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Chalk Hills Quarry: 1 recorded fatality Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Karen Palmer
Emery, Emery County, UT  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4202077

Chalk Hills Quarry has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $453 outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
17
Years on record
1999–2025
Latest incident
Jan 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
118
citations
25
significant & substantial
$16,105
proposed penalties
$15,652
paid to date
97% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $453 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
See Diamond K Gypsum Inc's full MSHA compliance history →
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
74
inspections on record
1,672
inspection hours
7.1
citations per 100 inspection hours
ⓘ This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
118 citations across 1,672 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Chalk Hills Quarry has $16K in proposed MSHA penalties and $453 outstanding across 0 contested dockets.

Penalty disposition
ⓘ Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$16K
proposed penalties
$16K
current assessed
$16K
paid to date
$453
outstanding
114 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-06-17.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
ⓘ Shares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
21.4%
significant & substantial
6.0%
high negligence or reckless
21.4%
reasonably likely or greater
64.1%
permanently disabling or fatal if injury occurs
Negligence coding: 0.0% none, 8.5% low, 85.5% moderate, 6.0% high, 0.0% reckless.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
Health sampling
ⓘ A sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.

Metal and nonmetal contaminants (personal samples)
ⓘ Many samples are screening measurements of substances with no applicable exposure limit; they are counted as samples but excluded from every over-limit figure. Over-limit shares use only limit-tested samples.

Last sampled: 2026-06-25
16%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
51
samples
45
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
  • Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz377 over
  • Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz7
  • Respirable dust, <.1mg3
  • Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz3
Show the individual readings (51)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Occupation
2019-09-18 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 15.55 10 1.56 Forklift Operator
2011-04-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 11.49 10 1.15 Ball Mill Operator
2008-05-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 25.65 10 2.57 Bagging Operator
2008-05-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 29.63 10 2.96 Bagging Operator
2008-04-16 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 11.58 10 1.16 Bagging Operator
2008-04-16 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 23.22 10 2.32 Bagging Operator
2008-04-16 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 18.8 10 1.88 Crusher Oper/Worker
2026-06-25 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0 10 0.00 Forklift Operator
2026-06-25 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0 10 0.00 Forklift Operator
2025-11-05 Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz 0 Scraper Operator
2025-11-05 Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz 0 Scraper Operator
2025-11-05 Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2025-06-25 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.7 10 0.07 Front-end Loader Operator
2025-06-25 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.91 10 0.09 Scraper Operator
2025-06-25 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 5.76 10 0.58 Scraper Operator
2025-03-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Scraper Operator
2025-03-11 Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz 1.48 2.5 0.59 Scraper Operator
2025-03-11 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Front-end Loader Operator
2023-09-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 1.39 10 0.14 Forklift Operator
2023-09-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 1.66 10 0.17 Bagging Operator
2023-09-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 4.11 10 0.41 Bagging Operator
2023-09-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.78 10 0.08 Bagging Operator
2023-09-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 3.4 10 0.34 Front-end Loader Operator
2022-02-03 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 6.32 10 0.63 Bagging Operator
2022-02-03 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 9.5 10 0.95 Ball Mill Operator
2022-02-03 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 6.78 10 0.68 Bagging Operator
2022-02-02 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0 10 0.00 Front-end Loader Operator
2022-02-02 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0 10 0.00 Front-end Loader Operator
2022-02-02 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.26 10 0.03 Scraper Operator
2021-01-20 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.66 10 0.07 Rotary Bucket Ex. Operator
2021-01-20 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0 10 0.00 Front-end Loader Operator
2019-11-19 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 3.16 10 0.32 Bagging Operator
2019-09-18 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 5.3 10 0.53 Bagging Operator
2018-05-17 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.23 10 0.02 Front-end Loader Operator
2018-05-17 Respirable dust, <.1mg 0 Cutting Mach Operator
2013-06-26 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.44 10 0.04 Bagging Operator
2013-06-26 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.48 10 0.05 Bagging Operator
2013-06-26 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.59 10 0.06 Bagging Operator
2011-05-24 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 2.12 10 0.21 Ball Mill Operator
2011-04-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 5.56 10 0.56 Forklift Operator
2011-04-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 7.79 10 0.78 Bagging Operator
2011-04-13 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 9.5 10 0.95 Bagging Operator
2009-07-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 6.84 10 0.68 Bagging Operator
2009-07-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 2.11 10 0.21 Bagging Operator
2009-07-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 3.4 10 0.34 Bagging Operator
2008-07-30 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 3.52 10 0.35 Bagging Operator
2008-07-30 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 3.16 10 0.32 Bagging Operator
2008-05-28 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 8.6 10 0.86 Crusher Oper/Worker
2006-02-01 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 1.32 10 0.13 Forklift Operator
2006-02-01 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.58 10 0.06 Bagging Operator
2006-02-01 Nuisance dust, respirable, <1% Qtz 0.52 10 0.05 Bagging Operator

Area samples (mill and shop air)

Last sampled: 2014-04-15, 12 years ago
1
samples
Show the individual readings (1)
Date Contaminant Concentration Limit Conc / limit Area sampled
2014-04-15 Nuisance dust, total, <1% Qtz 0.94 SF ACTIVE MINING
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly. Metal/nonmetal contaminant figures come from MSHA's Personal Health Samples and Area Samples files (public record), updated weekly.

Chalk Hills Quarry recorded 6.15 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.

Injury rate, 2025
ⓘ This rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
6.15
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.65 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Utah, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.89 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year total case rate days-away fatal
2025 * 6.15 0.00 0.000
2024 * 3.03 0.00 0.000
2023 * 6.49 3.24 0.000
2022 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2021 * 2.99 0.00 0.000
2020 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2019 * 0.00 0.00 0.000
2018 * 3.43 0.00 0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Ownership history
  1. Diamond K Gypsum Inc 1992 to present
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year Employees
2026 31
2025 34
2024 33
2023 31
2022 32
2021 33
2020 33
2019 32
2018 30
2017 27
2016 26
2015 27
2014 26
2013 26
2012 22
2011 23
2010 22
2009 20
2008 23
2007 22
2006 18
2005 17
2004 17
2003 16
2002 18
2001 24
2000 23
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.

Chalk Hills Quarry sits in Emery County, Utah, where the Census mining category is 7.5% of county employment.

Local economic context
ⓘ County figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Emery County, Utah · Population 9,968
7.5%
Mining share of county employment
$69,956
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
Quarterly safety rates
ⓘ Citations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2026 Q2 16,277 3 0 184.3
2026 Q1 15,733 0 0 0.0
2025 Q4 15,471 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 16,619 2 0 120.3
2025 Q2 17,334 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 15,601 1 0 64.1
2024 Q4 18,001 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 15,441 4 1 259.1
Show 98 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2 17,539 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 15,085 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 17,072 2 1 117.2
2023 Q3 14,314 7 0 489.0
2023 Q2 16,283 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 13,969 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 14,562 1 0 68.7
2022 Q3 16,003 3 0 187.5
2022 Q2 15,145 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 14,712 4 1 271.9
2021 Q4 16,279 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 15,567 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 17,995 5 0 277.9
2021 Q1 16,964 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 14,913 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 16,096 1 0 62.1
2020 Q2 15,641 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 17,281 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 13,326 4 0 300.2
2019 Q3 16,221 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 14,813 3 0 202.5
2019 Q1 16,877 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 13,060 2 0 153.1
2018 Q3 15,780 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 14,558 3 1 206.1
2018 Q1 14,871 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 11,091 4 0 360.7
2017 Q3 13,762 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 13,188 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 14,060 4 2 284.5
2016 Q4 12,277 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 14,716 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 15,374 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 11,098 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 12,708 1 0 78.7
2015 Q3 12,600 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 15,404 3 1 194.8
2015 Q1 11,766 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 12,654 2 0 158.1
2014 Q3 11,684 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 12,243 2 0 163.4
2014 Q1 10,331 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 9,818 2 1 203.7
2013 Q3 10,768 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 9,263 1 0 108.0
2013 Q1 9,179 4 2 435.8
2012 Q4 9,616 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 9,957 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 10,953 2 1 182.6
2012 Q1 7,861 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 8,595 2 0 232.7
2011 Q3 8,903 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 10,213 3 1 293.7
2011 Q1 8,417 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 9,641 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 8,898 2 1 224.8
2010 Q2 11,447 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 7,447 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 6,956 3 1 431.3
2009 Q3 8,163 5 1 612.5
2009 Q2 10,500 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 6,991 1 0 143.0
2008 Q4 9,781 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 8,187 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 9,188 3 3 326.5
2008 Q1 10,055 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 9,974 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 10,263 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 10,315 2 1 193.9
2007 Q1 10,001 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 8,321 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 10,483 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 8,619 1 0 116.0
2006 Q1 8,970 2 0 223.0
2005 Q4 7,346 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 9,195 3 0 326.3
2005 Q2 8,500 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 8,448 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 6,828 2 0 292.9
2004 Q3 10,392 1 0 96.2
2004 Q2 9,977 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 9,218 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 8,103 1 0 123.4
2003 Q3 8,290 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 8,352 2 0 239.5
2003 Q1 13,950 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 9,830 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 10,900 0 0 0.0
2002 Q2 14,616 1 0 68.4
2002 Q1 21,080 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 15,370 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 19,905 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 19,326 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 26,218 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 21,344 2 1 93.7
2000 Q3 20,660 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 16,369 2 0 122.2
2000 Q1 16,140 0 0 0.0

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
June 14, 2014 UT · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator Fatality · SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was shrink wrapping a pallet with a weed burner and for some unknown reason he burned himself and was found by a co-worker in a serious burn condition. He is burned over 36% of his body including left arm, which has been amputated, and his right upper arm, chest and face. The cause of death was mucomuyosis (fungal infection).

Reportable incidents

16 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2025 · 2 incidents

January 27, 2025 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was putting a safety brace on a mill door. EE didn't have the 2 pins in place that holds the brace in place causing the brace to fall back striking EE's forehead. EE's hard hat was taken off minutes before the accident and would have most likely taken the hit. Instead, the brace struck EE's forehead.

January 7, 2025 UT · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Fall onto or against objects

EE was lining up a bulky bag strap. When EE stepped off the bag, EE's foot slipped causing EE to fall to the bag below.

2024 · 1 incident

April 26, 2024 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was adjusting air pressure on an air ram when the ram suddenly came down and caught EE's hand. EE went to the after hours clinic where they put 3 stitches in EE's left hand.

2023 · 2 incidents

December 1, 2023 UT · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Was using a razor blade knife to cut insulation off an electrical wire. The knife slipped causing a cut across the middle finger on left hand.

January 6, 2023 UT · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Struck by falling object

Employee was carrying a rotary airlock plate from outside to the maintenance area in the warehouse to replace seals in the plate. EE slipped on the wet concrete ground causing EE to fall to the ground. The plate slipped out of EE's hands in the process of falling and once EE was on the ground the plate fell on EE's right leg. It had been raining off and on the morning of.

2021 · 1 incident

March 9, 2021 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was standing on a step, stacking pallets on a palletizer. The last pallet was placed on the machine crooked. While using bodily force to free the pallet, they stepped back off the step feeling a knee pop causing them to fall to the ground. As they stood back to their feet, they felt the knee pop again.

2018 · 1 incident

May 18, 2018 UT · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver STRIKING OR BUMPING
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Struck against stationary object

A contracted truck driver was loaded and getting ready to leave our property when EE noticed EE's front hub cap was missing. EE knelt down to check EE's wheel seal. While getting back up EE hit EE's head on EE's truck mirror leaving a cut in the side of EE's head. EE was taken to the hospital where they put 5 staples in EE's head. EE immediately returned back to work.

2012 · 1 incident

January 12, 2012 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Struck against stationary object

the miner was using a small sledge hammer to beat product out of a bin. While swinging the hammer, he struck an I bolt that's welded to the bin for lifting purposes. He went to the emergency room where they told him his thumb was broken. The Doctor told him to keep it taped up for a couple weeks and to come back if the pain got worse. The miner never had a second visit.

2008 · 1 incident

2007 · 1 incident

July 17, 2007 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

In the bagging warehouse, on the second level of bulk bags, while stepping down to lower level of bulk bags, caught foot in loop of a bulk bag and fell to next level on left arm, face, and side.

2005 · 1 incident

July 20, 2005 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

After loading a pneumatic, the spillage on the trailer was being blown off with an air hose when a chunk of dried cement came in contact with ee's eye.

2004 · 1 incident

December 8, 2004 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE'S ARM WAS PINNED BETWEEN BAG SPOUT AND THE BAG PLACER ON OUR 50 LB. BAGGER

2000 · 3 incidents

December 12, 2000 UT · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner POISONING (TOXIC MATERIALS)
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DOOR ON BLDG WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER, WE WERE OPERATING FORKLIFTS AND ALSO HAD A KEROSENE TORPEDO HEATER BURNING.

December 12, 2000 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POISONING (TOXIC MATERIALS)
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DOOR ON BLDG WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER, WE WERE OPERATING FORKLIFTS AND ALSO HAD A KEROSENE TORPEDO HEATER BURNING.

December 12, 2000 UT · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POISONING (TOXIC MATERIALS)
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

DOORS ON BLD WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF COLD WEATHER& WE WERE OPERATING FORKLIFTS & HAD A KEROSENE TORPEDO HEATER BURNING.

1999 · 1 incident

May 14, 1999 UT · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Diamond K Gypsum Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

MINER WAS LIFTING A ELECTRICLA MOTOR MANUAL THAT WAS TO HEAVY AND CAUSED STRAIN ON HIS BACK. MINER SHOULD HAVE USED A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO LIFT AND MOVE HEAVY MOTORS OR ANY HEAVY OBJECT SO NO T TO HURT HIS BACK.