Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mines CompanyMining Incidents in 2015

A local resident notified mine of a fire above the tailing pipeline road. Mine fire team responded to rough, native land above the road, mine & plant site not exposed to the hazard. Local volunteer fire dept, w/wild land fire gear, responded and extinguished by 11:22. MSHA was notified. Presumed to be small man made fires.

The bearing packing failed on a tailing overflow pump motor, and the packing grease caught fire. The fire was noticed by security at 2:04, Call to MSHA hotline (David) at 2:36, fire was completely extinguished by 3:05 a.m.

743HT driver passed a blade, stayed near the windrow, saw the 716HT approaching, so stopped. 716HT driver thought there was room between the 743 and blade to continue, but grazed the rock deflectors. 743 stated he was fine, went to the ER after shift, given a RX muscle relaxer, off work until clears D&A test.

Employee reported smelling an odor in the haul truck and feeling ill. She was taken to the ER, diagnosed with an acute headache, and taken off work.

Employee slipped on ice and fell on his knee. He was taken to the ER and released to work. On 12/21/15, employee notified supervisor his knee continued to hurt. He was taken to an orthopedic specialist and taken off work pending the results of an MRI. Currently ONGOING.

Employee was attempting to board the man van, slipped on the running board, and landed on the ground, causing a bump on his head and pain in his shoulder. He was taken to the ER, taken off work his next shift, with a full release for 12/15/15, a scheduled day off.

Employee was closing a gate valve, using a wrench, when the wrench slipped and the employee fell, landing on his shoulder. He was taken to the ER, diagnosed with an AC separation, and referred to an orthopedic specialist. CURRENTLY ONGOING.

Employee was attempting to dump at the stockpile when employee claims the bed came down while still partially loaded. Employee was taken to the ER, given a Rx for muscle relaxant that the company's D&A policy does not allow employee to work while using.

The shovel dipper opened on the dovetail of a haul truck, jarring an employee. He was taken to the ER and taken off work until 11/24/15.

Employee had taken a sample from Heads Row 1, and while coming down the ladder, his right foot slipped on the step he was stepping on, and twisted his ankle when his foot landed on the next step. He was taken to the ER, and put on restrictions for 5 days. The company could not accommodate restrictions. EE had a full release after the 5th day.

Employee was replacing the cap on his bottle of juice and felt a pop in his wrist. An EMT examined him, recommended X-Ray at ER. Employee stated he preferred to see his MD. On 10/26, employee notified the company he had been referred to an orthopedic doctor and taken off work. ON-GOING.

On 10/15/15, employee notified supervisor he was unable to come to work for personal reasons. On 11/12/15, the company received notification from the employee's physician that he was unable to work due to lumbar strain, dating back to 10/15/15. There was no specific event noted by employee or physician. Currently ongoing.

Crane Operator was in process of a cathode press. While attempting to adjust a cathode that was hanging up, the hoist switch was activated, pinching employee's forearm between the cathode press and a hanger bar. This caused a laceration which required 9 stitches to close.

EE claims he was walking down an incline, slipped and felt pain in hip, but did not report it. Was on 3 days off, returned 10/6, slipped again and requested to be seen by PCP due to pain. He was taken to the clinic, diagnosed with sciatica and given restrictions company cannot accommodate and referred for physical therapy. Currently ONGOING.

Employee was operating a forklift downhill, hit a rock, causing the wheel to go into a little ditch, and laid the forklift on its side. The employee's foot was caught under the cage, fracturing his right big toe.

Dozer operator was building drill access road when a rock he was pushing hit the cab of the dozer. EE stated he was not hurt. On 9/25, employee complained of neck pain his wife feels is due to incident, he was seen by PCP and released. On 10/06, EE went to ER, given a prescription and taken off work due to company's internal drug policy. Currently ongoing.

Employee was stepping off the cable truck and rolled his ankle. He was taken to the ER. His ankle was X-rayed and was positive. CURRENTLY ON GOING.

While being loaded, load shook the haul truck and EE felt back pain. She initially refused treatment beyond ice pack and ibuprofen. While on days off, EE went to PCP due to continued pain, was prescribed medication that company's D & A policy does not allow her to work. Currently ongoing.

Rubber tire dozer operator was moving spanner poles and performing cleanup in the shovel pit and claims to have aggravated a pre-existing back injury. He left work intending to see his PCP, CURRENTLY ONGOING.

As man van headed out to distribute drivers to the haul trucks, it hit a pot hole, causing one employee to hit his head on ceiling of man van, causing pain. He was taken to the ER, and was released to his next shift. On 7/20/15, employee requested to see his PCP, and was prescribed physical therapy for his neck.

Truck driver was attempting to unload when the haul truck rolled forward. He then attempted to lower the bed from mid-way up, which caused the bed to fall, jarring the employee. He requested medical attention, was taken to the ER and taken off work until 7/5/15.

Employee was performing pre-shift inspection on haul truck, checking under engine for leaks, when a pair of pliers fell from the engine compartment and hit the employee on the safety glasses. Initially employee refused treatment, but called while on scheduled days off, 6/14, complaining of neck pain. Ongoing.

Driver was being loaded when a large rock struck the bed of the truck, jarring the driver. He requested medical attention, was taken to the ER, diagnosed with cervical strain and taken off work until 6/7/15.

Haul truck driver was dumping load, when the bed lowered unexpectedly, jarring him. He was seen by an 1st responder and continued to work. 5/31 he requested medical attention, after time in ER, was sent home, referred to PCP, started days off. Did not see PCP until 6/5, released for 6/6, worked full shift, SDO 6/7 called off 6/8, currently ongoing.

On 5/22/15, employee requested to leave early stating his shoulder hurt, and he was not sure if he slept wrong, or if on 5/21/15 He reached to turn on his windshield wipers he hit a pot hole. No medical records were provided until 8/10/15 stating this was due to work, when bill was received by company.

The employee was watering down a area in the tower in the mill and felt an irritation in his eye. He finished his shift and the next morning he woke up with a red, swollen, irritated eye. His eye Doctor informed him to miss the next three days of work while his eye healed.

Employee put his seatbelt on when he mounted the forklift. As he pulled the seatbelt from right to left, he felt a pop in his right shoulder blade area. He requested medical attention, was taken to the ER and taken off work for 2 days.

When haul truck operator dumped his load and let the bed down, the bed seemed to hit hard, jarring the employee. The employee traveled back to the shovel and then reported pain in his neck, was taken to the ER and taken off work until 4/20/15.

Employee was attempting to pin the landing gear on a transport trailer and got her finger smashed. Initially diagnosed with a fracture with open wound, and taken off work 7 days. Follow-up on 4/7 showed no fracture, time off extended due to slow healing of flesh. Currently ongoing.

While performing pre-shift inspection on haul truck at ready line, employee rolled his ankle in the ditch. Employee waited until 1:45 a.m. to report pain, was taken to the ER, diagnosed with acute ankle sprain, and given restrictions that cannot be accommodated. CURRENTLY ONGOING.

EE was helping to work on the right rear tire assembly. The operator in the tire handler was pushing the components together, while under pressure the left side retaining plate popped off, striking EE in the left knee after which it wrapped around his knee hitting the tire balancer, bouncing off it striking the back of EE's left leg.

Employee was riding in the back of a man van at the end of shift. The van hit a pot hole, causing the employee to be bounced. He came in the next shift and reported pain, but worked through the shift, seeing his PCP the next day; was taken off work for 2 days scheduled work days.

Employee stepped up on to bumper of a service truck to open the hood. When he stepped back down, he felt a pull in his right thigh muscle. Initially refused medical attention. The next day, he requested to be seen by his PCP, who recommended he see an orthopedic specialist. He was given a sleeve, and restrictions.

On 1/19/15 a supervisor reported while driving a pickup he hit some known bumps and bottomed out, and he alleged he experienced lower back pain. He went to his PCP 1/21/15, was given a full release to work. Employee then notified company he needed off due to personal health issues. On 4/22/15, company was notified employee alleges he's been off since 2/5/15 due to back injury.

Injured worker (IW) was getting out of the rear left side of his truck tailgate. The tailgate was in the down position IW stepped on to the left side back bumper to get off of the truck. He slipped and fell on his left side breaking his left wrist.

A warehouseman was cleaning some cylinders, preparing to label them for shipment. His hand slipped as he was getting up and hit a piece of the banding strap and cut himself just outside the palm. He was taken to the ER and received 3 sutures to close, a brace for 24 hours, and 5 week days restrictions.

Congested Area Employee was trying to lift too much weight. Un-plan job

Employee rolled out a hose on the lube shop floor, and while rolling it back up, employee felt a pop to his right shoulder, and discomforting pain. He was taken to the ER, given restrictions and referred to an orthopedic specialist.

Teammate was removing the lock ring from the left front wheel of a T732 haul truck. The teammate did not use the required T-bar for removal, which is designed to prevent the lock ring from falling on teammates. When he was removing the lock ring, it popped off and grazed the teammates elbow on the way down and created a contusion to his elbow.

Employee was setting out a geophysical survey line above 3A reservoir and was walking down the slope when he stepped on loose gravel on wet muddy ground, causing his ankle to twist, and he fell to the ground. Initially did not want to seek medical attention. Pain continued and he was seen by PCP on 1/19/15, referred to Ortho, diagnosed with fracture and casted, given light duty.

Employee was moving a load of cathodes from the cell line to the wash tank. While looking up at the load, he felt something fall in his right eye, presumed to be a drop of electrolyte, and his eye became irritated. He was taken to the ER, given a prescription and returned to work. Employee was wearing his PPE.

Injured worker was pulling drip lines out on a rocky leach area and as he was walking back he stumbled on a rock and fell. His helmet fell off during the fall and he hit his head on a rock. Injured worker received a laceration on the right side of his head. He received staples and was release to return to work the next day.

Haul truck operator had his window open as he pulled out of the shovel pit, dust came in the cab and got in his eye. He rubbed before flushing. Was taken to the ER, diagnosed with scratched cornea. Counseled to keep windows closed.

Employee put glove on & felt something hit finger. Should have reported bite by end of shift however bug bites happen all the time & are not reported. It wasn't until days later that medical attention was needed.

Injured finger when trying to assist a HQ 5' tube being lowered with the overshot down a dry 75 Deg. angle hold. Landing nut on the head contacted his left finger and pinched it between the tube head and the open box.

Employee was checking back flow devices in the well field, when he opened the box on one BFD, bees came out and began stinging him. He called for help, was transported to the ER where over 70 stings were counted, and medical treatment administered. RTW regular shift 8/10/15.

Employee was removing a bad track idler roller from a 330 Track Hoe. Job required use of hammer to remove old rollers from mounts. This caused a chip from one of the rollers to strike employee in upper lip causing small cut and swollen lip. First aid was rendered. A few days later employee discovered a piece of metal was in the wound in his lip.

Right Hand middle finger pinch.

Employee using a box cutter to cut ribbon accidentally punctured his leg. Took employee to get tetanus shot and doctor recommended stitches.

Employee was changing a socket on a 1/2"" impact, was attempting to push in the pin to release the socket, the socket came off and hit him in the mouth, breaking his tooth.

while removing a bearing with a brass hammer from a right hoist cylinder on a truck the bearing shattered and a piece of the bearing went by face shield and hit left side of neck.

Employee reported to his supervisor he felt ill, and thought he had overexerted in the heat. After going home, he continued to feel bad, went to the ER and was diagnosed with mild Heat Exhaustion, and released to next shift. Due to the lateness of discharge, 11:30 p.m., employee did not report to next shift.

Employee complained of feeling dizzy and cold. He was taken to the ER and diagnosed with dehydration, given fluids by IV and released to next shift.

EMPLOYEE WAS UNLATCHING THE BLOCK, OPERATOR FROM FMI LIFTED THE BOOM AND THE CHOCK BLOCK THAT WAS BEING USED AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE BOON AND THE CRADLE FELL APROX. 6FT. HITTING EMPLOYEE ON TOP OF HIS HARD HAT. EMPLOYEE WAS DAZED AT FIRST AND THEN UPPER EXTREMITIES BECAME SORE.