FMC CorpMining Incidents in 2003

EE WAS USING A STEAM HOSE CONNECTED TO A DRAIN VALVE ON PUMP SUCTION LINE TO CHECK OUT A LOW FLOW PROBLEM. WHEN EE STARTED DISCONNECTING STEAM HOSE FROM DRAIN VALVE THE WELD ON THE PIPE NIPPLE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE FAILED WHICH CAUSED LIQUOR TO SPRAY OUT OF LINE. EE STEPPED DOWN FROM BOTTOM RUNG OF LADDER HE WAS STANDING ON & HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON THE FLOOR THAT WAS NOW WET.

Mechanic exited vehicle and walked towards tailgate; lost footing on snow covering ice and fell flat on his back striking head on frozen ground.

MOVING FILTER LEAFS AROUND MONO II, FELT PAIN IN LOWER LEFT ABDOMEN.

FELL OFF PLATFORM; MIGHT HAVE BLACKED OUT, AND WITHOUT SAFETY CHAIN, FELL FROM PLATFORM TO NEXT DECK. TOOK HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE PILL 30 MINUTES BEFORE ACCIDENT ON EMPTY STOMACH.

Employee was placing car cable into a more ergonomic position to tape and boot the cable. Employee jerked on the cable to get a little slack and had a sharp pain in his right shoulder.

THE AREA AROUND THE 3 EAST CONVEYOR TAKE UP HAD BEEN WET DOWN TO SUPPRESS THE DUST. THE PLYWOOD LAYING UNDER THE BELT FOR SPLICING WAS ALSO WET. AS THE EE WALKED ACROSS THE PLYWOOD HIS FOOT SLIPPED CAUSING HIM TO FALL.

OPERATOR, WAS PUTTING A CLAMP ON TOP OF A FILTER AFTER CHANGING A SEAL. HOT SLURRY DISCHARGED FROM THE TOP SEAL AND BURNED OPERATOR.

EE WAS WASHING HIS BOOTS, HE DIDN'T REALIZE HIS RIGHT BOOT HAD A HOLE ALLOWING THE HOT WASH WATER TO SEEP ONTO HIS FOOT CAUSING A BURN.

EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DUMPING 260 GRADE SODA ASH INTO A DISSOLVING POT. WHEN THE PRODUCT HIT THE WATER IT ERUPTED AND BURNED BOTH OF THE EE'S LEGS.

EE WAS SHOWERING AT END OF SHIFT. HE HAD COMPLETED SHOWER AND SHUT OFF HOT WATER AND COLD WATER. APPARENTLY HOT WATER VALVE DID NOT SHUT COMPLETELY AND HOT CONDENSATE APPROXIMATELY 216 DEGREES CAME OUT OF SHOWER HEAD BURNING LEFT SHOULDER, BACK AND UPPER ARM. WATER HEATED TO 216 DEG BECAUSE OF FAULTY STEAM REGULATOR TO CONTROL VALVE.

THE CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS INCIDENT ARE ON MARCH 22, 2003. THE EE WAS OBSERVED BY HIS SUPERVISOR FAVORING HIS BACK. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS CONDITION, THE EE STATED HE HAD PAIN IN H IS BACK THAT OCCURRED PERIODICALLY & THAT HE HAD BEEN TREATED BY A CHIROPRACTOR. THE SUPERVISOR RECOMMENDED THAT THE EE GO TO THE COMPANY DISPENSARY TO BE CHECKED OUT. THE MEDICAL STAFF EXAMI

EE WAS PUTTING 2 SECTIONS OF DRISCO PIPE TOGETHER AT THE EVAPORATION LATE BOAT DOCK. HIS LT. LEG WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BOAT & PIPE WHEN THE BOAT DRIFTED AGAINST THE PIPE.

EE WAS PULLING ON A PIPE WRENCH AND FELT PAIN IN BACK. THIS EE HAD RECENT BACK SURGERY. HE WAS SEEN IN COMPANY DISPENSARY ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. HE LATER HAD AN MRI AND WAS GIVEN PHYSICA L THERAPY AND MISSED WORK FOR THIS TREATMENT. FMC BECAME AWARE OF THIS TREATMENT AND DAYS AWAY FROM WORK 3/6/03. THIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A CTD & IS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACUTE EVENT.

EE WAS USING A FOUR FOOT STEP LADDER TO WELD. HE REPOSITIONED THE LADDER, WAS ON THE SECOND STEP WHEN THE LADDER TIPPED OVER CAUSING THE EE TO LAND ON HIS RIGHT SHOULDER.

EE WAS INSPECTING EQUIPEMTN USING AN FGA PLATFORM. WHILE DESCENDING THE PLATFORM SHE HAD TO TURN TO GET THRU THE OPENING TO DESCEND THE PLATFORM. SHE TURNED TO DO SO HER RIGHT FOOT STUCK ON TH E PLATFORM GRATING CAUSING HER TO TWIST HER RIGHT KNEE.

EE was removing 3 light fixtures and poles & install on the belt while unscrewing the 3rd fixture and pole from the T on the base, bottom slipped out & the fixture fell to right. he was holding on the pole & his l. thumb was smashed between pole & handrail on the belt. thumbnail was pulled away from nail bed & began bleeding. went to Medcor. xray showed fractured.

SESQUI MECHANIC WAS PULLING ON A PIPE WRENCH TO REPAIR A HEATER; FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. DID NOT BECOME REPORTABLE UNTIL 1/5/04 WHEN THE INJURY REQUIRED SURGERY.

Remove hose from manole cover after turning off water, He picked up the hose & steam/hot water from hose burned right arm. the end 2-3"" of the hose was drooped into the scrubber vapor space. steam valves leaked into the hose.hose contents can flash to steam at any time.

The operator was closing a rail car lid; proper lifting procedure was used; the motion required to pull the car lid over requires a slight twist at the waist at the top of the lift; this is when the operator felt pain in his lower back.

EE WAS WALKING TO A MAINTENANCE JOB. HE NOTICED FOAM COMING OUT OF A FLOOR DITCH GRATING. WHEN HE STEPPED ASIDE TO AVOID THE FOAM, WATER (HOT) BACK UP IN THE DITCH AND BUBBLED UP SPLASHING HIS ANKLE.

OPERATOR WAS LIFTING LOCKERS AND PLACING MATTING UNDER THEM WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS BACK.

EE WAS WORKING ON A MAINTENCE PROJECT PULLING A BEARING FROM A SHAFT-HE STEPPED ON AN UNEVEN FLOOR AND TWISTED HIS ANKLE.

A PIECE OF TRONA APPROX 400 # FELL FROM THE RIGHT RIB (TOP OF THE ARCH) STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE RT SHOULDER. HE SUFFERED A SHOULDER SEPARATION AND WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTED DUTY.

EE HAD STEPPED UP ON LOWER RAKC AND WAS HOLDING ONTO A RACK 2 LEVELS UP, REACHING FOR AN AIR FILTER HIGHER UP. THE SHELF HE WAS HOLDING ONTO CAME LOSSE, HE STEPPED DOWN & BACK, STEPPED ACROSS THE AISLE INTO THE OTHER SIDE. HIS RIGHT FOREARM STRUCK A MOUNTING BRACKET REQUIRING 44 STITCHES.

WHILE INSTALLING PIPE SPOOL ON TB-20 EXHAUST STACK, SOME HOT SLAG POPPED OFF WELD AND WENT DOWN HIS SLEEVE. SLAG STUCK TO HIS WATCH BAND AND BURNED HIS LEFT WRIST BEFORE HE COULD GET HIS GL OVE OFF.

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LOOSEN THE PITMAN ARM FROM THE STEERING BOX ON A SUBURBAN. HE HELD ONE HAMMER STATIONARY AGAINST THE PITMAN ARM, WHILE HITTING IT WITH ANOTHER HAMMER. AS THE HAMMER MADE C ONTACT, IT SLIPPED, TWISTING IN HIS HAND & GLANCING OFF HIS OTHER HAND. THIS PEELED THE SKIN BACK BETWEEN THE THUMB & INDEX FINGER REQUIRING 14 STITCHES. HIS RIGHT HAND & THAT HAMMER HANDLE W

EE WAS WORKING INSIDE THE HOFFMAN BOX INSIDE A BELT CONTROLLER. HE BUMPED HIS RIGHT ELBOW AGAINST THE CHART HOLDER WHICH WAS ON THE DOOR, RECEIVING A SMALL LACERATION WHICH REQUIRED 2 SUTURES.

PERSON WAS PULLING ON WRENCH WHEN IT SLIPPED OFF BOLT AND STRUCK HIM IN THE MOUTH.

EE WAS TROUBLESHOOTING MALFUNCTIONING LAB EQUIPMENT WHEN GLASSWARE BROKE & LACERATED RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

WELDING OVERHEAD, MOLTEN METAL FELL ON SHIRT BELOW WELDING SLEEVES, BURNT THROUGH SHIRT AND ON DOWN TO WAISTBAND OF PANTS. EE DID NOT HAVE ON WELDING GLOVES OR SLEEVES ON.

WHILE MECHANIC WAS CUTTING OUT BOLTS ON AGITATOR BLADE, LEFT LEG CAME IN CONTACT WITH SHARP EDGE OF BLADE WHICH CUT HIM.

OPERATOR WAS WASHING DOWN THE MSP TRANSFER PUMP ROOM AND THE HOT WATER SPLASHED BACK BURNING HIM ON THE LEFT SIDE ABOVE THE BELT.

ELECTRICIAN, WAS CHANGING A MOTOR IN A VERY RESTRICTED AREA. WHILE THE ELECTRICIAN WAS WORKING TO INSTALL THE MOTOR, HE WAS CUT ON A PIECE OF TIN USED AS A HEAT SHIELD.

A SCHEDULE 40 SEAMED STAINLESS STEEL PIPE NIPPLE WAS USED IN PLACE OF A SCHEDULE 80 SEAMLESS 3/16"" STAINLESS NIPPLE. THE SCHEDULE 40 NIPPLE BURST UNDER THE 10K PRESSURE USED IN THE HYDROBLAST SYSTEM. OPERATOR OF THE HIGH PRESSURE TOOL THOUGHT NIPPLE WAS SCHEDULE 80.

OPERATOR BUMPED LEFT ELBBOW WHILE REPLACING A SCREEN ON WM-19. THE NEXT SHIFT WHILE SHOVELING, HE FELT PAIN NOTICED SWELLING AND A SCRATCH ON THE SAME ELBOW.

THE OPERATOR WAS CHIPPING OUT A HARD CHUNCK OF SODA ASH. HE WAS USING A HAMMER AND CHISEL TO DO THIS JOB. A GLANCING BLOW OFF AT THE CHISEL PINCHED HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER BETWEEN CHISEL AND CHUTE BREAKING HIS FINGER.

OPERATOR WAS INSPECTING #7 BOILER FOR SLAG. TO DO THIS SHE USED INSPECTION PORT (D) WEST. THE BOILER DRAFT WENT POSITIVE, CAUSING HIGH TEMPERATURE GASSES TO EXIT THE INSPECTION PORT. THIS RESU LTED IN A BURN TO HER LEFT ARM, AND SINGEING OF HER EYELASHES AND HER HAIR.

AFTER 23 YEARS (APPROXIMATELY) OF WORK AS A MECHANIC EE WAS EXPERIENCING PAIN AND NUMBNESS IN THS HANDS. HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING BILATERAL CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.

WHILE ON LUNCH BREAK THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCED CHEST PAINS. HE DID NOT INFORM HIS SUPERVISOR OR CO-WORKERS OF THIS AND LEFT THE LUNCHROOM AND REPORTED TO THE DISPENSARY. HE WAS TREATED AND TRAN SPORTED TO THE E.R. HE WAS TREATED BY THE EMERGENCY ROOM STAFF AND PASSED AWAY.

THE DRIVER WAS WALKING ALONG THE EDGE OF THE TRAILER IN THE PROCESS OF HOOKING UP CHAINS TO THE SKIP. THE SKIP WAS PLACED ON THE TRAILER. HE FELL OFF HIS TRAILER ONTO THE GROUND.

OPERATOR WAS ON TOP AT TB 1313 TANK WASH OUT A SCREEN BOX. HE WAS USING A WATER HOSE WITH 170 DEGREE FERINHEIT WATER. HE LAYED THE HOSE DOWN WTIH WATER RUNNING TO DO ANOTHER TASK AND THE WATER HOSE WHIPPED AND SPRAYED HIM WITH HOT WATER

EE WAS WALKING DOWN A DRIFT IN KNEE DEEP WATER. HE STEPPED INTO A SLOT, (CUT FOR DRAINAGE) AND SPRAINED HIS KNEE. THE EE WAS CONSIDERED A NON-RECORDABLE UNDER PART 50 UNTIL HE RETURNED FROM VA CATION ON 7-14-03 AND WAS GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION AND ON 7-16-03 WHEN HE WAS GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY.

EMPLOYEE WAS OPENING COVER ON CLARIFER TO CLEAN SCREENS WHEN HOT LIQUOR SPLASHED OVER SIDES INTO HIS BOOT.

EE HAS SUFFERED FROM LOWER BACK PAIN FOR SOMETIME. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHAT SPECIFIC TASK OR EVENT CAUSED EE'S CONDITION. EE WAS SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN2-24-03 FROM MRI HE WAS DIAGNOSED W/ HERNIATED DISC L5 SI AND L4 & L5 HE HAD SURGERY ON 3-5-03 BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC ACUTE EVENT, EE ALEDGES THAT THIS WAS CAUSED OVER TIME FROM WORK