All MSHA-reportable accidents at Holcim US Inc operations in 2004. Fatalities appear first.
CONVEYOR BELT FIRE (25' BELT) AT THE FEED END OF THE RAW MATERIAL DRYER WHEN THE PLANT EXPERIENCED A POWER FAILURE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FEEDER UNDERGROUND SHORTING OUT, TAKING DOWN ALL POWER I N THE PLANT. LOCAL FIRE DEPT EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 45 MINS. NO ONE WAS IN AREA WHEN FIRE STARTED. MSHA WAS CALLED. LOOKING AT INSTALLING SLAM GATE AT FEED END.
Causes Unknown - Still under investigation. The victim was helping switch rail cars from a siding when he was struck & run over by the moving cars.
EE WAS WORKING WITH A CREW UNDERNEATH THE TABLE OF THE RAW MILL. HE LEFT THE WORK AREA AND HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET DOWN AN ADJACENT DUCT WHEN HE FELL INTO A PILE OF FLY ASH INSIDE THE DUCT.
WHILE CLEANING MUD FROM A ROTARY VALVE NEAR THE NORTH PRECIPITATOR, INJURED USED THE CREW CLEAN-OUT ENTRANCE AS A STEP-UP TO AVOID WALKING THROUGH CLAY DEBRIS. *AMPUTATION - RIGHT BIG TOE TO FIRST JOINT, ALONG WITH NEXT TOE TO JOINT.
CHANGED BLADE ON SAW, BLADE DID NOT GET TIGHTENED. BLADE CAME OFF SAW.
Air hose blew off the end coupling and then struck the mechanic on the right cheek. The mechanic required stitches to close the wound.
Plant man came to work on overhead crane it was hooked and didn't act hooked back up men was welding out a flange duct fell striking his leg
EMPLOYEE WAS SHORING I BEAM WHEN A PIECE OF SHORING SLIPPED KNOCKING EE TO GROUND. THE SHORING LANDED ON EE'S HIP CAUSING FRACTURE OF PELVIS.
Another employee was operating a hoist on 8th floor by lowering trash to ground. A piece of 3/4 inch plywood fell off load and struck injured on 6th floor. He was wearing proper PPE.
EE WAS REPLACING GRATING AFTER CHANGING SEPARATOR BLADES. GRATING SLIPPED OFF LIP, DROPPED AND JERKED EE RIGHT SHOULDER. REQUESTED DOCTOR VISIT ON 12/21 AND WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTED DUTY
EE WAS DRIVING A 1978 WABCO WATER TRUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE UNIT TRAVELED 300 FEET AND STOPPED ON A BERM. THE WATER SHIFTED AND THE TRUCK ROLLED 3/4. EE RECEIVED 4 BROKEN AND 3 CRACKED RIBS. (EE WAS NOT THROWN FROM VEHICLE.)
PUSHING AGAINST 3/4"" DRILL, HE OVER STRETCHED A MUSCLE IN LEFT KNEE. INITIAL DOCTOR VISITS WERE OBSERVATIONAL - NO WORK RESTRICTIONS. LAST DOCTOR'S VISIT DETERMINED SURGERY IS NECESSARY AND WILL BE DONE ON 12-16-04.
EE WAS REMOVING LINER PLATES FROM SLURRY MILL NO. 1. EE WAS STRIKING LINER PLATE WITH SLEDGE HAMMER TO MOVE THE PLATE WHEN HIS FINGER WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN SLEDGEHAMMER HANDLE AND A PORTA-POWER RAM THAT WAS BEING USED TO ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE LINER PLATES.
EE states that he was walking outside the logistics office when he slipped on some ice and fell to the ground.
EMPLOYEE WAS ON A SCAFFOLD AND WAS NOT TIED OFF. EMPLOYEE FELL FROM A LYING DOWN POSITION WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO FIT BETWEEN THE DECK BOARDS AND THE HANDRAIL. IT IS STILL UNDETERMINED WHY HE WAS LYING DOWN.
EE was walking downstairs when he felt a sharp pain in his rt knee. He sustained a sprain to his right knee.
While cutting a railroad rail w/torch, injured's right foot was injured when rail snapped, causing fracture to middle toe and laceration requiring stitches. Stitches, meds, restrictions (light duty).
Employee was moving bags of product from south doorway of Rainbow Facility. When he bent down to lift bags, on way back up felt pain in lower back.
While walking down steps of Bucket Wheel Scooter, Employee stepped on marl and twisted left ankle.
WHILE GATHERING SAMPLES, INJURED GOT RIGHT HAND & THUMB SMASHED BY SCOOP HANDLE, AS THE SCOOP GOT CAUGHT BY THE PAN CONVEYOR. SPLINT; INTERMIT. COLD PACKS FOR 1-2 DAYS; AVOID USE OF RIGHT HAND/ARM; THERAPY; MEDS.
EE ATTEMPTED TO UNPLUG COMPRESSOR WITH A WELDING ROD WHICH CAUSED HOT WATER TO SPRAY ON HIS RIGHT ARM.
Employee was checking the cooler fan and something stung his Right Hand
WHILE TORCHING METAL UNDER #2 KILN, INJURED FELT BURNING IN RIGHT EYE. THOUGHT IT WOULD JUST GO AWAY, HOWEVER, GOT WORSE. REMOVED FOREIGN MATERIAL AT EYE CLINIC. NO OPERATION OF HAZARDOUS EQUIP. SEDENTARY WORK.
EE WAS REMOVING LINER PLATES FROM SLURRY MILL NO.1. EE WAS STRIKING LINER PLATE WITH SLEDGE HAMMER TO MOVE THE PLATE WHEN A PIECE OF METAL CAME LOOSE FROM THE LINER PLATE & STRUCK THE EE
EE WAS CLEANING FEED SHELF OF KILN: OPENED DOOR ON THE S/E SIDE OF SHELF. A WALL WAS BUILDING UP ON THE EAST FACE & DECIDED TO BAR IT DOWN WITH A SCRAPER BAR. WHILE WORKING ON THE BUILD-UP A CHUNK BLEW OUT & WENT UNDER VISOR THE CHUCK HIT MICROPHONE & FELL DOWN SHIRT CAUSING 2ND & 3RD DEG BURNS ON NECK & CHEST. LIGHT DUTY UNTIL RELEASED BY DR.
Employee was removing the top door on the #2 finish mill elevator and the bottom door fell on the top of his left foot.
WHILE GOING DOWN LOAD OUT STAIRS AT THE RAIL SILO, INJURED CAUGHT HIMSELF FALLING AND INVERTED LEFT ANKLE. *X-RAYS, CRUTCHES/SPLINT, SEDENTARY WORK.
WHILE CLIMBING THE LADDER OF 992 LOADER, INJURED LOST GRIP WITH LEFT HAND CAUSING HIM TO FALL ABOUT 15 FEET. STEPS MAY HAVE BEEN SLIPPERY. EMPLOYEE FELL INTO MUD. RESTRICTED TO SEDENTARY WORK, AVOID KNEELING, SQUATTING, STAIRS, CLIMBING. NO OPERATION OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT. AVOID ABOVE SHOULDER LIFTING. MEDICATION GIVEN; X-RAYS TAKEN.
EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING TOO MUCH WEIGHT AND FELT A POPPING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT ARM. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLINIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A STRAIN. HE WILL BE ON RESTRICTED DUTY FOR A WEEK OR TWO.
THE INJURED WAS ASSISTING INSTALLATION OF THE CENTER COVER ON RAW MILL TABLE. THE INJURED HAD HIS LEFT HAND UNDER THE CENTER COVER AS IT WAS BEING LOWERED ONTO THE RAW MILL TABLE. THE COVER SLIPPED WHILE IT WAS BEING LOWERED AND TRAPPED THE INJURED LEFT HAND BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE RAW MILL TABLE.
ALLEDGES THAT WHILE PULLING ON ACCESS GATE TO INSPECTOR DOOR HANDLE FROM LADDER, INJURED STRAINED LEFT SHOULDER.
WHILE GETTING INTO TRUCK, INJURED ALLEGES THAT HE SLIPPED ON THE ICE. HE IS NOW COMPLAINING OF NECK AND BACK PAIN.
EE WAS ALIGNING BELTS ON A CLINKER COOLER COMPARTMENT FAN & WHILE HE WAS MANUALLY TURNING THE BELTS HE GOT THE TIP OF HIS MIDDLE FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN THE SHEAVE AND BELT. THE PINCHED FINGER REQUIRED STITCHES AND THE BONE IS CRACKED.
EE REMOVED A PLATE COVERING A 2'X 2'OPENING IN THE FLOOR GRATING TO LOWER A GEAR BOX SHAFT THROUGH. THE POWER CABLE TO THE CRANE WAS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY SO EE MOVED TO CORRECT THE CABLE & TURNED AROUND & STEPPED INTO THE OPENING HE CREATED. HIS RT. LEG WENT INTO THE OPENING CAUSING A CUT ON THE FRONT SIDE OF LOWER LEG, 20 STITCHES.
While traveling on haul road in 252 long hauler, injured hit bump in road and bottomed out in seat- hurt back and neck.
WHILE USING A HEAVY STEEL BAR TO CLOSE SIDES ON HOPPPER CARS, EE FELT LEFT SHOULDER PAIN.
Employee was using hydraulic ram to reposition broken stationary cast iron beam on N. side of #3 clinker cooler. Cast beam broke at web and bottom flange (3"" X 15"" long) broke off and struck employee's hard hat, causing it to break and cut employee's forehead.
EE WAS USING A POCKET KNIFE TO SCRAPE OFF SILICONE RUBBER ON A PLATE FOR SILO B. KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT HAND BETWEEN THE LEFT THUMB AND FOREFINGER.
EE WAS USING A BATTERING RAM TO DRIVE CLAY HAMMER PIN BACK INTO PLACE WHEN HIS FINGER WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE BATTERING RAM AND THE CLAY BREAKER PIN. EE WAS WEARING LEATHER GLOVES AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY.
While EE was working on the rainbow bagging machine at the rainbow area, he turned off the machine to check the broken bolt. The upper portion of the bolt snapped down by air pressure and struck the EE's right index finger.
EE WAS CHANGING FUEL TANKS FROM ONE TRUCK TO ANOTHER. EE WAS UNDER TRUCK TAKING OUT BOLTS WHEN DIRT/RUST FELL INTO HIS RIGHT EYE.
Employee was using a chipping hammer to remove cement buildup from the framework of C-16 and C-20 conveyor belts when a foreign object entered her right eye. Foreign body was removed, but resulted in a corneal abrasion, and prescription medication was administered.
EMPLOYEE WAS ENTERING THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND HAD JUST TOUCHED THE OUTSIDE DOORK NOB WHEN ANOTHER EMPLOYEE INSIDE THE BUILDING WAS PUSHING THE DOOR OUTWARD. THE DOOR KNOB STRUCK HER THUMB.
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING DOWN STAIRS, SLIPPED ON THE BOTTOM STEP AND TWISTED HIS FOOT - HAIRLINE FRACTURE, LITTLE TOE. THE EMPLOYEE RETURNED TO WORK FULL DUTY WITH NO DOCTOR RESTRICTIONS.
EE FAILED TO CLOSE PROPER VALVE TO SHUT OFF FLOW OF MATERIAL PRIOR TO DISCONNECTING A HOSE USED FOR UNLOADING TANKER TRUCKS
Employee strained his lower back when he lifted on a metal raw mill lifter inside of the first compartment of the mill. He was replacing the lifters during mill shutdown. He saw the doctor on 9/13/04, at which time he was given an osteopathic manipulative treatment.
NOT WEARING PROPER PPE GLOVES, EE PUNCTURED HAND WHILE SHOVELING.
While working around #2 kiln TDF blower, injured felt dust blow into his right eye. Prescription drops.
While collecting samples, injured got foreign material clinker dust in right eye from clinker belt above.
EE. was making rounds, when he slipped and fell on the wet dust which appeared to be dry to him. He sustained an injury pain to his rt hip and elbow.
Employee was manually manuvering metal rails already loaded on the forks of a forklift, the rails shifted which clipped the end of his middle finger on left hand. This caused a smashed finger tip.
Employee had been performing maintenance on cement clinker cooler drive. While stepping down off of the reducer base, he struck his right elbow on a piece of angle iron, causing a laceration that required two sutures to close.
Ee was tightening a bolt on the coal mill when his hand slipped. this caused the cc to strike his hand against the housing.
Ee was cutting radiator hose. He was using a knife that was inadequate for the job & was also cutting toward his body. Another factor that led to the accident was that his hands were also slightly oily. The knife slipped while cutting the hose & struck the ee in the leg causing a small laceration which required three stitches.
Employee stated he raised his face shield and then small pieces of ground up material(from grinding with a hand grinder), slipped down behind the upper part of the face shield and got into his eye.
Employee was exiting a barge and stepping out onto the concrete cell when he struck his head (wearing his hard hat) on cross bracing at the barge loading cells.
Employee manual material handling a few metal drums; lid on one drum was damaged, drum shifted causing a small laceration to back of right hand.
WHILE SHOVELING OUT SCREW, INJ HAD WIND BLOW DUST IN FACE & RIGHT EYE.
WHILE CLEANING CHUNKS OUT OF SCREW, INJURED FELT WIND BLOW DUST ON FACE. WHEN HE REPORTED TO WORK THE NEXT A.M. HE HAD IRRITATION, DRYNESS & BURNING IN LEFT EYE. REMOVED TWO SMALL PARTICLES. PRESCRIPTION EYE DROPS. FLUORSCEIN STAIN.
EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET INTO WATER TRUCK & SLIPPED. EE CAUGHT HIMSELF WITH HIS LEFT SHOULDER & FELT SOMETHING PULL. EE HAS HAD SURGERY ON SAME SHOULDER SEPT.2003 FROM NON-WORK RELATED INJURY. PUT ON RESTRICTED DUTY UNTIL FURTHER EVALUATION.
EE tried to break security seal on whole tire trailer door with hand. Hand slipped cutting left index finger on security seal.
EE STATED THAT WHILE WORKING ON A MOTOR/BRAKER, DEBRIS FLEW INTO HIS LEFT EYE.
Employee was using an hydraulic cylinder to remove a coupling from the shaft of a piece of equipment in the maintenance shop. While pushing the coupling off the shift, he mashed the end of his left ring finger between the push plate and coupling. The crush injury resulted in a fractured tuft of left ring finger.
Employee was performing electrical maintenance on electrostatic precipitator control cabinet. While changing the cooler fan on the SCR heat sink, he cut the middle finger of his left hand on a sharp burr on the mounting bracket inside the cabinet. This resulted in a laceration that required 5 sutures to close.
EE TWISTED BACK WHILE CLIMBING OVER FENCE TO MILL ROOM CRANE. FELT STRAIN IN LOWER BACK. EE REQUESTED MEDICAL TREATMENT 3/10/04. REPORTABLE DUE TO MULTIPLE CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENTS.
Employee was performing preventive maintenance on high pressure compressor in the air compressor room at Shipping. The discharge air line separated at the joint when compressor was started for testing, causing a loud discharge of air pressure near ee. Saw Dr. on 5/12/04 and was referred to ENT specialist on 5/20/04. Dx: barotrauma to rt. ear with low frequency hearing loss.
WHILE PREPARING TO INSPECT & CLEAN THE CEMENT PLANT DUST COLLECTOR, EE STRUCK HIS HEAD (WEARING HARD HAT) WHILE ENTERING THE DOORWAY OF THE DUST COLLECTOR & JAMMED HIS NECK. EE DID NO SEE A DR UNTIL 2/23/04 & ON 2/26/04 HE RECEIVED OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT.
THE EE WAS HELPING TO REMOVE SPILLAGE FROM LOADING HOPPER WHEN HE CAUGHT HIS RT.INDEX FINGER BETWEEN A GUARD & A SECTION CHAIN. THE EE SUSTAINED A LACERATION ON HIS FINGER THAT REQUIRED SIX STITCHES
Employee bumped his left knee on the edge of a cooler grate while rushing to extinguish a fire on #1 cement clinker cooler drive. He was carrying 2 fire extinguishers at the time. Injury became reportable on 3/26/04 when employee saw orthopedic specialist who prescribed physical therapy.
DURING KILN SHUTDOWN, EMPLOYEE WAS USING IMPACT WRENCH TO TIGHTEN BOLTS ON THE MID-KILN PROBES AT THE ROTARY KILN BETWEEN THE SHELL AND SHROUD. TO DO THE JOB, HE HAD TO LAY ON HIS BACK OR SIDE , AND HE GOT A FOREIGN BODY IN HIS RIGHT EYE. PHYSICIAN REMOVED FB WITH NEEDLE AND PRESCRIBED MEDICATION.
MAIN VALVE SHUTE ALLOWED CEMENT TO PACK ABOVE VALVE, LOCKING EMERGENCY VALVE, CAUSING VALVE TO STAY OPEN. EE CONTINUED TO PULL EMERGENCY VALVE WITH BOTH ARMS AND FULL BODY FORCE UNTIL VALVE FINALLY SHUT. EE FELT PULL IN RIGHT SHOULDER.
EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING A BIN WITH A METAL BAR. MATERIAL FROM ABOVE FELL STRIKING THE BAR AND THE LEVERAGE PINCHED EMPLOYEE'S HAND AGAINST BIN. LACERATION AND TENDON DAMAGE TO RH MID FINGER.
Employee was assisting with an I-beam as a spotter and guide. The beam hit the wall which caused the rope to slip from his hands dropping the beam on his right foot.
BEARING BOLT ON A SYMETRO GEARBOX WAS CUT WITH A TORCH. THE BOLT BECAME AIRBORNE ONCE THE CUT WAS MADE DUE TO STORED ENERGY FROM TORQUE. THE BOLT STRUCK EMPLOYEE'S LEFT HIP.
Material handling while working on concrete silo roof. Heat index for the day was 105 degrees.
EE'S SUPERVISOR STARTED LOOKING FOR HIM WHEN HE GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THE EE WHEN CALLED ON PLANT RADIO. HE FOUND HIS FRONT END LOADER AT THE BASE OF THE CLINKER SILO SO HE WENT TO THE TOP OF T HE SILO WHERE THE EE COULD BE TAKING MEASUREMENTS. HE CLIMBED DOWN A LADDER TO CLINKER BELT WALKWAY, HE COULD SEE THE EE W/HIS RT.ARM OVER THE TOP HANDRAIL, SLUMPED OVER, HEAD DOWN.CALLED HEL
Employee was working in a tight area 331 wf4 dump pocket putting new lines on the discharge chute. employee went to change hand when he was welding and the torch slipped from left hand and the flame caught the right wrist causing second degree burns.
While shoveling material from around #4 finish feed pump, injured felt pull in lower left back. meds. 15 lb restrictions-however working own jobs/no modifications. moderate restrictions.
EMPLOYEE WALKING/WEARING BOOTS CAUSED A PAINFUL BLISTER ON TOE. EMPLOYEE TAKEN TO MEDICL FACILITY FOR CLEANING. EE RETURNED TO WORK WITH NO RESTRICTIONS.