Mining Incidents

Intrepid Potash North Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Intrepid Potash Inc
Lea, Lea County, NM  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 2902028

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
20
Years on record
2000–2020
Latest incident
Jul 2020
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
351
citations
36
significant & substantial
$64,773
proposed penalties
$58,659
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 12,449 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 2,650 12 2 4528.3
2025 Q1 11,895 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,600 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 2,650 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 2,550 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 2,338 1 0 427.7
2023 Q3 12,270 5 1 407.5
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

20 on file

2020 · 1 incident

July 6, 2020 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ee was walking down stairs and missed last 2 steps. Ee did not fall, caught self with Left leg. Ee did not immediately know that there was any injury.

2019 · 1 incident

November 20, 2019 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nov 2019, Ee was walking out of warehouse bay and stepped on uneven ground. Ee felt Left Knee pop, but did not fall. Feb 14, 2020...Ee had surgery on Left Knee as a result of injury.

2015 · 2 incidents

July 28, 2015 NM · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A fire in a construction debris pile was reported at 2:45 p.m. Fire service was called and responded. The pile was located in a remote area of the property. The fire was contained and finally extinguished by 7:45 p.m. A fire watch was maintained overnight. Ignition source undetermined--believed to be spontaneous.

July 21, 2015 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE operating transloader to load truck from rail car. EE stepped too close to conveyor while attempting to close car gate. R leg was caught between the belt and guide tire. E-Stop bar activated to stop belt. EE extricated in < 30-minutes.

2014 · 1 incident

March 7, 2014 NM · Metal/Non-Metal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker MACHINERY
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting an angle clip with a metabo grinder when the grinder kicked back causing a laceration between the employee's middle and pinky fingers.

2013 · 2 incidents

September 7, 2013 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by flying object

While the employee was preparing to start his shift and was getting his tools together for the job a gust of wind blew dust and sand into his left eye. First aid was administered with eye wash. Took the employee to the ER at Carlsbad, New Mexico. Safety glasses were being used when this accident happened.

August 13, 2013 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by flying object

The EE was attaching a piece of strut to a hand rail to hold a light fixture with a self tapping tech screw. While drilling the wind blew metal fines from the screw handrail between his safety glasses and face entering his eye.

2011 · 1 incident

March 8, 2011 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Small left finger became caught between a cable tray and frame when a co-worker pushed tray into 45 degree angle, as instructed by injured employee.

2010 · 1 incident

October 28, 2010 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE's were cleaning a return idler guard using a 4lb hammer. The guard had been removed for cleaning. EE reached to secure the guard, second EE swung the hammer striking 1st EE on the left middle finger causing an open fracture at the first knuckle of the middle finger of the left hand.

2007 · 3 incidents

December 7, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling on a hose that was buried in a pile of potash and felt a sharp pain in the lower left side of his back.

September 29, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was changing v-belts on #1 compactor. He was using a pipe wrench to turn pulley while belts were installed. Gear box released pressure and employee's right little finger was caught between pipe wrench and gear box guard. His finger required 5 stiches and a fracture was found.

July 26, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee reports that he slipped and fell on the loadout stairway and injured left knee possible connective tissue damage. Employee notified management on 8/27/2007.

2006 · 1 incident

April 13, 2006 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee was descending a set of 3 steps. He tripped and fell into the handrails of another set of steps, breaking 3 ribs. Started losing time 4-14-06.

2004 · 1 incident

October 17, 2004 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee reached over a hand rail to pick up a V-Belt when he felt a sharp pain in his right side.

2003 · 1 incident

November 14, 2003 NM · Metal/Non-Metal NO VALUE FOUND
Mississippi Potash Inc · No Value Found

She slipped as she was exiting the haul truck and twisted her left ankle and knee. X-rays were negative. She continued to work but later stated that it was starting to swell and have pain and asked to see the Doctor again. She started losing time on 2-26-04.

2001 · 4 incidents

November 23, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by flying object

EE WAS CLEANING FEED BIN ABOVE #4 COMPACTOR FEED SCREW. THE ELECTRICIAN TOLD CREW THAT HE WAS GOING TO CLEAN MATERIAL FROM TOP OF BIN AND THEY SHOULD STAND CLEAR. A CHUNK FELL STRIKING A BAR, THE BAR FLEW UP AND STRUCK EE IN THE MOUTH & NOSE.

September 19, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOADING A TANKER TRUCK FROM THE BIN LEVEL. HE WAS WALKING ACROSS GRATING TO HAVE TRUCK DRIVER REPOSITION HIS TRUCK. HE TRIPPED ON A SLEDGE HAMMER LOSING HIS BALANCE. HE GRABBED THE HAND RAIL TO BREAK HIS FALL, INJURIN HIS SHOULDER.

July 26, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE HAD CHANGED MOTOR IN TUNNEL UNDER WAREHOUSES. REMOVING 4 WHEEL MOTOR DOLLY FROM MANHOLE. A 3" X 2" X 14" CHUNK OF CONCRETE FELL FROM MAN HOLE AND STRUCK LOWER LIP. THIS INJURY REQUIRE D 1 STITCH TO CLOSE. NO LOSS OF TIME. NO RESTRICTED WORK.

July 13, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STEPPED THROUGH AN OPENING IN FLOOR GRATING AFTER GUARD HAD BEEN REMOVED. BROKE FALL WITH RIGHT ARM & INJURED SHOULDER (ROTARY CUFF TEAR). EE STARTED LOSING TIME 7/20/01.

2000 · 1 incident

December 22, 2000 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Mississippi Potash Inc · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

MECHANIC WAS SENT TO GAUGE ROLLER MILL SPACING. THE FEED WAS SHUT OFF THE MILL. THE MACHINE WAS SWITCHED OFF. THE MECHANIC PLACED GUAGE BETWEEN THE ROLLERS PRIOR TO ROLLERS STOPPING. HIS FINGE RS (SMALL, RING & MIDDLE) OF IS RIGHT HAND WERE DRAWN BETWEEN THE ROLLERS CAUSING THE 3 FINGERS TO BE CRUSHED. THIS INJURY RESULTED IN THE FIRST JOINT FINGER BEING LOST. THE REST SHOULD HEAL.