All MSHA-reportable accidents at Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mines Company operations in 2016. Fatalities appear first.
At 13:07, pipeline security rover noticed a small brush fire west of MM 5 in a remote, non mining or plant area off of the Lake One Road. Mine ERRT responded, discovered what appeared to have been a camp fire that spread to some brush. Fire was called out at 13:54.
A cross arm failed on a power pole, a fire was identified as smoking/glowing. The fire brigade responded, on standby until the electricians isolated the power. The fire would appear to have been extinguished by the heavy, wet snow, but wind would cause it to flare up. Fire exceeded 30 minutes, and confirmed extinguished at 7:00 a.m. MSHA was notified 4:50.
Employee was attempting to close a valve and got EE's hand caught between the valve handle and valve body, bruising EE's pinky and side of EE's hand. EE initially refuse treatment. On 1/4/17, EE reported ongoing pain to EE's supervisor, saw EE's PCP and was taken off work 3 days.
Employee was backing to shovel when shovel operator inadvertently tripped dipper early. Material hit dovetail, causing truck to bounce, jarring the employee. EE was taken to the ER, referred to PCP. CURRENTLY ONGOING.
The first loader bucket in a haul truck caused a loud noise, driver noticed window was spidered. As driver was taken by pickup to office to complete report, they told supervisor they had some back pain. Was take to ER and released. On 12/5, went to PCP, taken off until 12/20 appt. Ongoing.
While installing grease injector guard plate shifted, causing mechanic to move reactively, causing pain in shoulder. Employee was seen by an orthopedist, and taken off work. CURRENTLY ONGOING.
Employee missed a step on a ladder and then noticed knee popped a few times. Employee initially refused treatment, but at end of day noticed swelling on knee. Employee went to the ER, referred to orthopedic specialist and taken off work. Specialist released employee to full duty 10/26/16.
After a rain event, haul truck left the stockpile, began to slide, doing a 180, and came to a stop. 2nd truck came off the dump, attempted to stop, slid sideways into 1st truck. 2nd driver was seen at ER on 10/12 and fully released. Oct. 15 employee complained of back spasms, went to PCP, and taken off work. CURRENTLY ONGOING.
While loading a ripper tip on truck, mechanic placed hand in the line of fire, and the ripper tip cut and fractured ring finger. CURRENTLY ONGOING
While utilizing a forklift to move the drive pulley of the coarse ore conveyor, the crew decided to re-rig the load. Then as they lifted the load, it shifted, made contact with the employee, causing ee to hit a structure beam.
Employee had trouble with the dump lever when attempting to dump the haul truck. EE gave it another good pull, and felt a pop in EE's shoulder. EE was taken to the ER, referred to a specialist, Currently ongoing.
Employee claims seat bottomed out driving over transition from dump to haul road. Employee was taken to the ER, and given a full release to next shift. On 9/12/16, company received medical documentation removing employee from work due to event as of 9/1/16. Currently Ongoing.
Operator reported the haul truck was riding rough on 08/18. On 8/24 employee called work requesting to be seen by a physician for symptoms EE attributed to the rough riding haul truck. EE was given restrictions company cannot accommodate and referred for PT. Currently Ongoing.
Worker states they removed goggles and put on safety glasses to pick up tools and hoses. While picking up worker states it felt like something got in left eye. Worker rubbed left eye.
Employee was operating a haul truck towards the shovel pit, hit a pot hole hidden by mud, jarring employee's back. CURRENTLY ONGOING
While trying to walk up the main truck ladder carrying a small tool bag and a bucket, employee felt like EE pulled a muscle on EE's right calf muscle.
Employee was working on haul truck at a ready line, slipped and caught self with EE's left hand. EE was seen at the ER, and was released. EE's hand continued to ache, and finally went to an orthopedic specialist on 9/27. EE was diagnosed with a hyperextended wrist, had a cast applied and taken off work. ONGOING.
Employee was assisting moving cable, had hooked the cable to the front bumper of the pickup. Pickup driver put the vehicle in reverse, it rolled forward making contact with the ground employee's knee. Employee felt a pop. Initially no restrictions, referred to orthopedic, surgery on 10/5/16. Currently ongoing.
Employee was using a pry bar to remove a sag filler ring and as employee was prying down, a steel ball above the ring struck employee on the side of the head. Employee was taken to the ER, diagnosed with a mild concussion and taken off work 2 days.
Employee states as EE was exiting the man van at the end of night shift, EE felt a sharp pain in back. EE reported it when EE returned the evening of 6/20/16, and sent to see EE's PCP. Days off started 6/21, appointment on 6/24, taken off work until 7/4/16.
In employee parking lot, employee thought personal vehicle was out of gear, turned the key, it lunged backwards, striking the vehicle to the right. Injured employee was leaning against the rear of the vehicle on the right, waiting for carpool, was struck by parked car, causing back pain.
ON 6/28/16, employee reported that on 6/16/16 EE was stepping off a 2-step platform, and felt severe back pain. EE thought could work through the pain, but it got too bad. EE also stated this could be a re-injury of EE's 3/28/16 incident. EE saw PCP and taken off work at least 2 weeks.
Employee strained groin while welding a patch on a chute.
Employee was boarding a haul truck, activated the switch to raise the boarding ladder, and got hand pinned between the handrail and switch, bruising hand. Was taken to the ER, no fracture, but told to follow up with PCP. Currently Ongoing.
Employee had eaten lunch sitting in a pickup. When finished, went to a shed to get some rags, opened the back door of the pickup, became disoriented due to personal medical condition, fell to one knee then backwards, causing pain in knee. ONGOING, waiting to be seen by orthopedic specialist.
Employee was putting seatbelt on at the ready line. EE grabbed the belt and as EE pulled, the belt jammed. EE's hand continued in motion and hit the door, injuring EE's left ring finger. EE was taken to Urgent Care, taken off work, referred to an orthopedic specialist. CURRENTLY ONGOING.
Employee was removing approx. 4 - 5.25"" grinding balls that were mixed with the 1.5"" balls. When EE picked up the first one, it slipped from gloved hand and hit the ground. Some unknown object struck EE in the mouth, breaking a tooth. EE was taken to dentist and tooth was capped.
Haul truck operator had just pulled up to be loaded when the shovel dumped the first dipper, jarring the employee. Once loaded EE went to tie down area, and reported pain in neck. EE was taken to the ER and diagnosed with cervical strain, referred to PCP. Currently ONGOING.
Employee reported rough ride on haul truck, mechanic observed bed had too much movement. Truck was downed, and driver reassigned to another truck. EE initially refused treatment, but about 2:20 p.m. requested to be taken to personal physician. EE was given restrictions company cannot accommodate, CURRENTLY ONGOING.
Employee was helping unplug the discharge chute of an apron feeder, using a hammer, when hand slid forward and EE struck right ring finger on the door chute. EE was taken to the ER, diagnosed with a contusion. ER doctor asked how many days off EE wanted and took off EE after scheduled days off to 4/26. Second doctor gave EE one day off, 4/20.
Mechanic was loosening a bolt from a discharge hose when the wrench slipped, and EE fell on their back. EE's hand hit the water hose valve, cutting and fracturing pinky finger. EE was taken to the ER, diagnosed with acute back strain and fractured pinky, taken off work pending follow up with orthopedic specialist. CURRENTLY ONGOING
Driving broken pin on bucket with Porta Power unit. Vibration caused hose guard of unit to fall and lacerated/crushed miners tip of right index finger of gloved hand.
Walking on leach field, tripped on drip line, fell forward, caught fall with hands.
Employee was machining on a lathe when a metal string wrapped around the part. As lathe came to a stop, employee reached with a pair of pliers to cut the string, but the string cut the employee. EE received 3 sutures and 3 days restrictions.
Employee was attempting to close a water valve, located below the lime slurry platform. Lime slurry ran over edge, getting on employee's wrist, just above the glove line. Employee failed to clean it off immediately, causing a chemical burn.
Replacing old floor grate with new. While standing on existing grate, grate broke causing ankle to twist.
IE and another EE were installing a left rear inner wheel on the T732 Haul Truck. As they were lifting the lock ring to hang into position, lock ring did not properly hang in the lock ring groove and sprung back off and smashed IE's right hand pinky finger between the lock ring and flange as IE tried to release it.
Employee was conducting cell maintenance when a small fire started on the liner. Employee attempted to pat out fire with gloved hand, the glove caught fire, and employee sustained 2nd degree burns on right hand. Employee was treated and released with restrictions. CURRENTLY ONGOING
Employee was unloading a weight from the back of a flatbed when the weight fell and cut EE's fingers. EE was taken to the ER, received sutures, and 2 weeks restrictions. CURRENTLY ONGOING.
Installing driveline and metal splinter came off of hammer face penetrated glove and went into knuckle.
Employee was cutting a wire tie on the drill rod support with a knife and cut EE's thumb in the process. EE received 6 stitches.
Employee had completed crane tasks, and was parking the crane, lifted the PAPR visor, and a drop of condensation or rain fell from the ceiling onto forehead and rolled under the safety glasses into eye, causing a burning sensation. Employee was taken to the ER and given prescription ointment, and returned to work.
EE removed a lock ring off the T719 Right rear inner wheel. As EE attempted to position the lock ring at the end of the hub final, EE had to move lock ring over a portion of mud. The lock ring then swung forward smashing right ring finger between the lock ring and the hub final as EE grabbed the lock ring to stop the swinging.
Mechanic was loading shovel teeth in the back of service truck, using a jib crane. As EE placed one in the bed, dust came up and EE felt it go under safety glasses and into eye. EE went to the shop, reported to supervisor, taken to the ER. EE's eyes were flushed, prescription to prevent infection, and returned to work.
Cleaning a part using shurshot compressed air dispenser with degreaser when ee accidentally discharged the spray and it went into ear. Flushed ear with water and miner is sensitive to oil products which caused an irritation requiring prescriptions.