All MSHA-reportable accidents at Specialty Minerals Inc operations in 2011. Fatalities appear first.
Alleged strain to left shoulder while climbing onto a forklift. Claim is contested based on physician's initial conclusion and second job held by employee. Further medical evaluation including a recent MRI reveals an old tear to the shoulder. Awaiting an opinion from an orthopedic surgeon. If proven to be work related the company contends this to be a repeated trauma illness.
Employee fractured left hand and bruised right hand while replacing gaskets on the secondary crusher. The bull gear hung up in the upper housing and came down unexpectedly as he was installing the retaining bolts pinching his hands between the lower shell housing and the retainer plate. Two by four blocks in place reduced the severity of the injury.
Worker has been complaining of left problem. He was placed on restricted duty on 11/07/2011.
Operator was pushing a charging rod into a retort when he felt a strain in his neck. Operator uses a 15 foot pole to push six 50 pound bags of material into a 12 foot long retort. When the operator was pushing the 4th or 5th bag into the retort he felt a strain in his neck.
Employee was adjusting carousel brake on an overburden drill. He was leaning against the carousel with his left hand as he applied an impact wrench to the brake adjuster. The carousel moved enough to pinch his left hand. He jerked his hand out and a rough surface caused a partial skin avulsion to his palm. The doctor decided to apply stitches.