All MSHA-reportable accidents at Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper operations in 2016. Fatalities appear first.
A lightening strike initiated a grass fire on the reclaimed south tailings impoundment. The fire was contained to approximately 5 acres, between 2 dirt roads. The fire was controlled while it burned itself out. No structures or people were at risk.
An operator observed a section of previously mined high wall in O-cut and observed a plume of smoke and possibly sparks/ flame. Area was evacuated 1500ft. all work in area suspended, all personnel accounted for. Area was not a loaded blast pattern. No injuries or damage occurred
a loaded hole began smoking on a blast pattern and detonated unplanned, area was evacuated no injuries occurred
Employee exited bus and had walked about 5 steps and stepped on a patch of black ice with left foot and fell landing on right ankle
Craftsman struck in lower left leg from wheel chock that was run over and projected into craftsman, in opposite bay at fuel island fracturing leg bewteen knee and ankle
Injured did not report injury until 8/23/16. Initially first aid, but condition has worsened. Haul truck driver reports hit pothole in haul road, injured groin area after impact.
A water truck became stalled and rolled back, contacting a pickup truck's front bumper. As a result of the impact, the driver's head contacted the dash/steering column. This resulted in a minor fracture to a lower back vertebrae. Employee was prescribed days away from work.
Passenger bus hit a pothole in the road, jarring passengers. Operator/passenger reported back pain.
Over the road Truck driver was picking up a load of used tires that were loaded on the trailer. As driver threw strap over the load. EE felt a pop in right arm.
On the date of the alleged incident, the illness was not reported. The employee complained of discomfort in back, due to lifting a jack out of a pickup truck, days later. Through medical evaluations and ultimately surgery on back to relieve pressure on a disc, it was determined to be a disorder due to repeat trauma and established as work related on July 12th
While in the process of cleaning a lifter the employee was struck in the back by falling material.
A hoist cylinder on a Komatsu 930-3SE haul truck fell approximately six feet to the ground and rebounded when it hit the ground. craftsman was injured when EE was struck by the cylinder when it deflected off of the floor which resulted in EE falling backwards to the ground, bruising EE's left knee straining EE's lower back in the process.
A mine operations employee was in this area conducting an inspection for the future establishment of dump catchment berms. The employee was walking down from the top of a windrow, felt right knee pop and fell to the ground. Diagnosis determined that the employee sustained injury to the right knee resulting in a right closed tibia plateau fracture.
In the process of a rig move, a rolled up 1"" hose was ready for move and an employee had tripped over it and fell to the ground (same level) striking EE's right arm on the ground breaking EE's right elbow.
Employee smashed pinky finger of right hand between pry bar and steel structure holding the donut inlet tab above ball mill feed.
Haul truck operator was climbing down ladder, missed last step and landed on EE's ankle, causing mild sprain.
Passenger bus hit a pothole in the road, jarring passengers. Operator/passenger reported back pain.
Loading core press with forklift. Press slid on fork, cutting employee's finger. 8 stitches required to close wound.
Operator was riding in man-bus when rock from passing traffic flipped up and shattered window scratching operator's cheek and causing irritation in left eye. EMT cleaned up cheek saw no foreign object in eye; EE was taken to hospital for further exam. The Dr found two pieces of glass not embedded and flicked them out. Operator completed eye exam returned to work
Employee was turning over a 24"" diverter top to the flat side. The diverter top slipped out of EE's grasp, twisted, and fell landing on the handle of a crescent wrench causing it to flip up and strike the employee in the face.
The employee pinched right thumb between two pieces of 4"" HDPE pipe while preparing the load for transport.
Employee was removing the bolts to a cutting edge when EE's hand came in contact with the bolt causing a laceration to the hand.