Imerys Marble IncMining Incidents in 2005

Employee was adjusting seat in Euclid haul truck, felt burning sensation in lower back. Went to doctor on 12/29, low back strain.

Employee was in a manbasket attached to a forklift. The basket was 5 feet above the ground. While lowering the basket, the forks stuck momentarily, the chain continued to move, then the forks fell 3-1/2 feet stopping the basket 1-1/2 feet above the ground. The sudden stop casued the employee to strike his throat on the manbasket handrail.

Driller was working underground near pillar M 25, stepped out of the machine to the mine floor, reportedly a small piece of marble fell striking him on the top of the hardhat. The area was checked and rescaled, no loose rock discovered in the roof.

Employee was stepping off ladder of tanker truck onto the ground and turned left foot.

73 year old employee walking down steps near CS-11 bagger, stepped from first step to concrete floor, twisted left foot. Hairline fractures in left ankle and left foot.

RESTACKING 100 LB BAGS OF POOL MIX FROM ONE DEFECTIVE PALLET TO A GOOD PALLET. PICKED UP A BAG AND FELT A SHARP PAIN ON HIS LOWER BACK.

Employee was placing a pallet on the semi bulk bagger and felt pain in his lower back

Employee was working on #2 Tube Mill, twisting and turning performing maintenance work, strained lower back sometime after lunch. No exact time given for accident.

Employee was sitting on catwalk near Plant 5 screens, throwing spilled rock off catwalk. When he stood up he felt a tightness in his lower back. Did not report to supervisor until 10/03/2005 at 11:00 am. Went to company doctor on 10/06/2005 and was placed on restricted duty ( no lifting over 20 #).

Supervisor was walking up stairs at Plant 5, walked under low steel beam, stood up thinking he was clear and struck his head on the bottom of the beam. He was wearing a hardhat at the time.

Employee was holding a metal rod while another employee was striking with a hammer trying to free up a machine part. Hammer struck employee's pinky finger on his right hand, resulting in two small fractures

Employee was using a hoist and a come-a-long to lift and position a air sifter. The come-a-long slipped pinching his right index finger.

Loading trucks. Employee was pulling on a latch while opening a lid and felt pain in the right rib area.

Employee was bagging super sacks (2000# bags). When he released the holding straps, the filled bag began to lean and roll towards him. He attempted to manually hold the bag in place, it pushed him to the concrete floor, straining his lower back.

Employee claims to have injured his lower back while stacking bags at Plant 4. Injury was not reported to management until 6/20/2005. Claim is currently under investigation. Company doctor released employee to work under modified duty. Next doctor visit on 7/6/2005.

Employee was attempting to break a rock in a metal chute with a steel bar and a hammer. While striking the steel bar with the hammer, his right index finger was struck by the hammer. Hairline fracture to tip of finger.

Employee was passenger in the powder truck. Truck was stopping at the mine office, truck operator stated throttle stuck and the truck struck a company pickup and the side of the mine office. No initial injuries, passenger requested medical treatment the next day. The powder truck was inspected and no defects were found.

EE was cleaning out from under palletizer at Plant 5. EE raised up and hit hard hat on steel framing of machine. Reported to supervisor on 3/24, requested medical treatment at that time. Strain to neck.

Employee was driving Getman Scaler #1 out of upper dolomite area of Mine #4, ran over rock or edge of roadway, causing cab to rock upwards quickly. Employee hit top of forehead on light attached to cab frame. Cut to forehead requiring 6 stitches. Employee was wearing hardhat and seat belt at the time of the accident.

Haul truck driver sitting in cab waiting to be loaded. Loader placed a large piece of marble in the bed, jolting the truck cab. The rocking motion injured the haul trucker operator's lower back.

Employee operates a Trackmobile. Over several days, developed a pain in the left knee while performing normal operator duties. Informed manager on 2/22/2005 of the pain and requested medical treatment. No record of an actual injury date. Doctor diagnosed slight strain to left knee. Returned to work same day.

Employee was walking down stairs in shop(4 steps) from restroom, missed a step and fell to the floor, approx 28 inches. Caught himself by his left hand, bruised/strained middle finger on left hand.

Employee was adjusting the tracking on a newly installed conyeyor belt, right hand slipped and was caught between the belt and a small tension roller. Cut to the right pinky finger (four stitches) and abrasions to the back of the right hand.

Employee was using a come-along to lift a roll of conveyor belting. Other miners attempted to slide the roll into position. The come-along slipped out and the chain struck the injured employee in the head. Required 6 stitches in his left earlobe and 3 stitches behind his left ear.

EE was looking through screens at the maintenance pole shed. EE stepped down approx. 6 inches and felt sudden extreme pain in lower back.

Employee was working on an airlock, hit pinky finger on left hand with hammer. Cut to tip of finger, requiring 4 stitches. Returned to work full duty.

Employee was assisting in removing a small feeder bin (approx 4 feet long, 2 feet wide,3 feet high) in pelletizer bagging area at Plant 4. The bin rocked to one side, striking his right hand against a support brace. Cut to pinky finger on right hand requiring stitches. Returned to work full duty.