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

383 total records

Showing 50 of 383
September 24, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was operating the bag machine, producing 25lb sacks of table salt in paper bags. A bag had cleared the machine without the bag tape being cut. EE attempted to cut the tape with a retractable safety knife. While cutting toward his right hand, the knife blade did not retract when it left the tape surface and lacerated the top of his right hand.

September 3, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The #9 LHD caught fire while tramming to the 23H North face. The fire started in the engine compartment. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The ee stated that he turned off the LHD's engine & activated the machine's fire suppression. It did not extinguish the fire. The fire was too intense to fight with hand held fire extinguishers. The LHD was destroyed.

August 24, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A malfunction occurred with the lower limit switch for the access cage. In trying to remedy the problem with controls on manual which caused the lily controls got "out of sync". The mine was evacuated until repairs made. No injuries; no other problems. Access cage back in service at approximately 8:15 pm.

August 11, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The MVR process startup resulted in an undervoltage condition that resulted in power being lost to the #2 hoist and reset would not function. The mine was evacuated at 12:22PM and completed at 12:28PM. Power was restored to the hoist at 1:20PM. The hoist was tested and miners returned underground at 1:20PM.

August 10, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was looking at #7 scaler boom connection & when walking forward, stepped on a slick spot & fell backwards on his back, using his arms to block the fall. EE did not express a need for treatment at the time of the incident. After experiencing shoulder pain, EE sought medical attention & was diagnosed with a torn tendon, requiring surgery.

August 9, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal ENTRAPMENT
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

At the start of the graveyard shift at approx. 10:40 p.m. the 19 member crew loaded onto the mancage. As the mancage was being lowered the pinion emergency brake lost hydraulic oil pressure and the brake set. The mancage and crew were trapped in the shaft until 11:25 p.m. when the emergency brake was released and the crew was brought back to the surface.

August 6, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Lost SWEPCO power to the #2 hoist due to an electrical storm. Miners were evacuated at 6:05PM and completed at 6:14PM. Power was restored and the hoist was tested. Miners returned underground at 6:35PM.

July 22, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While lifting and lowering an outrigger extention block and pad on the condor 100 lift truck, employee states he mashed his right hand between the extension block and water cooler mounting bracket as he was lowering the extension block to ground level.

July 9, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The main power supplier "lost" a nearby substation, causing power outage to mine. Switch was made to a local supplier to operate access cage for evacuation of 17 persons in mine. No injuries or other problems. Main power restored at approx. 7:15 pm.

July 6, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

During normal hoisting on 3rd shift, a portion of leaky feeder cable became entangled on the South skip. The North skip is part of secondary escapeway, but mine was evacuated so cable could be removed. No injuries or other problems. Hoist back in service at 5:00am.

June 29, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was injured while removing metal screen from salt processing plant. The screen was stuck in position and he jerked on it and felt pain in his right wrist. He continued working his regular shift. It was finally determined on 7/27/10 that his wrist had a minor fracture and a cast was applied, forcing restricted duty.

June 28, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cutting bolts to remove a bracket. A piece of metal broke loose and became lodged in the employee's ear.

June 25, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The South hoist drum brake spring was broken; management chose to make a repair. This was near end 3rd shift; allowed crews to exit during shift change. Repair completed; test done; 1st shift into mine at 7:40. North skip is for emergency evac; South skip had no effect; mine had 2 escapeways.

June 21, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

An electrical malfunction (blown 4160v fuse) caused a shutdown of the Production Hoist (part of secondary escapeway). Mine was evacuated; no problems, no injuries. Hoist back in service at 4:30am.

June 21, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE states he was tilting vacuum cleaner back to lie on its side to move under a conveyor belt. While doing so, his finger became caught between the vacuum cleaner frame and a handrail leading to an upstairs area.

June 10, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

1500 level, 7C south face had several flames after blasting. After checking CO and methane levels, supervisor evacuated the mine and reported the fire to MSHA. The fire was extinguished on 6/12/10 with the approval of and in the presence of MSHA.

May 18, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

1400 level, 21N North face had several small flames after blasting. After checking CO and methane levels, supervision extinguised the flames.

May 10, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported injury on 5/11/10 that he had sprained his ankle getting out of operator compartment of lube truck. He continued working his regular shift. He There were no major complaints up through mid-July. He officially began missing work on 7/23/10 when he was scheduled for surgery.

April 30, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

During access shaft cage pre-shift (for 2nd shift) two locations on balance rope were discovered to be damaged. Decision made to change rope. Mine evacuated. No injuries or other problems.

March 30, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The main upper hoist contactor coil failed causing the hoist to malfunction. The mine was evacuated at 12:20 a.m. and completed at 12:30 a.m. The faulty coil was replaced and the hoist was tested. The miners returned underground at 1:45 a.m.

March 24, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The #1 hoist speed control contactor stuck on control #3. An electrician was called to replace the entire switch with a new one. The miners were evacuated at 9:38am the evacuation was completer at 9:58am. The contactor relay switch was replaced and the hoist was tested. Miners returned u/g at 10:40am.

March 24, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The #1 hoist speed control contractor stuck on control #3. An electrician was summoned and freed the switch. Miners were evacuated at 8:22am. Evacuation completed at 8:39am. The hoist was repaired and tested. Miners returned u/g at 9:05am.

March 20, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was in process of removing the front drive hub from a battery haulage equipment. He was using a pry bar to remove the hub from the axle shaft. As he jerked on the pry bar, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back and left hip area.

March 3, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A wire supplying power to the upper limit switch was compromised by a short circuit. Miners were evacuated at 7:50 p.m. Evacuation completed at 8:04 p.m. The encoder and track limit switch was replaced. The hoist was tested and the morning shift miners entered the mine at 2:10 a.m.

February 25, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

There was a malfunction in the main contactor. The mine was evacuated at 4:33 a.m. and completed at 4:55 a.m. The hoist was repaired at 6:55 a.m. and the miners returned underground at 7:00 a.m.

February 15, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

After some non-related start-up problems at beginning of shift, the newly installed skip began binding in the scroll plate. Finally, it stuck and would not move. The mine was evacuated; no injuries; no other problems. Day shift crew held on surface; adjustments made; back in service at 7:30am.

February 11, 2010 LA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was hooking up a welding trailer to a mine tractor. The jack was lowered to its lowest point and the pin was pulled on the jack when the trailer went forward the hitch missed the ball and the trailer went to the ground on top of the employee's right foot.

January 25, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Access cage lowered to sump. After troubleshooting, determination of faulty lower limit switch. Switch replaced, but was bad. Installed another switch. During investigation, found foreign material on brake pad it was cleaned. Mine was evacuated. No injuries or other problems. Back in service at approx. 2:00a.m.

January 20, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Access cage experienced problem with lower stop switch. After changing switch & extensive investigation when that didn't fix, a slightly bent support arm for switch was discovered. Mine evacuated; no injuries or other problems.

January 18, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The man cage lily control went out of sync due to faulty lower limit switch. Mine was evacuated. After trouble-shooting, it was corrected and placed back in service for the next shift. No injuries or other problems.

January 13, 2010 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

An electrical contactor failed on the production hoist. Quite some time involved in locating specific unit. Employees evacuated from mine. Problem found and repaired. Hoist back in service at 11:00pm. No injuries or other problems.

January 8, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Hoist operator noticed arc flash on brush end of electric hoist motor. Motor was shut down and an electrician was called and the mine evacuated. The lug connections to the brush rings were tightened. The hoist was tested and placed back into service. Miners returned underground at 7:15 am.

December 31, 2009 LA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Struck by falling object

The employee stated that he was traveling behind the #7 feeder and he stopped to pick up his water bottle that had fallen. At this point he states that a scale fell and struck him on his hard hat. The foreman could not locate a scale. He then took him back to find the exact location. He stated he was not injured just a little shook up.

December 3, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A brake switch malfunctioned on Koepe mancage. After switch replacement and weight testing, mancage still wasn't stopping at upper level properly. Trouble-shooting continued. Brake pads re-adjusted. No injuries & no other problems.

November 14, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Vibration cause a wire to break on second stage contactor resulting in loss of second gear. the mine was evacuated at 3:52 am and complete at 4:05 a.m. The hoist was repaired at 4:15 a.m. and the hoist was tested. Miners returned u/g at 4:20 a.m.

November 11, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee felt pain in right side when assisting removal of poly bag roll from machine. While lifting, he twisted and stepped down from approximately 10-12" platform.

November 2, 2009 LA · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE was pulling his cooler out of the bed of the gator and hit the fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher discharged, shooting chemicals into the bed of the gator and then into his eyes.

October 6, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Lower limit switch on Koepe man hoist failed. Problems incurred locating correct switch for replacement so mine was evacuated until problem could be corrected- no injuries; no other problems. Hoist back in service prior to following shift.

October 2, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Contact with hot objects or substances

EE states he was washing the KCl crude filter when he noticed the tank was filling too fast. He left the filter to shut off the water when the tank ruptured and sprayed hot brine on employee's ankle.

September 2, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

The #2 Hoist was shut down to replace a broken hydraulic gage. Miners were evacuated at 11:00 a.m. and evacuation was completed at 11:11 a.m. The hoist was tested and miners returned underground at 1:30 p.m.

August 27, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal forklift operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee helped lift 80# bag from palletizer. Later, when exiting fork, he said he had pain in low back. Incident not reported earlier due to mis-information from employee and doctor whether he could perform regular job or not.

August 24, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Power outage occurred in the power and production department due to a tripped breaker. Evacuation started at 10:31 a.m. was completed at 10:41 a.m. The breaker was reset, the hoist was tested and the miners returned underground at 10:57 a.m. and mining operations resumed.

August 22, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was found in the main return (13 North secondary escapeway) near a previous fall area. Fall was approx. 75-100' X 40' X 0-8'. No equipment or personnel involved. Persons brought outby and rehab work process began.

July 27, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking in the UG shop wash bay when he stepped into an eroded area of the salt mine floor. His ankle creeled and he fell. He was in the process of washing a piece of equipment with a pressure washer.

July 9, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Due to an electrical short , the magnetic upper limit switch failed, causing the access cage to become inoperable. Two new switches were installed before operations could continue (one was faulty). Mine evacuated. No injuries; no problems. 37 persons underground. Back in operation at 2:50pm.

July 7, 2009 LA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

Employee was on a ladder disconnecting the cylinder to install cables on a 1200 JLG man lift. He fell from the ladder and suffered a laceration to the elbow and a contusion of the sacrum.

July 3, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)

Employee was saw cutting asphalt when he started to feel weak. Employee was transported to local hospital and given IV fluids and released for work.

June 20, 2009 LA · Metal/Non-Metal greaser, grease man, oiler, lube man, dragline oiler Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Struck by falling object

The investigation is not complete, but as of now it appears that the employee had washed the #2 drill and was rolling up the hose when a portion of the mine roof collapsed, striking and covering him with a section of the salt roof.

June 19, 2009 OH · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Morton Salt Div/Morton International Inc · Accident type, without injuries

Fall of ground (approx 95' X 45' X 0-5') occurred in 28E/8-9B of return escapeway, blocking travel. Strata was salt, crystal salt, & shale. Area bolted during initial mining w/ 8' point anchor bolts. No injuries or equipment involved. Persons were evacuated outby fall area.

Showing 50 of 383