All MSHA-reportable accidents at US Silica Company operations in 2015. Fatalities appear first.
Office worker was moving 20lb boxes of copy paper when she said she hurt her back but didn't think it was serious. She came back to work on Monday and seemed to be normal on Tuesday she claimed it was worse and then an appointment was made on Wednesday and the doctor said it was a muscle strain.
Two Dump trucks hauling on dirt road when 1st truck stopped, 2nd truck did not see due to the dust and struck the rear of 1st truck. Driver of 1st truck momentarily lost consciousness resulting in his truck going over small embankment. The injured employee was taken to hospital and received treatment for cuts on head, broken collar bone & possible concussion. Both trucks disabled.
Employee injured hand while working on dust collector fan
Miner was performing routine tasks carrying samples in a 5 gallon bucket down some steps and felt a pull in his shoulder. Minor first aid was performed and the miner claimed he felt fine. This injury didn't affect his job until 4/17/15.
Employee was working on the Caribs Fall Protection unit for trucks. He reports that he felt a pop to his knee when he stepped over a magnetic gate. Afterwards he reported pain when walking. Employee received restricted duty from initial medical provider.
Employee was shoveling material on 11/3/15 at about 7:15AM, he felt a momentary sharp pain in his lower back as he turned with a full shovel. He reported it to supervisor that afternoon. He worked the remainder of the week. He reported his back got worse over the weekend. He did not report for work and was diagnosed with a lumbosacral strain on 11/10/15 by his doctor.
Employee was cutting steel angle using a torch. When oxygen was applied, the cut pocketed and returned slag and sparks towards employee. Slag bounced off of worker's cheek, onto his safety glasses and into his right eye.
EE missed a step and felt a pop and twist in his knee when he landed. EE refused to seek medical treatment at the time. I received documentation of EE's treatment and restrictions on 12/1, which, at that time, made it reportable. Upon further investigation, I will determine if EE's absence during this time is a result of his injury.
The employee was exiting and dismounting the machine. While going down the steps of the machine, the employee slipped on the last step and fell to the ground landing awkwardly and spraining his left knee in the process. Employee was taken to a medical clinic where he was placed on light duty.
Employee was moving seal pump from storage location on floor or storeroom onto a 2 wheel cart in order to transport to a chain hoist. Employee bent over and lifted the pump/motor assembly onto the cart and strained low back.
Operator was tightening a bolt on a pipe flange with a wrench when the wrench slipped off the bolt, pinching his finger between the wrench and a beam. Operator was wearing gloves at the time.
Employee was using 385 excavator to pull down material from a 50 ft bench. A single 5-6 tn boulder which had been contained within the face of the material above, toppled off the top while the operator was swinging the excavator. The rock struck the tracks first, then upward into the front end of the cab. Case just became reportable when employee needed to seek physical therapy.
EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING A STUFFING BOX FOR A PUMP WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS BACK. THERE IS AN UNSPECIFIED HISTORY OF PERSONAL BACK ISSUES. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT SOUGHT UNTIL 11-18-2015.
While retrieving a sample ground silica from the process entered the employee's eyes. Safety Glasses and all other PPE was being worn. Eyes were flushed and no further injury noted. A prescription medication was given to prevent infection.
The employee was assisting in the task of lining up the reducer pipe on the #2 in line pump. The process involved 2 other employees on the ground and an employee in the front end loader which lifts the pipe in place. During the process the employee injured his right shoulder. The employee did not seek medical treatment until 8-14-2015 at which time it was deemed reportable
EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING AND PULLING FIRE HOSE TO PUT IT AWAY. EE SLIPPED ON THE WET FLOOR AND LANDED ON RIGHT SIDE STRIKING KNEE AND SHOULDER AGAINST THE CONCRETE AND STEEL GRATING. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT SOUGHT UNTIL 11-12-15.
Supervisor was checking operation of automatic sampler. While holding the retractable rod connecter to the sample container His hand was pulled towards the opening. Given the manner he was grasping the rod, thumb pointing towards opening the sampler pulled his hand into the side injuring his thumb of Rt. Hand. Initial first aid indicates possible stitches only.
US Silica received confirmation, dated 7/15/2015, that employee has a reportable hearing loss in his left ear.