All MSHA-reportable accidents at Quikrete Construction Materials, LLC operations in 2017. Fatalities appear first.
Employee identified an uncontrolled conveyor belt fire at the weathered clinker conveying system. 911 called at 11:50 and MSHA called at 12:05. The fire was extinguished at approximately 12:20 however fire department staff remained on site to insure the fire did not restart. No one was injured as a result of this fire
Preheater elevator stuck between the 1st and 2nd floors with contractor inside for approx. 30 mins when MSHA was contacted. Elevator emergency brake faulted when someone attempted to open the door while elevator was in operation. Elevator brake was reset and car was brought to ground. No injury resulted.
Two contract mechanics were assigned to trim the teeth of the head sprocket to the ASF bucket elevator. The ASF system was offline at the time of incident. Sprocket bolt was cut with a torch, which fell down the ASF elevator shaft, igniting ASF material approximately half way down the shaft. The local fire department was called and fire was extinguished completely by approx. 13:00.
Rope access technician was performing inspection of downcomer duct. Around 11:30a.m.the technician became unresponsive by radio. Upon rescue and removal from downcomer duct, technician was alert and responsive with apparent head and leg injuries. Technician was transported to the hospital where they passed away on 9/21/2017.
While checking fire extinguishers at Argos Plant, employee slipped down on a flat, muddy area covered by gravel. Employee's left leg slipped forward and turned out. Knee slipped back and ee fell on right shoulder. EE has a bruised shoulder and a swollen knee.
Employee was clearing a blockage in the stage 5 duct and the woma gun slipped out of hand allowing it to move around due to the trigger potentially being stuck. Causing a puncture and laceration wound to right and left thigh.
The mechanic was removing a pipe nipple with a 36"" pipe wrench from the down comer duct and reported severe pain in abdomen. EE was sent to the doctors and put on light duty until further evaluation could be completed.
Employee was on the 7th ring of the tank was to move the drive out ladder, employee was not wearing proper PPE and did not follow proper procedure in moving drive out ladder. Smashed RT Ring finger between ladder and panel.
Employees were installing last panel on the 7th ring of silo when one employee did not communicate properly with the other in moving panel. Employee could not get EE's hand out of the way in time before panel smashed it. This resulted in a pinch point of EE's left index finger. Open laceration to the tip of the finger and nail bed being torn off.
Employee was assisting a plant employee move forks on a lull when the forks were rocked catching the left middle finger tip of the K&G employee causing it to blow out.
Pan conveyor guard was being secured by co-worker via wire strand. Wire strand broke and guard went down steps hitting employee in the face.
Electrician's were attempting to engage a 4160 breaker, throw would not move, risk analysis determined they would have to look at throw. Went upstream to LOTO at power source feed to breaker located in Main Sub, located the power source, Loto'ed the power source. Went back to the ER with the breaker. Opened the box and a employee came in contact with energy inside the box.
Weather do to effects of hurricane Irma caused short power outage, E-compressor needed to be restarted. While restarting compressor a chunk of material fell from above striking pcs on left shoulder. Called Heathbridge and received self-care instructions. Symptoms worsened overnight and was sent to doctor and put on light duty
A Production Attendant was cleaning off build up on the tip of the burner pipe when a chunk of material fell on the lance causing it to slip from attendant's hands. In trying to maintain grip of the lance, they felt a pain in the lower back.
Employee was working on Finish Mill 3 300 Dust Collector and dust fell into the right eye while changing out the bags. The mechanic left the scene with the help from partner and went to the eye wash station. EE flushed eye for ten minutes. EE still had some irritation to eye and ee was taken to see a doctor.
A mobile maintenance mechanic was coming down the ladder of a haul truck. As foot contacted the ground, ee right knee buckled.
Employee was moving a piece of angle iron in a walkway 6""x2""x4', while picking it up and setting it down the material got away from them and they got their left middle linger smashed when it was caught between the metal and the surface. Split finger nail, no other injuries except sore.
Employee was cleaning out clinker cooler by tossing large chunks of material onto a chute take the material outside. A gust of wind blew back through the door bring dust back inside into the face of the laborer. Laborer has dust mask on, safety glasses on and indicated had goggles on.
Employee was attempting to drill out a stripped brass fitting. While starting the 1/2 inch hole the drill slipped off the gauge and contacted the webbing between the employee's thumb and index finger on left hand. The drill bit made about 1/2 inch cut.
Two employees were lowering metal screening roll down from rack in storeroom. EE stated the material was awkward and heavy. EE turned wrist while lowering the material. EE told supervisor of the incident, but did not feel it needed further action. The EE administered home first aid. On 5/18/17 the EE told supervisor symptoms were worse so EE was sent for medical treatment
An employee was performing work on the plant front-end loader. Employee was pulling on a wrench to loosen a bolt when employee felt a pop and a sharp burning pain in employee's right arm.
A Production Attendant was in the process of opening the Tertiary Air Duct elbow door when one of their fingers was caught in a pinch point. The employee sustained a cut to their right ring finger.
Employee was moving trail cable for dragline when ee felt a sharp pain in lower back. Employee was taken to urgent care for medical attention was diagnosed with lower lumbar strain was given anti-inflammatory prescription and a prescription for pain.
Employee was working on a spillage chain, had to get in the housing. Once inside had to bring a heavy piece of channel iron in the area to complete the repair planned. Employee had no injury on 4/8 and had no symptoms. The employee reported the alleged incident on 04/11/2017.
Employee made 3 pt turn after dumping material, hit a pothole that jarred and twisted their back. After getting a few buckets of marl, noticed back was starting to hurt but did not report incident at the time. After going home and sleeping, back was still hurting. Employee worked next shift on 3/19. During 3/20 shift pain had worsened and health bridge was called.
Employee was holding up the front of the ABB analyzer reinserting it into L1 kiln another employee was running it in when the employee holding the front felt a sharp pain in employee's right arm, extent of injury is not know at this point was referred to Ortho for evaluation.
Employee was changing wire rope on overhead crane when fingers were pinched between the drum and the wire rope.
PA cut the air off of one of the airlines used to aerate the Fringe silo. Cement had backed up in the air hose and blew out of the hose going under their glasses. PA advised that they had been rinsing their eyes and had the cement out of the right eye but still had cement in the left eye. Sent to ER, given prescription and follow up with Ophthalmologist.
Mechanic was assisting with the installation of kiln main burner pipe. While loosening bolts on a rod, bolt broke loose and clinker dust dispersed into the air. The dust got under safety glasses and into left eye. Eye was flushed and mechanic went to doctor to have foreign debris removed. Had to return on 9/16 due to eye still bothering and was given prescriptions.
Employee went out on Short Term Disability thought to be kidney stone related in March 2017. At some point, treatment changed to back. Company was notified 5/10/17 that the employee believed injury was from operating excavator on 3/2/17, although no incident was reported by employee. As a precautionary measure we are filing this report.
Employee was removing putlog pipe on 3rd floor. Employee was pulling on one side. When beam on opposite side of vessel came off refractory on port, the pipe came up and struck employee in right front tooth and chipped it.
A portable welding generator was operating outside of the Auxiliary Mill Control Room. The diesel exhaust fumes were drawn into the control room and accumulated. An employee in the control room was exposed to the fumes and carbon monoxide. After receiving fresh air, the employee complained of eye irritation and headache followed by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.