All MSHA-reportable accidents at Lehigh Southwest Cement Company operations in 2013. Fatalities appear first.
The elevator door did not close fully due to material build-up in the track; this prevented the door switch to make contact causing the doors to stay closed. The Cal. licensed elevator technician cycled the power allowing the doors to open so that the employee could walk out of the elevator; the technician then cleaned the track and switches. Contacted MSHA and they laughed.
On Wednesday 02/06/2013 five people were in our service elevator when it became stuck at the 3rd floor. The condition lasted over 30 minutes until the elevator service company responded and activated the elevator.
Four haul trucks were started on fire. The fire investigator has classified this fire as a arson.
An employee with 12 years experience was reclaiming clinker, when he came in contact with hot material, causing 2nd and 2nd and a half degree burns to 15% of his upper extremities.
Driver injured when seat of loader broke, pushing her forward in the cab and held her in an awkward position. The welds holding the seat had broken in two spots, allowing the scissor mechanism to force it forward. The driver requested no medical help or treatment at the time of the injury.
Worker smelled unpleasant odor while cleaning up dirt / debris in the Raw Mill Bldg. 3rd floor and Preheat Tower. It has been assumed it was stack gas from either the wind blowing some into the tower or the process going positive for a short time.
Worker smelled unpleasant odor while cleaning up dirt / debris in the Raw Mill third floor Bldg. and Preheat Tower. It has been assumed it was stack gas from either the wind blowing some into the tower or the process going positive for a short time.
Worker smelled unpleasant odor while cleaning up dirt / debris in the Raw Mill third floor Bldg. and Preheat Tower. It has been assumed it was stack gas from either the wind blowing some into the tower or the process going positive for a short time.
Worker smelled unpleasant odor while cleaning up dirt / debris in the Raw Mill third floor Bldg. and Preheat Tower. It has been assumed it was stack gas from either the wind blowing some into the tower or the process going positive for a short time.
Worker smelled unpleasant odor while cleaning up dirt / debris in the Raw Mill third floor Bldg. and Preheat Tower. It has been assumed it was stack gas from either the wind blowing some into the tower or the process going positive for a short time.
Left hand pinkie finger was caught between the safety hand rail of a man lift and the equipment cross beam while cleaning up fugitive dust and buildup. Finger was lacerated, 19 stitches required. Possible partially torn tendon in finger. Employee referred to specialist for further treatment.
On 4/24/2013, the employee went to move a barrel; the barrel had material in it he did not know of. He felt a slight twinge in his shoulder, but did not think much of it. On 8/22, a doctor placed him on restricted duty due to found tissue scarring in his shoulder.
During the process of loading tires from one trailer to another, employee was struck in the leg by a rolling tire, as he was crossing its path. Employee sustained a hyperextension sprain/contusion to his left knee.
Employee was lacing tires into a trailer as he turned to pick up another tire to lace into the trailer he was hit be a rolling tire on the side of his leg resulting in a sprain in his knee.
Employee (mobile equipment mechanic) was loosening bolts on a loader wear plate. He used his left hand to push the bolt into the recessed sleeve, and his right hand on an impact wrench to loosen the bolt. When he activated the wrench, the bolt spun, cutting his thumb.
The employee was in an elevator with 2 other employees, traveling to the 3rd floor of the Main Service Building, when the elevator malfunctioned, and overtraveled past the 3rd floor landing, running into the top of the shaft. The elevator then dropped 3 to 4 ft. before stopping abruptly at the 3rd floor landing, causing a lower back strain.
Employee was moving empty barrels. While moving one barrel, another barrel behind it shifted and fell striking the employee on the left foot.
Employee was carrying a driscoll pipe to install in a sump. The employee stated the ground was muddy, and as he was stepping onto a 2 step crossover, he felt himself slipping, and threw the pipe ahead of him onto the crossover. The pipe then bounced once it landed on the crossover, striking the employee in the shin.
Employee was working to rebuild a Roll Press, when a plate slid from the top cab of the press striking the employee on the head, causing a 2"" laceration that requiring 8 sutures.
Employee was using his leg to close the door on an empty coal car. He had pushed the door so that the latch was caught on the '1st' notch of the lock. As a second employee was closing a door on the other side, the vibration caused the first door to pop open and hit the employee's left shin causing a laceration.
The miner is a garage mechanic that has noticed his hands cracking towards the end of the work week. He was sent to the clinic which diagnosed him with occupational dermatitis, and was given modified duty.
Employee cut on forehead by 1/2 inch plastic sampling line, required stitches. EE was working on a kiln sampler probe line. It was a small flexible plastic tube. He left area and when he returned to re-attach it something bumped the line and caused it to move, he was struck by the brass fitting above the eyebrow as he was reaching for it.
While the EE was setting up a ladder to assist a fellow employee who was working on a level above, he looked up and the other employee brushed some dust free that fell onto his safety glasses. When he moved his head, a piece of dust made it past the edge of the safety glasses and into his left eye. The clinic then issued the EE prescription eye drops as a precautionary measure.