Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLCMining Incidents in 2004

Guide came loose in shaft causing skip to come off the guides damaging two sections in the shaft. Mine evacuated. Down Time 9:12 p.m., 12-28-04 to 8:00 a.m., 12-29-04.

Piece of metal broke loose where ore skip dumps in and fell into shaft. Damaged guides were replaced and shaft back into service at 6:15 a.m. on 12-25-04. Down Time 2:30 p.m. 12-24-04 to 6:15 a.m. 12-25-04.

Converter for hoist kicked out and ropes slipped. Changed encoder, 3 brush holders and cleaned communicator. Test runs made. Down Time: 12:45 a.m to 4:00 a.m.

Hoistman was filling out reports while running hoist, thought he missed cut-off bell and overspeeds limits had set. Overspeed limits didn't set, causing North skip to hit headframe cutting rope. Down 6:30 pm (11-2-04) to 2:20 pm (11-3-04).

Switch gear for crusher mtr. failed, causing main feeder breaker to trip off knocking power to Hoist & station power UG. Bore hole power for UG was still on. Work stopped UG. Electricians made necessary repairs & re-energized power. Down 8:50 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.

While regular hoist operator went to the restroom, the relief hoist operator ran the hoist the wrong way twice and hung it in the headframe. Hoist down 5:05 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Hoistman was trying to exhange chairs in the hoist cab while running. Accidentally hit brakes forward applying brakes on hoist with full power. Main breaker blew fuse. Hoist down 10:40 p.m. to 12:49 a.m.

While disconnecting battery charger for Ram Car #2166 from charger, one of the leads arced and caught ram car on fire. Crew turned the electrical power off and left the area because of smoke.

LIGHTNING STRUCK MAIN TRANSFORMER ON SURFACE CAUSING POWER OUTAGE TO SURFACE & UG. MSHA NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. MINE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY. TIME DOWN 6:55 P.M. TIME STARTED 12:30 A.M.

While hoisting, hoistman heard odd noise. He gave visual inspection, noticed rope slack on North drum, N. skip was hung. Replaced worn skip, mine evacuated. Down 3:19 a.m. to 6:20 a.m.

Training Hoist operator. Operator went past dump mark & triggered overtravel limits. Cager rang bell to hoist ore, skip was still hung up causing the North rope to unspool and ravel up. Down 10:51 a.m Up 6:00 p.m.

Hoist Outage excess 30 min. Directional relay went out. Began evacuation. Directional relay changed - Miners sent back to work. Down 7:10 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.

Ropes replaced-Hoistman & mechanic were setting marks to get initial stretch out of new ropes. N Prod. skip went past dump scrolls to bottom of headframe deck. Skip changed, ropes rechecked & released into service. Down 7:55 p.m. 5-13 to 7:25 p.m. 5-14.

Hoist down in excess of 30 minutes. During severe thunderstorm, stick switch stuck in headframe. Everything cleaned and reset. Mine was evacuated. Down from 1:01 a.m. to 5:05 a.m.

During thunderstorm hoist down in excess of 30 minutes due to power supply breaker not resetting. Reset breaker, test runs made. Hoist down from 11:15 p.m., 4-2-04 to 2:20 a.m., 4-3-04.

While adding a 3' drill steel to air hole, he felt a pop in his left shoulder when he lifted steels back into air hole. Began losing time 4-1-05

Employee was tramming an electric roof bolter. He released the tram controls and the bolter rocked. When it rocked back, it mashed his left foot between the frame and the floor. Fractured 3 toes on left foot.

AS HE WAS CLIMBING LADDER, A GATE AT THE TOP OF THE LADDER BROKE LOOSE AND HIT HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. STARTED LOSING TIME 3-1-05

While making up roof bolts, she walked around bolter and hit her head on low top, jamming her neck. Started losing time 6-26-04.

She was helping drill an air relief hole. While adding a drill steel, she mashed her left index finger between drill steel and mine roof. Stitches required.

Employee was welding on a Bird Motor frame. Trying to position the frame, it slipped off the table. He injured left wrist trying to catch it. Continued to work, started hurting worse. Became restricted duty 5-20-05.

Employee reached over a hand rail to pick up a V-Belt when he felt a sharp pain in his right side.

Removing kill switch with inpact. Side cover slid between rub bar and miner catching left index finger. 2 stitches required.

Employee walking toward truck stepped in hole and hit truck, cutting rt. forearm. Required stitches.

ATTEMPTING TO PULL SLACK FROM TAKE-UP TO MAKE BELT SPLICE. CHAIN HOOKED UNDER GUARD CAUSING IT TO FLIP UP AND HIT EMPLOYEE IN MOUTH, LACERATING LIP AND CHIPPING TOOTH. STITCHES REQUIRED.

Employee lifting tail piece with step jack - jack slipped and hit employee in the lower lip. Laceration - stitches required.

Employee was grinding a weld from side of hoist drum when foreign particles got in left eye. Continued working - went to DR. on 4-23-04 for irritation.