Sherwin Alumina Company, LLCMining Incidents in 2012

On Wednesday evening, two individuals were waiting at the employee's personal truck, in the contractor parking area, and attacked ee, beating him. Causing a broken jaw to our employee.

While removing valve employee was sprayed with caustic liquids burning his neck, left ear, back, left and right arms.

While removing valve employee was sprayed with hot caustic liquid burning his neck and back

EE was opening up a valve when he felt a pain in his right groin area. On 07/24/12, EE diagnosed with a inguinal hernia. EE scheduled to have surgery, first day missed was 07/24/2012.

EE was part of a crew that was docking a barge. While attempting to place the docking cable over the ballard, EE experienced pain in his lower left back. EE was treated by onsite medical staff and returned to work. On 07/16/12, EE was sent to external doctor for evaluation. EE taken of work by treating physician on 07/17/2012.

While conducting pipe-fitting work, EE struck his right elbow on a 10 inch pipe. Experienced elbow and shoulder pain. On 5/16/12, EE placed on restricted duty.

EE was using a skid-steer loader to conduct clean up. EE reached out from the cab of the skid-steer loader and his right hand index and middle finger got caught between a flange and the skid-steer loader ROPS. Result was a laceration on both fingers that required sutures to repair. EE placed on restricted duty on 04/26/2012.

EE was walking down steps, when he slipped & felt a pop in his left knee. EE had walked through a fine layer of mud. EE believes that mud on boots was a contributing factor to the slip. EE was send home on 03/05/12 because he took Rx pain medication 15 minutes prior to reporting for work, against Rx instructions. This resulted in a lost work day.

As employee was trying to close a filter press he states that the air motor broke off the mount. When the motor fell off it struck the air valve causing it to open and energizing the bull gear. The ratchet swung around striking the employee on the left hand. X-ray revealed fracture of two fingers in his left hand.

Employee was cleaning scale from a platform when a section of the expanded metal between the piping and the beam gave way causing the employee's leg to fall through. The section of expanded metal had been previously cut and re-tacked in place. The employee injured his shoulder during this event.

While using a rivet gun to conduct clean up under #5 Digester Unit. The 18"" rivet gun bit broke, fell forward and struck the EE on the top of his right foot. The force caused the bit to cut through the boot & punctured the EE's foot. EE was taken to onsite medical facility where he was treated & released. EE was placed on restricted duty on 10/10/12.

EE was lifting 20# steel plate when he felt a pull in his right shoulder as he pushed the plate onto a scaffold. Did not become restricted until 09/04/12.

EE was working on a pump, ground was uneven and wet. EE slipped on wet surface and twisted right knee. EE stated he felt and heard a ""pop"". EE report mine site medical facility and was sent off-site for x-rays. On 08/15/12, EE was placed on restricted duty.

EE reported that he injured his right wrist as he was descending a ladder on the south e-crane. EE lost his footing as he stepped on the last rung on the bottom of the ladder. EE held on to the rung when he slipped. EE taken off work by treating doctor on 08/13/12.

Employee was walking up a stairwell, when he turned at the landing, he felt sharp pain in his right knee. He reported to the shift office immediately because he was having pain as he continued walking. EE placed on restricted duty on 07/16/12

EE was using an air lance to clean off the west apron feeder on the north hopper. When the EE pulled on the air hose, the hose hooked onto the apron feeder guard and caused it to fall on his ankle. EE was sent to an offsite physician for examination and treatment. EE placed on restricted duty on 06/29/12.

EE was standing on a work stand swinging a sledge hammer when his left foot slipped, causing EE to lose his balance. EE fell against an adjacent structure, striking the structure with his left upper torso. EE was taken off work by his treating physician on 06/14/2012 prior to the start of his shift.

WHILE LIFTING AN 1 1/2 "" IMPACT ONTO A BICYCLE, EE FELT PAIN IN LEFT WRIST. EE REPORTED INCIDENT TO AREA SUPERVISION AND WAS SENT TO MEDICAL FOR EVALUATION. EE WAS EXAMINED AND RELEASED TO FULL DUTY. ON 10/02/12, EE HAD SURGERY IN LEFT WRIST. RTW WITH RESTRICTIONS ON 10/15/12.

EE re-aggravated a previous injury and was placed on restricted duty.

While participating in docking a barge when he felt pain in right shoulder as he pulled up on the 1st tag line. EE put on restricted duty on 12/13/12 by offsite medical provider.

EE squatted down to go under some low hanging piping. When he straightened up he felt a pain in his lower back. EE placed on restricted duty on 12/10/12.

While walking from vehicle to front gate when he tripped over a reflector on the parking lot and fell, landing on his right arm/shoulder and right knee. Taken to medical by area personnel. Dx. Rt. shoulder/arm contusion, rt. knee abrasion. EE placed on restricted duty on 12/12/12.

EE was walking down the stairway when his right knee just ""gave out"". EE was sent to the onsite medical facility for evaluation. On 12/07/12, EE was placed on restricted duty by an offsite medical provider.

EE was tearing down a scaffold when he felt a pain in his shoulder. EE did not report injury until 11/13/12. EE was temporarily transfer to another job. Condition did not resolve and EE was placed on restricted duty on 12/12/12.

EE was ascending a stairway when he felt a ""pop"" in his right knee. He sat down and when he got back up he felt some pain and was sent to medical for evaluation. EE was carrying a bucket with a few tools and other items. Placed on restricted duty on 11/19/12.

EE was sitting on a bucket and welding overhead. Several pieces of welding slag fell and landed in his groin area. EE sustained 2nd & 3rd degree burns in his groin area. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE felt a ""pop"" in his left knee as he was climbing up on the cab of his service truck. EE had his left foot planted on the ground and his right foot was about to set on the cab step when his left foot slipped causing his knee to ""pop"". EE placed on restricted duty on 10/31/12

EE was walking out from a process area when he made contact with an overhead pipe. The following day he had soreness on the back of his neck and lower back. On 10/15/12, EE was sent to an offsite physician who placed the EE on restricted duty.

EE was rolling slurry blind on #5-9 heater, when the impact gun that he was using slipped off the nut. The gun pinched employee's right hand ring finger between the gun and slurry blind. EE received a deep bruise to the tip of his finger. X-ray revealed fracture on finger tip. EE placed on restricted duty on 10/08/12

While stepping out of the South E-crane switch house, EE stepped on a rock and rolled the right foot. EE felt a slight pain in the right ankle and was sent to medical for evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty on 10/08/12.

After opening and closing some valves EE felt a throbbing pain in his left shoulder. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE was walking in his work area and felt his back, ""tighten up"". After medical evaluation by an off site medical provider, EE was placed on restricted duty.

EE was attempting to remove a valve from a storage rack. The valve slid off the storage rack and struck EE on his right shoulder, neck and head. EE placed on restricted duty.

Employee noticed he had a wet sock and then noted a hole in his rubber boot. Boot was worn well beyond usable life. Caustic got into his boot and contacted his left foot resulting in a chemical burn. On 9/9/12, EE restricted from climbing ladders. RTW full duty on 9/17/12.

EE was using a 3/4"" air impact with a ""wobble"" joint on a 1 13/16"" socket. EE placed his left hand around the wobble and socket assembly to stabilize it. EE's left index finger at the tip got pinched by the wobble joint. EE was treated at medical and placed on restricted duty. EE RTW full duty on 9/17/12.

EE had just descended a portable work platform, he stepped on an uneven surface and twisted his right ankle. EE was evaluated by an off site medical provider and placed on restricted duty.

EE felt pop and pain in his right elbow when he picked up a 6"" PVC pipe. EE went to the onsite medical facility for evaluation. EE was sent off-site for further evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty by treating doctor on 9/5/12.

EE was walking up the incline walkway when he slipped and fell on his right knee. EE was evaluated by onsite medical provider and sent an off site medical provider for further evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty on 8/29/12 by off site provider. EE returned to work full duty on 9/5/12.

EE slipped off of the bottom rung of a fixed ladder as he begun to climb the ladder. EE felt a pull to his right shoulder area. EE was sent to the onsite medical facility for an examination of his right shoulder. EE placed on restricted duty on 8/27/12.

EE's left eye, lips and right ear were splashed with caustic while he was hammering a plug off the barrel on # 92 PPT. A portion of the plug broke loose and dropped to the ground and splashed the EE. EE was given Rx medication to prevent infection

While a fellow EE was begin to use a die grinder nearby, the grinding disc broke apart and a piece struck EE in the upper chest area. EE was sent to the onsite medical facility for evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty on 8/24/12.EE RTW Full Duty on 9/6/12.

EE was assisting in bringing Digester unit back on line. He opened up the 300# steam valve using a valve wrench. After completion, he picked up his 8# sledge hammer with his right hand and felt pain in his right shoulder. EE received a medication injection on 8/25/12.

EE was operating the nut runner & a co-worker was using a 8 lb. sledgehammer on the stem of the valve. The co-worker struck the stem and the sledge hammer bounced off & struck EE on the top of his right hand. EE's hand was caught between the sledge hammer head & the nut runners trigger. EE was treated for a contusion. EE placed on restricted duty on 08/12/12.

EE stepped on a cable, tripped and fell. Sustained a severe left ankle sprain. EE put on restricted duty on 8/6/12.

While hosing down the work area, caustic entered the employee's right work boot. This resulted in a mild chemical burn to the top of his right foot. Although being treated for 2 days, the area became infected and the employee was given restricted duty by a physician.

EE stepped off a step, approximately 1.5 feet, and felt a pain in his right hip. Treating doctor placed EE on restricted duty.

EE was helping a bauxite ship when there was a tug on the mooring line he was handling. As EE felt the tug he experienced a ""pop"" in his right shoulder. On 08/15/12, EE was placed on restricted duty by a treating physician.

The injured employee pinched his left thumb between a 10 inch blind flange and a pipe flange.

Employee was using hammer incorrectly and created a pinch point between the employees finger and the surface he was striking.

EE was using a wrench to tighten a valve packing gland. The wrench slipped off of the nut pinching EEs right hand ring finger between the wrench and an adjacent work platform handrail. EE placed on restricted duty on 06/28/2012. RTW full duty on 07/06/2012.

EE stepped on the timber step which rolled under his foot causing him to hyper-extend his left knee. EE had a little discomfort, however, EE declined OTC meds and RTW. On his follow up with onsite medical staff EE was sent to an offsite physician for evaluation. EE placed on restricted duty by treating physician on 06/29/12.

EE was using a sledgehammer to close a valve when he felt a sharp pain in his back. EE placed on restricted duty on 06/20/2012. EE returned to work without restrictions on 06/27/2012.

EE was in the process of hooking up an electric motor in an area of reduced space. Upon completing the installation, EE had a difficult time straightening up & was experiencing pain in the Left lateral aspect of the lower lumbar region of the back. EE was diagnosed with Left Lumbar Strain. EE placed on restricted duty by Treating Physician on 6/14/12

While working to remove a 2"" threaded connection EE felt pain in upper back/neck area. EE was using a 3/4"" impact in tight, confined space. EE was sent to the mine medical facility for evaluation. EE sent to outside physician on date of incident. EE placed on restricted duty on 6/1/12.

EE tripped on a hose and twisted his left ankle. Diagnosis is left ankle sprain, EE placed on restricted duty on 05/23/2012.

Employee was taking a caustic sample at a scale trap when the scale broke free allowing caustic to be discharge form the scale trap. The discharged caustic splashed onto the employees groin area. Result was a caustic burn to the groin area. Treating physician placed EE on restricted duty on 05/25/12.

EE was conducting housekeeping duties when he slipped and fell. On 05/15/12, EE was diagnosed with a left knee contusion, left shoulder strain and right knee strain and placed on restricted duty.

While disassembling a valve, a tool that the EE was using caused a laceration on his left arm. Treating physician used a topical skin adhesive to close the wound. EE placed on restricted duty effective 5/4/12.

EE tripped on a 1"" hose that was being used by the water jetting crew, and fell head first into the grill of the water-jetters truck which was nearby. EE then fell to the ground. EE sustained a contusion on his forehead, a small abrasion to left cheek, an abrasion to his right knee. EE also complained of pain to right elbow.

EE was working in his area of responsibility when he heard a loud noise and which startled him. He fell back landing on his hands where he got abrasions on both hands. EE placed on restricted duty.

EE was entering a work shed when his left foot slipped causing pain in left knee. EE placed on restricted duty from 04/17/12 to 05/3/12. EE has RTW full duty.

EE was conducting routine pipe-fitting work. In the process, EE's right thumb got caught between a pinch point. The EE was wearing all required PPE. EE was treated by on-site medical staff and returned to work without restrictions. EE placed on Restricted Duty on 03/29/2012.

While operating a bulldozer, the bulldozer stalled and came to a sudden stop (bulldozer had been traveling down an incline while breaking over on a stockpile peak). EE felt the back of his neck ""pop"". EE placed on restricted duty on 03/02/2012.

While conducting pipe-fitting work EE felt pain in his left shoulder. EE was placed on restricted duty on 03/06/2012.

EE was disconnecting a hose from filter press when his left ring finger got caught between the hose and a structural pipe. EE was treated at medical and returned to work on the same date. On 02/24/12, X-ray revealed a fracture of his left hand ring finger. EE returned to work full duty on 03/23/2012.

Original diagnosis was a right thumb sprain. A follow-up doctors visit on 03/05/2012,resulted in a diagnosis and treatment plan that placed on EE's right hand in a hard splint and restrictions placed on use of same.

EE was descending process area steps when his left boot heel/sole detached from his work boot, causing EE to twist his left knee. EE was seen at mine site medical facility and was released to return to work without restrictions. On 04/30/12, the mine operator received a document from EEs doctor taking EE off work from 04/30/12 to 07/01/12.

A T.S.S. employee was in the process of shutting down a pump, while the number 1 washer feed line was being hydro blasted. As the employee was performing his task a piece of scale came loose from the area being hydro blasted and struck the employee on the chin causing a small laceration.

EE was working inside vessel and as EE raised his face shield a small foreign object got into his left eye. Went to the eyewash station and rinsed his eye and the object was still there. EE reported to the on site medical facility. EE's eye was flushed to remove the object. A Rx medication was applied to the eye making this a reportable incident.

Employee was applying mastic on a vessel. He was crossing over an insulated fitting when his knee struck a small protruding piece of the metal jacketing causing a laceration to the inner side of his right knee.

EE was grabbing a hot (approximately 108C) chemical sample from a tank. EE was wearing PVC gloves. Some of the hot material splashed on his gloved left hand. The heat transfer was enough to cause a second degree burn on his left hand.

Employee was working inside number #13 settler when his goggles fogged up. Employee removed his goggles to wipe them clean and thought the wetness on his forehead and goggles was sweat but instead it was caustic and wipe his face and forehead and that's when he got the caustic in his eyes.

The injured employee was erecting a scaffold when he lost his footing and struck against a pipe flange causing a laceration to his nose.

EE was working to roll a blind of some piping when wind blew caustic onto left leg. When EE washed leg at a safety shower caustic dripped onto his foot causing a chemical burn to left foot. EE treated at a local medical facility and prescribed Silvadene for treatment of the burn. Burn classified as a 1st degree burn.

EE was using an 8lb sledge hammer to open a valve. When the EE swung the hammer and struck the valve handle, the hammer bounced back and struck EE on the mouth. Result was three chipped teeth and a loose tooth.

Employee was using a chain hoist to assist in removing rods out of the number 2 mill. He was splashed by mud underneath the face shield. He immediately exited and proceeded to safety shower. He pulled his goggles towards his neck and at this time he contaminated his right eye. He immediately reported and was taken to local ER for flushing and observation.

Employee attemtped to adjust rigging for a load under tension not lifted. During adjustment employee caught middle finger on left hand in between load (pump) and rigging causing an injury to the finger.

Grinding debris entered employee's right eye when employee lifted welding hood to change out welding rod

Employee was climbing a ladder to prepare to feed electrical cable and another employee was above him and he pulled on a roll of cable that was tied off to some conduit and it caused the cable to fall and strike the affected employee on the hard had and right shoulder area causing immediate pain.

EE started experiencing heat stress symptoms. EE was transported via private ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. EE was administered fluids intravenously. EE returned to work full duty on 8/22/12.

EE started experiencing heat stress symptoms. EE was transported via mine operator ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. EE was administered fluids intravenously. EE returned to work full duty on 8/22/12.

Employee was working outdoors he became overheated, the Sherwin contractor provided response team took the employee to a medical facility offsite and they treated the employee with a saline IV and released the employee with no restrictions available to return to work the following day. The employee returned the following day without further issue.

EE entered a mine site operator control room at approximately 0630 hours. He stated to the Lead Operator that he was not feeling well. EE sat down,started displaying signs and symptoms of physical distress and collapsed. CPR was initiated and the mine site EMS Team was mobilized. EE was transported to a local emergency room for treatment. EE did not survive.