All MSHA-reportable accidents at US Silica Company operations in 2016. Fatalities appear first.
Abandoned farmhouse at entrance to mine property was set on fire / arson. Fire was not the cause of mining operations. No miners were at risk as plant was shut down for weekend - no shift at work. Building had no electricity or active heating sources. Fire Marshal investigated scene on 08/14/16 and indicated suspicious cause - most likely arson.
The employee was opening rail car lids on top of a railcar. The employee was wearing fall protection with a SRL anchored to an approved point on a manlift platform. The SRL strap got wrapped within the manlift railing while the employee was bending to open lid. SRL strap was tighten, employee hurt back.
Employee was entering the wet process building. EE entered and parked the electric scoot. EE then shut the doors and when ee turned to go back to the cart, ee slipped on ice, but caught themselves before a complete fall. Felt shoulder pain and received treatment for a strain with restrictions.
Employee was lifting up on an elevator safety gate with right arm. As EE lifted up the gate EE indicated that EE felt pain in right arm between forearm and bicep. X-ray and MRI done. Strain of arm ligament. Restricted duty-right arm and physical therapy. *Referred for surgery 2/9/17. Surgery took place on 2/17/17. Begin lost time on 2/17/17.
Employee completed the task of replacing drive belts on the #1 attrition cell. Employee, along with the Mill Operator and the Mill Helper were installing the belt guard when the employee felt a pull in lower back.
While exiting Cat 385 excavator, the operator noticed the egress ladder was full of heavy mud. The operator attempted to wipe the mud off the ladder by sweeping it with left foot. While doing this, EE felt a sharp stinging pain in left foot. Not reported to supervisor until following day.
Employee tripped while walking down the last couple of stair risers, when then the tyvek disposal pant leg cuff caught on a stair riser. Employee's left ring finger was fractured while the employee used left hand to try and break fall.
While returning from the break room to EE's haul truck, the employee's right foot slipped on a small patch of snow covered ice and fell.
The employee lost footing when stepping down from one building to another. EE did not fall to the ground but landed awkwardly on left foot resulting in a sprain to the arch. EE did not seek medical treatment until January 13th, 2017 at which time EE was put on restricted duty.
Employee was going down 2 steps, rolled foot/ankle and suffered a fracture to 5th metatarsal.
Employee drilling a hole in a metal plate. Employee was fabricating a bottle rack for holding cylinders in the maint. truck. Employee was using a 1/2"" electric drill. The drill bit locked up, causing the drill to start turning. Employee was holding the handle, but the drill ""got away"" and twisted right hand, resulting in a sprain.
Maintenance employee was trying to unclog transport pipe, as they were attempting to pressurize pipe, end cap blew off and struck ee in hand.
Employee was handling a sand equipment process screen when EE reported a back strain and pain. Employee went to doctor and was referred to the PCP. EE was unable to obtain an appointment with the PCP until 6/22/2016 and returned to full duty work on 6/23/2016.
On 1/15/16 EE was helping install a return roller. EE crawled under the conveyor and turned to push up on the roller. When EE turned EE felt a sharp pain in EE's lower back. EE reported it to EE's supervisor. EE had no further complaints of pain until 1/29/16 which followed shoveling spillage on 1/28/16. EE was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with a lumbar sprain on 1/29/16.
Employee was delivering a small sample bottle of sand to the lab and was descending the stairs at the end of the D5 conveyor when EE heard and felt a pop in EE's right knee.
Employee was cutting a pipe overhead using a grinder with a cut-off wheel when the grinder licked out and cut arm. The employee was taken to a medical facility where 11 stitches were used to close the laceration.
While using a bobcat to clean sand near a truck scale, an employee injured their rib (closed fracture), when the bobcat struck a protruding concrete footing. The employee was wearing a seatbelt, however employee was forced forward and struck a safety bar in midsection. Medical treatment received 4/18/2016.
Employee was removing feed distribution box from Rotex lid. While pulling on upper wrench to loosen the nut, the wrench slipped off and struck employee in lip resulting in laceration to lower lip and chipped top right front tooth.
A shift in hearing was reported during an annual audiometric examination. There have been no significant noise exposures according to our dosimetry records.