Mining Incidents

Fennel ResourcesMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Walt Miles
Auburn, Pierce County, WA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4503423
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
20
Years on record
2007–2025
Latest incident
Jun 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

20 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

Struck by flying object

Miner was welding with a welding hood/shield on. When EE was done, EE removed EE's hood and began to knock extra slag off with a hammer. When EE struck the weld a shard projected back and struck EE's eye. EE did not feel this until several days went by and did not go to the doctor until 7/1/2025.

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

Miner was entering the cab of a loader and shut EE's own hand in the door. EE received medical treatment for a DISTAL PHALANX FRACTURE of EE's right middle finger, was given a splint, and placed on modified duty.

2024 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While lifting up on a piece of conveyor belt, miner strained their left arm. It was later determined (11/22) that their left bicep was torn, and they would need surgery to repair it.

2023 · 1 incident

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Warmer temperatures, seeing more insect activity; Bright color of high-visibility garments attracting wasps/hornets/bees; Quick, sudden movement of employee

2022 · 1 incident

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

While removing a troughing roller on the belt line employee pinched a finger.

2021 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

Stepped down from 1 foot elevation onto tool left on ground - rolled ankle.

2018 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was cutting a 1 1/2"" rubber water hose for the mud classifier when the knife EE was using slipped and cut the tip of EE's finger. No bone was amputated, however the piece of skin from the tip of EE's finger was removed.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was running the skid steer and turned head to look behind and felt a pop in neck.

Struck against stationary object

Miner was preparing to work on a crusher. Upon inspecting the crusher, EE hit head on the overhead conveyor (de-energized), which knocked off EE's hard hat. EE lurched forward to grab the hard hat and hit head on a support for the conveyor wiper which cut EE's head. EE received 5 staples from the ER. EE returned to doctor the next day and was released to full duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee bent over to tie shoelace and tripped spraining right ankle. Employee was taken in for doctor assessment. Employee has sit/stand restrictions

2017 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Miner was walking through pit and tripped. Landed on knee. Went to doctor as precaution.

Struck by falling object

Concrete finisher was working in the area of a concrete block wall (eco blocks) when a landslide occurred causing the wall to fail. The wall fell and made contact with the workers lower leg. Worker initially declined any treatment and said was ok.

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

Miner was shoveling under locked out conveyor in a tunnel with a spade shovel and had employee's right hand on the but of the shovel. When bringing arm back, Miner struck side of tunnel and pinched right pinky finger, removing skin from end of finger, requiring medical attention.

2015 · 2 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Miner had replaced a broken motor mount bolt on jaw motor. As he made his way from beneath the structure he fell against a steel beam. His left rib cage was sore so we had him looked and it was determined he had fractured a rib.

Struck against stationary object

Miner stepped on a rock that rolled under his foot. In an attempt to compensate the miner agitated an existing degenerative disk condition within his lower back.

2014 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

He told his supervisor at around 11:00am that he was experiencing back pain that had been getting progressively worse for the past several weeks. He stated that on March 26th he reached to retrieve some food from his lunch box and felt something pop in his lower back. At 13:45 he informed his supervisor he might not return to work on Monday and he was going to see his chiropractor.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

Miner was cleaning a piece of steel with a grinder and felt an irritation in his left eye. The following day the miner awoke to a swollen and irritated left eye. On 02/01/2010 the miner reported his discomfort and was immediately taken to a medical clinic for evaluation. The clinic found a small foreign object in the miner's eye and removed it.

2008 · 1 incident

Struck against a moving object

While feeding plant with Caterpillar 988G Loader the machine hit a pot hole and jarred miners back.

2007 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was removing a chain binder when his hand slipped off the handle bending his middle and ring finger of right hand backwards.

Struck against a moving object

While backing loader the operator was looking over his right shoulder when the left rear tire contacted a 6"" rock jarring the machine.