All MSHA-reportable accidents at Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company operations in 2024. Fatalities appear first.
Sandvik 660 on line #3 drive belts caught on fire. At 10:44 PM smoke was observed coming from the floor plates by line #3 cone crusher. We beleive the drive belts were slipping and caused increased friction and heat resluting in them catching on fire.
Employee called over radio that EE was hurt. When other employees came to area it was discovered 1) guard was not securely in place and had been removed 2) the equipment was running at full power ~400 fpm 3) broken shovel found in pit below, 4) right hand glove was discovered on grating, 5) torch was laying on grating Employee was missing EE's right thumb. Went to ER
While ratcheting the come-along used to close a chute the pad-eye/anchor failed and contacted the employee on the head (hardhat), face, and back.
EE was coming down from the 4th floor. Upon descending the steps from the 2nd to 1st floor, EE slipped and injured right knee. Ambulance was called and EE was transported to the hospital.
Employee hit (head) hardhat on a conveyor while retrieving a shovel located under the conveyor.
Employee climbing off of excavator tore bicep tendon on right elbow
Employee was walking down stairs by 7 baghouse magnahelic. They stepped on the second stair they felt pain in foot,left arch.
While standing from a seated position an employee's left foot made contact with one of the chairs 5 legs that the employee was seated in. As the employee continued to stand the employee's left ankle rolled outward and fractured. They stated that the motion happened quickly without time for them to react and reposition their foot.
A miner was walking out onto the crusher floor from the control room and realized they forgot their earplugs. They abruptly turned back the opposite direction and as they planted their foot and turned they felt a pop. The miner went to an occupational clinic and was prescribed restrictions.
The employee was walking between 2 conveyors and hit their head/hardhat on a low cross chute. The employee was diagnosed with a neck strain/spasm.
Employee was heading home after work and fractured right hand pinky finger while walking up a flight of stairs at the facility. Employee lost footing while walking up the stairs and used right hand to break their fall, resulting in the injury.
While shoveling material from around #5 elevator, Employee felt a sharp pain in the lower abdomen area that radiated to EE's groin. Employee then proceeded to see OHN where EE was assessed. OHN then referred EE to local off-site clinic for further evaluation. Employee was seen and released back to work on restricted duty.
A miner was inspecting a crusher from a platform. When they stepped down to the floor they rolled their left ankle. The miner initially received first aid and on 12/3/24 went to an occupational clinic for medical treatment. The miner was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and received work restrictions.
A 3 person team was removing 11"" round metal ductwork for cleaning. A 5' section came free of the quick-camp and dropped down 5' hitting an employee in the metatarsal area of the Left foot resulting a bruise to the foot. Employee was on restrictions, and was released to full duty on 11/11/2024.
A miner was performing a crusher inspection and was in the process of reaching overhead to a work platform to retrieve a tool when they strained their right shoulder. First aid was administered and the miner was sent to an occupational clinic where they received work restrictions.
Employee Caught The Tip of Their Left Ring Finger Between The Lever and The Chain Binder While Tightening The Lid of a Rotex Machine.
A miner was troubleshooting a crusher oil leak. While leaning over shining a flashlight, the miner felt a sharp pain in their lower back. The miner went to the Emergency Room, was diagnosed with a strain and prescribed restrictions and medication.
A miner was using a wrench to remove a tachometer bolt when they injured their shoulder. They notified their supervisor and received first aid. They continued to self-manage the injury with first aid. On 01/16/2025 they notified their supervisor that pain was persistent and they would like to go to a clinic. The miner received prescription medication and work restrictions.
EE stated due to lifting heavy rotex screens they believe they overexerted themselves and overtime caused a shoulder injury.
Employee received a laceration to the right index finger when their hand slipped off the handle of a disconnect panel and stuck a nearby piece of metal
Employee was doing a preshift inspection on the sweeper. Employee took the filter out and bent over to tap it on the ground to clean and when the employee stood up, EE felt a pull in their lower back.
Employee reports they were setting up hoses to guzzle in the south mezzanine. Employee experienced a sudden sharp pain in the lower back when bending over to pick up a hose. The injury occurred during the movement/motion of bending, prior to lifting the hose.
As the employee was stepping down from the side of a Rotex screener EE's right foot slipped and EE's foot made contact with a raised portion of the Rotex support leg at floor level which twisted EE's right ankle outward.
EE stated they reinjured their back when they slipped going down to the sub-basement to perform housekeeping activities.
Employee was closing freight elevator door, their hand slipped off and was caught in between the 2 doors. Pinching fingers on right hand.
Employee was attempting to put the hub back on a roll crusher. As they were screwing the hub back onto the shaft, the employee thought the hub had caught the threads. Employee let go to reposition their hands to continue to screw the hub on. At this point, the hub dropped off and smashed the right index finger between the hub and pulley.
Transfer of dust from skin to eye lead to conjunctivitis of the right eye.
A contractor working under USES entered the elevator to proceed to 4th floor. The elevator began going up and suddenly stopped about 3ft off the ground of 1st floor. A plant personnel managed to open the door enough for the employee to squat down and scoot out. Around lunch time the employee reported to the supervisor that employee felt discomfort in the groin area.
On 3/21/24 a maintenance employee reported to the supervisor they hurt their knee on 3/16/24. Injured employee was working to free a stuck forklift. The injured employee was operating a Kubota to free the forklift. The team used a strap to try and pull the forklift free, once the slack was out of the strap the Kubota came to a stop, the employee's left knee contacted the dashboard.
It was determine on 07/01/2024 that one of our maintenance employees experienced a right ear STS during our annual hearing conservation testing. The EE didnt miss any work related to the STS.
Our onsite nurse Identified a potential STS in employee's right ear. The employee will be scheduled for a follow up for verification.