Mining Incidents

Search the record

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
Time period
Experience at time of incident

Alert me on this search

Email me when a new incident matches these filters. One confirmation email; unsubscribe anytime.

The record

53 total records

Showing 50 of 53
May 1, 2026 WI · Metal/Non-Metal groundman, yardman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was working to balance a screen and felt a pain in EE's back. Upon examination, EE was put on restricted duty for two shifts, returning without restrictions on May 6th.

February 11, 2026 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE who had pre-existing chronic back pain upon hiring at the mine, and regularly sees a chiropractor, experienced discomfort while lowering an object during a shift. The employee went to personal chiropractor for an adjustment and returned to normal duties without any restrictions or time away on a subsequent shift

August 22, 2024 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While performing cleanup around the wet plant, employee was operating a mini track dingo. While operating, the EE's wrist was caught between an angled crossbeam and the operating joystick. EE was able to return to work with restrictions.

August 30, 2023 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was removing a bolt overhead when the tool slipped and EE received a small laceration which could have healed itself by location, but the employee requested sutures. EE did not receive any work restrictions.

June 22, 2023 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee experienced shoulder pain after pulling and securing a rope from one barge to another. Employee received an injection for pain at the doctor office but was cleared to work for employee's next shift.

April 14, 2023 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

During reinstallation of a tail pulley guard, the guard shifted. The employee tried to stabilize the guard when it shifted, and a piece of expanded metal cut through the employee's glove. The employee received 3 stitches in the left hand to ensure fast healing. Employee did not receive any work restrictions and returned to full duty the next scheduled shift.

December 11, 2022 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was replacing a belt when EE cut EE's hand. The utility knife slipped while cutting the belt and cut through EE's glove requiring sutures. Employee returned to full duty without missing any days of work and without restrictions.

November 23, 2022 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee picked up tools before leaving the morning line out meeting, and strained EE's back. Employee was given lifting restrictions and an injection for the pain from a doctor. Employees returned to full duty 3 days later.

October 12, 2022 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was replacing plastic PEX tubing on a conveyor. EE cut index finger and was treated with sutures. Employee returned to full duty, without missing any days of work and without work restrictions.

October 3, 2022 WI · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec NONPOWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee bent down to connect a small utility trailer to a hitch and felt a pain in their back. The employee received work restrictions from a chiropractor, limiting them to "no lifting" while on restricted duty.

December 10, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was obtaining an item from personal vehicle in parking lot during lunch break and slipped, causing pain in right knee. Employee has history of personal injury with right knee and the slip caused recurrence of pain. The AM after the employee slipped, EE went to the doctor and received a non-steroidal injection to reduce any inflammation. EE returned to work that shift.

October 25, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant OTHER
Smart Sand, Inc · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

10/16 Office worker c/o back pain after walking up a stairway. Medical treatment refused by employee. 10/22 - Employee visited doctor and had clean x-rays, receiving no restrictions. Employee worked all shifts without issue until 10/25. 10/25 - PT restricted employee from climbing stairs.

August 27, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

In the course of performing normal duties during a shift, an employee experienced pain in the left shoulder. Employee thinks this may have occurred during a Rotex screen change. Employee visited a doctor two days later, receiving lifting restrictions.

July 16, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was rigging poly-pipe and struck shoulder on mast of telehandler. Employee finished shift without issue, but then began to experience shoulder pain. After visit to physician, employee was advised to rest left arm and limit use.

July 8, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal superintendent SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Employee stepped over a stockpile retaining wall and slipped, cutting EE's leg on a conveyor frame. This resulted in sutures in EE's right shin.

June 6, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by flying object

Employee was changing teeth on excavator bucket and small fragment broke off and was embedded in side. Employee was evaluated by physician, and after attempting to remove object, physician opted to leave object in place as it was determined not to be harmful. Employee was given preemptive antibiotics and tetanus shot, and returned to work without restrictions or lost time.

May 31, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against stationary object

An employee cut EE's finger on a conveyor frame while cleaning beneath the conveyor. The employee received three stitches on EE's right index finger. Employee returned to full duty, without missing any days of work and without work restrictions.

May 29, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall from ladders

Employee misjudged the last rung of step ladder, missed rung and went to floor. Twisted right knee with wrench in pants pocket. Dislocated knee cap, eventually diagnosed with tear in ACL, given light duty work restrictions

February 15, 2019 WI · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking back to the office on a plowed main road and lost balance. Employee did not fall, but in the process of regaining balance developed some lower back pain. Employee received lifting restrictions, but has returned to work.

November 28, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee has been mobile equipment operator for 6 years with operator, prior to employee was a tool and die machinist for 14 years. Employee had hand pain predating work as a miner, and sought treatment recently. On November 28th, it was determined by a doctor to be work related.

November 26, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee tripped while walking and was diagnosed with an unspecified bruise on ee right thigh. Employee requested restrictions limiting ladder use for mounting mobile equipment at assessment.

October 22, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall from ladders

At approximately 9am on October 22nd, employee sustained a back injury from losing balance and falling backwards from about 4-5 feet. The fall appears to be from an existing diabetic medical issue.

August 30, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Smart Sand, Inc · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee was using a drill in the shop and the drill bit slipped, resulting in a cut on the arm. Employee received stitches to close the laceration, and was given clearance to return to work without restrictions.

July 24, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee received first aid treatment after small cut on finger. EE was prescribed an antibiotic and given limited use of right hand work restrictions.

July 3, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While at work site, employee had incidental contact with pipe and received cut on finger. Received 4 stitches on finger and was released & returned to work same day.

March 10, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a front end loader. The loader hit a bump in the road while approaching a stockpile, which caused the operator's head to hit the sun visor resulting in a laceration. The operator returned to work without restrictions on March 19th.

March 6, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee noted back pain at the end of shift after performance of normal duties. On March 12th, the employee was cleared to return to work without restrictions.

February 21, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was headed to clock out, didn't follow the treated walking path and slipped on ice.

February 17, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Injured employee was flagging an operator to lift a piece of poly pipe, when the forklift raised the pipe ice began sliding out of the pipe striking the injured employee.

January 16, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by falling object

Employee was carrying a piece of I beam and slipped allowing the beam to fall on left index finger.

January 9, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by falling object

The employee was helping sort out steel beams. The beams were standing on 4x4 boards, when a forklift picked up a beam off of the front of the stack and the rear beams slumped due to a depression in the ground causing the rear beam to become unstable and roll over onto the employees foot.

January 3, 2018 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Concrete crew placing concrete pad with pump truck. Temperatures single digits, wind chill sub-zero digits. Hose line blockage, became loose, started to whip. Hose operator moved out of the way, lost footing, fell onto the rebar mat hitting head. Hose operator sustained laceration above right eyebrow.

November 14, 2017 WI · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
Smart Sand, Inc · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Vision in EE's left eye became blurry. Upon examination, EE was diagnosed with cephalgia, or cluster/migraine headaches. EE was released the same day. It was recommended EE take a day off to rest and given Tylenol. EE returned to work without restrictions on 11/16/17.

May 20, 2017 WI · Metal/Non-Metal groundman, yardman DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Smart Sand, Inc · Contact with heat

Employee called over radio needed help in Dry 2. A groundsman answered and found EE on floor. Groundsman asked employee what was wrong and employee briefly fainted. Employee regained consciousness seconds later, was awake and alert being transported to hospital. Employee was evaluated/treated for fatigue/dehydration. Released and returned to work full shift that night.

January 19, 2016 WI · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The operator was accessing a covered conveyor to replace rollers. While going from one side of the covered conveyor to the other, the operator felt a sharp burning pain in EE's right knee. The operator felt pain the rest of EE's shift and visited the doctor immediately after EE's shift.

December 8, 2015 WI · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Operator was lowering "Y" pipe with a come-a-long. Chain of come-a-long encountered safety latch, releasing pipe. Pipe fell 1 foot coming in contact with other pipe. Operator's leg was pinched in between the two pipes.

September 4, 2015 WI · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Operator shoveling, felt a pain in his lower back. Left work for the day, went to doctor. Doctor determined lower back sprain.

September 2, 2015 WI · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Operator was lifting Rotex frames into a Rotex machine. Operator suffered an injury to his right shoulder.

July 9, 2015 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Grounds employee was reinserting a wire mesh screen into the bottom deck of a Rotex mineral separator. While pushing the screen in, the employee felt a sharp pain in his lower back. The employee was able to walk and function but was clearly in physical discomfort.

April 2, 2015 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The miner was changing a cutting edge on a John Deere 3230 skid steer. When trying to remove a worn bolt, the pliers slipped off the bolt cutting through the miners glove and cutting the pad of his right pointer finger. The injury resulted in five stitches to the right pointer finger.

November 5, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against a moving object

Miner was operating 740B Cat Haul truck, he positioned the haul truck for loading. In the process of loading, the miner started to back up his haul truck and came in contact with the excavator bucket.

September 20, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal ground controller POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall from machine

An employee leaving the mine property for lunch, was involved in a motorcycle accident. A deer jumped in front of the employee, he over corrected and veered off into the ditch area.

August 9, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Smart Sand, Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The miner was using an extension ladder to remove a rock from a tail pulley. Bottom of the ladder slipped out from under the miner and he fell to the ground.

May 27, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A maintenance employee was lowering the tail pulley & bearing on to an adjuster with a lever chain hoist. Using his left index finger to hold the bolt in place he was lowering the unit when the reverse braking on the chain hoist failed.

April 24, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal fireman - locomotive, railroad clam operator, timekeeper, yard engine operator MACHINERY
Smart Sand, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Two miners were working with the access door on the dryer. One miner was holding the door and the other miner was checking the seal. When suction from the fan caused the door to slip from the miners fingers smashing the other miner's middle finger in the door.

March 20, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal ground controller HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Smart Sand, Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The miner was entering the dryer building, when the east side door closed on his left hand, ring finger.

January 2, 2014 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miners were removing ice built up in belt feeder 2. The miner was using a long handled scrapper. When it became hung up on a shaft. When it finally came loose, the handle struck employee in the scrotum area.

August 28, 2013 WI · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While changing a screen in Rotexes, the wrench slipped off the holding clip and cut his knuckle on his right hand.

August 21, 2013 WI · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Smart Sand, Inc · Struck against a moving object

He was operating a front end loader dumping sand into the hopper. While driving up the ramp the loader ran over a large rock jolting the operator in his seat. Injuring his lower back and hip.

Showing 50 of 53