All MSHA-reportable accidents at Carmeuse Lime and Stone, Inc. operations in 2017. Fatalities appear first.
Employee noticed smoke coming from the top of #6 coal silo. Further investigation revealed a smoldering coal fire inside the silo. Site personnel installed a fire hose and began quenching with the plant water truck while the fire department was called as an additional precaution. The fire was under control and the fire department departed at 2:05pm.
Elevator cable slipped on drum causing damage to cable. Cable had to be removed from service and elevator load tested.
The conduit and control wiring had pulled loose from the Mine Level Door Switch. A short circuit was caused when the wires touched which in turn caused a PLC output card fault. The PLC was reset, conduit repaired and a new door switch was installed.
At approximately midnight on 6/4/2017 several small fires were noticed in the new alternative fuels system. Personnel extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers and called GFD as a precaution. Upon further investigation, it was determined that a dust ignition/explosion had occurred inside the system's drag chains causing deflection damage to multiple covers.
Employee reported a fire on the outside of cone on #3 coal mill. After the fire was noticed there was an explosion on the coal grinding circuit. At 0300 it was noticed that there was cable trays arcing above the coal mill. The power was then shut off to the circuits. Investigation continues of the root cause.
Elevator went down finding that a wiring issue was located in the door switch. Wiring was repaired and elevator returned to full service.
Main Slope Hoist lost power due to a faulty e-stop switch. Power was restored at approximatley 1:45pm.
3 employees were installing bushing on quarry hammer. While pounding on a plate to get bushing into place employee swinging hammer hit plate. Hammer slipped from plate hitting employee in mouth and shoulder.
Injured was assisting changing a head pulley bearing when they pulled on a pry bar and felt pain in the shoulder. Incident was reported immediately but did not become reportable until 08/24 when an MRI was performed and physical therapy was prescribed.
Employee sustained a fractured right tibia when foot caught an e-stop cable while stepping down from L-357 conveyor dust collector structure causing EE to fall awkwardly onto the walkway.
Employee was rebuilding the Industrial Gun in the Maintenance shop, and while lifting the gun into place felt a strain in the shoulder. Employee requested medical treatment when condition did not improve and was given work restrictions on 3/29/2017.
Employee was using the bobcat to clear the plug up in #1 dust chamber. A rush of dust came down around employee. The dust burned EE's cheeks on the outer edges where safety glasses and respirator fit.
Injured was using a punch and hammer to set a ring seal in a pump head. While striking the punch, the hammer slipped off the punch and struck left hand.
Employee was raking #1 kiln grates and felt a sharp pain on the right side of back. Restricted duty.
Employee was descending rear ladder on a rail car when EE slipped on the next to last rung (approx. 5-6') landing on EE's back. It had been raining and the area was muddy. The employee was wearing a fall protection harness and tie off to a retractable lanyard.
Employee was raking clinkers off the kiln #3 grate when ee felt something pop in left shoulder. The pain comes and goes. Employee reported the injury on 04/28/2017 and was taken to the doctor on that date.
Injured was using an air chisel to remove ash ring from #2 kiln when a piece of ash fell and struck shoulder/arm. Injured did not request medical treatment until 2/16/2017.
Injured person was moving a piece of steel from the back of a pickup truck with help from co-worker. Employees finger was cut by a piece of metal sticking downward. The employee received stitches on the left second finger.
Employee was climbing into the man door on the side of the cooler to place a ladder to inspect the cooler. After the ladder was in place the employee attempted to enter the door and in the process twisted knee causing a sprain.
Employee got lime dust in left eye as employee was removing discharge end seal on kiln #3. Prescription prescribed.
Injured was assisting another employee replacing a steel plate in the crusher. Employee handed plate to injured and let go thinking injured had it securely. Plate rotated and struck injured's ear causing laceration.
Employee was scaling a rock from the back. The scaling bar slipped and they felt pain and a burning sensation in the right shoulder. Did not report to management till 5/15/17. Had dr visit on 5/19/17, MRI 5/26/17, Physical Therapy ordered 6/6/17. May continue operating mechanical scaler.
Employee got left foot caught between the first and second step of platform used to shoot kiln ash ring causing employee to fall onto the burner floor causing a laceration to left thumb.
While cleaning K-121 belt in the cooler pit, a temp employee noticed a troughing roller between 4 and 5 kiln coolers that was stuck and not turning. EE starting clearing material away from center roller with a shovel. When the roller broke free, it caught the shovel causing finger to be pinched between the shovel handle and the conveyor structure fracturing pinky finger.
Employee was changing hydraulic hose on scaler using a pry bar when the bar slipped and struck employee on lip causing a laceration.
Employee was working on the #2 Penthouse Conveyor speed switch when an employee working above on the screen level knocked lime fines down onto of the injured employee. Dust entered eyes causing irritation.