All MSHA-reportable accidents at Specialty Minerals Inc operations in 2024. Fatalities appear first.
Dozer(D10) operator was pushing material. Operator was preparing to push a ramp to get off from a shot. Operator observed material falling off from the highwall. Operator tried to back up but material hit the Dozer. The material shattered the cab door window and minor damage to the loader engine area. The operator drove the Dozer to a safe location before notifying EE' team leader.
Conditions were normal, EE lifted a floor pan into place and felt a pop in EE's right side of chest
Upon review determined 7K1 was not filed. EE was moving railcars as Groundman. Inertia generated by failed coupling caused trailing railcar to move creating gap between knuckles.EE adjusted knuckle then walked between knuckles verifying hand brake was set. As EE was walking sideways between the knuckles, the rail car returned to the location of the failed coupling, crushing the EE.
Employee, with the help of coworker who was on the bed of a pickup truck, were unloading a 123 lbs. box from the pickup bed. Employee was holding the corner of the box with their right hand when the box was dropping off the truck. As the box was dropping to the ground, employee stopped the box from falling and was easing the box to the ground when felt pain in their right arm.
Loading a shot, pulling on a hose, hurt shoulder (1st day of treatment 2/22/24).
On Thursday Jan 11th, 2024, a mill employee of 2 years and 11 months of experience went to check on CBE 74 by the tunnels at 03:00am. When the employee entered the door to the drier building, a gush of high wind pushed the door getting their fourth finger on the right hand slammed between the door frame and the door.
working on replacing a belt conveyer pulley the guard was unsecure slid down and EE's left middle finger and cut it
A forklift operator exited the forklift and attempted to disengage the catch lever manually. The employee placed left hand on the forks to stabilize the hopper skid plate. The employee disengaged the hopper's catch lever causing a weight transfer to the front. The hopper's rear skid lifted crushing the employee's index and middle fingers between the fork and skid.
Miner Injured moving a 55-gallon oil drum on dolly. Drum was not set properly on dolly and miner adjusted drum. While adjusting drum right pointer finger was pinched between drum and dolly resulting in a hairline fracture and laceration. Gloves were worn.
Employee of 6 months was working on crusher feeder motor the employee removed the guard, and there was more guarding around it so, they had to stretch. Employee was on their knees reaching arm-length away to diagnose and repair the motor. They stayed in that position for approximately 20 minutes. The pain increased gradually, it turned mild after they stood up.