Sherwin Alumina Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2009

EE first stated that on 11/20/09, EE woke up with both shoulders sore. Several days later, EE changed his statement and said that the soreness was due to work he did on 11/05/2009. On 01/13/2010, EE called in and stated that he had gone to his doctor and his doctor took him off work. Company is contesting this injury.

EE was shutting off a valve when he tried to apply more pressure on the valve, he felt a pain in his left shoulder.

Employee was drilling the top level tap on #3-3 flash tank when the drill bit got stuck. The drill then back spun (counterclockwise) and it was at this time that employee felt a pain to his right shoulder. EE taken off work on 08/20/09.

Employee was pulling a water hose on #1 Ship Unloader. He felt a sensation in his lower back but no pain until about 1.5 hours later. The Medical Dept sent employee out for x-rays that showed degenerative condition. On 4/13/09, we recieved notice that employee's doctor prescribed medication and ordered restrictions.

EE was sprayed on facial region with caustic containing mud slurry. EE sustained 2nd degree burns to lips and minor eye irritation. Rx medication was given for eyes. EE started losing time on 11/09/09.

EE tripped on roadside curb and fell backwards. His lower back landed on a hose fitting resulting in a back sprain and contusion. EE started losing work days on 11/04/09.

Employee was working inside #8 washer using an 8# sledge hammer to knock scale off rake plows. He slipped on wet floor and fell backwards, striking his neck on a rake plow. Employee was unconcious for 2 - 3 minutes. He was assisted from tank by another employee.

Employee was walking near #3 settler, when he slipped on process scale and fell. He fell foreward on his hands. Employee complained of pain to his right knee and went to the Medical department. On April 3, we received his Doctor's diagnosis making it reportable.

Employee was dragging a workstand to where it was needed. There was a build-up of hydrate on the pad that created resistance to moving the stand. Employee felt pain in his lower and upper back.

EE was sandblasting a pump body. As he flipped the pump body over, he felt a ""twing"" in his lower back. Minimal pain at the time. On 01.04.2010, EE was placed on restricted duty and issued pain medication.

EE was hosing down with caustic solution when he felt a burning sensation on the top of his right foot. EE removed his boot and discovered that caustic had soaked into his sock from a leak in the boot. EE was then sent to medical where he was treated for 2nd Degree Chemical Burns to the top of his right foot; resulting in a recordable incident with restrictions.

Employee was using a scaling gun at 30-7 sump. The bit got stuck in scale. As he attempted to pull the bit out of the scale, he felt a pop in his lower back. Lower back strain; placed on restricted duty.

EE WAS HOSING DOWN WITH LIQUOR. EE HAD THE HOSE BETWEEN HIS LEGS, WHEN THE HOSE SLIPPED, AND EE GRABBED THE HOSE NOZZLE. THE NOZZLE SPRAY KNOCKED OFF THE EE'S HARD HAT, FACE SHIELD, GOGGLES AND GLASSES. EE WAS SPRAYED WITH LIQUOR IN BOTH EYES. EE FLUSHED HIS EYES AT THE SAFETY SHOWER IN THE AREA. EE WAS TREATED BY PLANT MEDICAL STAFF. EE PLACED ON RESTRICTED DUTY.

EE was attempting to remove a valve from a flange. EE used a wheel wrench to pry valve apart from flange. Wheel wrench slipped causing EE to strike his right hand fifth finger against the flange. Result was a laceration that required sutures to repair and a fractured finger. Restricted duty only.

Employee was removing the 1"" spline drive impact tool from the tool box located at #1 rod mill. He felt a pull in his lower back. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE was using an 8 lb sledgehammer to close a valve when he experienced a sharp pain in his right shoulder. Treated and returned to work. On 11/11/2009, EE was placed on restricted duty.

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A WATER LANCE TO UNPLUG 2-1 PANT LEG ON #2 BAUXITE BIN. EMPLOYEE STATED THAT A PIECE OF SCALE BROKE, AND STRUCK THE TIP OF THE WATER LANCE, CAUSING HIS RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER TO JERK IN A UPWARD MOTION. EMPLOYEE FELT A SHARP PAIN TO HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. EE Treated & released at plant medical facility. On followup visit of 11/2/09, EE ws placed on restricted duty

EE was bending over and extending his arms forward to pick up a plastic bucket filled with Liquor. EE stated that he was going to pick the bucket up and empty the Liquor into 13 PPT. While bending over and reaching forward EE stated that he felt a pop in his lower back, resulting in pain and discomfort. EE was placed on restricted duty.

Employee was rolling drive belt onto pump sheave and thumb was caught and pinched between the belt and sheave. Employee was not wearing gloves. Diagnosed as a contusion. On 10/15/09, thumb was still painful, x-ray was done on this date and revealed a hairline fracture. Restricted duty

EE was packing #4 Mud Disposal pump when he slipped off the pump base. The EE was standing on the pump base about 26"" off the ground level. He was standing on about a 4 inch edge around the pump base. As he was packing the pump he slipped off falling to the pad. The EE broke his fall with his hands but twisted his right ankle. Rx meds for pain at night only.

Employee was in the process of heading up 5-3 Heater bottom flanges. He had already hung one bottom & had gone back to storage rack to retrieve a 2nd bottom. On his return trip hose had been pressured up to vent in 5-1 Digester Feed Pump. The wheels crossed hose, when single back wheel crossed hose it ruptured spraying employee.

EE states that while hooking up a portable pump to his scooter he felt a sharp pain in his lower back. EE placed on restricted duty on 08/20/2009.

EE states that he was using a lug all to move a valve into position so he could work on it. EE's started to hurt while working the lug all. EE states that he experienced right shoulder pain the following day. EE placed on restricted duty making this a reportable accident.

Employee was stepping across a pile of bauxite that had fallen from the belt when he struck his hard hat against a ceiling beam causing pain to his neck.

Employee was moving a drive sprocket down a stairway by hand lifting it down one step at a time. The next day he complained of a sore back.

As employee opened #40 ppt disc. valve with 8# sledge, he felt a burning sensation in right shoulder. Earlier in shift, employee had another difficult valve. Employee was given restrictions for lifting and overhead work.

Employee had been using an 8 lb sledge hammer to open and close valves in precipitation unit. Employee reported pain and burning in left elbow.

Employee was drilling bottom level tap on 1-5 flash tank. Employee said drill packing failed and steam and hot liquor sprayed the employees right arm and abdomen. Employee received second degree burns.

Caustic leaked into boot through small leak.

The injured employee was working at #12 washer while helping build a scaffold. While handing a 2x4 board up above him to another employee who was wearing muddy / wet gloves, the board slipped out of the other employees hands, falling and striking him in the forehead causing a laceration above the nose.

While opening the 1"" 1/2 shell wash valve on #6 kelly press, the ""cheater pipe"" slipped off of the valve handle striking the EE in the face, chipping a tooth and causing a small laceration to his lip. EE was treated & released by plant medical staff. No lost time or restrictions.

EE was removing an old piece of w 8x28 app. 41/2' long. He was trying to slide the beam when it suddenly became hung up. EE pushed harder causing the beam to move and pinch his finger between the beam and grating. This resulted in a small ""L"" shaped laceration which required four stitches to close properly.

EE was picking up his daily slurry samples. As he picked up sample bottle, the bottle ruptured apart causing hot slurry to contact his muscles etc. No lost workdays or restricted duty.

EE was milling a valve part on a Lucus lathe when he felt an irritation in his right eye. EE was treated and released. On 7/28/09, EE had irritation on his right eye. EE was given an Rx for an antibiotic against infection, making this a recordable injury. No lost work time.

Employee was working on a pump when his arm brushed against a jagged piece of metal causing a laceration.

The shroud covering the high pressure hose connected to the shotgun prevented adequate inspection of high pressure hose. The hose guide on the shoulder stock was rubbing and vibrating on hose and shroud creating a weak point in the hose which lead to the rupturing of the high pressure hose on the right side of the chest causing a 1 inch laceration.

Employee was closing a screen box and pinched his left index finger between a bolt and a slot for the bolt.

Employee was cleaning old gasket material from a set of flanges being held apart with a wedge. The wedge slipped out, allowing the flanges to move and caught the employees right ring finger between the flanges. Employee was given prescription pain medication, making it a recordable.

Employee had just installed a new drain valve and was attempting to drain 5-1 mud block. After rodding out the drain nozzle, the drain valve came loose and he was sprayed with hot caustic slurry.

Employee was removing bolts from a flange. He was operating an air operated impact tool with right hand while holding back-up wrench with left hand. The socket bounced off the nut and twisted his forearm.

Employee slipped on steps causing a thoracic strain.