Schoolhouse Quartz Plant Metal/Non-Metal

Maintenance employee was replacing bull gear on rod mill. While transferring the old gear from the rod mill to the designated location, one of the dollies that was holding up one of the two chain hoists being used came off of beam causing the gear to slightly shift positions and come in contact with employees right leg.

Employee was adjusting the water on a cyclone to put more water in the sump. When employee was stepping away from the sump employee's right foot slipped causing employee to lose footing and fall on left side and strike left elbow off of the floor. Employee was experiencing some pain and swelling and was taken to local hospital for treatment.

While changing out an HF acid pump, a maintenance employee received a chemical burn on right thumb, caused by a pinhole leak. The employee was administered first aid at the facility when normal specialized HF first aid treatment did not relieve pain, the employee was then transported to the local hospital.

No conditions at the mine-site caused this accident to occur. Every effort was made by the mine owner to assist contractor guard operator, on the guard's physical ailments, until local ambulance and EMT officials arrived outside gate.

On Saturday, November 12th 2016, EE was replacing a motor at approximately 8:30 am. The motor and the iron created a pinch point and caught EE's gloved pinky finger between the two. EE reported the injury to supervisor, and they immediately were seen at the clinic at Spruce Pine. EE was examined and given stitches.

While working on a pump in the maintenance shop, the EE had his hand placed on top of the pump, lining up the chuck in the shaft. Another employee had a pry bar lifting on the opening of the shaft, when the bar slipped, striking the injured employee's hand, breaking the metacarpal bone in his right hand.

Suspected pneumoconiosis with median consensus ILO reading of 1/2. Operator suspects prior occupational & smoking contributed to ILO reading. Case reported during March 2014 has been denied by numerous medical professionals. Instead of pneumoconiosis per result of CT/Scan, "lungs are Hyper inflated. No nodules are seen. No suspicious densities are present". Remove illness.

The employee was using a table saw to cut pieces of PVC blocks. With the saw running, he reached under it, and his right middle finger was struck by the rotating blade. He sustained a laceration and damaged distal phalanx bone. Prior to the task the supervisor had a meeting with the three employees that were assigned to do the task about the safety issues with the job.

EE was coming down expanded metal steps in the screen house. His right heel got hung in the step grating. He fell forward and put his weight on his left foot. He suffered a fractured heel.

EE was using a wire brush attached to a power drill to clean teeter pipes. His left glove became entangled in the chuck attachment while operating the tool and twisted his thumb. The thumb was bruised and suffered some ligament damage.

Injured EE and another EE were at the dump site, disposing of waste sand. EE lifted a 55 gal drum that was near empty, by its' bottom, to dump it. The fiber drum has metal reinforcement bands on top and bottom. The band edge extended out far enough to cut 3 of EE's fingers when he lifted it.

Operator was working with contractor to dispose of flotation reagents stored in 55 gal. drums. He was using a fork lift to move drums. Operator is allergic to the reagent in some of the drums. He reported itching and swelling in both hands and wrists. He was wearing gloves, hard hat safety glasses, safety shoes, and a jacket.

Employee stepped beyond berm to edge of bench in mine. Edge broke away and he fell 18ft with falling material. A rock struck his right shoulder. He walked to his truck, drove to mine shop and was taken to Dr office for exam. Xrays were negative. Ice and light exercises were recommended. Followup appt. 7/9/09.

Employee and co-worker were lowering material removal screw closer to take. Shim and bolts are removed to lower screw. When removing shims, gearbox fell striking and cut employee's right hand.

Employee was cutting a tree and it got lodged. In an attempt to get the tree on down, it broke loose striking the employee on the right shoulder causing a fracture.

Employee was exiting over-the-road trailer with pallets of sand when trailer floor broke through causing forklift to tilt to the left. He apparently cut fingers as the forklift was tilting and going down.

EE had went to eat and after he finished he felt discomfort to his right eye. First aid of flushing with water did not help. EE went to doctor on Monday and had a metal sliver removed.

Installing a weather seal on exhaust fan, after completing job, employee went back to retrieve a hammer and placed his fingers into the fan frame resulting in the injury.

AFTER COMPLETING JOB OF ARRANGING SOME LIGHT FIXTURES, EE JUMPED UP TO TRY & TOUCH CEILING CAUSING A SPRAIN/STRAIN TO HIS RIGHT ANKLE.

EE WAS PREPARING A PALLET OF SAMPLES TO BE SHIPPED. CUT RING & LITTLE FINGER ON LT. HAND.

INJURED AND COWORKER WAS CARRYING A GEAR BOX MOUNTED ON A SHIPPING PALLET. STARTED UPSTAIRS AND WAS ADJUSTING THEIR HOLD ON PALLET WHEN IT SHIFTED AND THE CORNER OF THE PALLET STRUCK EE IN THE GROIN AREA JUST BELOW THE BELT LINE. EE IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE OUTPATIENT SURGERY ON 9-17.

INJURED ALONG WITH TWO COWORKERS WERE UPRIGHTING A 500# DRUM. AS DRUM WAS BEING PLACED ON A PALLET EE MASHED AND CUT HIS RIGHT RING FINGER.

EE USING PRYBAR TO DISLODGE OBSTRUCTION IN CHUTE. WHEN RAISING THE PRYBAR OVER HIS HEAD, THE BAR STRUCK THE GLOBE ON THE LIGHT FIXTURE. THE LIGHT FIXTURE BROKE IN TO SEVERAL PIECES. THE GLASS STRUCK HIS FACE AND HAND CAUSING ONE CUT TO THE FACE AND TWO CUTS ON HIS HAND.