All MSHA-reportable accidents at Specialty Minerals Inc operations in 2023. Fatalities appear first.
A technician was performing EE's lube routes Sunday, 17-Dec-23 at approximately 2 p.m.. EE was carrying a bucket with EE's lube gun. While walking on the transition point, EE slipped and fell to EE's knees. EE attempted to break the fall with the arm carrying the bucket. EE felt a ""pop"" in EE's right shoulder.
On Wednesday October 4th, 2023. A swing shift employee of 2 years and 3 months in the company suffered a back sprain while descending from the G-loader at the beginning of their break at 22:30. As the employee stepped down the ladder, their left foot slipped and went through the last and 2nd to last rungs making them loose grip of their left hand from the handrail.
Injured EE reached for falling screwdriver. Index finger caught between screwdriver & equipment housing. Resulting in fractured index finger.
While removing a product line on a railcar the ee pulled the line hitting a tooth, causing it to chip. Temp. agency reported this incident as a first aid. It was not until EHS manager spoke to the ee on the week of 2/5. EE mentioned the chipped tooth was repaired at the dentist. Since it was a temp employee from an agency, EHS contacted MSHA for advice on behalf of SMI.
Two maintenance technician were replacing a rotary lock motor. As the motor was stuck a sledge hammer was used to tap loose the motor. However when one of the technicians struck the motor with the sledge hammer not realizing the other technician apparently had placed left hand under the motor to support it when left thumb was struck.
During the installation of a rotary valve to a hopper the injured EE lacerated left pointer finger from a pinch injury between the two flanges of the equipment being installed. The EE was reaching between the flanges to apply a gasket material when load swing occurred shearing the EE's finger between the two components.