FMC CorpMining Incidents in 2010

The lilly controller on the 7 Shaft hoist malfunctioned. The contacts were repaired and there have been no further problems.

The stepdown transformer for the 8 Shaft hoist failed. The tramsformer was changed and arrestors were installed to protect it.

The transformer that supplies power to 8 shaft hoist failed.

Two relays in the hoist controls failed. No one was stuck in the shaft and two escapeways were still available.

A fire was noticed in our Surface Landfill. No dollar amount to damage. Unsure of cause. Fire Brigade was dispatched to landfill and Heavy Equipment responded to bury the material.

When our man hoist was switched from generator power to line power a breaker tripped and the hoist was down for more than 30 minutes. There was no damage to the hoist the breaker was reset, the hoist tested and it was OK. No one was stuck in the shaft.

While welding on the shear a spark rolled off the welding blanket and briefly ignited a methane pilot fire. The small flame extinguisher itself after a second. Bore bicarb was spread on the floor to prevent reocuurance.

The results of the X-ray testing of the ropes on 8 Hoist showed one tail rope with metal loss in excess of 10%. The hoist was locked out and the tail rope was changed.

Carrying two 5-gal. buckets of caustic to recharge tanks, while walking up stairs turned & felt knee pop. After review of medical documentation on 11/15/10 it was determined that this was a work related injury.

Employee states he was calibrating a bag packer weight scale with a 50# weight; the weight fell off the spout hitting his knee. The 7000-1 is being filed now because Safety Dept. became aware on 10/26 that the lost time was related to work.

Rotating pot & valve on underflow of pump. Tight & confined space. Had to reach around valves to get to bolts to tighten them. While he was doing this he felt his shoulder getting very sore. The 7000-1 is being filed now because the Safety Dept. became aware on 7/21 that he was unable to do his regular job tasks.

Employee was working on extending the hydoclone line at the tailings impound. He said when he pushed up on the pipe his back went into spasms. He was unable to work his next scheduled shift.

On 1/5/2010 employee felt burning sensation in right shoulder while doing filter replacement; pain continued. Employee missed worked beginning 3/12/2010.

Had an initial injury date of 1/28/10, received treatment but was not classified as recordable at that time. No further activity until several months later(Sept 15, 2010)when he had surgery on shoulder. It was unclear whether this surgery was related to work injury or a pre-existing condition related to aging. Review of injury has determined that it is reportable at this time.

Employee reported on 3/22/10 that he injured his back on 3/19/10 when lifting panel for an audio booth. Employee under chiropractic care consistently prior to this incident.Remains unclear if this is a new injury. Will know when medical records are received. In light of the elevated enforcement, this report is being generated and may be requested to be removed from the record.

Using a metabo to cut 1/2"" piping loop from chiller. Two of the connections were cut & was starting to cut the third while supporting the loop with one hand. Almost through pipe when tool bound up kicking out & striking employee in R leg above knee causing large laceration on R thigh.

Was standing on a rock 15"" in diameter 8"" high, lifting roof bolter cable up to a j-hook when he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

He was moving pipe (about 10"" X 36"") from a pipestand to the bed of his mantrip when he felt a pain in his back. Thought he may have pulled a muscle. That evening he didn't rest well but thought it was getting better. On Friday, as the day went on, the pain continued to increase.

The shift started the previous night at 9:00 pm, we were abrasive grit blasting in unit 7 precipitator. They crew had moved down to the galleries and had begun blasting. One sandblaster did not see the other sandblaster on the other side of the gallery and blasted him. He recieved abrasions on his stomach and forearm.

Walking past Fletcher bolter when piece of rock fell striking employee on the right side of the hard hat & right shoulder. He caught the rock in his hands & that is when he felt pain in right shoulder.

Lowering auger after drilling hole for a bolt. A slab approx. 4' wide X 1' wide & 2"" thick broke loose next to the boom & fell. The slab struck top of his right forearm.

Working on closing discharge to south set of sluice pumps. Holding a wrench & was struck in the hand with a sledge being used by co-worker.

Replacing 6"" knife gate on y-9 slurry line. While trying to bolt the valve back in was using a 24"" pry bar trying to align the holes. In prying with the bar it slipped striking right cheek causing a 1"" laceration.

Tightening bolt on side rotor clutch using open end wrench. Started to tighten bolt; as it got tighter the open side of the wrench started to flex open & let go of the bolt head. Downward pressure resulted in wrench striking the miner on the chin causing laceration on right side of chin.

Cutting a slip on flange off of a 4"" pipe with a metabo cutting machine to make a modification to the pipe spool. The cutting wheel came in contact with his right index finger.

Inhalation of Chlorine fumes while preparing ICB. Scooping granulated chlorine into 5 gallon pail & adding to ICB. Inhaled fumes of the pail and/or measured chlorine.

Building a hand rail. Piece of metal went into left eye; wiped it out & went back to work. On way home eye became painful; he went to doctor who removed a small piece of metal from left eye. He was released to full duty.

Employee was pushing on a broken section of rail on a mantrip when it broke. The employee lunged forward scraping left forearm against the area where the rail had broken from recieving 2 lacerations, each requiring sutures.

Lifted box from the work bench (approx. 15 lbs.); felt sharp pain on top of right shoulder. Went to Medcor for evaluation & then returned to work.

Cleaning settled product from the top of the Rotex Gear Box. Had broken up the material with the handle of his channel locks & proceeded to wipe it of the gear box with his hand. Cleared off the front & then moved to side sliding his hand under the cover where his finger was struck by the cam.

Employee reported pain in hands diagnosed as carpal tunnel. Accepted as work related on 3/18/11.

Cumulative trauma to both right & left elbows. Had surgery on 5/14/10. The papers from doctor were received on 5/18/10.