Mining Incidents

HOBBS CLAY MINE Metal/Non-Metal

Thiele Kaolin Co. · Surface
Controlled by J Eric Tillirson
Wrens, Jefferson County, GA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0900151

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
21
Years on record
2002–2026
Latest incident
Jan 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
98
citations
24
significant & substantial
$16,692
proposed penalties
$16,227
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 10,394 1 0 96.2
2025 Q3 9,186 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 8,126 2 1 246.1
2025 Q1 2,434 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 10,126 4 0 395.0
2024 Q3 6,403 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 11,004 1 0 90.9
2023 Q4 2,462 0 0 0.0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

21 on file

2026 · 1 incident

January 22, 2026 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Struck by powered moving object

Two employees and a contractor crane operator back a crane into position. One employee was in front and the other was in the back. The crane operator was backing and was not aware the employee in the back had placed themselves behind the crane and the employee was pinned between the hand rail and the crane injuring their leg.

2023 · 1 incident

May 25, 2023 GA · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

As the Excavator operator started to access steps to enter cab, the operator felt dizzy. Operator stepped back to ground level and leaned on tracks to regain stability. At that time, the operator was taken to the hospital for observation which resulted in a Medical Complication (low Blood Pressure).

2022 · 1 incident

June 6, 2022 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

IW took sample upstairs to work it up. EE followed all procedures, washed the screen and went to put solids on the run sheet. EE began to itch intensely and broke out in hives.

2019 · 1 incident

February 17, 2019 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PRE-EXISTING NECK CONDITIONS. EMP STEPPED DOWN FROM GREASING CENTRIFUGE FELT DISCOMFORT IN NECK/SHOULDER. DENIED THIS BEING WORK RELATED TO SUPERVISOR AND TO SAFETY MGR. LATER RECEIVED DR. NOTES THAT IT IS WORK RELATED ON 3/21/2019. LATE REPORTING DUE TO INCONSISTENCY.

2018 · 1 incident

February 26, 2018 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE DESCENDING FROM LOADER WHEN EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN STEPS/LADDER AND HURT BACK.

2017 · 2 incidents

June 19, 2017 GA · Metal/Non-Metal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Struck against a moving object

A 10 PASSENGER VAN (WITH SUPERVISOR INSIDE) WAS STRUCK BY AN OFF-ROAD TRUCK. SUPERVISOR ESCAPED THROUGH WINDSHIELD WITHOUT PHYSICAL INJURY BUT WAS BADLY SHAKEN FROM THE ACCIDENT.

January 22, 2017 GA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Co. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE REPORTED TO WORK AND STARTED FEELING WEAK AND LOSING BLOOD. 911 WAS CALLED AND EE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THIS IS NOT DUE TO AN INJURY OR ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MEDICAL CONDITION. MSHA 800 NUMBER WAS CALLED AND THIS WAS INVESTIGATED BY INSPECTOR OF THE MACON, GA FIELD OFFICE.

2015 · 1 incident

October 15, 2015 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injured Employee was pulling a 1-1/2in x 15ft.cable,4ft. to attach to the back draw bar of his dozer that was stuck. As he attached the cable to the draw bar, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back.He continued operating the dozer until the end of the shift.

2014 · 1 incident

November 26, 2014 GA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WALKING DOWN WET CLAY RAMP WHEN HE SLIPPED AND FELL ON HIS UPPER LEFT BACK SUSTAINING FIVE (5) BROKEN RIBS.

2013 · 2 incidents

August 15, 2013 GA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Struck by flying object

Employee was welding, cutting, and grinding plate metal and got a small metal flake in his eye. Employee reported that his eye felt irritated, so it was washed with an eye rinse solution. Employee was then sent to the doctor, and the metal flake was removed. Employee is expected to make a full recovery.

March 7, 2013 GA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped in pot hole caused by rain. Holes were obscured by mulching that covered hole.

2010 · 1 incident

August 10, 2010 GA · Metal/Non-Metal assistant mine foreman, assistant mine manager OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Co. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was sitting in air-conditioned controlled room after experiencing chest pains. THIS WAS REPORTED TO MSHA AS SOON AS WE KNEW CONDITION WAS RELEVANT TO CALL.

2008 · 2 incidents

February 7, 2008 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Fall from machine

EMP WAS DESCENDING LOADER, WHEN HE MISSED HANDRAIL, CAUSING HIM TO SWING AROUND HITTING HIS LEFT KNEE AND CAUSED HIM TO FALL AND INJURE HIS RIGHT ANKLE. HIS SUFFERED A DISLOCATED KNEECAP AND TORN RIGHT ACHILLES ANKLE/HEEL.

January 8, 2008 GA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting in relocating a section of pit pump cable and stepped into a hole as he was pulling the cable. Employee stated that he felt his left knee hyperextend. Employee was wearing all PPE required at the time.

2007 · 1 incident

September 11, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Driver was lifting and releasing tailgate of dump trailer in an attempt to clear dirt and debris so tailgate would close. On the last release of the tailgate the driver's left hand ring finger was caught between the tailgate and the bed of the truck causing a laceration which required stiches.

2006 · 1 incident

March 6, 2006 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Struck against a moving object

DRIVER OF DUMP TRUCK SAID HE HIT A DIP IN THE PIT, BOTTOMED SEAT OUT JARRING HIM AND HURTING HIS BACK.

2005 · 3 incidents

October 14, 2005 GA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman ELECTRICAL
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Flash burns (electric)

Lineman was installing used arrestor on power line, when arrestor energized it exploded causing electrical arc. Lineman received 2nd degree burns to upper right arm.

June 14, 2005 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING TAIL PULLEY ROLLER ON INCLINE BELT CONVEYOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ROLLER WITH BAR, BAR SLIPPED CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO FALL FORWARD STRIKING BAR WITH RIGHT ARM RESULTING IN A BREAK TO HIS FOREARM.

April 29, 2005 GA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was attempting to open a water valve to put water in the pipeline and in do so, felt a stinging pain in their back/side.

2004 · 1 incident

September 24, 2004 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS RE-ROUTING CHEMICAL LINE WHEN AMA 415 CHEMICAL SPLASHED ON UPPER ARM CAUSING A RASH TO APPEAR.

2002 · 1 incident

October 4, 2002 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Co. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS HELPING UNLOAD CASES OF ANTI-FREEZE FROM A TRUCK. AS HE WAS PICKING UP CASES HE EXPERIENCED A SHARP PAIN IN HIS NECK AND SHOULDER. HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY BUT PAIN KEPT PERSISTING & WE ADVISED HIM TO SEE A WORKERS'COMP. PANEL DR. HE HAS HAD PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS IN THIS AREA.