All MSHA-reportable accidents at Carmeuse Lime and Stone, Inc. operations in 2024. Fatalities appear first.
On 10/2/2024 at 9:32 a.m. the shaft elevator was taken out of service due to a door switch failure. The elevator was located at the surface landing with no miners on the car when the switch failure was found. MSHA was notified at 9:54 a.m. The switch was replaced and put back in service at 11:26 a.m.
The slope hoist operator reported a slack rope as the operator lowered the hoist car at 1:40 pm on 7/22/2024. The hoist was being used to lower supplies into the mine, with no miners on the car. After inspecting it was determined the car had jumped track, due to a rock in its travel way.
On 5/12/2024 smoke and a smell were reported at the top of the underground slope. MSHA was notified and the mine rescue team started underground exploration. The team found a mechanics' standing toolbox that had been on fire. The fire was out when the team arrived on scene.
On 4/1/2024 at 3:55 pm the elevator was determined to have a hydraulic brake system failure caused due to overheating. MSHA was contacted at 4:14 pm. There were no miners on the elevator and the mine was evacuated using the secondary escapeway. Elevator was put back in service on 4/3/2024 at 6:15 pm.
At 6:20 a.m.the primary escapeway hoist was taken out of service. It was determined residue on the hoist cable was engaging the two-block surface safety switch prematurely. MSHA was called at 6:45 a.m. The manufacturer of the elevator has engineered and installed a new 2 Block.
At 4:48 p.m. The primary hoist was taken out of service. It was determined residue on the hoist cable was engaging the two-block safety switch prematurely. MSHA was called at 5:09 p.m. Cable was cleaned, and hoist put back in service at 11:30 p.m.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. management was made aware the secondary slope hoist was not operational due to a transformer failure. This transformer is located on the surface. MSHA was notified at 12:49 a.m. and the mine evacuation started at 1:00 a.m.
The primary escapeway hoist was taken out of service at 10:50 a.m. Residue on the hoist cable was engaging the two-block surface safety switch prematurely. MSHA was called at 11:12 a.m.
4/8/2025 management was notified that employee was reporting an incident/injury that they state occurred on 11/13/2024. Employee states injury occurred when pulling a fire hose over a hand railing located at the lower deck of the fines dock. Employee states injury is herniated disks in back.
Grinding on sealing of the kiln, the grinder kicked back, hitting the bottom of EE's welding helmet, knocking it up, allowing the grinder wheel to make contact with EE's face. EE was taken to the hospital where EE received stitches to EE's upper and lower lips. The grinder was equipped with a guard.
The EE was loading wooden cribbing blocks weighing approximately 20 pounds when they reported pain in their right shoulder. It was determined the blocks were being lifted in the bed of the service truck without lowering the tailgate.
Employee was operating a haul truck in the quarry when a bracket broke under the front of the seat. This caused the seat to move up and back causing a sprain to the lower back. The employee did have an existing back issue.
EE reported pain in right shoulder after attempting to move a water line connected to a relief valve. As EE was moving the hose it became charged with water causing EE's right arm to be thrown up and back.
Kiln Assistant was moving an oxygen tank from the storage rack to the CAT 908 loader bucket for transportation. When EE bent over to lift up the bottom end of the tank, EE felt a pull/pop in the outside of EE's right hamstring.
EE was assisting in moving an electric motor when EE felt pain in EE's back. Three mechanics were dragging an electric 30 hp motor over a steel graded floor when one of the employees complained of back pain.
The hydrate operator reported feeling a pop in EE's right shoulder and numbness in EE's right arm after using a sledgehammer. EE was striking the Pre-Mixer due to material build up when this incident occurred.
On 4/10/2024 an employee reported they had slipped on steps going to the barge loadout. They continued to work regular until 4/16/2024 when they requested to be seen by a doctor due to pain in right knee. Employee was put on restricted duties at this time.
Millwright was loosening the bottom nut on the coal mill journal. When pulling to loosen the nut, it suddenly broke free and the wrench slipped off and struck the inside of EE's left knee.
While field tech was getting down from the back of their work truck, they noticed a pop in their knee. Anytime now they extend their leg down they notice a pop and feel pain.
Injured reports that the haul truck EE was operating was jarred while being loaded which caused EE's shoulder to strike the inside of the door. Injured did not report incident until the following day. Medical treatment was provided and work restrictions were given.
An employee made management aware on 6/26/2024 that EE received an injury to right knee on 6/25/2024. EE states working on crusher and towards the end of shift EE's knee felt sore.
EE states wind blew dust in EE's right eye on 12/23/2024 at approximately 9:00 am in the plant area. EE tried washing EE's eye and had another employee try again just before the end of EE's shift. At the start of EE shift on 12/24/2024 EE's supervisor noticed irritation to EE's right eye. The employee was taken to ER and found to have a right cornea abrasion.
Employee was assisting in removal of kiln 1 man door. Employee raised employee's glasses to wipe away sweat when something entered employee's eye. Employee flushed the eye and continued working. On 9/25/2024, employee sought medical treatment when the condition didn't improve.
Employee was assisting another employee align a medal pin to be inserted in the stick boom of the rock crusher. When the pin was struck with a sledgehammer, dust entered the employee's eyes that was helping with the alignment.
Injured was assisting another employee clean hydrate slurry from a 3' deep bucket elevator pit. One employee left the area for a few minutes. When they returned, injured was standing in the slurry in the pit wearing jeans and standard work boots. Later that evening, they began having leg irritation and sought medical treatment the following day.
On 3/26/2024 EE reported that EE had an accident on 2/13/2024. EE states EE was struck by a piece of chain in the front of EE's mouth causing tooth damage.
This report is being filed due to some hearing loss detected during the annual audiometric testing.