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

34 total records

Showing all 34
March 31, 2026 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee performing maintenance work involving the replacement of belts when EE's right index finger became caught between the belt and pulley. Contributing factor included the lack of complete hazard reassessment during the task, resulting in unsafe hand positioning. Fracture to the tip of the right index finger

September 3, 2025 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Hi-Grade Materials · Contact with heat

Employee felt lightheaded, moved to EE's service truck to cool down, drank electrolyte drink. Contacted EE's supervisor, told them EE felt off. was taken to break room where EE continued to hydrate and removed boots. decision was made by manager to transport EE to Hi Desert Medical Center where EE was treated for heat illness and released with no restrictions.

February 7, 2025 CA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician helper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

One employee was holding an electrical box in place while a co-worker was using a drill. The saw slipped and punctured the left thumb of the person holding the electrical box.

June 14, 2024 CA · Metal/Non-Metal fireman - locomotive, railroad clam operator, timekeeper, yard engine operator Fatality · FIRE
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

988 Loader caught fire, was unable to be extinguished by site personnel, 911 was called. Two fire crews arrived on site, one fireman approached the loader by the rear tire. The plant manager was yelling at them to get away from the tire. It exploded killing the fireman by the tire.

March 11, 2023 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Climbing down from equipment on ladder. Felt a "pop" in left knee when when stepping on the ground.

March 25, 2021 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was removing the bucket from front end loader and while removing the pins from the bucket, EE pinched EE's left fourth finger in between pins and bucket causing laceration to left fourth finger.

December 16, 2020 CA · Metal/Non-Metal MACHINERY
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Accident type, without injuries

Pulling out stuck utility service truck with a backhoe and sustained wheel damage to backhoe.

October 3, 2020 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was shoveling mud near the conveyer belt. Employee lifted shovel full of mud and turned. While lifting and twisting, employee felt back pop and felt pain.

August 18, 2020 CA · Metal/Non-Metal crusher attendant/operator, pan feeder operator/worker Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co. · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Employee clearing crusher, rock came down chute and entrapped employee in crusher.

March 21, 2017 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) ENTRAPMENT
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

While attempting to change skirting on conveyor, employee entered the dozer trap to remove bolts, equipment operator pushed material into the hopper and buried employee with material.

August 25, 2016 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While removing motor from gearbox, chain slipped crushing right hand middle finger between motor and man lift.

February 4, 2016 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (non-shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was holding the scrapper when co-worker swung the sledge hammer and it slipped striking employee on right hand.

May 20, 2014 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

IE and another EE were changing out a rubber skirt on BC27 (conveyor belt), IE pushed it and it went on top of the belt, IE walked around the pulley to get it off the belt, the other EE continued pushing it and caught IE's finger.

October 16, 2013 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

As EE was getting off the loader, foot slipped on wet ladder/step as he held himself up with right arm to avoid falling off the loader he felt pain on his right arm.

July 9, 2012 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Rock stuck between blade and liner of dozer; employee used sledge hammer to dislodge rock. Rock came out and hit his left leg, cutting it.

October 5, 2011 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Shoveling on BC19 clearing return roller, shovel hit the return roller and popped up, employees hand was between the shovel and the conveyor and ripped his left pinky finger nail off.

October 13, 2010 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck against stationary object

While employee was setting up to wash off wet side slab he bumped his head on conveyor causing laceration to right eyebrow.

August 10, 2010 CA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was using a pry tool to lift flexcos off a conveyor belt, tool slipped and hit him on his lower lip resulting in laceration of lower lip and fracture of 3 teeth.

June 17, 2010 CA · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee said he had been feeling pain in stomach area since yesterday - at 10:40 am employee was approaching an EE Quarry Foreman when he felt something popped in stomach and curled down in p ain. Employee was taken by EMT to Antelope Valley Hospital. Diagnois: Hernia.

April 2, 2010 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck against a moving object

Employee states that while driving a loader, hit a rock or bump and jarred the loader and hurt his back.

March 17, 2010 CA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

One hour after employee was moving a gear box that was hanging on the forklift he felt pain in his lower back.

March 5, 2007 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was sent to High Desert Medical Group for yearly hearing exam on 2/1/10 doctor requested to see employee again for a follow up. Employee was seen on 3/22/10 and was recommended to see a specialist for moderate hearing lost. Employee claims the hearing lost began on 3/5/07.

February 26, 2007 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by falling object

Rock discharge from crusher, hit conveyor belt and bounced striking employee on side of hard hat.

July 6, 2005 CA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SHOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING ON THE GROUND. INJURY UNKNOWN, TEST RESULTS NOT CONCLUSIVE. IMPAIRMENT, UNKNOWN PER DOCTOR ACTIVITIES AS TOLERATED

August 13, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOOSENING TAIL PULLEY NUT, HAD HIS HAND ON THE NUT, ANOTHER EE SAT DOWN ON THE BELT CAUSING THE TAIL PULLEY TO SLIDE FORWARD, CATCHING HIS HAND.

August 2, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING BOLT HOLES IN THE BELT WITH A UTILITY KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED CUTTING HIS LEFT HAND.

August 2, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator MACHINERY
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Flash burns (welding)

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING AND THE WELDING ARC BOUNCED OFF THE TRUCK BEHIND HIM AND HIT THE INSIDE OF HIS WELDING HELMET.

January 25, 2002 CA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE FELL ON THE SCREW DECK AND LANDED ON HIS BACK.

August 22, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by falling object

EE WAS ASSISTING IN LAYING 0PIPE IN A 3-4 FOOT TRENCH. THE TRENCH COLLAPSED AND BURIED EE TO JUST BELOW THE KNEE.

August 16, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRIVING A LOADER AND THE BOUNCING AROUND CAUSED TWIST OF LEFT TESTICLE.

May 23, 2001 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Struck by falling object

RE-INSTALLING CATWALK. THE CATWALK HIT THE JAW AND THE LEG OF THE CATWALK BROKE OFF AND LANDED ON EE'S FOOT.

September 8, 2000 CA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Hi-Grade Materials Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE TRIED TO MOVE A 24" PIPE ALON

Showing all 34