Mining Incidents

Avant-Ennis Mine & Mill Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by J Eric Tillirson
Washington County, GA  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0900486

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
35
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Jun 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
101
citations
21
significant & substantial
$18,220
proposed penalties
$18,144
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 19,133 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 460 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 4,243 1 0 235.7
2025 Q1 12,476 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 14,204 1 0 70.4
2024 Q1 4,663 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 16,039 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 13,602 1 0 73.5
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

35 on file

2024 · 1 incident

June 6, 2024 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by falling object

EE was cleaning out from under the #4 Feeder and a lump of clay fell from top of feeder and struck the employee in the back of the head. The employee fell forward and hit the front of head.

2022 · 1 incident

September 26, 2022 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall from machine

Driver was climbing into truck and rolled off bottom step onto ground - on back and left shoulder

2021 · 4 incidents

December 6, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

An employee was shoveling clay from behind the feeders and belt conveyers and strained back.

September 13, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee operated a loader that had not been operated in about 3 months. The employee noticed a spider bite on right arm when employee was showering after work. Bite was deemed to be from a brown recluse.

July 6, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While clearing a crude lump from the feed chute to processing equipment the shovel the employee was using came into contact with the processing equipment and pinched the employee's left hand between the shovel handle and the nearby equipment guard.

April 1, 2021 GA · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was exiting the cab of Excavator 349, the wind blew the door shut on left hand

2016 · 2 incidents

December 3, 2016 GA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS COMING OUT OF SEPERATOR AT LOADING RAMP AND SLIPPED ON WET CLAY, FALLING AND HURTING RIGHT SHOULDER REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND PAIN PRESCRIPTION.

June 13, 2016 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE TRIPPED AND STUMBLED OVER A LUMP OF CLAY CAUSING PAIN IN EE'S LEFT KNEE AND BACK.

2015 · 1 incident

November 19, 2015 GA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED ON WET CONCRETE AND FELL STRIKING HIS FACE AND RIBS RESULTING IN CONTUSIONS.

2013 · 1 incident

February 18, 2013 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against stationary object

DURING A TRIAL SET UP, EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING A SCREEN BASKET WHEN HIS HAND/FINGER SCRAPED END OF TWO FEED LINES WHICH CUT THE TOP OF HIS INDEX FINGER REQUIRING STITCHES.

2012 · 2 incidents

December 27, 2012 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HELPING OTHER MECHANICS CHANGING MOTOR ON PUMP. WHILE CUTTING TAPE OFF PUMP MOTOR HIS KNIFE SLIPPED AND CUT THRU GLOVES AND CUT LEFT 5TH FINGER REQUIRING SUTURES.

July 2, 2012 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO UNSTOP HOT CLAY FROM PUG MILL WHEN HE WAS BURNED UNDER HIS ARM FROM ELBOW TO HAND AND FELL ON KNEES RESULTING IN BRUISES.

2011 · 3 incidents

July 14, 2011 GA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cutting a tie strap off a hose on a John Deere Tractor. While cutting the strap, the pocketknife slipped cutting the foreman on the left thumb/hand area.

May 5, 2011 GA · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against a moving object

Contractor driver dumping and had stated she was uneasy in area of dumping then while lowering bed of trailer, the truck turned over resulting in damage to truck/trailer and driver experienced pain to shoulder and neck resulting in work restrictions.

February 28, 2011 GA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While washing his hands EE hurt his middle finger on his right hand, damaged tendon leading to finger being put in splint.

2010 · 1 incident

September 13, 2010 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING DOWN LADDER, WHEN HIS FEET STEPPED ON FLOOR THERE WAS WATER AND SLURRY ON IT CAUSING HIS FEET TO SHOOT OUT FROM UNDER HIM CAUSING HIM TO FALL ON CONCRETE FLOOR RESULTING IN PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

2009 · 1 incident

December 23, 2009 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by falling object

Employee opened door of loader and some dirt fell off door into eye. He was wearing safety glasses.

2008 · 2 incidents

May 19, 2008 GA · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS FINISHING CEMENT WORK, WHEN A GUST OF WIND BLEW TRASH INTO RIGHT EYE, CAUSING IRRITATION.

April 26, 2008 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against stationary object

Employee was shoveling clay spillage on floor when he hit back of his right hand on a water pipe resulting in swelling of hand.

2007 · 5 incidents

August 21, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING MATERIAL OUT FROM UNDER FEEDER AND TWISTED HIS BACK.

August 13, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by flying object

Employee was removing sleeve from pump and shaft with a punch and a hammer when piece of metal flaked off the punch and entered his left arm.

May 16, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal rotary bucket excavator operator MACHINERY
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against a moving object

While operating excavator, operator suddenly complained with back pain. After examination, Dr. prescribed rest for back strain.

April 19, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee while driving company van, dropped cell phone, leaned over to pick up phone and van struck berm on side of road. Employee's head hit steering wheel, causing laceration to nose, requiring stitches.

April 12, 2007 GA · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Twisted back getting off of machine at quitting time.

2005 · 1 incident

September 22, 2005 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator OTHER
Thiele Kaolin Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was walking to loader to fill feeder hoppers when he felt stinging sensation on upper left arm. He lifted shirt sleeve and saw brown spider. He killed spider. The next day he still had stinging sensation and a small lump where spider had been.

2004 · 2 incidents

October 28, 2004 GA · Metal/Non-Metal forklift operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee twisted left kneeupon exiting off forklift. resulting in a lumbrosacral strain.

May 10, 2004 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS DISMOUNTING MACHINE AND TURNED RIGHT ANKLE WHEN HE JUMPED FROM LADDER TO GROUND.

2003 · 1 incident

October 8, 2003 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by flying object

MAKING WELDING REPAIRS ON A PUGMILL LID & HOT SLAG POPPED IN RIGHT EYE.

2002 · 3 incidents

October 22, 2002 GA · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against stationary object

EE REACHED TO TURN CONVEYOR BELT BUTTON OFF AND MISSED BUTTON HITTING I BEAM WITH LEFT HAND MIDDLE FINGER JAMMING IT.

September 9, 2002 GA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING CONDUIT IN A DITCH. EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON A RACK OF 4" CONDUIT AND SLIPPED & FELL APPROX 18 INCHES TO GROUND SPRAINING LEFT KNEE.

August 30, 2002 GA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Thiele Kaolin Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS GOING TO PUMPHOUSE TO CUT WATER OFF DURING SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON WET CLAY FALLING ON LEFT FOREARM & SHOULDER. STRAIN TO FOREARM & SHOULDER.

2001 · 2 incidents

April 18, 2001 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by flying object

EE HAD JUST FINISHED CUTTING OUT BOLTS FROM BLUNGER LID. HE THEN STARTED PRYING LID OFF BLUNGER WHEN HOT WELD SLAG POPPED INTO HIS RIGHT EYE.

January 2, 2001 GA · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Thiele Kaolin Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AFTER MAKING TURN, STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT RIGHT WRIST AT THUMB ON MIDDLE SECTION OF STEERING WHEEL. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS DECIDED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN PICKING UP OBJECTS AND PAIN EXPERIENCED WHEN USES HAND IN ANY WAY.

2000 · 2 incidents

October 18, 2000 GA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck against stationary object

WHILE CLIMBING ON DOZIER, EE CUT HIS LEG ON PARKING BRAKE LEVER. EE WAS OPERATING A RENTED DOZIER. ON HIS NORMAL EQUIPMENT, THE PARKING BRAKE IS IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

September 21, 2000 GA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Thiele Kaolin Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REMOVING MOTORMOUNT OFF ENGINE OF BACKHOE #75. AIR WRENCH DIDN'T TURN OFF; BOLT CAME OUT CAUSING MOTORMOUNT TO SLASH RIGHT INDEX FINGER. SUTURES REQUIRED.