Rio Tinto Kennecott CopperMining Incidents in 2009

Employees were pulling a 12inch HDPE pipe(protestive sleeve) over an 8inch HDPE pipe using an excavator. While pulling the smaller pipe ""bound-up"" becoming compressed and suddenly released striking an employee standing near the pipe in the leg. The force of the pipe striking the employee's leg resulted in a leg fracture.

An operator was responding to an alarm on the M3 belt when he slipped on 3/4 inch nut that was left on the diamond plated metal floor. The force of the fall broke the team member's hip.

Employee was working to reposition the brake on a shovel swing motor when the brake struck his hand resulting in fractures to the thumb and index finger of the left hand.

Mechanical failure on a haul truck engine resulted in an engine fire. Employee operating the truck injured the heel of his left foot exiting the haul truck.

Crew engaged in line cleaning operation. Pressure dump device was operated by co-worker (procedure violation). Work activity was suspended to verify process issue, EE placed L hand over nozzle to block low pressure water bleeding from nozzle. Co-worker asked if he was ready & mistook no for go. High pressure water resulted in laceration. Surgery initially proposed & declined.

An employee was attempting to dislodge a large rock that was wedged between the push arm and track adjuster on a D11 dozer when he experienced a spain/strain injury to the bicep area of the left arm. Medical evaluation of the injury determined that the bicep tendon had ruptured requiring surgical repair.

An electrician was working to disconnect the transformer from a unit substation and was exiting the substation when a steel frame spacer unit slipped from it's position striking the top of his right hand resulting in a fracture injury.

A razor sharp edge of the liner cut through Troy""s leather glove when he dropped the liner segment. As the piece fell it lacerated 3 fingers on his left hand. The PPE was not appropriate to protect him from the sharp edge of the worn liner. He failed to recognise the hazard and take appropriate action. The liners were worn beyond reline limit to failure.

Employee slipped on ice and fell fracturing right tibia and fibula at the ankle

At the end of shift an employee was walking, became distracted and walked into a metal support pole for an overhead awning structure. Contact with the metal pole resulted in a laceration injury above the left eye requiring sutures.

Employee experienced burns to his eyes resulting from exposure to welding arc while welding and helping with welding activates. The employee was issued eye drops and pain medication to treat his condition. The employee has fully recovered from the incident.

While cleaning a part, the employee got D-Limonene (stripper oil) inside of his glove and on his left arm. At that time the affected area was washed with soap and water. The injury worsened over the weekend and the employee was then examined by a doctor. It was diagnosed as a chemical burn/cellulitis and the doctor prescribed Silvadene Cream and Bactrim DS to prevent infection.

EE was working on a pump, he slipped and fell striking his head on a piece of conduit.

EE was on corrugated roof and tripped, falling backwards onto hind end, cutting palm of right hand through glove on a piece of aluminum insulation wrapping. Cut was minor, but required stitches to close. EE returned to work same shift with no restrictions.

Employee was in the proocess of pushing a hydraulic ram inplace to remove the bottom pin from the pivet point on a # 572 rubber tired dozer(RTD). While in the process of doing this the ram fell and landed on the employees left middle finger. This caused a cut which resulted in stitches and a splint to this finger.

Using 1"" air impact wrench to intstall bolts on pipe flange. Socket slipped off bolt and smashed index finger between bottom of impact gun and flange, causing laceration that required sutures.

Slipped on ice under snow, attempted to catch self on pickup bed with right arm, fell and dislocated right shoulder.