Mining Incidents

Columbia Sand Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Heidelberg Materials AG
West Columbia, Lexington County, SC  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3800130

Columbia Sand has $160K in proposed MSHA penalties and $8K outstanding across 8 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

Watch this mine

Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at Columbia Sand.

Fatalities
0
Total incidents
38
Years on record
1983–2008
Latest incident
Jun 2008
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
233
citations
68
significant & substantial
$159,578
proposed penalties
$94,252
paid to date
59% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $65,326 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
80
inspections on record
1,200
inspection hours
19.4
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.
233 citations across 1,200 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Columbia Sand has $160K in proposed MSHA penalties and $8K outstanding across 8 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.
$160K
proposed penalties
$102K
current assessed
$94K
paid to date
$8K
outstanding
232 assessments are final orders; 8 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-05-27.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
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
2025 Q4 5,160 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 5,767 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 5,954 2 1 335.9
2025 Q1 5,332 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 5,053 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 5,473 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 5,381 3 0 557.5
2024 Q1 6,073 1 0 164.7
Show 82 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 4,495 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 5,551 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 5,775 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 5,146 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 4,565 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 5,382 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 5,759 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 5,717 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 5,646 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 5,578 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 5,215 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 4,841 3 0 619.7
2020 Q4 4,314 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 4,716 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 4,381 1 0 228.3
2020 Q1 6,449 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 5,295 3 0 566.6
2019 Q3 6,151 2 0 325.2
2019 Q2 5,751 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 4,485 1 0 223.0
2018 Q4 5,680 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 5,719 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 4,630 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 5,674 1 0 176.2
2017 Q4 3,971 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 3,062 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 4,849 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 4,301 7 0 1627.5
2016 Q3 5,090 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 5,075 2 1 394.1
2016 Q1 5,024 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 6,743 12 5 1779.6
2015 Q3 6,221 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 5,134 3 2 584.3
2015 Q1 3,624 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 3,698 6 3 1622.5
2014 Q3 3,011 6 3 1992.7
2014 Q2 2,340 8 3 3418.8
2014 Q1 2,044 5 1 2446.2
2013 Q4 1,880 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 1,840 11 5 5978.3
2010 Q1 3,229 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 1,542 22 7 14267.2
2009 Q3 1,916 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 2,424 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 775 11 4 14193.5
2008 Q4 2,344 4 2 1706.5
2008 Q3 1,560 1 0 641.0
2008 Q2 1,887 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 1,989 9 2 4524.9
2007 Q4 1,750 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 4,679 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 10,761 2 0 185.9
2007 Q1 15,434 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 18,425 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 15,774 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 15,172 6 2 395.5
2006 Q1 13,806 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 3,343 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 12,237 4 1 326.9
2005 Q2 1,790 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 12,033 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 10,697 6 3 560.9
2004 Q3 11,463 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 11,289 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 10,580 19 5 1795.8
2003 Q4 9,731 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 12,241 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 15,664 7 3 446.9
2003 Q1 12,407 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 13,617 6 2 440.6
2002 Q3 14,730 3 1 203.7
2002 Q2 14,612 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 11,884 10 4 841.5
2001 Q4 12,296 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 13,889 14 6 1008.0
2001 Q2 14,845 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 13,402 28 0 2089.2
2000 Q4 11,590 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 13,206 2 1 151.4
2000 Q2 12,651 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 12,045 2 1 166.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

38 on file

2008 · 1 incident

June 10, 2008 SC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
South Carolina Minerals Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Operator was mining wall throughout the day, When about 4:20 pm operator was backing out from wall when wall collaspe. Material fell on front end of loader and hit windshield, causing windshield to break and laceration to operator left and right arm. Highwall is about 25 to 30 feet high.

2006 · 1 incident

September 19, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was shoveling sand for about 10 minutes without back-brace.

2004 · 3 incidents

October 1, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A 962 FRONT END LOADER WHICH WAS STUCK IN THE MUD. WHILE GUIDING A 972 FRONT END LOADER BACKING UP TO REMOVE THE 962, EYE CONTACT WAS LOST BETWEEN EE & THE 972 LOADER OPERATOR WHICH RESULTED IN EE BEING TRAPPED BETWEEN BOTH COUNTER WIEGHTS. EE BEGAN YELLING WHICH MADE THE 972 OPERATOR PULL UP.

September 20, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE HAD FINISHED CHANGING SCREENS WHEN HE STEPPED DOWN ON THE CATWALK APPROX. 2 & 1/2' BELOW. WHEN HIS FOOT LANDED, THE INJURY OCCURED.

May 18, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck against stationary object

WHEN EE BENT OVER HIS HARD HAT FELL OFF HIS HEAD. HE PICKED IT UP AND WENT TO STAND HITTING HIS HEAD ON A PIECE OF STEEL RESULTING IN A GASH TO THE TOP OF HIS HEAD. THIS CUT REQUIRED 5 STITCHES.

2003 · 5 incidents

June 11, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

WORKER BENT OVER TO MOVE A 50 LB SCALE WEIGHT WHEN INJURY OCCURRED.

April 1, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CHANGING A ROLLER OUT ON A CONVEYOR. HAD HIS RIGHT ARM EXTENDED OUT AND TURNED HIS HEAD TO THE LEFT WHEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS UPPER BACK (RIGHT SIDE).

January 11, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Fall onto or against objects

THEY RAN THE WATER HOSE UP THE LADDER, WHEN EE CAME DOWN, HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON THE HOSE. HE CAUGHT HIMSELF WITH HIS RIGHT ARM, INJURING IT.

2002 · 2 incidents

July 5, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE BENT DOWN TO PICK UP A 100# BAG OF SAND, AND A PAIN WENT ACROSS HIS BACK CAUSING HIM TO FALL OVER WITH A BAG IN HAND.

March 14, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EE WAS CHANGING SCREENS HE REMOVED THE COVER & PLACED IT ABOVE WHERE HE WAS WORKING, THE COVER SLID DOWN HILL MASHING HIS RT. HAND.

2001 · 3 incidents

December 18, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Flash burns (welding)

WELDER WAS WELDING WITH A BATTERY OPERATED FACE SHIELD. THE BATTERIES WENT DEAD. HE CONTINUED TOWELD WITH IT.

July 24, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec MACHINERY
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS ON BAGGER LINE 2 AND WHEN A BAG OF SAND FILLED UP AND POPPED OFF IT CAUGHT AN UNPLUGGED SMALL FAN (USED TO KEEP DUST AWAY FROM BAGGER) AND PULLED FAN DOWN AND HE WENT TO GRAB THE FAN WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND HIS HAND CAME ACROSSBAGGER PIPE AND CUT HIS HAND BETWEEN 2 FINGERS.

May 4, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WENT TO CLOSE DOOR ON MAINTENANCE TRUCKAND ACCIDENTLY CLOSED THE DOOR ON HIS FINGER. IT CAUSED A MINOR CUT, AND FINGER WAS THROBBING. 4 DAYS LATER IT BEGAN SWELLING AND HE REPORTED TH E INJURY ON THE 8TH.

2000 · 1 incident

November 6, 2000 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Fall from machine

IT WAS FOGGY MORNING WITH HEAVY DEW, THE LADDER WAS WET FROM THE DEW-HE WAS CLIMBING THE LADDER TO GET INTO THE MACHINE-HE SLIPPED AND FELL BACKWARDS ONTO THE GROUND INJURING HIS BACK. PULLED MUSCLE.

1998 · 3 incidents

September 16, 1998 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURED WAS ASSISTING 2 OTHER EMPLOYEES LOADING BULK BAGS, WHILE POSITIONING BULK BAG WITH LIFT TRUCK, HE REACHED INSIDE OF DUFFLE TOP BULK BAG TO PEEL TOP OPEN. OTHER EE RAISED THE FORKS TO T AKE THE SLACK OUT OF BAG AND DID NOT SEE INJURED REACH INSIDE TO PULL DUFFLE TOP OUT. INJURED'S FOREARM WAS PINCHED BETWEEN FORK AND FILL SPOUT.

July 9, 1998 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by falling object

TOYOTA FORKLIFT (5,000# WAREHOUSE FORKLIFT) HAD BENT METAL ON BACK REST OF FORK ASSEMBLY. EE WAS JACKING HYDRAULICALLY TO STRAIGHTEN METAL. SPACER BLOCKS SHIFTEFD AND JACK FELL ONTO UPPER PORT ION OF RIGHT FOOT. BREAKING BONE LEADING TO GREAT TOE.

June 15, 1998 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

PICKING UP 50 LB. BAG OF PLAYSAND OFF FLOOR AND RE-STACKING IT ONTO ANOTHER PALLET.

1997 · 1 incident

November 11, 1997 SC · Metal/Non-Metal assistant mine foreman, assistant mine manager HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING NEW SCREEN PANELS ON POLY DECK SCREEN HAD TO REMOVE SOME TABS FROM SEVERAL SCREENS. WHILE CUTTING TABS OFF WITH A RAZOR KNIFE THE KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HIS HAND.

1996 · 1 incident

September 6, 1996 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLIMBINB STAIRS TO PALLETIZER WORK PLATFORM. HE GRABBED 24" PEDESTAL FAN GUARD TO MOVE FAN TO ENABLE ACCESS TO WORK PLATFORM. WHEN HE GRABBED GUARD, THUMB OF RT HAND WENT THROUGH GUARD AND WAS CUT. HE RECEIVED SEVEN STITCHES.

1995 · 1 incident

November 29, 1995 SC · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man STRIKING OR BUMPING
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS LOADING PEAT MOSS ON A CONVEYOR BELT, HE HAD FINISHED THETASK AND WAS LEAVING THE AREA. HE STOOPED TO WALK UNDERNEATH SILO AND HIS HARD HAT STRUCK THE BOX HOUSING OF THE LOAD OUT SCALE, AS HE WAS RAISING HIS HEAD ON THE OTHER SIDE.

1994 · 1 incident

January 4, 1994 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING SPILLAGE FROM UNDER HOPPER HE STRAINED THE LUMBAR IN HIS BACK

1993 · 2 incidents

July 7, 1993 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS TAPPING ON THE BREAKROOM WINDOW TRYING TO GET SOMEONE ATTENTION THE GLASS BROKE AND CUT HIS MIDDLE FINGER ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

May 29, 1993 SC · Metal/Non-Metal POWERED HAULAGE
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EMPLOYEE APPROACHED THE FORK LIFT WHILE THE LIFT WAS EXITING THE TRUCK. THE RAMPS LIP RAISED JUST FAR ENOUGH FOR HIS FOOT TO SLIDE UNDER IT. THERAMP CAME DOWN ON HIS FOOT.

1992 · 3 incidents

October 22, 1992 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS FILLING A HOPPER FROM A 1.5 TON BULK BAG. THE BAG WAS LINED WITH PLASTIC WHICH AT TIMES STOPS THE FLOW OF MATERIAL, ANTOHER EMPLOYEE WAS USING A KNIFE TO CUT THE PLASTIC, THE KNI FE SLIPPED AND CUT THE EMPLOYEE ON THE LEFT HAND.

October 21, 1992 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS TYING BULK BAG OPENING, WHEN HE BENT OVER. THE MUSCLE IN LOWER BACK STARTED HURTING, HE FINISHED THE DAY AT WORK AND STAYED OUT OF THE NEXT DAY.

June 18, 1992 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING LG PC OF CONCRETE WITH CO WORKER, INJ BACK

1991 · 4 incidents

July 24, 1991 SC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

INDIVIDUAL WAS SHOVELING SPILLED MATERIAL SAND FROM UNDER HOPPER CONVEYOR, WHEN HE DEVELOPED A BACKACHE.

May 14, 1991 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

CUTTING EDGES ON CAT BENT OVER TO PICK UP NEW CUTTING EDGE OUT OF LOADER BUCKET THUS HURTING BACK

April 23, 1991 SC · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

WHILE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO CONVEYOR, HE ALLOWED TOOL TO TOUCH CONVEYOR BELT, THRUSTING HANDINTO SIDE OF CONVEYOR FRAME.

March 15, 1991 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON LADDER WHEN HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND HIS HAND SLID ALONG TOP OF TIN SIDING.

1990 · 1 incident

April 19, 1990 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PROCESS OF CUTTING RUBBER SKIRTING WITH UTILITY KNIFE KNIFE SLIPPED & CUT 1IN LAC TO LEFT THUMB

1989 · 1 incident

April 6, 1989 SC · Metal/Non-Metal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Fall from machine

STEPPING OFF MACHINE SHOE SOLE EDGE CAUGHT IN CRACK BETWEEN TRACK PAD CAUSING FX LEFT FOOT.

1988 · 1 incident

July 6, 1988 SC · Metal/Non-Metal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ GRABBED FELLOW EMP WHO WAS WORKING FELLOW EMP REACD GRABBING INJ WHO TWISTED THEN YELLED "O" MY KNEE FELLOW EMP RETURNED WORK HE REPORTED TO SUPERVISOR SAYING THAT HE HAD TRIPPED OVER PALE TT HURTING KNEE THIS STATEMENT WAS R E TRACTED ON 7-7-88 WHEN HE INFROMED SUPERVISOR WHAT REALY HAPPENED

1987 · 2 incidents

October 28, 1987 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS AS8ISTING IN SCREEN CHANGE WHEN THIRD FINGER LEFT HAND WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN SCREEN AND FRAME.

July 13, 1987 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REPLACING WORN 8PROCKET ON BAGGING CONVEYOR AND IN PROGRESS WIPED EYE WITH HAND GETTING DEBRIS IN EYE.

1983 · 1 incident

January 19, 1983 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Foster Dixiana Corporation · Over-exertion in lifting objects

NJURED STRAINED HIS BACK WHILE LIFTING A CROSS TIE.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Columbia Sand

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.