All MSHA-reportable accidents at CalPortland, Co. operations in 2012. Fatalities appear first.
Broken segments were found in the mill and believed to be the source of ignition which was conveyed via draft to he dust collectors. Since the coal mill rejects were high, it was likely the grinding of coal within the mill ceased and dust levels inside the mill were not significant enough to ignite.
Smoldering coal was believed to be in the VF 4 of the coal silo. Plans to drawn down the silo at its normal rate while monitoring the temperature of coal drawing the silo was implemented. Once coal silo was near empty water was applied to the coal to eliminate the hot spot of coal. The coal had not fed from VF 4 for quite a while. The hazard was eliminated without incident.
EE was attempting to extract a 30 ft pipe from the ground using a backhoe. The EE rigged the pipe with a 30' sling and attempted to pull the irrigation pipe out of the ground, while attempting this the rigged end of the pipe broke free striking the EE in the head when it entered the cab. The laceration required 7 stitches to close.
Employee was attempting to lift the boiler gun off the tool room table and in the process of doing so began coughing very hard and felt a strain in his abdominal area. He noticed a bulge and attempted to push it back in. EE was taken for examination and diagnosed with a hernia. EE was given modified duty until surgery can be scheduled. EE called off the next day due to pain
Employee was using a scraper to remove heavy build up of oil and grease off the gearbox. The employee extended the scraper beyond the guard and making contact with the clutch. The scraper kicked back at the employee causing a laceration to the hand that required stitching to close. EE was taken off work.
EE was assisting with installation of Rock Knockers on water truck. While exiting form under the truck the EE struck his head on the spray bar of the truck. EE reported accident but refused medical evaluation until 9/28/12. At that point the EE was placed on modified duty for 1 week.
EE slipped on inside of kiln shell resulting in a broken ankle
The EE was using a skid steer to clean when it became stuck. The EE exited the skid steer and then re-entered the skid steer from the side rather than the front. The EE stepped onto the front right tire and climbed into the skid steer, and caught his left arm on a broken headlamp mounted on the front of the ROPs, lacerating his arm which required sutures.
While helping to install liners in a mill, he got small chips of metal on the sleeve of his shirt. When he was going to lunch he wiped his eye on the sleeve of his shirt and got a small piece of metal on his eye.
In the process of tying off, employee stepped back, into hole, fell approximately 35 feet onto a pile of clinker fines.
EE slipped and fell while attempting to pivot tower hoist- resulting in fractured ankle.