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

61 matching records

Showing 50 of 61
June 24, 2025 WY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EE was cleaning out a scraper bowl when they slipped and fell backwards into the bowl. EE was waiting on a doctor's appointment for follow up. EE is now on injury leave awaiting further tests and treatment.

May 11, 2025 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall onto or against objects

EE was barring mud out a rail-car when EE slipped and hit the big toe area of EE's right foot on one of the interior ribs of the rail-car. EE broke EE's big toe and bruised the top of EE's foot.

September 18, 2024 WY · Metal/Non-Metal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite LLC · Fall from machine

EE was washing out a loader engine deck. EE descended ladder, slipped on the cab step that was covered in wet bentonite and oil, and fell on their right hip/side. EE injured their right hip area and neck.

May 14, 2024 WY · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Miner was walking into plant when miner slipped and fell onto knee. The following day, the miner experienced swelling and pain. The miner was evaluated by a physician on 5-15-2024 and was advised to rest at home for 2 days while applying ice to injured knee.

September 22, 2023 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from machine

Employee was exiting the loader and missed the last step while descending the stairs, resulting in a hurt ankle. Awaiting x-ray results and employee is off work.

February 12, 2023 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was barring down a dryer chute, and upon completion stepped down onto a raised platform. The grating on the platform folded and the employee's leg went through the platform. Injuries suffered were bruising of the shin and a hyper extension of the knee. Medical recommended 3 days of rest and a reevaluation before returning to work.

August 23, 2021 WY · Metal/Non-Metal scraper-loader operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite LLC · Fall from machine

Employee was exiting 627G Scraper when they missed a step while descending. Employee fell backwards and landed on their lower back area and hips.

December 13, 2019 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall onto or against objects

employee was cleaning out dirt from the bottom of the rail car, when the dirt shifted and the employees leg fell against the lip of the car injuring the right knee

November 19, 2019 WY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from ladders

The employee was working from a ladder, when the ladder slipped and the employee fell. The employee tried to catch self with their left arm. After the fall they expressed that they had pain in the left shoulder. On 11/22/2019 the employee contacted the safety department that they were going to the doctor to check out the arm and shoulder.

November 11, 2019 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall onto or against objects

The Employee was opening a lower compartment door which had ice built up around it. When the door was pulled free the employee lost their balance and fell backwards onto the train tracks. The employee finished their shift, then went to the hospital at 10:00pm that night.

June 29, 2019 WY · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

employee was assisting with moving railcars, when they stepped onto the railcar scale and sprained their left ankle.

January 21, 2018 WY · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was performing the duties of sanding the railroad tracks to aid traction for both the loader and rail car traffic in the area. The employee slipped on the packed snow while walking and attempted to arrest the fall with their right hand, feeling a sharp pain. an x-ray confirmed that the right wrist had been fractured

October 15, 2017 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from machine

Employee was climbing out of the front end loader when they slipped off the ladder pulling and hurting a shoulder

October 17, 2016 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was out side moving a rail car with hand movements and ee slipped and fell, and hurt neck and back.

November 1, 2015 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall onto or against objects

Employee took a bad step and slid off the rail car. He was tied off and he caught himself and hit his face on the side of the railcar. and he needed to have a cut glued shut

October 14, 2015 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall down stairs

Employee was changing a carbon bag when he slipped and fell coming off the stairs he fell from the bottom step and landed on his left wrist breaking it in 2 places.

March 2, 2015 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking up some stairs in the plant when he slipped fell against the railing. And he hurt his right arm.

January 2, 2014 WY · Metal/Non-Metal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE stepped out of truck, took a few steps toward the shop when he slipped on snow/ice which caused his left leg to buckle beneath him. He sustained a torn patella tendon which required surgery on 1/3/2014.

October 7, 2013 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE slipped in mud while shoveling and felt a sharp pain in lower right back and hip. It was diagnosed as muscle strain, causing some lost time.

September 9, 2013 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was climbing down from front-end loader and slipped from second step in wet conditions and pulled muscles in left shoulder. Several days will be missed.

July 12, 2013 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was spotting slow moving railcars with PPE on when he stumbled and fell on top of a car onto his right shoulder and back. He did not file an accident report until now, having worked for many weeks with pain in the right shoulder. Recent diagnostics on 09/30/2013 reveal a torn cartilage that will soon require surgery. No time has been lost as yet.

November 9, 2011 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The truck was not backed straight into dock, allowing a gap that could be fallen into between truck and personnel guard rail. EE was stacking bags on a pallet when he fell into this gap all the way to his shoulders. He strained lower left side of his back.

October 5, 2011 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from machine

EE was exiting Cat 627G scraper when he missed his footing and fell to the ground, injuring his left shoulder, back and hip. He was taken to hospital for observation via company vehicle. His injuries were primarily bruising.

January 12, 2010 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall onto or against objects

EE was tied off and walking along top of railcar when he slipped and fell on top of car. His lower back was strained around L4 & L5 vertebrae. X-rays reveal nothing was broken. Return to work is slated for 01/21/2010.

December 3, 2009 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from machine

EE stopped wheel loader to climb out and move a piece of grizzly screen that had fallen from hopper. Climbing down steps and thinking he was on the bottom step when, in fact, he was on the second step three feet above the ground, he let go of side-rails and fell on left hip on hard frozen ground - breaking the hip as determined at the hospital that he was ambulanced to.

June 29, 2009 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

EE was doing maintenance on a screw when EE tripped on a small propane canister and fell approximately 5 feet into a hole in the decking, causing bruising and trauma to the left rib cage.

June 2, 2009 WY · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was entering building, stepped down and slipped on wet bentonite, twisting left knee. EE continued to work and had no lost days of time until EE's surgery on 08/04/2009.

April 16, 2009 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE slipped on wet bentonite and fell, causing strain to lower back.

October 17, 2008 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall onto or against objects

EE slipped on paper cushion on packer seat and fell between seat and deck, dislocating left knee.

May 14, 2008 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was cleaning a chute. EE slipped when EE stepped down, fully extending EE's leg with all EE's weight on it. EE felt a popping EE's knee when walking.

January 28, 2008 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was removing a lid from dust collector, slipped on pipes below his feet and twisted lower back.

December 12, 2007 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Third deck hammer-mill area had 28x48 inch deck plate removed for transporting maintenance equipment. It was left open and employee went into area to clean magnets in feed chute, apparently forgot or did not see opening and fell 25' 9" to concrete floor below and sustained serious injuries - many broken bones. See Report

December 23, 2006 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

EE went up on deck to check carbon proportioner and clean the area. Coming back down the ladder EE let go of it a few feet from the bottom thinking EE was at the bottom and fell backwards onto concrete floor and on left arm, causing it to break above the elbow. Transport to hospital was via ambulance and corrective surgery will be performed on 12/29/2006.

February 28, 2006 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite LLC · Fall from machine

While stepping down out of trailer van, the wind caught van door and slammed it around against employee, knocking him to the ground. He sustained trauma to the right knee and leg by way of bruising and abrasions. He went to emergency room at hospital and had x-rays, which do not reveal any fracturing. Leg was wrapped in a soft-brace, therapy and several days lost time.

January 18, 2006 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The Pin Mixer water-line broke and employee was squeegeeing the water out the back door when EE slipped and fell on left hip, bruising it.

December 3, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

Employee climbed 2 or 3 rungs up a 6 foot ladder to grease dryer trunnions. The ladder at top was not making contact with concrete support but rather with a metal rail at the 3 foot point. Shifting his weight above this point caused the rail to act as a fulcrum point and the bottom to slide out from under him. He landed and re-injured his previously injured left foot.

August 21, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite · Fall from machine

Employee was climbing onto a dozer tractor when the hand-hold he was using broke, causing him to fall back down to the ground on his already troubled left hip. An MRI revealed a fractured pelvic region. He will miss the remainder of the drying season, about mid September.

August 16, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite LLC · Fall from machine

Employee slipped off step while in process of starting scraper engine and herniated a disk in lower back when landing.

July 2, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee unplugged a screen feed sock then stepped back and fell into a hole in decking. He caught himself with left arm and subsequently felt pain and discomfort afterwards. No MRI was done. It is believed to be a muscle pull in the triceps and back of elbow. Eight days of work missed thus far.

April 20, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal pumper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was stepping off of rear of flat-bed truck when he slipped on wet bentonite. While falling and trying to catch himself, he strained his left wrist and bruised ribs along his left side.

Showing 50 of 61