Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyMining Incidents in 2021

A miner had been stick welding carbon steel in a head box and later experienced welders eye due to exposure to UV light. The miner received medical treatment and was prescribed medication and lost time.

On 6/29/21 Employee requested to be sent to the clinic for lower back pain. Employee said EE felt a tightening of lower back muscles soon after arriving home from work. Employee couldn't pinpoint any particular task/incident that could have caused the pain and they only performed normal routine duties (cleaning, sweeping shoveling, bin tender operation).

Employee reported pain/discomfort radiating from the right lower back from bending and lifting pigment bags into the mixing pot.

Miner was working in screening building and reported discomfort and watering of the eye due to suspected dust. Miner was given first aid to flush the eye out. The next day the miner reported the same symptoms and was sent to a health clinic. The miner was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and prescribed medication and lost time.

A maintenance employee overextended right knee exiting the cooler. The incident was reported to the team lead but the team lead retired without communicating the incident to the supervisor. During the time of the reporting the employee did not seek medical treatment. However the employee did go to the doctor on 2/17/22 and received restrictions. work restrictions.

Employee called the nurse and complained about soreness and pain in thumb, index, and middle finger from the pulling rock samples using the sieve.

Employee felt a pull in the lower left abdomen after dumping a bin containing waste granule. EE pushed bin on it's side and lifted it from the base in order to dump it into the larger bin below.

A miner strained their back lifting a wheelbarrow with rock and did not report it to their supervisor. On 07/21/2021 the miner changed screens inside a screener and further strained their back. The miner again didn't report the injury to their supervisor. After seeking medical attention and being prescribed lost time the miner reported the injury to their supervisor.

On 6/9/21 an EE alleged while walking across the catwalk and stepping down on the first step the employee twisted right knee. The EE didn't go the doctor but, spoke with on the site nurse. The EE continued working but, on the 14th, wanted to be seen by a doctor. The onsite nurse scheduled an appointment for the employee on June 15th, restrictions were given then.

During a crusher steel change a miner was removing a plate from a mandrel. In doing so they pulled the snap ring that holds the plate onto the mandrel. The plate released and struck the employee in the hand causing a contusion.

Employee was walking up the stairs as EE normally does using the handrail and felt and heard a pop in the right knee. Employee stated did not fall or twist during the occurrence. Employee communicated the issues to the team lead and was able to finish out the shift.

Employee walking outside to new plant and slipped on ice patch outside. Fell and strained thumb.

A miner experienced left forearm discomfort after clearing excess rock on a conveyor with a 2' x 6' x 3' wooden board. The following day the miner reported pain in their forearm. On 1/4/2022 the miner contacted the nurse and was directed to schedule a clinic visit since their forearm had not improved. On 1/5/2022 the miner received work restrictions.

While employee was guzzling by 18-19 conveyor EE stepped on a 1 1/2 inch rock and rolled ankle.

Employee was attempting to unclog 3 bin chute on the 2nd floor with a sledgehammer. Shortly after, the employee felt a pain EE's right wrist whenever EE flexed or put pressure on it. Employee also noticed a small bump formed when flexing the wrist in a downward position. Employee immediately went to see the on sight nurse who recommended further evaluation from a medical provider.

Employee received cut on finger while tightening nut.

A miner was bringing screens from the warehouse to the screening building using a forklift. While driving over uneven surfaces the screens shifted on the forks and slid onto the ground. When repositioning the screens onto the forks the miner strained their back. First aid was applied, but the injury required medical attention. The miner received work restrictions.

An employee was traveling north in RM warehouse/Automix area. The employee stepped in the forklift wheel tracks that were made through a film of slurried clay that was on the floor. When doing so, the employee's right foot slipped out from under EE which caused EE to fall to the ground striking their right hip on the comm. radio that was attached to the right hip area.

Employee was hauling waste on the 966 loader with a full bucket and with the bucket up to the stock pile. The right side of the bucket clipped and bent the I beam on the headlap scale. Employee stated: was driving that way instead of around to get more loads out before employee went home. Employee subsequently also complained of neck and back pain on 3/16/2021.

EE was repairing spacer and pinched right middle fingertip between edge of spacer and partition during reassembly. The weight of the screens increased the employee fatigue while assisting with the task. Additionally, the design of the spacer doesn't provide a lot of space for hand placement when inserting.

A miner was in the process of locking down a flop gate with a bungie cord when their left hand was struck by the ""S"" hook. The bungie cord did not fully seat at the bottom of the chute causing it to snap back causing a laceration to their left hand. The miner was seen at a clinic where they received 3 stitches.

Employee was removing screens from rotex and the rotex screen wire cut EE's hand.

A miner was lifting a 5-gallon bucket filled with approximately 35-40 lbs. of granule onto a pallet when they felt a strain in their lower right back. They later received medical treatment including prescription medication.

A miner was mixing pigment at the mixing pot. Pigment got in between their glove and sleeve and caused mechanical irritation and an allergic reaction requiring medical treatment that included prescription medication.

Employee complained of discomfort in right shoulder after cleaning production tank with chain and mallet.