Hermosa Mine: 193 MSHA citations Metal/Non-Metal

Employee noticed a lump above their belly button. After being seen at urgent care the employee was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia.

An unanticipated power disruption occurred on the Shaft Pad, impacting both the Main Shaft and Ventilation Shaft operations.

While assisting to replace a pulley on the batch plant, an employee strained their back. The employee was holding the pulley in place with both arms above their head, while another employee secured it in place. Once they finished, the employee began to notice middle and lower back pain. The employee immediately reported it to supervision.

Water truck driver was discovered to be injured by another miner at the water tower. The injured driver didn't remember how EE was injured, and there were no witnesses. It's suspected the driver either fell from ground level or off the rear access ladder of the truck. The second scenario is believed to be more likely due to the nature and severity of the drivers injuries.

While dismounting a Caterpillar D6 Dozer on the right side, miner lost EE's grip on the handhold and fell onto the right u-frame support beam resulting in three fractured ribs.

While an employee was placing the shackle of the man basket onto the hook of the 1300 crane for the daily load test, the hook spun, pinching the fingertip of the middle finger of the employee's right hand. This caused bruising and bleeding.

During the process of installing concrete metal decking at the Main Shaft muck bin, the IP had a hold of one with both hands. When the IP began to move, the metal slipped from their hand right ring finger.

While installing services in the Vent Shaft an employee (EE) was on an extension ladder, tightening the band on a section of Shaft Vent Ducting. The EE detached their lanyard from the anchor above and proceeded to descend the ladder. While descending the EE lost their footing and fell approximately 10 feet. The EE landed on their right side resulting in injuries.

Two electricians were installing a metal stand (approx. 300 LBS.) adjacent to the surface shaft ventilation fans. While the electrical stand was being positioned to secure on the ventilation pad, the load became unstable. The electricians attempted to stabilize the stand but were unable to prevent it from falling. When the rack fell, the employee's right pinky finger was lacerated.

The IP grabbed the battery from the handle on the front and began to slide it out of the battery box. The battery started to teeter, and IP tried to reach for the back handle and left middle finger was smashed on the top of the battery box. IP was taken to onsite medical clinic and then taken by VG management to local hospital, where IP received 2 stitches in left middle finger.

Operator was dismounting a Caterpillar D6 dozer and EE believes either mis-stepped or stumbled and fell to the ground. The dozer was immediately inspected by supervision to see if there were slippery conditions such as mud or grease, and it was found to be clean.

Employee was working on the muck bin wall area inserting wedges. As they swung their hammer, their index finger made contact with the steel causing injury.

Incident allegedly occurred while attempting to cut a 2x6 with a turnbuckle attached. The saw bound up causing it to kickback and contacting EE's middle finger on the right hand that EE was holding the lumber with. The event was not reported until many days later.

The fingertip on the left ring finger was broken when the helper placed their hand in a pinch point on the mammoth backup tongs. Fingertip was pinched when the operator retracted tongs.

EE felt irritation to left eye after wind blew debris on 11/30. Was taken to Dr. on 12/1 and diagnosed with corneal abrasion and Rx'd antibiotic drops to prevent infection.

The employee working in the vent shaft on a work deck connected to the EFCO forms was injured. EE was standing on a platform ladder 8' off the work deck when EE and the ladder tipped over.

Driller Assistant was attempting to lift one end of a section of NQ rod when they felt a pain in their lower abdomen. Employee was taken to local hospital for evaluation and diagnosed with a hernia.

Driller assistant was mixing mud when eye felt itchy, the employee used a damp paper towel to wipe the eye. Employee was instructed to wash hands and use clean water and a paper towel to wipe out the mud from the eye.

Particulate matter discharged through HVAC vent caused irritation to the right eye of a nearby employee. Employee was evaluated by onsite clinic. Due to continuing irritation and discomfort, employee was treated at Urgent Care. Diagnosis was minor scratch to right eye. Medication was prescribed.

Individual was done using the heated pressure washer and was wrapping up the hose. At this time the connection between the pressure washer and hose failed. This resulted in individual being splashed with hot water causing a minor burn to groin area.

While moving dill casing, injured person (IP) was spotting the forklift. While walking from one side of the forklift to the other, the IP tripped on the un-level ground and fell. IP put EE's arm out to brace for the fall and resulted in injury to left shoulder.

Upon completion of drilling observation (sampling/logging), employee noticed loss of feeling of tongue/odd sensation in mouth. Drilling/sampling may have created dust which may have caused reaction. Employee reported to site medic. Employee later received diagnostic testing. Days later, employee reported chest pain. On 8/10, employee told HSE Manager prescriptions were received.

Miner was disassembling rubber suction hose sections from the hydro vac tank. After unlocking a cam lock on a fitting and pulling on a section of pipe, the pipe and fitting suddenly released and the fitting struck the miner in the mouth/chin - resulting in a chip in the left upper central incisor.

Employee was pulling a crane mat from under outrigger when EE felt a pain in EE's right bicep. Diagnosed with right bicep tear. No medical care or restrictions required until surgery on 08/25/2022.

Employee had a non-work related cardiac event. Employee was transported for treatment. Released from hospital on 1/23/21 without impairment.

Employee reported back pain, unable to stand upright when resuming work after lunch. Muscle strain or sprain suspected by medical review. Restricted duty recommended.

At the start of the shift, a crew pickup was backing into the drilling area and made contact with a hydraulic out-rigger. This was a low speed event and minor property damage resulted with the right rear truck bumper being dented and no damage to the out-rigger. Individual injured was a passenger in the truck and reported being jolted from the event.

Miner was struck in the mouth, chipping the RF top tooth, while dumping core tube as a small piece of core fell from above.

While moving core boxes from pallet jack to rolling tables, employee felt a radiating pain in the back. Employee was evaluated by site medic and released back to duty. Due to lingering pain the following morning, employee was sent to Urgent Care for evaluation. Restricted Duty with lifting restrictions was recommended by Clinician. A follow-up appointment was scheduled.

Employee reported on 2/21/20 that EE was unable to work due to an injury sustained the previous day, possibly the result of exertion while moving loaded core boxes or maneuvering a pallet jack loaded with drill core. Employee was seen at on-site clinic for evaluation followed by a visit to Urgent Care.

While moving a 5 gallon bucket from equipment 3-5 feet above the ground to ground level, the employee felt pain in the center of the lower back and both sides. EE was seen by on site paramedic then taken to Urgent Care. Physician advised restricted work with light duty.

An Arizona Minerals employee stated that while loading a box of pallet covers into the bed of a truck they felt pain in the shoulder, left side, and lower back. Employee was taken to Urgent Care for evaluation. Employee was cleared to return to work the same day with restrictions concerning strenuous activity.

While adding drill rods, the drill helper sustained a compression type injury to the right big toe when their foot temporarily caught between the drill head carriage and the rod slide.

Conditions were clear and dry. Employee was walking from a van to the administration office to clock out when they turned their ankle.

Conditions at the time of the incident were cloudy and rainy. The employee who was injured was walking from the administrative offices parking lot to office. EE attempted to step/span across a parking ditch that was filled with water rather than walk around it. While doing this ee over-extended right foot/ankle resulting in injury to a tendon.