All MSHA-reportable accidents at Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper operations in 2024. Fatalities appear first.
While installing long support in a production drift, a section of the back failed and fell onto the boom of the cable bolter. The operator was able to safely exit the cab of the bolter and call for assistance. There were no injuries to personnel.
A run of ground occurred while advancing the face of the 3325 FWD 02 drift. The run of ground started in the upper left corner of the face and propagated back into the last row of installed ground support. The event occurred while the bolter had rigged out to allow for clean up and application of shotcrete. No personnel were affected and no travel or escape ways were impacted.
The IP carried the drill hammer from the pickup truck to the support truck. As the IP climbed onto the fourth step EE's foot slipped and started to lose balance. With the hammer's weight, the IP fell forward and dropped the hammer which landed on the IP's fingertip.
Employee (EE) was delivering 16' jumbo steel to the 3520 ORD9 using an Integrated Tool Carrier (IT). Once parked, EE offloaded two pieces of steel. While lifting both pieces of steel under their right shoulder, EE began walking forward. As the steel came off the IT, the imbalanced weight caused EE to fall to ground. As EE was drug to the ground, pain was felt in the right ankle.
An employee was troubleshooting a 4x4 lever on a bus that was stuck. When EE was unable to engage the lever with EE's arm, EE used EE's leg for additional force/leverage. The knob on the lever is threaded and while force was applied, the knob unthreaded. This caused the foot to slip off the lever and contact the dash of the bus which resulted in a fracture to EE's fibula.
Employee was struck in legs by unsecured pipe wrench and suffered fracture to left fibula.
12.29.24: Operating HT406, hit a few large dips in the roads in multiple areas. Seen by medical and released full duties. 01.27.25: Operating HT op reported back started to hurt. Medical wrote restrictions. Able to perform all normal duties at a slower pace, however.
While fueling a dozer, the operator's hose bound up, causing shoulder pain. Diagnosed with a sprain on 11/15, they worked until 11/21/24. At home, reaching for pants caused a tendon pop and severe pain, resulting in a full bicep tendon tear requiring surgery.
A craftsman working on a Cat 740B haul truck secured the front of the belly pan with pivot pins, while the rear rested on a jack. While shifting the pan to align the pivot pins, the worker's hand slipped on the edge, causing a laceration to the left pinky finger, severing tendons and requiring surgical repair.
A miner operating a track hoe uphill encountered a rock that caused the roadway to collapse under the equipment, shifting it to the right. The machine, facing downhill, had a broken track that prevented it from turning, causing it to tip onto its side. The miner suffered neck pain and was diagnosed with a C2 spinal vertebra fracture, resulting in lost workdays.
Crush & Convey Electrical Team Member was called by the Crusher Control Operator to troubleshoot a power loss issue related to the magnet on the M3 belt. Employee began troubleshooting the 480V Breaker. During the troubleshooting process, an unexpected arc flash occurred which resulted in burn injuries to the top side of the Team Member's left hand and wrist.
Employee was standing on top of a pallet grabbing boxes off the back of the pallet. Their foot got entangled in some plastic wrap around the pallet causing a fall. The employee landed on their right wrist. Employee was seen at emergency room, diagnosed with acute fracture of distal radius requiring surgical repair.
Operator hit a pot hole and began to experience back and hip pain. The operator notified the supervisor the following shift and went to the ER. Employee has been able to perform normal job duties until last follow up appointment on 03/04/2025 where employee was given the following restrictions: Avoid painful low back movements. No lifting, pushing, pulling > 20 lbs.
12.26.24 Worker was walking on the BCT tieline going past IP's haul truck when IP slipped. IP was wearing ice cleats. IP landed on backpack and right hand. Right hand and wrist became swollen, which radiated into forearm. On 01.09.24 worker was provided with restrictions since recovery was not ideal. (Submitted initially on 1.14.25. was voided. Resubmitted 1.16.25)
Haul Op getting loaded by 57 shovel, Op leaned forward to adjust AC when the shovel dropped the second dipper. The operator felt a small pinch but didn't think anything of it. They proceeded to the crusher and on their way began to feel nauseous and started getting a pain going down their leg. (FAI) On Dec 31 experience an aggravating event. Was given restrictions on 01/01/25.
On 11/2/2024, the operator of Haul Truck 452 slipped and fell headfirst down the stairs during shift change, sustaining injuries. A neck injury remains an issue, leading to work restrictions effective 11/25.
Incident occurred 11-09-2024, however there were no restrictions until 12-11-2024. Person was driving 941 cable truck through the 71-shovel pit. IP was struck by the knob on the steering wheel on the palm side of left thumb causing swelling and pain. They released IP to go back to work.
Employee felt discomfort and difficulty breathing due to chest pain while making bolts. Medical assistance was alerted. It was not believed to be work related. Employee was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Further information revealed that pain was first noticed while lifting (total weight:30lbs). Later described feeling a 'pop' and discomfort when handling the bolts.
A haul truck operator felt neck/back discomfort when a transport bus hit a pothole on a haul road. Onsite EMT assessed them, then referred for off-site care. Diagnosis: neck joint/ligament sprain, lower back muscle/fascia/tendon strain. Work restrictions given.
The haul truck slid on the ramp, hitting a soft spot near the base, causing it to tip. The operator, properly restrained, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, with muscle strain in the right hip and left shoulder/arm. Extracted and examined at the emergency department, restrictions were imposed.
Operator noticed an exhaust smell, had some discomfort breathing. Used their inhaler to try and catch their breath. That didn't help so the mayday was called, and medical team administered oxygen to help with shortness of breath.
While changing a hose fitting on a mine shovel, a worker was loosening a fitting using a wrench. The fitting was looser than expected and the workers hand struck a ball valve causing a 2.5 cm avulsion to the right, mid-third index finger and a minor fracture to the second phalanx on the right index finger.
IP was adjusting the grinder guard and while doing so, EE depressed the trigger and cut through EE's glove and into EE's finger.
Employee tripped and fell when crossing the haul road in front of the truck shop. They stopped their fall with their left wrist and the left elbow made contact with the rib cage. The following day severe pain was experienced and medical help sought. Diagnosis of 2 fractured ribs, and contusion of thorax.
Craftsman was cleaning the truck shop pads with the 0051 Skid Steer. During the process scraping the pad, the bucket of the skid steer contacted a steel grate that was under the mud and dirt. The skid steer came to an abrupt halt. From the jolt, the top of the craftsmen's head contacted the rear-view mirror causing a laceration to their head.
Employee sustained a laceration on their posterior right wrist while using a boring machine. Employee received 13 sutures.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss >25dB confirmed to work related by an Audiologist. Miner has been enrolled in Hearing Conservation Program since 1994. Audiogram confirms (2,3,4 kHz) worse than or equal to 25 dB HL in the right ear.
Third party audiologist confirmed Noise Induced Hearing Loss of a Miner that is work related and greater than 25dB.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss >25dB confirmed to be work related by an Audiologist. Miner has been enrolled in Hearing Conservation Program since employment began in 2005. Audiogram confirms (2,3, 4 kHz) worse than or equal to 25 dB HL in the right and left ear.