT HAD BECOME STUCK IN A TAILING AREA. AFTER ATTACHING HE CHAIN TO THE DOZER SO THAT IT COULD BE PULLED OUT +6 EE TRIED TO PULL HIS LEGS UP OU T OF +6 MID-THIGH DEEP TAILING. WHEN +6 EE TRIEDTO PULL HIS LEGS UP OUT OF THE TAILINGS HE FELT SOMETHING GIVE IN HIS BACK. EE HAD HAD PREVIOUS BACK INJURY.

EE WAS TOSSING TRASH BAGS WHICH CONTAINED WET ABSORBENT BOOMS UP IN A DUMPSTER. WHEN THE EE TOSSED ONE OF THE BAGS HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IH HIS BACK. AFTER HE STRECHED THE PAIN WENT AWAY AND HE RETURNED TO WORK. THE NEXT MORNING HE WOKE UP WITH A A PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. EE WENT TO THE DR., WAS GIVEN MEDICATION AND LIGHT DUTY WAS SUGGESTED. HE MISSED THE FOLLOWING DAY DUE TO PAIN.

TWO MEN WORKING TOGETHER ON LENGTH OF PIPE, ONE ON EACH END. WHEN EE AT ONE END SCREWED IN NIPPLE INTO ""T"" PART THE PIPE SLIPPED AND EE AT ONE END'S FINGER GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN ""T"" AND VISE. EE' S FINGER HAD SKIN PULLED FROM END OF FINGER AND SMALL CHUNK TAKEN OUT. EE TAKEN TO LOCAL HEALTH CENTER FOR CHECK. BANDAGED AND GIVEN ANTIBIOTIC.

2 MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WERE LOWERING AND DRIFTING A FEED HOPPER TO THE FLOOR USING A CHAIN FALL AND LEVER CHAIN HOIST. AS THE HOPPER WAS BEING LOWERED THE CHAIN FALL SAFETY LATCH CAME LOOSE A ND THE HOPPER DROPPED SEVERAL FEET AND SWUNG AROUND, PINNING THE EE AGAINST ANOTHER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR-IMPROPER RIGGING.

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING A SHARP POINTED END OFF OF A PIECE OF 1/8 PLATE METAL SOPOINT WOULD NOT BE A HAZARD. AS HE WAS CUTTING OFF THE PIECE IT BENT AND DROPPED AND THE POINT OF THE METAL STUCK T HROUGH AND THEN FELL OFF THE TOP OF HIS STEEL TOED BOOTS ALTHOUGH IT WAS BEHIND THE STEEL TOE SECTION. EMPLOYEE CHECKED WOUND SAW A BIT OF BLOOD BUT RETURNED TO WORK. HAD A PUNCTURE WOUND.

EMPLOYEE WAS TRANSFERRING STEEL CHANNEL BARS FROM THE FORKS OF S FORKLIFT TO A STORAGE RACK. EMPLOYEE'S THUMB WAS PINCHED BETWEEN PIECE OF CHANNEL BAR AND HIGHER RACK LEVEL WHEN UNEVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION CAUSED METAL BAR TO RISE UP UNEXPECTEDLY. VICTIM PULLED BAR DOWN AND REMOVED THUMB.HE HAD NO BROKEN BONES. RETURNED TO WORK LIGHT DUTY.

EE WAS BENDING OVER PULLING ON A WRENCH ON 4/19/00 WHILE WORKING ON MINING UNIT, AND HAD PAIN IN LOWER PART OF BACK MOSTLY ON LEFT SIDE ACCORDING TO MEDICAL EXAMINERS REPORT. EE WAS PUT ON LIM ITED DUTY FOR 5 DAYS AND RECEIVED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION.

A MECHANIC REPORTED TO HSI SUPERVISOR ON 3-20-00 THAT HIS LEFT KNEE WAS SORE AND THOUGHT THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS THAT HE HAD FELL DOWN 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND HAD HIT IT NEVER REPORTED AND NO WITNESSE S. EE WENT TO THE DR ON 3-20 AND DR CAN'T DETERMINE WHETER HIS CELLULITIS OR GOUT AFFECTING THE KNEE OR NOT LETTING INSURANCE AHND THIS ONE.

EE AND COWORKER WERE WORKING TOGETHER AT THE TRACKS OF THE MINING UNIT. WHILE USING PROPANE TORCHES TO THAW FROZEN TRACKS OF MINING UNIT, A LARGE PIECE OF CLAY MATERIAL (~500-700#) FELL FROM A BOVE (~12') SCREEN AND HIT EE ON THE BACK. EE WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. THIS INJURY REQUIRED XRAYS, PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, AND MISSED DAYS.