Buzzi Unicem USAMining Incidents in 2009

Employee alleges that he strained his stomach while pushing on an elevator counterweight. Originally was seen at a local emergency room and diagnosed with strain and returned to work.

Employee alleges he was working on #3 Finish Mill gyp feeder and strained his back while swinging a sledge hammer to break loose material.

outside conditions where slick, employee dismounted railcar and slipped on slippery stone.

snowman had formed in cooler . preasure washer was used to remove snowman.

Employee was adjusting a guard to allow him to change out some drive belts. The belts began freewheeling and the employees gloved hand was pulled into the sheave.

Employee claims he used a cheater bar to work on a 992 loader. The bolt suddenly loosened causing all of the employees weight to shift to his left knee. The employee now (10/12/2010) is having his knee replaced.

Pumping water out of containment area. Ladder slipped, causing employee to fall on his wrist.

Removing air pad from bottom of cement silo. Silo had been emptied leaving a small amount of cement on the pad. While the pad was being removed a small amount fell onto his face irritating his eyes.

EE was ascending side slope of a limestone stockpile to get elevation of top of slope. He lost footing of lt foot, started to slide. Trying to catch himself his rt leg twisted & collapsed under his own weight. The rt femur was broken at a location of a previous break. According to EE, the bone was previously broken 4 times due to a degenerative bone disease.

Employee was carring powershot tubes to and from 308 bin. He was utilizing the stairs because the elevator was down for repairs. Weather conditons were not a factor and all ppe was worn. The employee complained of a strain/pull in his lower back.

Employee was swinging a hammer on the gypsum bin on the #3 finish mill feeder weight floor and he allegedly felt shoulder disconfort. This was considered a first aid case and he did not miss work and was on full duty. On 9-17-09 he had a medical procedure that requires this to be MSHA reportable. He was a member of a volunteer fire department during this entire time.

Injury was putting a chain on a piece of pipe in the maintenance shop and he allegedly knelt on an unknown piece of material possibly a rock or slag and this caused pain 3 days later. The unknown material was never found during the accident investigation.The incident allegedly occured on 04/29/2009 and he informed management on 05/01/2009

Injury went to the finish mill room to get a sample of cement from the number 2 finish mill and alleges that she tripped on the floor as she turned to walk back to the lab with the sample. She claims that she tried to catch herself with her left arm and as a result injured her left shoulder. This is a lost time accident.

Employee was burned by hot product coming out of a port on the preheater tower. He received 2nd degree burns.

Employee stated he felt pain in his back as he closed the freight elevator door.

Employee was retrieving a hot meal sample, when an air cannon discharged 30ft below the sample line. This forced some hot air and dust back into the line and out of the opening. The employee was wearing all ppe but the dust still managed to travel under his faceshield, which resulted in his eyes being scratched.

Ee was walking in front of the maintenance shop and slipped on snow covered ice. It was very bad weather that day as it was snowing very heavy. The x-ray was negative, but was diagnosed with an ankle sprain.

Employee was loading hopper cars. While pulling the hose with a rope, the employee felt a sharp pain in his left bicep. He then noticed bruising of the area. The injury was diagnosed as a bicep tear. Employee was placed on restricted duty and instructed to wear a sling.

Employee felt groin pain when lifting a manhole cover. Employee initially thought it was a minor groin muscle strain and declined medical treatment. When pain persisted, employee saw a doctor on 4/17/2009.

EMPLOYEE WAS PICKING UP THE UN-LOAD HOSE TO CONNECT TO TRUCK AND HURT HIS BACK

Employee took his hard hat off and put it back on. He said something stuck his head. He checked his hat and found neither an insect or foreign object. He went to Abilene ER and was told not to wear his hard hat until 2/27/09 and keep his forehead clean and dry.

Employee stated that he had a tingling sensation in the fingers of his right hand which radiated up to his wrist. Employee performs truck bulk loading operations, which requires writing, typing and manipulation of switches.

Employee was cutting insulation using a utility knife when the knife slipped and the blade cut part of his left thumb.

MCC went to ground. Power was turned off and breaker was repaired. When MCC was renergized, the breaker blew and caused a flash burn to hand. New breaker was believed to be faulty.

EE was in compartment 1 of the baghouse working on the floor on his knees snapping bags into the tubesheet, when his back gave out and he fell forwards onto his right side.

WHILE SAMPLING CKD, EMPLOYEE OPENED THE VALVE AND NOTHING CAME OUT OF THE HOSE. HE TAPPED HOSE ON CONCRETE BLOCK AND STILL NOTHING CAME OUT. WITH THE VALVE OPEN HE TAPPED VALVE BODY WITH CHIPPING HAMMER THAT WAS THERE. GASKET IN THE CHICAGO FITTING AFTER THE VALVE BLEW OUT COVERING EMPLOYEE WITH DUST FROM THE WAIST UP.

Employee stated he felt a ""pull"" in his right shoulder as he was closing the door to the elevator. First day of physical therapy was 10/19/2009.

Injury was out checking the kiln and realized that he had something irritating his left eye. He went to the doctor the next day when the irritation continued and had a small particle removed. He did not miss work and was not on restricted duty.

Employee was using a torch to cut off a piece of 3/8 plate steel and the end piece fell and hit his toe. An X-ray was taken and it revealed that a small hairline crack was present on his big toe on the right foot. He was wearing all PPE. He was released to full duty and did not miss any work.

Employee got something in his eye. The ER doctor issued a prescription for medicine for the eye.

Individual had intermittent pain in right thumb and continuous tingling sensation in hand. Pain is now constant in the thumb. His right hand is dominant and in the operation of the crane it is used more frequently to move material where the left hand is used to control the bridge & trolley.

Injury turned in that he had carpal tunnel syndrome. The company investigated this claim because his job duties do not correspond with this condition. This became MSHA reportable on 8/18/09 when he missed work.