Mining Incidents

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Every injury and fatality MSHA has on file. Filter by state, year, sector, classification, experience, or any keyword from the investigator's narrative.

Total incidents
273,095
Of which fatal
1,202
Years on record
2000–2026
Classifications
20
Filters 2 active
Time period
Experience at time of incident

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The record

108 matching records

Showing 50 of 108
February 20, 2026 CO · Coal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Energy LLC · Fall down stairs

After shift ended, employee left the main building to the parking lot where there is one set of stairs before reaching the lower level. It had snowed about 6"-8" the evening of their shift. Employee slipped on the second to last stair landing on their back. On their way home employee felt a sharp strong pain in their mid-back when moving.

October 4, 2025 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was called in to repair the splice in a belt. After completing the repair and reassembling the equipment, the miner checked the belt's operation. While inspecting the belt, the miner accidentally stepped on some clinker on the ground, causing them to slip and hyperextend their knee.

July 14, 2025 MT · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Trident LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While descending a portable ladder, an employee missed the last steps and landed awkwardly on the ground, resulting in a knee injury. The employee was promptly attended to and received medical evaluation.

November 20, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Permian · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was welding on the ground level, suddenly EE turned to the opposite side of work area and tripped over a piece of wood lying on the ground. EE fell placing hand on the edge of a structural component H-Bar 3" flange x 4" x 6" base, the sharp edge of the material caused a deep cut in EE's right hand. EE was wearing all the PPE and proper gloves.

October 22, 2024 CO · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was at TT1 Transfer belt when EE's head came into contact with a cross member beam. The employee tripped and fell to the ground where EE suffered an injury to their ankle.

October 13, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Permian · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The Employee was blow drying the ceiling in the air compressor, cleaning the debris

July 25, 2024 MT · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Trident LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Miner was working in the quarry, exited excavator. While walking back, miner tripped over a rock. Miner landed on shoulder injuring the shoulder and thumb. Miner was treated and released to work restrictions within the miner's normal work duties. On October 4th, miner had surgery to repair the shoulder injury and placed off work.

June 7, 2024 SD · Metal/Non-Metal washer operator, sizing operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Consolidated Ready Mix · Fall from machine

The employee was descending a ladder in a hurry and missed a step going down. Therefore, the missed step caused them to grasp the ladder with their left hand.

December 11, 2023 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner mis-stepped on uneven working surface and inquired their left ankle.

October 31, 2023 MT · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Trident LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was walking around the corner of the mill building, slipped on ice and caught themself awkwardly. Miner incurred knee strain and declined initial medical treatment until 11/7/23. Clinic prescribed work restrictions and physical therapy.

September 4, 2023 CO · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall from ladders

Electrician using a ladder 15 feet in the air asked spotter who was holding ladder to retrieve a different tool. When spotter let go of the ladder it slipped out from underneath EE. Electrician was using fall protection, the force of EE stopping caused strains in EE's back and hip.

August 22, 2023 SD · Metal/Non-Metal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

A visiting GCC EE had exited a company Pickup truck and was walking to the Maintenance Shop entrance. As EE was stepping up on to the sidewalk apron (approx. 6" high) EE caught the toe of EE's boot on the sidewalk lip and fell forward. The resulting impact of the fall fractured EE's right hip requiring surgery to repair the hip.

June 28, 2023 NM · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Sun City Materials LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was descending from control room on a 7 ft ladder with 10 inch tread spacing when the employee misstepped on the 3rd from the bottom rung falling 30 inches to the mid platform and against an electric motor box. Bruised back and ribs. Restricted duty.

June 8, 2023 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Sun City Materials LLC · Fall from machine

Employee climbed on top of the the screen shaker to remove a stray piece of conveyer belt and while doing so EE stood on top of the edge of the shaker and lost EE's footing and fell backward onto a covered motor hurting EE's lower back.

March 7, 2023 CO · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Energy LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking around the corner, rolled their ankle on a chunk of coal.

February 22, 2023 CO · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Energy LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THERE HAD BEEN A SNOW STORM THROUGH THE NIGHT SO A LOADER HAD PUSHED THE TRAVEL WAYS OF THE SURFACE WORK AREAS. EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TO THE ROCK PICKING PLATFORM AND STEPPED ON AN ICY SLICK AREA. EE STATES TWISTED LEFT ANKLE RESULTING IN A SPRAIN INJURY.

November 24, 2021 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

While walking from B Belt up C Belt, slipped with coal on floor and twisted knee.

September 21, 2021 CO · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall from ladders

Climbing extension ladder to get platform on front of crusher to check main belt take-up adjustment. Slipped and/or lost footing and fell about 8' on back.

September 17, 2021 CO · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Disposing excess raw material in appropriate pile. Tripped over unseen rock and fell on left side, elbow, arm and shoulder.

March 22, 2021 CO · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cleaning off a table in the raw mill, employee stepped over wheel, leg got stuck and twisted ankle.

February 10, 2021 SD · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across the plant and slipped on ice. EE hit their head, which required 4 staples.

October 24, 2020 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Permian · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

When attempting to open difficult railcar out gate, employee applying pressure to bar lost EE's balance when the gate came loose. EE fell to the side, same level, rolling EE's right ankle.

September 15, 2020 SD · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall from machine

Employee was standing on a 3' high trailer, taping a tarp cover over a motor. EE's glasses fogged up due to wearing a mask, and when EE went to take a step EE fell off of the trailer, hurting EE's shoulder.

September 1, 2020 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall from machine

Employee was climbing down out of a haul truck, while holding jacket in one hand, and EE missed the grab handle and fell backwards to the ground.

August 31, 2020 CO · Coal examiner, fire boss, pre-shift examiner, mine examiner SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Energy LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pre-shifting belt line, stepped flat footed on a piece of coal or in a hole, hyperextending EE's left knee. Employee returned to regular job at full capacity. Employee's pain increased overtime so employee visited the doctor. MRI results received 9/17/2020 revealed surgery would be required to repair meniscus.

March 22, 2020 TX · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Permian · Fall onto or against objects

EE lost footing while they bent over to pick up an extension cord in front of the main office building. The EE caught balance by placing their right hand on the rim of a metal drain cover. EE sustained a laceration to the web of the thumb requiring 6 stitches. EE was released with no restrictions.

January 28, 2020 CO · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Walking from parking lot to building, stepped on ice, slipped and twisted both knees.

December 1, 2019 SD · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Stepped up on curb and slipped on snow covered ice, breaking left wrist.

November 26, 2019 SD · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall from machine

Weather was blizzarding with heavy winds. Miner was climbing onto a locomotive with snow on the step and slipped. EE tried to catch self, but fell with all of EE's weight on EE's right arm.

November 18, 2019 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking out ot the blend silos and when thee stepped down off of the curb they rolled an ankle. There was a large pile of dirt that they tried to step around so they stepped down wrong.

November 13, 2019 CO · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was measuring coal piles in the long shed and lost footing due to loose material. Employee split legs and felt pain in pelvic area upon recovery of fall.

August 15, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Sun City Materials LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee tripped over the edge of the sidewalk in front of the mine office while coming back from the food truck and scraped knee.

August 11, 2019 MT · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Trident LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An employee parked a truck underneath the muck chute to load kiln brick. The steps of the truck were even with the edge of a concrete pad with a two inch difference to the ground. Employee stepped out of the truck, foot was not squarely on the even surface. As they put full weight on that foot, it rolled to the lower surface causing a sprain to the ankle.

February 23, 2019 TX · Metal/Non-Metal electrician helper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Permian · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Electrical contractor fell thought ceiling tile while running electrical wiring for new motor control panels. Miner did not use the fall protection harness and misjudged the stability of the ceiling tile to hold ee's weight. Miner was trained on fall protection use. Miner sustained fractures to head and left wrist from the fall.

November 9, 2018 MT · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Trident LLC · Fall down stairs

An external truck driver was attempting to go up the driver platform to shut the hatches, upon attempting to climb the steps they slipped and fell on the stairs. Since this is not an employee I am not sure of the exact start time of the shift.

September 24, 2018 CO · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall from machine

Climbing across railcar ladder, foot slipped or missed step and employee fell approximately 5ft. Trying to catch self, injuring right wrist.

July 30, 2018 NM · Metal/Non-Metal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande, Inc. · Fall down stairs

Hands were full, slipped off of step going upstairs. Hit left shoulder and chin (face).

December 8, 2017 TX · Metal/Non-Metal crusher attendant/operator, pan feeder operator/worker SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Sun City Materials LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing up and down the ladder at the crusher trying to get it started and on the third try employee's foot slipped from the ladder and employee twisted employee's lower back causing a strain.

April 26, 2017 CO · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator stepped off of the loader ladder and the floor was not even and they twisted their ankle.

April 11, 2017 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande, Inc. · Fall from ladders

While patching a hole in the coal silo, and while coming down the ladder ee missed the last step and fell.

March 20, 2017 CO · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was unloading Baker Test Equipment from back of Ford pick-up truck. Employee set the unit on the ground. Employee lifted unit with right hand and started toward finish mill hydraulic room. As employee placed employee's right foot on concrete downward step, employee felt employee's right knee give way.

March 20, 2017 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

I was changing bags in Dust Collector and moved to the hand rail to tie rope on handrail and turned around to move back across the steel flooring and caught my foot on old cage that was on the floor and lost my balance and hit the floor with shoulder.

October 23, 2016 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Carrying an extension ladder, my foot got hooked under the rim. I fell forward and landed on my right shoulder and hip.

October 5, 2016 SD · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

I was checking on finding some Anti Freeze and I stepped off of a pallet onto the oil pit storage grating. The grating wasn't laying down all the way and it flipped and I fell into the oil pit. Please note:Employee did not report the accident until 11/28/2016

June 26, 2016 SD · Metal/Non-Metal ground controller SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Dacotah Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped out of truck and when ee put right leg down, knee buckled and ee went down to the ground. EE states that ee cannot move right leg below the knee.

May 31, 2016 CO · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
GCC Rio Grande Inc · Fall down stairs

Tripped on step in ER Room while exiting, fell on step and hit back and rib cage. Employee stated EE was fine and did not need a doctor's care.

Showing 50 of 108