Mining Incidents

Hewitt Quarry Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by William L McNeely Jr.
Topton, Swain County, NC  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3100036

Hewitt Quarry has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
37
Years on record
1985–2023
Latest incident
Dec 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
131
citations
30
significant & substantial
$22,019
proposed penalties
$21,039
paid to date
96% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $980 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
74
inspections on record
1,452
inspection hours
9.0
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.
131 citations across 1,452 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Hewitt Quarry has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 3 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.
$22K
proposed penalties
$21K
current assessed
$21K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
129 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-05-05.
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 9,746 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 9,034 1 0 110.7
2025 Q2 9,626 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 8,832 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 8,860 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 9,035 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 9,525 2 0 210.0
2024 Q1 9,110 0 0 0.0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 9,150 1 0 109.3
2023 Q3 9,430 5 0 530.2
2023 Q2 10,640 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 10,040 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 9,040 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 9,219 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 9,416 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 9,748 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 9,748 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 9,537 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 8,519 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 8,685 1 0 115.1
2020 Q4 8,704 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 8,675 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 8,926 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 8,363 0 0 0.0
2019 Q4 8,959 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 8,673 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 9,191 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 8,449 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 8,460 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 8,694 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 8,648 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 9,058 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 8,331 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 7,554 3 0 397.1
2017 Q2 8,279 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 8,501 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 9,221 1 0 108.4
2016 Q3 11,922 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 7,584 5 0 659.3
2016 Q1 6,310 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 7,440 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 6,671 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 7,734 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 6,540 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 6,930 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 7,253 0 0 0.0
2014 Q2 5,502 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 6,609 1 1 151.3
2013 Q4 4,951 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 5,350 2 0 373.8
2013 Q2 6,358 0 0 0.0
2013 Q1 8,182 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 5,980 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 6,034 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 9,856 1 0 101.5
2012 Q1 9,489 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 9,398 1 1 106.4
2011 Q3 8,461 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 10,217 2 0 195.8
2011 Q1 7,905 3 1 379.5
2010 Q4 8,690 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 7,425 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 7,821 5 0 639.3
2010 Q1 6,806 0 0 0.0
2009 Q4 7,049 3 2 425.6
2009 Q3 7,268 3 1 412.8
2009 Q2 6,710 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 7,692 2 0 260.0
2008 Q4 9,484 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 9,703 6 1 618.4
2008 Q2 8,971 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 7,164 3 1 418.8
2007 Q4 8,365 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 11,033 1 0 90.6
2007 Q2 10,588 5 0 472.2
2007 Q1 12,495 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 10,695 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 10,266 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 8,421 7 3 831.3
2006 Q1 7,447 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 9,571 5 2 522.4
2005 Q3 9,961 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 9,282 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 9,242 3 1 324.6
2004 Q4 11,676 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 14,235 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 13,384 5 2 373.6
2004 Q1 12,547 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 9,006 3 2 333.1
2003 Q3 11,679 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 10,605 8 3 754.4
2003 Q1 9,176 6 2 653.9
2002 Q4 9,202 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 10,397 3 0 288.5
2002 Q2 10,943 8 1 731.1
2002 Q1 11,129 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 12,367 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 13,241 11 1 830.8
2001 Q2 12,889 5 2 387.9
2001 Q1 12,732 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 12,563 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 13,089 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 13,416 9 3 670.8
2000 Q1 12,501 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

37 on file

2023 · 1 incident

December 15, 2023 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator ENTRAPMENT
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

Miner dug out area between chute and belt. Miner looked into that area and a mass of material broke loose in chute and entrapped miner.

2010 · 1 incident

March 8, 2010 NC · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck against stationary object

He climbed up on the front of a shovel track to get into the cab and hit his head on a mirror bracket. He did not use the step mounted on the machine and came up under the bracket from the wrong direction. The ER doctor gave him 5 sutures and said he suffered a concussion.He was seen again by the doctor on 3/9/2010 and cleared to return to work on the 10th.

2008 · 1 incident

June 16, 2008 NC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)

He felt hot, bed rested in scalehouse awhile, then went home. Later that night he went to the emergency room.

2007 · 1 incident

January 2, 2007 NC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by flying object

Rock slid off highwall, rock fragment came through window of excavator and hit operator on the left shin. He did not need medical treatment at the time. On 1/29/07 he complained of swelling and went to dr. He is being treated for cellulitis.

2005 · 1 incident

June 14, 2005 NC · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While working with Bobcat skid steer front loader operator to prepare a future stockpile area, victim's foot was caught between the bucket and arm of loader resulting in fracture to the big toe of his left foot.

2002 · 1 incident

January 2, 2002 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS REPAIRING HOLE IN BIN, BENT OVER TO PICK UP A 30" X 6' PIECE OF SCRAP CONVEYOR BELTING AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOWER BACK PAIN.

2000 · 3 incidents

September 12, 2000 NC · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CAB DOOR LATCH RELEASED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THEDOOR TO SWING CLOSED CATCHING INJURED'S LEFT HAND CAUSING BRUISE TO PALM & BACK OF HAND.

February 16, 2000 NC · Metal/Non-Metal silo operator, bin puller, truck loader POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by falling object

INJURED WAS CLEARING BLOCKAGE FROM BOTTOM OF SQUARE VERTICAL CHUTE WHEN A ROCK FELL ON INJURED'S HAND AND CAUSED LACERATIONS. HOSPITAL EXAM WITH X RAYS INDICATED NO BROKEN BONES. INJURED LEFT LITTLE FINGER AND IS IN STEEL SPLINT. LACERATIONS REQUIRED NO STITCHES.

February 2, 2000 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Fall onto or against objects

INJURED FELL ONTO METAL HOPPER AND BELT WHILE CLEARING BLOCKAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF A SQUARE VERTICAL STEEL CHUTE. NO EXTERNAL LACERATIONS OCCURRED AND HOSPITAL EXAM, WITH X-RAYS, INDICATED NO BR OKEN BONES. DIAGNOSIS WAS POSSIBLE LOWER BACK STRAIN.

1998 · 2 incidents

1997 · 1 incident

May 6, 1997 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS CUTTING CONVEYOR BELTING WITH KNIFE AND POCKET KNIFE UNEXPECTEDLY FOLDED UP CUTTING MIDDLE FINGER.

1996 · 1 incident

May 14, 1996 NC · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS BACKING TRUCK ON STOCKPILE WHEN HE ACCIDENTALLY BACKED OVER EDGE WITH RIGHT REAR WHEELS. TRUCK CONSEQUENTLY OVERTURNED. HARD HAT FELL FROM HIS HEAD, AND BATTERY BOX COVER STRUCK HI M ON TOP OF HEAD.

1994 · 1 incident

June 27, 1994 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver ELECTRICAL
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Flash burns (electric)

EMPLOYEE WAS TURNING OFF SAFETY SWITCH WHEN SHORT CAUSED INTERNAL ARCING BLEW DOOR OPEN AND BURNED HAND. REONT LIGHTING HAD APPARENTLY DAMAGED BOX.

1992 · 3 incidents

October 5, 1992 NC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by falling object

A HEAVY FOAM FILLED 1H:00X25 TIRE WAS BEING REPLACED ON TRUCK WHEN IT FELL, FORCING INJURED'S RIGHT ARM AGAINST WHEEL AND LUB BOLT STUDS. TIRE WEIGHT WAS APPROX. 1 TON.

June 4, 1992 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck against a moving object

TRUCK TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF 2ND GEAR WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A GRADE AND USING FULL ENGINE BRAKING WITH A JAKE BRAKE. OPERATOR THEN LOST CONTROL HIT ROADWAY BERM AND OVERTURNED IN TRUCK.

June 2, 1992 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ STRIKING WEDGE IN LARGE FLYWHEEL WHEN HAMMER HANDLE CAUGHT HAND BETWEEN HANDLE AND SAFETY HANDRAILS.

1991 · 2 incidents

November 29, 1991 NC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEES WERE PREPARING TO WORK ON CRUSHER AND HAD PARTIALLY REMOVED HAND RAIL SUPPORT.INJURED GRABBED HANDRAIL CAUSING OT AND HIM TO FALL INTO CRUSHER OPENING.HAND RAIL FELL STRUCK HIM ON TH E HEAD.

1990 · 6 incidents

July 31, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

HAMMER AND EXTENDED HAND PRESSED LITTLE FINGER AGAINST HAND RAIL

June 21, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS THROWING DISCARDED PANEL OF OLD SCREEN CLOTH OFF PLANT TO GROUND WHEN HIS LITTLE FINGER WAS CAUGHT IN PATCH ON SCREEN CLOTH. RIGHT LITTLE FINGER AT JOINT NEAR FINGER NAIL WAS BROK EN.

January 10, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by falling object

MECHANIC WAS WORKING UNDER TRUCK LG AMOUNT OF DIRT AND RUST SUDDENLY FELL IN FACE RESULT IN INJ TO R EYE

1989 · 6 incidents

October 4, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS MANUALLY RAISING SLIDE WINDOW WHEN HE HAD PAIN IN LOWER RIGHT SIDE.

August 3, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS ATTEMPTING TO DISLODGE ROCK FROM CRUSHER WITH A LARGE HAMMER WHEN A SMALL ROCK PARTICLE WAS CHIPPED OFF AND STRUCK HIS FACE AND SAFTEY GLASSES.

1987 · 2 incidents

September 25, 1987 NC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by flying object

INJ UNDER DIRTY3TRUCK WHEN IMPACT WRENCH DISCHARGE BLEW DIRT INTO RIGHT EYE.IRRIRATION BECAME MORE SEVERE OVER NEXT FEW DAYS.

September 21, 1987 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS APP5YING PRESSURE TO V-BELT DRIVE OF STALLED CONVEYOR WITH 3' PIPE WHEN PIPE "KICKED BACK" STRIKING CHIN.

1986 · 3 incidents

September 26, 1986 NC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAD BA7KED TRUCK CLOSE UNDER SHOVEL AND WAS BEING LOADED WHEN A ROCK FELL STRIKING REAR OF TRUCK CAUSIN IT TO SUDDENLY JUMP FORWARD INJURY WAS CAUSED BY EMPLOYEE HITTING STEERING WHEE L AND DASH. 3

September 3, 1986 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS US3NG FIVE FOOT LONG PRY BAR WHEN IT SLIPPED HE HAD PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

April 16, 1986 NC · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator MACHINERY
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Struck by falling object

AIR TRUCK WAS B9ING TRANSPORTED AND AS MAST WAS BEING RAISED IN NEW LOCATION A 14FT PIECE OF DRILL STEEL FELL FROM TRANSPORT POSITION STRIKING EMPLOYEE ON FOREHEAD AND GLANCING OFF HARD HAT U INTO RIGHT SHOU5DER CAUSING BRUISE AND STRAIN.

1985 · 1 incident

July 31, 1985 NC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Nantahala Talc & Limestone Company Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJ WAS WALKING DOWN MOUNTAINSIDE WHEN HE LOST FOOTING AND FELL TO HIPS AND BACK EXPERIENCED BACK PAIN HAD PREVIOUS BACK SURGERY TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Hewitt Quarry

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.