Compass Minerals Louisiana Inc.Mining Incidents in 2017

A WA600 Komatsu wheel loader caught fire. The mine was evacuated and MSHA was notified.

A main power outage occurred at the mine site due to down power lines. This caused the whole location to be without power. The crew underground was sent to the #1 shaft to be brought out of the mine. This shaft is equipped with a back up diesel generator. The generator did not start. At approximately 2pm the generator was repaired and the crew was brought to surface.

The #3 16ft shaft South conveyance came out of the guide in the loading pocket causing damage to the walkway and an air driven cylinder.

Smoke and flames were observed coming from the exhaust of a haul truck. The engine continued running after the ignition was turned off. All personnel were withdrawn from the mine as smoke filled the return escape way. It was determined that the engine turbocharger seals had failed allowing lube oil into the engine intake resulting in the smoking exhaust.

Routine Shaft work was being conducted in the 14 ft. shaft. A torch was being used to remove bolts on structural members. A hot piece of metal fell down the shaft and ignited debris in the sump.

EE was walking with a fire hose and slipped. EE was taken to the clinic where they were seen and released to full duty pending drug testing results that were confirmed on 12/19 by the M.R.O. During this time the EE returned to the clinic as was issued a Rx tramadol and restrictions the mine could not accommodate. Making this a L.T.I. on 12/18/2017

Employee slipped on slick hardened salt causing an awkward fall on employee's ankle. Employee went the Dr on next scheduled shift (7/12/17) The doctor diagnosed employee with a sprained ankle and employee could not return to work. This became a lost time.

Employee was shoveling salt in the screen plant. Employee stated employee felt pain in employee's neck. On 3/1/2017 employee went to employee's doctor and was put on restrictions and did not report to work.

Employee had an accident in a rock truck. Went to medical facility for drug screen and complained of a back injury. Was checked out and released back to full duty on 02/09/17. Employee called in stated their back hurt too bad to work on 02/10/17 which became an LTI

Employee was walking down ramp and slipped and felt a pain in left knee. Employee went to the dr on 5/22/17 and was released back to full duty. Employee then requested a second opinion. MRI was done and employee has a torn meniscus. Employee had surgery on 9/6/2017 and became a lost time on that date.

Employee was bolting a steel beam with a wrench and a impact drill. The wrench grabbed causing employee's fingers to be caught between the wrench and the beam above. This cause a laceration to employee's left ring finger which required four stitches.

Employee was discarding old troughing roller into metal waste bin when it slipped out of employee's grip and pinched left 4th finger between the roller and the bin. Employee received stitches and returned to work on full duty

Employee was shoveling a tail section of belt. As employee was shoveling employee twisted and felt a pain in groin area. Employee went to the doctor and was prescribed an antibiotic which made this reportable.