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
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The record

25 total records

Showing all 25
June 23, 2022 GA · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was descending stairway between 3rd and 2nd floor of the calciner bay. Employee's boot caught the next to last step causing employee to fall, striking left knee on the grating of the stair landing. The fall caused a laceration to the left knee that required 8 stitches to close.

October 25, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator MACHINERY
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was placing safety cones on a MMU trailing cable as it was being moved by an excavator. As the trailing cable was elevated by the excavator, the trailing cable swung freely striking the employee in the left lower leg.

September 24, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Employee was acting as a spotter for 6"x400' pipe removal by excavator. During pipe movement the excavator changed directions causing the pipe to slide 20' unexpectedly in the direction of the employee, striking the employee's left leg, fracturing the tibia and fibula.

February 13, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While collecting rigging equipment from bed of truck, mechanic fell forward when their boots became stuck in mud causing mechanic to grab the tailgate to stop their fall resulting in a strain to right shoulder. Injury became reportable following therapy prescription on 03/10/2021.

February 7, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck by flying object

While departing work area at mobile mining unit, mechanic noticed ladder left down on the pump side of the unit and turned back to raise it. Mechanic was struck below the knee by the power cable being moved by an excavator which caused them to lose footing.

January 31, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While attempting to rotate a drain assembly down to empty waste oil from the mobile mining unit sump, employee pinched thumb between the assembly ball valve and I-beam flange causing a fracture and laceration to the left thumb

November 9, 2020 GA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator completed fueling excavator and attempted to descend equipment stairs when EE slipped due to wet/muddy conditions. Operator's hand slid down the handrail and abruptly stopped causing pain in EE's left arm. Injury became reportable following Orthopedic exam on 11/10/2020.

October 25, 2020 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee was descending stairs on wet mill when both feet slipped out from under them. Employee fell backward and slid to the landing platform while holding handrail with right hand.

September 3, 2020 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic was asked to bolt pipe to sump which is a routine task. Employee was attempting to position the 6" diameter piece of rubber flex hose to valve when they felt pain in right shoulder.

July 7, 2020 GA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Operator was transferring 50lb bag of floc from pallet to discharge hopper when left foot slipped causing them to twist upper body. Became reportable injury on 07/10/20 after follow-up medical visit.

June 22, 2020 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall from machine

Operator walked down machine track to place hose at fuel cap. EE was about to ascend to the upper platform when EE slipped and fell approx 3' to the ground, experiencing pain in EE's lower left leg. X-rays revealed a cracked bone.

October 2, 2019 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Two haul trucks, one loaded and the other empty, were passing from opposite directions on curve south of mining unit stockpile area. Loaded truck continued in a straight line instead of turning into curve and sideswiped unloaded truck. Driver of unloaded truck bit into the tongue on impact and required stitches to close wound.

July 19, 2019 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Driver left cab of truck and was walking to rear of trailer in dirt unloading area. States they stepped in soft spot with heel while front of foot was on harder ground. Hyperextended knee in the process due to weight shift from heel to toe.

August 21, 2018 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While replacing an elevator belt on a locked out conveyor, the employee was pulling the drive belt by hand to advance the new belt. The new belt began moving on its own and 2 of the employee's fingers were caught between the pulley and belt.

August 16, 2018 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Two employees went to grease a conveyor tail pulley. As the first was greasing, the second employee was investigating the source of a loud screeching noise. As second employee was walking behind the first employee, second employee stumbled and attempted to catch self on the tail pulley guard. Left arm contacted a roller and was discharged against the conveyor frame.

June 14, 2018 GA · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck by falling object

Shift supervisor suffered a fractured foot while attempting to change out a 30-gallon drum of grease on a fuel trailer. A second employee was lifting the drum from the ground and inadvertently let it go while the supervisor was pulling from the trailer platform. Drum struck supervisor's foot behind the toe protection of supervisor's safety shoes.

May 7, 2018 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Assistant Mill Operator was sitting in the control room when the operator tried to stand up and momentarily lost balance. Operator went to catch fall by putting hand on a shelf which had a wrench with a sharp edge on it. The operator cut the palm of right hand on that wrench resulting in seven stitches to close.

December 13, 2017 GA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman ELECTRICAL
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Flash burns (electric)

Contractor electrician was working in low voltage side of transformer checking voltage on phase to ground when arc flash was experienced resulting in first and second degree burns to hands and wrist areas

September 8, 2017 GA · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck by falling object

Lab Technician was opening a cabinet to get a rain coat and the cabinet fell over on the Technician's leg. Cabinet had been moved from its original position by a contractor and was not re-secured to the wall.

January 20, 2017 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While mounting equipment, haul truck operator placed right foot on the lower step and had both hands on the handrails. During transfer of left foot to the next step, right knee buckled when ee placed weight on right leg.

February 16, 2016 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall from machine

Operator had climbed up the dozer blade push arm steps and was standing on the track with both feet reaching for the door when EE's feet slipped from under EE. EE fell backwards on the ground landing on EE's back. Accident was not witnessed and subsequent MRI performed on 2/19/16 confirmed lower back injury consistent with the fall.

January 23, 2016 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck against a moving object

Dozer operator felt pop in EE's back while operating D8 dozer. No unusual circumstances.

December 8, 2015 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee caught his foot on a track shoe grouser & fell to the ground while dismounting D6T dozer. Accident was not witnessed and not reported to mine management until 12/15/15. Subsequent MRI performed on 12/24/15 confirms lower back/disc injury consistent with job related duties.

June 8, 2015 GA · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator OTHER
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Excavator operator thought he was having a heart attack and called on his radio for help. A supervisor got him off his machine and to the main gate to wait for EMS. Local EMS arrived on the scene within 10 minutes and MSHA was immediately notified. MSHA investigated and determined that the condition was not work related.

May 6, 2015 GA · Metal/Non-Metal ball/rod/pebble/hand/limestone/dry mill operator, roller operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Southern Ionics Minerals, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Following the grand opening ceremony for this facility, which has not been commissioned, an employee lacerated his left thumb while removing a banner from a wire fence located outside of the dry mill property. The employee received stitches to close the wound.

Showing all 25