Sherwin Alumina Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2007

At approximately 0320 a tank that contained 500m3 of diluted caustic solution ruptured releasing the solution onto a containment pad. This was an injury free event. Once it was verified that all personnel were accounted for and safe, they notified the safety manager about the incident. The safety manager notified MSHA at 0359 about the event through MSHA Toll Free Number.

EE states that he was running to shut-off a piece of equipment when he tripped over a pile of dirt and struck his left knee on an unidentified object that was buried in the dirt. EE sustained a laceration on his left knee that required sutures to repair. EE started losing work days on 12/15/07. Investigation team did not find any object in the dirt.

EE standing under heat exchanger working. Right foot on lower slope foundation and left foot on elevated foundation, about 12"" drop. 4"" cold roll steel about 12"" long used for counterwieght lying on upper foundation. EE accidently bumped counterwieght with hammer causing it to roll off landing on top of right foot. Resulting in fracture.

EE was disconnected a jumper hose that had caustic accumulation in it. When EE disconnected the hose, caustic got onto EE's face and upper torso. EE was taken off of work for two days by his treating physician as a precautionary measure.

EE was moving a portable work platform when one of the platform wheels got stuck on an adjacent structure. When EE tried to dislodge the platform, he felt a pain in his left groin area. On 09/25/2007, EE was diagnosed with a hernia and removed from work.

EE STATES THAT HE WAS PULLING A HOSE AND SLIPPED WHILE WALKING ON A LIME PAD. STATES HE JARRED RIGHT KNEE AND CAUGHT HIMSELF WITH RIGHT LEG SLIPPING UNDER HIM. EE DID NOT FALL TO GROUND. EE'S TREATING PHYSICIAN TOOK HIM OFF WORK ON 08/20/2007.

EE WAS LIFTING COVER OFF OF A RECLAIM HOPPER. A SACK HOLDER FRAME THAT WAS OVERHEAD FELL AS A RESULT OF VIBRATION AND HIT EE ON LEFT LOWER BACK, KNOCKING HIM DOWN TO A SITTING POSITION. EE DENIES PAIN OR DISCOMFORT TO ANY OTHER PART OF BODY EXCEPT FOR LOW BACK. ON 07/17/07, EE'S TREATING PHYSICIAN TOOK HIM OFF WORK. EE CURRENTLY LOSING WORK DAYS.

EE was pulling on a wrench with both hands when he felt pain in both shoulders. Pain was more pronounced in his left shoulder. Pain has progressed where EE cannot do his regular job duties so he was placed out of the plant on 12/19/2007. EE's first lost workday was 12/20/2007. EE scheduled for left shoulder surgery on 01/03/2008.

EE SLIPPED ON RAILING AT 51 CAR LOADING FALLING TO KNEES ONTO WALKWAY GRATING. EE SUSTAINED A PUNCTURE INJURY ON HIS RIGHT LEG JUST BELOW HIS RIGHT KNEE. WOUND REQUIRED SUTURES TO REPAIR. ALSO BI-LATERAL SHOULDER PAIN. EE ON RESTRICTED DUTY.

EE was using an 8lb sledgehammer to close a header valve and experienced pain in his right shoulder. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE alleges that right knee started hurting after squatting on and off for six hours while working on a job. EE had surgery on his right knee on 06/20/07. Returned to the plant on 07/02/07 with restrictions.

EE was riding a 3 wheel bicycle when his left rear wheel caught a 4 inch hose causing the bike to come to a sudden stop. The forward motion caused the EE to exert more pressure on his bent left elbow. EE heard a ""pop"" and felt a sharp pain in his left elbow. Diagnosis is a torn muscle in his upper left arm. Surgery is scheduled for April 26, 2007

EE tripped on rubber mat and fell on his face. EE felt pain in right shoulder. Also abrasions on knees and hands. On 11/6/07, EE had surgery on right shoulder to repair torn rotator cuff. EE losing time.

EE was ascending a ladder when he struck his left knee on a ladder rung. On 04/24/07, EE was placed on restricted duty and was not able to work. He started losing workdays on 04/24/07.

On 01/29/07, EE reported to his supervisor that on 01/21/2007, he had been using an 8lb sledgehammer to operate a valve. While swinging the hammer, EE alleges that he felt a ""pop"" in his left chest region. On 06/27/2007, EE elected to have surgery on his left shoulder.

EE was attempting to clear a caustic line. An open drain valve was nearby. When the line cleared, caustic came out the drain line and sprayed onto EE's face and abdomen. Restricted duty, office work only, EE lost four work days.

EE felt a pain in his lower back when he pushed on a hoist. Taken off work by his treating physician on 01/09/07.

EE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF SHIPS HOLE WHEN FOOT SLIPPED OFF OF BENT RUNG ON LADDER. POPPING, SEVERE PAIN AND SWELLING TO LEFT KNEE AT 22:30-22:40. EE HAD TO CONTINUE TO CLIMB 25 - 30 FT. OUT OF HOLE. EE ALSO FELT KNOT BEHIND KNEE. EE HAD PREVIOUS INJURY TO LEFT KNEE 1994 OR 1995. PINS PLACED. EE OUT OF PLANT ON 09/30/07.

EE WAS ROLLING OPEN 6"" BLIND FLANGE. WHEN HE SPLIT THE FLANGE, CAUSTIC SPRAYED ON CHEST AND UPPER BODY KNOCKING OFF GLASSES AND GOGGLES, SPRAYING INTO BOTH EYES. EE SUSTAINED CHEMICAL BURNS TO BOTH EYES. EE STARTED LOSING WORK DAYS ON 09/09/2007.

EE stated that he was operating a valve when he felt a pain in his lower right abdominal region. Diagnosis is a rib separation. Employee lost one day of work due to nausea after taking ibuprofen for pain relief. EE returned to to work and was placed on restricted duty on 5/14/07.

EE was working on a pump when he struck his head on an overhead pipe. He lost his balance and fell, striking his left leg against a flange and his right elbow against a pipe. On 07/23/07, EE was placed on severe restricted duty by his treating physician, no use of right arm. Not able to perform his regular duties, EE was placed out of the plant. First LW day will be 07/24/07.

EE states that he experienced pain in his right shoulder after using an 8lb sledgehammer to open a valve. On 3/28/07, EE was removed from work due to work limitations placed by his treating physician. First lost work day was 03/29/07. Surgery is pending.

EE was moving a wheeled work stand from one location to another. He dropped one side of the work stand on his right foot causing a contusion and swelling. The EE could not wear shoes due to the swelling and was not able to report to work. Out of the plant on 01/08/07.

EE felt a pain in his groin area while opening a six inch plug valve. On 01/08/07, EE was taken off work by his treating physician. Diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Surgery is scheduled for 01/17/07.

EE was walking into a portable building when he tripped and reached out with his right arm. EE states that he heard a ""pop"" in his right shoulder. Initial diagnosis was a right shoulder sprain. On 09/21/2007, an MRI revealed a small fracture in shoulder. EE placed on restricted duty on 09/22/07.

EE was using a sling and a electric forktruck to move a pressure safety valve. While attempting to reposition the sling on the valve, one of the blades on the forktruck fell onto the EE's right hand causing a deep contusion. EE was placed on restricted duty.

EE was walking when he stepped on a hose causing him to fall backwards. EE got up experiencing pain in his left knee. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE sustained minor right eye irritation when he was contacted by dilute liquor solution. Plant physician administered a one time application of a prescription medication. EE on restricted duty as of 05/15/07.

EE was operating a valve when he felt a ""snap"" in his right elbow. On 04/04/07, EE was placed on restricted duty.

EE removing scale inside multi-deck tank. Scale fell bouncing off rake striking EE on lower lip causing laceration. Required five sutures to repair.

EE closing 8 inch gate valve, wheel wrench slipped catching left thumb between pipe and wrench. Result fracture.

EE on his knee's working. Reached up grabbed handrail to pull himself up and felt a pain in his right shoulder. Dislocated right shoulder.

Employee using scaling gun on precipitator tank barrel. Lost control of tool allowing it to move downward.Employee's left 4th finger was pinched between gun and pipe flange.resulting in slight fracture.

Employee depressuring 1/2"" steam hose. When employee opened valve hose moved causing steam to come in contact with lower left leg. Resulting in 2nd degree burn.

Employee's right arm was caught in 6"" vacuum hose causing swelling.

EE HAD FINISHED WASHING DUMP TRUCK WINDSHIELD AND WAS CARRYING A 5# BUCKET, 3/4 FULL, BACK TO WASH RACK. WHEN HE BENT DOWN TO SET THE BUCKET DOWN, HE FELT A SHARP PAIN TO LEFT LOWER BACK, STATES PAIN IS A 9 ON 1-10 PAIN SCALE, NO RADIATION OF PAIN. EE WAS GIVEN PAIN MEDICATION VIA HYPODERMIC NEEDLE INJECTION. EE RETURNED TO REGULAR DUTY THE SAME DAY.

EE was walking to the time clock prior to the start of his shift when he tripped and fell against a support beam. He struck his right arm against the beam and landed on his right hand. On 05/04/07, an MRI revealed a small fractured bone on his right hand. EE placed on restricted duty on 05/05/07.

EE's right foot slipped off of a walkway and foot slipped into hot condensate causing a second degree burn on his foot. Restricted duty.

EE was working a valve handle back and forth when he contacted a sharp edge on the handle with his left forearm. Result was a laceration that required five sutures to repair. No lost work days or restricted duty.

EE failed to notice that a valve was opened and he opened the valve allowing hot caustic slurry to come out and contact his left forearm. EE sustained second degree burns on his left forearm. Restricted duty only, no lost work days.

EE struck his left middle finger against a walkway handrail while working on some conduit. Diagnosed as a fractured finger on 02/16/07.

EE tripped on grating and experienced pain in his right hip. On 2/20/2007, Plant doctor gave EE a prescription of Utram for pain.

A chemical plant 2 miles from the Sherwin Plant released some chlorine into the atmosphere at 0430 hours on 3/8/07. EE complained about respiratory tract irritation due to the smell. EE was given first aid treatment and released to return to work. EE's personal physician took him off of work for 2 days as a precautionary measure due to other non-work related physical ailments.

At 07:40 AM a sixty-one year old employee suffered a cardiac arrest while at work. EE was given immediate medical assistance by the plant emergency response team and the on-site plant doctor. EE expired at 08:20 A.M.