All MSHA-reportable accidents at White Springs Ag Chems Inc dba Nutrien operations in 2009. Fatalities appear first.
Employee was attempting to start a 4"" pump using a pull rope, the battery was dead. When he pulled the rope it recoiled & the handle snatched out of his hand. He was treated w/ice & non-prescription pain meds at the clinic, returned to work. He worked a normal schedule until he was seen by co dr on 10/1 & referred for an x-ray, which revealed a fracture R ring finger.
Mob. Mech. was replacing alternator on D-10 tractor. Access is through a hole in floorboard of cab. He was reaching through the hole to install alternator when he felt pain in his L shoulder. He completed job & contacted Foreman re: incident. He was seen by co. dr. on 9/24 & referred for ortho consult. He saw ortho dr. on 9/30 & was prescribed PT & given a 20 lb. lifting rest.
Emp. was changing out transmission filters on D-10. Emp. had to mount rear of tractor to complete job. As he was dismounting, he stated that the underlying rock/buildup shifted. At this time he experienced pain in his R knee. Emp was evaluated by an ortho surgeon on 10/29/09 and placed on restricted duty pending surgery.
General Foreman went to the #5 lift pump at the #4 matrix line to perform a key procedure audit. Three mechanics were performing a PM on the pump. As GF walked around the front of pump sled, he stepped into a hole that was covered with mud. The sudden step into hole caused his left ankle to turn, resulting in torn ligaments.
Employee stated that while he was mopping the floor inside the house at #3 dragline, he felt discomfort in his lower back.
Emp was moving a 3""X7' shaft (approx. 180 lbs). Later he noticed tenderness in his lower abdomen. He went to the clinic the next AM, evaluated by the nurse & given OTC meds. On 4/23 he was seen by the co. dr. The PM of 4/23, worker returned to the clinic with extreme pain & was referred to a 2nd dr., which he saw on 4/28. He was then placed on modified duty pending surgical eval.
The injured employee was in the process of cleaning clays & debris from the dragline bucket with a pneumatic chipping gun. He was working at approx. chest height & was applying pressure to the chipping gun using a twisting motion of his upper body with his arms extended. As he applied pressure and twisted his upper body, he felt a pain in his right lower back area.