Mining Incidents

COLUMBIA QUARRY Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Vulcan Materials Company
Columbia, Richland County, SC  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3800013

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
34
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Nov 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
171
citations
28
significant & substantial
$43,781
proposed penalties
$43,560
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 29,202 3 0 102.7
2025 Q2 22,725 3 0 132.0
2025 Q1 12,389 1 0 80.7
2024 Q4 20,955 1 1 47.7
2024 Q3 12,465 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 25,465 3 0 117.8
2024 Q1 9,066 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 17,273 2 0 115.8
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
October 14, 2020 SC · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was operating a pick-up truck on the -330 bench. A haul truck turned onto the -330 bench. The haul truck operator indicated they did not see the pick-up truck resulting in fatal injuries.

Reportable incidents

33 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2024 · 1 incident

November 27, 2024 SC · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

Two contract employees of G & H Mechanical Services welded a 3.5 X 6 inch patch on the outside of the collection chute between the 3A Screen tub and the flume around 7:30 pm. The contractor stated somewhere around 8:10 pm they noticed flames on the 3A wash screen.

2023 · 2 incidents

December 9, 2023 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by falling object

While performing maintenance a bearing moved unexpectedly allowing the pulley to drop resulting in amputation of the tip of the employee's finger.

September 30, 2023 SC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall from machine

Employee was exiting a 988K loader when EE's foot got caught on the second step causing EE to fall approximately 2-3 feet to the ground fracturing hip.

2022 · 1 incident

January 31, 2022 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The employee lost balance while working on a crusher and while reaching for lifting eye to catch themselves they lacerated their left palm.

2021 · 3 incidents

November 21, 2021 SC · Metal/Non-Metal trespasser SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Late Saturday, November 20, into early Sunday morning on November 21, a 22 year old male trespassed onto Vulcan property at the Columbia Quarry and fell from the top edge of the highwall into the quarry.

October 22, 2021 SC · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

On Friday, October 22 a 992G caught fire, operator was able to escape safely. The fire suppression was not able to be set off manually, so the fire department was called.

September 23, 2021 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by flying object

An employee had been doing night shift maintenance (welding/grinding). When they got home that evening, they felt an irritation and noticed a very small piece of metal in their eye. Employee was seen by a medical professional who removed the piece of metal. Employee was released to full duty, but it is unclear when the metal got in the eye.

2020 · 1 incident

October 10, 2020 SC · Metal/Non-Metal trespasser SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall from ladders

At approximately 02:30AM a 19 year old trespassed onto Vulcan Quarry. Person climbed over two 6' fences to enter the property. Person fell from the top fence of the high wall to a quarry "bench" approximately 300' below. The body was recovered on Sunday October 11, 2020.

2017 · 1 incident

March 23, 2017 SC · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping off of the bucket truck to the ground when EE's foot came in contact with the ground. Apparently the contact caused the steel toe to bend back breaking two bones in EE's foot.

2014 · 1 incident

March 27, 2014 SC · Metal/Non-Metal MACHINERY
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

While operating a backhoe, employee struck a small inside berm and rolled the backhoe onto its side. Employee was wearing seat belt and sustained no other injuries but did have a brief period where he didn't appear to be completely conscious. Employee stated that he did not recall driving onto the inside berm and was reported as being groggy by the Emergency responders.

2013 · 1 incident

October 5, 2013 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by falling object

Tire service tech was installing a tire on the loader. While installing the side flange and bead seat band the flange fell out of the bead area, striking the tech on the top of his right foot above the steel toe guard. Tech suffered a fracture to the top of the foot, the extent unknown until all test results are returned.

2012 · 1 incident

December 3, 2012 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was standing on a 12x12 wooden block when he stepped off and twisted his right ankle.

2010 · 1 incident

June 18, 2010 SC · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On Friday evening, one of our nightshift employees was flagged down by a trespasser on our site who stated his friend had fallen while trying to climb down the highwall.

2009 · 1 incident

December 28, 2009 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Unclassified, insufficient data

At around 8:45am, EE met with plant manager at the office. The plant manager noticed the EE's speech was slurred. The EE said he felt sick and needed to go home. Given his health history with heart problems, the manager had him taken to hospital. At 11:15am, we were notified by hospital EE had possible heart attack while undergoing test. Later notified was not a heart attack.

2007 · 2 incidents

March 28, 2007 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee stuck hand in head pulley conveyor.

March 9, 2007 SC · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

The drill tech was replacing a leaky fitting The drill tech stepped up onto the chain wrench to get a better reach. The wrench moved and he lost his balance. His knee struck the wrench during the fall injuring his knee. Knee strain possible level 1 trauma.

2006 · 3 incidents

August 7, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Heart Attack---Extent of possible impairment unknown at this time.

March 17, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

Cutting a loader bucket with a torch and a splatter ball fell behind safety glasses and caused a right eye burn.

January 19, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall from machine

Missed a ladder coming off of a loader bucket after welding and turned right ankle.

2005 · 3 incidents

2004 · 4 incidents

October 4, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by falling object

Ee was removing a blockage from the chute over the 5 1/2' short head crusher. A rock fell from an opening in the chute above ee approx 20' & struck ee's hard hat as he was looking into chute. The rock broke through the hard hat & lacerated ee's head. This required four staples to close. Ee was released to return to work.

September 11, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by flying object

Ee was striking a side lip protector on a loader bucket using a 16 lbs. sledge hammer. A small piece of the metal being struck flew off and struck ee on his right thigh just above the knee.

August 10, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was cleaning up on Tower #1, as he was descending the stairs to the ground level a rock fell approx. 25' from a hole in a chute and struck the employee on the right wrist.

April 8, 2004 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS SHOVELING SPILLED MATERIAL FROM THE TUNNEL FLOOR ONTO A CONVEYOR BELT. HE WAS SHOVELING ONTO THE BELT BETWEEN TWO FEEDERS. HIS SHOVEL BECAME ENTANGLED ON A ELECTRICAL CABLE. HE TOOK HIS LEFT HAND AND TOSSED THE CABLE TO THE SIDE. AS HE DID, HIS FINGER WENT BETWEEN THE FEEDER AND HOPPPER.

2003 · 3 incidents

June 2, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by rolling or sliding object

EE WAS ROLLING A LARGE STONE OUT OF THE HAUL ROAD. HE THOUGHT THE STONE WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER HOWEVER IT ROLLED BACKWARD ONTO HIS RIGHT HANDSTONE WEIGHT APPROX. 75 TO 100 POUNDS.

May 13, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec MACHINERY
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by flying object

EE WAS USING THE WINCH AND LARGE HOOK, TO DISLODGE A PIECE OF STONE THAT HAD BRIDGED OVER THE JAW CRUSHER OPENING. WHEN THE STONE WAS FREED AND BEGAN TO CRUSH PIECES OR FRAGMENTS FLEW UPWARD. A PIECE FLEW UP UNDER EE'S SAFETY GLASSES AND LODGED IN HIS LEFT EYE.

February 27, 2003 SC · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS GREASING THE WATER PUMP ON THE 65 TON KOMATSU HAUL TRUCK. HIS RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE A FRAME GOING TO THE WHEEL, HIS LEFT FOOT WAS ON THE 2" LIP ON THE RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACKET. H IS FOOT SLIPPED AND HE FELL 30" TO THE GROUND LEVEL STRIKING HIS SHOULDER ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. HE SUFFERED A CONTUSION TO THE LEFT SHOULDER.

2002 · 1 incident

November 19, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEMS WITH CONVEYOR #18. HE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE MOTOR CONTROL CENTER. HE STEPPED BACKWARD TO SEE AND HEAR IF THESTARTER SWITCH WAS ENGAGING ON CONVEYOR #18. HE TRIPPED OVER THE CORNER OF THE SKID STEER LOADERBUCKET WHICH WAS PARKED. HE TWISTED AND FELL TO THE GROUND, HE TRIED TO CATCH HIMSELF INJURING HIS RIGHT WRIST.

2001 · 2 incidents

March 5, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TIGHTENING SPRING BOLTS ON PRIMARY FEEDERAT THE PRIMARY CRUSHER. THE BOLT BROKE & THE SPRING STRUCK HIM ON LEFT HAND.

January 23, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC · Fall from machine

EE WAS STANDING ON TRACKS OF EQUIPMENT PREPARING TO GREASE EQUIPMENT. HIS RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF TRACK AS HE REACHED INTO THE CAB FOR A RAG. EE FELL FROM TRACKS TO GROUND LEVEL AND LANDED ON H IS FEET, BUT IN AN AWKWARD POSITION CAUSING A STRAIN ON HIS LOWER BACK.

2000 · 1 incident

April 14, 2000 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Tarmac Mid-Atlantic Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HELPING TO REMOVE CONCAVES FROM GYRATORY CRUSHER WHEN HIS LEG BECAME PINNED BETWEEN THE MAIN FROME AND CONCAVE. HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND TWISTED HIS ANKLE.