Sherwin Alumina Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2011

While moving an oil barrel employee felt pain in his right side. On 05/09/2012, EE taken off work by treating doctor. EE had been working without restrictions prior to being taken off work.

Employee entered a confined space on #3 washer and fell approximately 29 feet to a lower level while working with poor lighting. Employee failed to follow company procedure on fall protection. Employee failed to be aware of his surroundings.

EE states that as he was getting into a scooter he felt/heard a ""pop"" in his right knee. Due to circumstances associated with this event, the mine operator is ""Red Lining"" this event as there may prove to be a non-occupational injury. Incident is under investigation. EE started losing work days on 10/17/2011,Per call11/22/11 with A.C. change missing date to 09/30/11.

EE states that while walking into the refinery, he stepped off road to avoid traffic and in the process of stepping off the road he claims he twisted his knee aggravating an old knee injury. The previous knee injury was non work related. Employer is ""Red Lining"" this injury and will contest the validity of the work related status.

EE conducting routine duties when he got caustic solution in his right eye. EE taken off work by his treating physician on 02/18/2011.

EE was descending the step at the 14 cross tail pulley. As he turned from one set of steps to descend another set, he slipped on the muddy deck.

On 11/17, the EE struck his head on an overhead structure. EE reported the incident to mgmt on 11/18. EE was seen by the medical staff & RTW w/o restrictions. On 11/25, EE reported to the medical facility complaining of dizziness, pain & tingling in his left arm. EE was sent home. EE did not report to work on 11/26 & 11/27. On 11/28/, EE placed on restricted duty by his Dr.

Grinding handle for left hand broke during operation causing employee to fall forward and catch left forearm and chest on grinding disk

EE was adjusting the loading bucket cones at alumina loading dock. He was doing this by pulling them up and repositioning them. EE felt a strain in his left elbow. EE reported to the mine medical facility for evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty on 9/23/11. EE lost work days beginning 3/6/2012 to 4/13/2012. EE RTW full duty on 4/13/2012.

EE was ascending a ladder when he missed a ladder rung, as a result, EE hyper-extended his right shoulder. EE underwent right shoulder surgery on 01/25/2012. Prior to the surgery date, EE was working full duty and without restrictions.

EE was working the night shift, when he tripped on a road curbside, falling to the ground. EE complained of shoulder pain. On 9/7/2011, EE had surgery on his right shoulder.

EE was using a drill to drill out a bolt. The drill bit broke and the EE's right shoulder thrust forward. The sudden action caused a sprain/strain on the right shoulder. EE was placed on restricted duty on 04/28/11 by his treating physician.

EE reported on 03/21/2011 that on 03/18/2011 he was conducting routine work when he felt a ""pop"" in his left knee. Employer is ""Red Lining"" this case due to late report. EE had surgery on his left knee on 07/06/2011. Employer contends that this is not a work related injury.

EE slipped while performing routine duties. In an effort to break his fall, EE grabbed onto a nearby structure. EE started losing work days on 09/14/2011.

EE stepped on an uneven surface and fell backwards, falling on his lower back and right shoulder. EE taken off work by his treating physician on 02/14/2011.

EE was resetting the a motor on the south E-crane. While he was doing this another EE was operating the E-crane and filling the hoppers with bauxite. When EE discharge bauxite load, the hopper shook and some rocks slid off striking EE in the right hand and the upper back area. EE placed on restricted duty on 12/28/2011.

EE was working under a piping flange and as he stood up he struck his hardhat on the piping flange jamming his neck. There was a mound of scale build up creating an elevation change. The EE claims that the scale buildup is what caused him to strike his head on the piping flange. EE on restricted duty from 12/22/2011 to 01/03/2012. EE RTW full duty on 01/02/2012.

Employee was descending a ladder. As EE stepped down onto the floor with his left foot, he slipped. EE did not fall to the floor and did not feel any discomfort at the time of incident. After he go home he started feeling pain to his right leg around the hamstring area. EE report the incident when he reported to work the following day. EE placed on restrictions on 12/27/11.

While sailing a barge, employee reached over to grab the last mooring line which was secured to the bullard. As employee grabbed and picked up the line, he felt a pain in his left shoulder.

Employee sprained his left knee reporting to work on 11-1-11 while riding his bicycle. Employee said that he slowly started feeling discomfort in his left knee after dismounting the bicycle.

Grinding Handle for left hand broke during operation causing employee to fall forward and catch arm on grinding disk.

On 04/26/2012 Mine Operator received notice from treating medical provider preventing EE from work retroactive to 4/13/12. EE had been off work on non-occupational disability & is now claiming that condition is occupational.

EMPLOYEE WAS HANDLING SHIP LINES ON THE M/V FRONT RUNNER. EMPLOYEE FELT A BURNING PAIN TO HIS MIDDLE BACK WHEN HE PULLED ON THE BOW LINE

EE was working on a filter press when he was struck by a lifting hook on his left elbow causing a puncture wound that required sutures to repair. No lost time, EE placed on restricted duty.

EE conducting a routine pump swap when he slipped and fell. He stuck out his right hand to break the fall and struck the hand on a valve hand. X-ray revealed a fractured bone in his right hand. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE was conducting a maintenance function when he started experiencing lower back pain. EE placed on restricted duty on 07/15/2011.

Employee was connecting 2 1 1/4"" electrical conduit sections when he felt pain to left shoulder

EE stepped off a concrete pad and hit his heel on the lower pad. EE stated that he didn't realize that it was that much of a grade when he stepped off hitting on the heel of his left foot. Initially diagnosed as a contusion, on 6/16/11, MRI revealed a hairline fracture on his left heel. On 6/17/2011, he was placed on restricted duty.

EE was removing bolt ,using channel locks, from lid holder on a 55-Gal Drum, EE felt a pinch on his lower center back. On 06/04/2011, EE was placed on restricted duty.

EE had just inspected a conveyor discharge chute. As he closed the observation door, he caught his left hand fourth finger between the door and the door frame. Result was a laceration that required sutures to close.

EE was working to clear the pant leg from 1 Lime silo to # 2 slacker feeder belt. Lime dust was escaping from the inspection port ee had installed an air lance in to get lime to flow. The perspiration on ee's skin caused the lime to activate as the dust landed on his arm and neck. 02/28/2011 - Treated for 1st and 2nd degree burns on neck and left forearm.

EE was doing routine duties when a piece of hydrate scale fell and struck EE on his right hand middle finger. Xray revealed a fracture of his right hand middle index finger.

In R-33 #3 washer, an ee was washing down mud. A 1"" OD hose ruptured and pressure knocked off his face shield, hard hart and another ee was pushed into the right side of his Uvex goggies. He was guided out of the #3 washer and his eyes were flushed. He was taken to an on site medical and a nearby hospital for flushing. He returned to work and is following up with a physician daily.

Employee was replacing leaking gasket in goggle eye blind. Gasket was replaced, tightening blind using round stock rod. Rod slipped out catching left thumb between round stock and pipe flange.

While lifting hatch cover on alumina barge for loading, EE felt pain in lower back. On 04/11/2011 EE was placed on ""sedentary"" restrictions by his treating physician.

EE stated that he caught his right ring finger between a valve and a valve wrench while operating valve. X-ray revealed a fracture of right ring finger.

While attending a safety meeting, employee was standing on stair in front of job trailer. employee passed out and fell face first down step onto steel grating at ground level. Employee received stitches to his head and nose.

Employee was struck on right cheek by hook and comelong while tying down bottle rack

EE sustained a laceration on his right forearm when he contacted a valve stem. Required nine sutures to repair laceration. No lost work days or restricted duty.

When EE removed his mono-goggles to clean them, a foreign object blew into his right eye. EE went to the mine medical facility. EMT was not successful in flushing the foreign object from the eye. EE was transport to a local hospital where the foreign object was removed. EE prescribed an antibiotic making this a recordable injury. No lost work days or restricted duty.

EE was working to replace a conveyor belt. He was using a knife to cut the conveyor belt. As he was making the cut, the knife slipped, causing a laceration in his left forearm that required sutures to repair. EE returned to work after medical treatment. No lost work days or restricted duty.

Injury occurred on 5/16/11 - piece of alumina fell 20 feet striking employee on hard hat and upper back. The initial diagnosis and treatment was not reportable, as the physician returned him to full duty. On 5/19/11 employee was part of a group laid off due to a reduction in force. On 6/1/11 it became reportable when the physician ordered physical therapy.

EE was working on #7 Evaporator when his right forearm came in contact with a steam sensing line resulting in a 2nd degree burn to his right forearm. EE was treated at the mine medical facility and returned to work. No lost workdays or restricted duty.