Mining Incidents

HECTOR MINE Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Elementis Plc
Newberry Springs, San Bernardino County, CA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0400588

HECTOR MINE has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
26
Years on record
1983–2015
Latest incident
Feb 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
46
citations
4
significant & substantial
$4,405
proposed penalties
$4,405
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
59
inspections on record
1,059
inspection hours
4.3
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.
46 citations across 1,059 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

HECTOR MINE has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 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.
$4K
proposed penalties
$4K
current assessed
$4K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
46 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-04-30.
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 3,378 3 0 888.1
2025 Q3 3,831 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 3,684 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 3,342 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 3,045 1 0 328.4
2024 Q3 3,643 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 3,800 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 3,800 0 0 0.0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 4,036 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 4,643 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 4,771 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 4,851 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 5,194 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 5,789 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 6,440 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 1,791 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 4,130 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 6,395 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 5,671 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 5,239 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 6,512 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 5,198 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 5,787 1 1 172.8
2020 Q1 6,679 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 6,563 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 7,209 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 6,565 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 7,068 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 6,227 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 6,765 2 0 295.6
2018 Q2 6,791 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 6,473 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 6,636 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 6,771 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 7,412 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 7,058 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 6,672 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 6,561 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 6,821 2 0 293.2
2016 Q1 6,469 2 0 309.2
2015 Q4 6,658 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 6,951 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 7,393 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 7,497 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 7,520 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 7,394 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 8,371 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 8,025 1 0 124.6
2013 Q4 7,706 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 8,020 1 0 124.7
2013 Q2 7,680 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 7,175 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 6,589 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 7,890 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 7,101 2 0 281.7
2012 Q1 7,032 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 7,578 2 0 263.9
2011 Q3 7,883 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 7,053 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 6,462 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 5,918 2 0 338.0
2010 Q3 5,947 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 5,770 1 0 173.3
2010 Q1 5,921 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 5,304 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 5,489 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 5,846 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 6,217 3 0 482.5
2008 Q4 8,041 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 8,339 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 8,954 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 7,060 1 0 141.6
2007 Q4 7,600 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 7,754 1 0 129.0
2007 Q2 7,598 3 0 394.8
2007 Q1 8,205 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 7,778 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 8,942 2 2 223.7
2006 Q2 7,538 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 8,734 1 1 114.5
2005 Q4 7,337 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 8,932 1 0 112.0
2005 Q2 7,920 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 8,901 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 8,175 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 9,452 3 0 317.4
2004 Q2 8,986 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 8,646 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 10,030 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 8,665 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 9,241 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 9,573 2 0 208.9
2002 Q4 8,625 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 9,274 1 0 107.8
2002 Q2 8,964 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 8,968 1 0 111.5
2001 Q4 8,528 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 8,154 3 0 367.9
2001 Q2 9,050 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 8,597 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 8,801 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 9,726 3 0 308.5
2000 Q2 9,184 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 8,682 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

26 on file

2015 · 1 incident

February 4, 2015 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Elementis Specialties Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across the concrete pad at the screening plant when he slipped on a thin layer of wet Hectorite clay and fell. His right leg slipped placing a sudden stress on his left leg and resulting in an injury. The diagnosis was a strained quadriceps with minor tears. The leg was put into a rigid leg brace and the employee was temporarily reassigned to restricted duty.

2005 · 1 incident

August 22, 2005 CA · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Drill operator was removing the bit basket from the tool bin and caught his fingertip between the bit basket and the side of the tool bin. He fractured the tip of his finger.

2003 · 3 incidents

September 26, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Elementis Specialties Inc · Struck by flying object

WALKING IN FRONT OF A COOLER, DUST PARTICLE EVIDNTLY BLEW INTO HIS LEFT EYE. (UNIFORM DUSTY) SWAMP COOLER BLEW AIR OFF HIS CLOTHES INTO HIS EYES (?)

September 10, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE REPLACING A LEAF SPRING ON THE MINE WATER TRUCK (HEAVY DUTY, DUAL AXLE) UPON INSTALLATION WHILE MANEUVERING THE SPRING INTO PLACE AND REMOVING, EE GOT HIS RIGHT PINKY FINGER PINCHED BY T HE WEIGHT OF THE SPRING.

May 21, 2003 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE STATES THAT HE FELT DISCOMFORT WHILE REPAIRING THE DISC BRAKES ON A 1985 HAUL TRUCK. HANDLING CALIPERS AND MANUEVERING A TIRE CAUSED MUSCLE STRAIN. WHEN EMPLOYEE REFERRED HIMSELF FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, ON 5/22/03, HE WAS GIVEN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PAIN AND TO RELAX HIS MUSCLES.

1999 · 2 incidents

June 22, 1999 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS FILLING A COLLANT STORAGE TANK. WHILE POSITIONING THE BARREL, EMPLOYEE'S LEFT HAND (THUMB) WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE SPOUT AND OPENING OF THE TANK WHICH WAS A LID WITH A SHA RP EDGE, CAUSING A LACERATION ON THE LEFT THUMB.

April 6, 1999 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Elementis Specialties Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY TIGHTENING A NUT WITH A WRENCH WHILE MAINTAINING TENSION ON ALTERNATOR BELT WITH A PINCH BAR IN A LOW CLEARANCE WORKING AREA. THE PINCHBAR SLIPPED AND STRUC K INJURED IN THE NOSE. THIS RESULTED IN A DEEP CUT WITH BLEEDING.

1998 · 2 incidents

December 30, 1998 CA · Metal/Non-Metal superintendent HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS KNEELING, PICKED UP A BINDER WITH FORMS (2 TO 5 LBS.) AND TWISTED BODY 30 TO 35 DEGREES, SEVERE PAIN OCCURRED HALFWAY THROUGH THE MANUVER. STRAIN TO LOWER BACK.

December 10, 1998 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Elementis Specialties Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REMOVING A ROCK FROM THE MINE HAUL ROAD. HE STATED THAT HE SQUATTED & PUSHED OR ROLLED THE ROCK, WHEN HE FINISHED, HE FELT PAIN IN THE CENTER OF HIS UPPER BACK

1997 · 1 incident

November 17, 1997 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Rheox Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CUTTING RUBBER FOR CONVEYOR FEED CHUTE IN THE FIELD. RAZOR KNIFE SLIPPED CUTTING LEFT HAND.

1995 · 1 incident

January 24, 1995 CA · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Struck by flying object

THE FRAYED END OF A CABLE WAS CAUGHT IN THE TOOTH OF A LOADER BUCKET. WITH A WHEEL OF 2 35-70 TON MINE TRUCK ON THE CABLE. THE LOOSE END WAS SNUBBED OVER A HOOK ON THE TRUCK AND THEN LOOPED ON THE 4" SQUARE TUBE BUMPER WITH THE VICTIM HOLDING THE FREE END TO SECURE. WHEN THE LOADER BACKED UP THE CABLE CAME FREE OF THE TIRE WHIPPED AND HIT VICTIM.

1993 · 2 incidents

November 10, 1993 CA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman OTHER
Rheox Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

HE WAS PUTTING AWAY THE SAFETY BELTS THAT HAD BEEN USED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUST COLLECTOR. AS HE PICKED THE BELTS UP HE NOTICED A STING LIKE THAT OF AN ANT BITE. HE DID NOT THINK ANY THING OF IT UNTIL THE AREA SURROUNDING THE BITE BECAME RED AND IRRITATED THAT NIGHT. HE FINALLY VISITED THE HOSPITAL LATE SUNDAY NIGHT BECAUSE THE BITE HAD SWOLLEN UP QUITE BADLY. HE WAS PRES

March 3, 1993 CA · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rheox Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING AS CHIEF BLASTER ON A PRODUCTION SHOT. HE WAS CHECKING THE DEPTH OF THE ANFO USING A MIRROR TO SHINE DOWN THE HOLE. HE TURNED AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY WHEN THE DIRT BE NEATH HIM GAVE WAY. INITIALLY HE FELL INTO THE HOLE THAT OPENED UP WITH ONE LEG, HOWEVER AS HE TRIED TO REGAIN HIS BALANCE, THE OTHER LEG SLIPPED INTO THE HOLE. HE CLAIMS HE WAS TWISTED WHEN

1992 · 1 incident

January 22, 1992 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rheox Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE ALLEGES THAT SHE EXPERIENCES PAIN IN UPPER RT ARM DOC VERBAL PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS IS SHOULDER T ENDONITIS BASED ON INFORMATION RECEIVED TO DATE THE CO DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A WORK RELATED INJURY

1991 · 2 incidents

October 22, 1991 CA · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler MACHINERY
Rheox Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE MADE A RETURN VISIT TO THE DOCTOR REGARDING HIS AUGUST 1ST, 1991 REPORTABLE THUMB INJURY. AFTER THE OCT. 21ST VISIT, THE DOCTOR GAVE HIM A RELEASE STATING THAT HE HAS RECOVERED AND MAY RETU RN TO REGULAR WORK ON 10-23-91.

August 1, 1991 CA · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler MACHINERY
Rheox Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EMPLOYEE INITIALLY COMPLAINED OF THE DEVELOPING SORE RIGHT THUMB IN MAY OF 1991 FOR WHICH A DOCTOR GAVE HIM PROGNOSIS. A SUBSEGENT TREATMENT ON AUGUST 1, 1991 RESULTED IN THE EMPLOYEE RECE IVING AN INJECTION. THE DOCTORS REPORT ON THIS LATER TREATMENT WAS NOT RECEIVED UNTIL OCT. 18, 1991 THUS GENERATING THIS REPORT.

1990 · 1 incident

1989 · 1 incident

December 13, 1989 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE ALLEDGES THAT HIS BACK STARTED HURTING DUE TO BROKEN SEAT ON R-35 ROUGH RIDE.

1988 · 4 incidents

April 13, 1988 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rheox Inc · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING LADDER ON 988B WITH FUEL HOSE HIS FOOT SLIPPED & EMPLOYEE FELL AGAINST MACHINE CATCHING HIMSELF WITH LEFT HAND JERKING HIS LEFT ELBOW

March 21, 1988 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

SHE WAS BACKING UP EUCLID TO GET LOADED WITH 790-D SHE DROVE OVER ROUGH ROAD WHEN SHE WENT TO SHIFT GEAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP TO 790DSHE FELT HER BACK POP THIS IS A CONTINUING ACCIDENT WHICH WAS REPORTED ON FEB.25 88 7000-1 FORM WAS MAILED TO YOU

March 1, 1988 CA · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rheox Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS SLIDING 12"X12CX8C TIMBER INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK .HE RAISED TIMBER A COUPLE OF INCHES TO PUSH IT IN THE PICKUP TRUCK.WHEN HE LIFTED THE TIMBER HE FELT BACK HURTING.

February 25, 1988 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Struck against a moving object

SHE WAS BACKING UP THE EUCLID TO GET LOADED WITH 790-D.SHE DROVE OVER ROUGH ROAD.WHEN SHE WENT TO SHIFT GEAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP TO 790-D SHE FELT BACK POP.

1987 · 1 incident

January 27, 1987 CA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TRUCK HIT OBJEC7- STEERING WHEEL SPUN HITTING RIGHT THUMB.

1983 · 3 incidents

December 13, 1983 CA · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Rheox Inc · Struck by flying object

WHILE PUTTING NEW JAW TEETH ON DECK WRENCH HE WAS TAPPING TEETH INTO PLACE & PIECE OF METAL CHIPPED & HIT HIM MIDDLE OF NECK SMALL CUT

March 30, 1983 CA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Rheox Inc · Struck against a moving object

OPER 920 HIT UNEXPECTED HOLE ON SIDING YARD & FELT PAIN ON NECK.

March 23, 1983 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rheox Inc · Struck against stationary object

WHILE LOCK WIRING BOLTS ON REAR AXEL PLANETARY MACHANIC WAS SQUATTING DOWN & WHEN HE REACHED TO GET HIS PLIERS OFF HIS LAP, A PIECE OF CUT-OFF WIRE WAS STICKING TO HIS PANTS. WHEN HE REACHED W IRE PUNCTURED HIS HAND.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on HECTOR MINE

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.