All MSHA-reportable accidents at US Silica Company operations in 2021. Fatalities appear first.
At approximately 10:30 PM smoke was observed in the B Pit Pump house due to the overheating of a mining pump motor. The local fire department was called and, at 11:15, the smoke was cleared, and a small fire was observed inside the pump and motor. The fire was fully extinguished at approximately 11:40 PM. This occurred in an unoccupied area of the mine.
LIMITED ACCESS. I/W WAS LIFTING APPR. 70 LB. OF SLACK CHAIN WITH BOTH HANDS, SUPPORTED BY (2) COME-A-LONGS, WHEN CHAIN SLIPPED OVER SPROCKET TEETH CRUSHING ENDS OF 3rd AND 4TH FINGERS ON L. HAND AND END OF 3RD FINGER ON R. HAND. I/W REMOVED FINGERS FROM PINNED POSITION.
Miner was setting the brake on a rail car. Miner was reaching overhead and pulling to rotate the brake wheel when they felt a pull in groin area. Strain resulted in a hernia in the left groin area.
The employee was working in the mill room and when they turned they tripped over a cord falling on left side causing discomfort to hip left hip and thigh.
Employee was adjusting the dribble bolt. The adjuster nut was not operating properly and decompressed forcefully onto the employee's left pinky. Employee was taken to the ER and given six stitches. It was also noted that the employee's pinky had a small chip in the bone tip and EE was given antibiotics as a preventative measure for infection.
Technician was tapping on dust collector piping when debris fell between EE's eyes and EE's safety glasses. EE immediately rubbed the right eye and started to feel some discomfort. EE finished the shift and went home. EE woke up that afternoon and EE's eye was irritated and red so EE flushed it out numerous times.
Employee injured right hand and arm after making contact with a moving conveyor return roller.
Miner was outside dryer assisting with cleaning out of lower plenum, unknowingly standing in hot sand causing a minor burn to the side of EE's right foot. First Aid incident until doctor visit on 6-28-21 where EE received restricted duty.
Employee knelt down to look at parts on the floor and felt a twinge in their lower back. Placed on restrictions.
Employee experienced back discomfort after moving a metal chute.
Miner stumbled on a walkway and experienced left shoulder discomfort.
The employee was dumping a dust collector hopper. The hopper would not return to the locked position, so the employee tried locking it manually. In doing so, EE's finger was caught between forklift mast and hopper, transported to the hospital: tuft fracture and stitches to EE's thumb.
EE was operating a front end loader in the clay shed. EE opened the door and thought it latched open. EE reached out to get some food and the wind blew the door shut striking EE's left hand between thumb and pointer figure. EE required 8 stitches.
Due to employees' failure to follow company policy for fall protection, EE fell off a truck. The employee was transported to the medical facility, where they received stitches to right knee. EE also has lacerations on chin, shin, a bone chip in wrist, and a chipped tooth.
US Silica has received a confirmation of a Reportable Hearing Loss in EE Right Ear.
A customer truck driver was found unresponsive in the cab of the driver's truck on the US Silica customer pickup dock. The onsite emergency responder and 911 were notified. CPR was conducted until the ambulance arrived. The driver was then transported to a local hospital and was pronounced deceased due to a health related incident.
A deceased body was discovered in the South Ottawa Pit. The person is not a mine employee. The Sheriff and MSHA were notified immediately upon discovery and the investigation is ongoing. The birthdate of the decedent is unknown.
Employee chipped a tooth when using a water hose to clean Process Building - first floor.