Mining Incidents

Sweetwater Quarry Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by USG Corporation
Sweetwater, Nolan County, TX  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4100847

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
32
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
185
citations
39
significant & substantial
$68,417
proposed penalties
$68,417
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 12,067 10 2 828.7
2025 Q3 5,366 2 0 372.7
2025 Q2 13,689 8 2 584.4
2025 Q1 1,802 7 2 3884.6
2024 Q4 3,816 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 13,995 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 16,751 9 1 537.3
2024 Q1 14,777 12 1 812.1
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

32 on file

2024 · 2 incidents

August 15, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
United States Gypsum Company · Contact with heat

Quarry Employee was marking a shot to be drilled when they began to experience signs of Heat exhaustion. Employee was taken to an emergency room and given fluids.

May 8, 2024 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by falling object

While inspecting the compressor on the 401 excavator drill, the employee raised the hood covering the compressor to inspect the hinge. During inspection, the hood closed and hit the employee's finger

2023 · 2 incidents

June 14, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
United States Gypsum Company · Flash burns (welding)

Employee's eyes started watering when welding flashes reflected off wall in the welding shop.

January 12, 2023 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On Thursday January 12th, an employee was cutting a drag cable from the dragline equipment with a hand torch. The cable was coiled up like a spring with a lot of tension. In the act of cutting the cable, the cable untangled and struck the employee in the thumb.

2018 · 1 incident

July 12, 2018 TX · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer OTHER
United States Gypsum Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was dismounting front-end loader and felt a pain on the inside of the left knee. Medical evaluation determined employee was stung by an insect.

2017 · 2 incidents

July 21, 2017 TX · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HOISTING
United States Gypsum Company · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Operator was shoveling material into White Rock Elevator in the Dryer Pit The Operator was investigating why the vibrator was not working and grabbed the hose that supplies air to the Vibrator for the Elevator. When the operator grabbed the hose it pulled the lid to the Elevator down onto the operator's wrist. The operator experienced a contusion to the left wrist/arm.

February 6, 2017 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was changing seat compressor on a front end loader, the porta-power jack slipped causing the blocking to come loose allowing the seat to fall on employee's hand smashing the middle finger of the employee's left hand resulting in an open fracture.

2016 · 1 incident

July 8, 2016 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
United States Gypsum Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using metal bar to try and get low purity fines material to flow through the feeder when EE felt a pop/twinge followed by pain in left wrist. Employee was diagnosed with a left wrist sprain.

2015 · 2 incidents

October 19, 2015 TX · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting conduit with a Metabo power tool, when tool kicked grazing the employee's knuckle. Employee had the wound cleaned and then 4 stitches were needed to close the wound.

February 11, 2015 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was locating a hydraulic leak on a D10 dozer which could not be seen by inspection. Machine was jogged to pressurize hydraulic hoses and find leak. Employee lifted a hydraulic line to separate it from another and unknowingly placed his thumb over the pin hole sized leak causing highly pressurized hydraulic fluid to inject through his glove into his thumb causing the injury

2014 · 1 incident

March 6, 2014 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

A mill mechanic was attempting to transfer a 220lb plate from saw horses to a service cart for transport. As the mechanic was sliding plate on to back of cart the saw horse toppled over transfering substantial weight to the employee's grip. The weight of the steel plate caused a strain of the left bicep. He was released to return to work with no restrictions.

2013 · 2 incidents

June 21, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman POWERED HAULAGE
United States Gypsum Company · Struck against a moving object

A haulage supervisor operating a 2500 gallon water truck removed his eyes from the road to retrieve a fallen lunch bag from the passenger floor board.

March 7, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
United States Gypsum Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

A Mill Maintenance Mechanic was assisting with the removal of a plow tip from a Raymond Mill. The plow tip was rigged using a chain and was being hoisted from the ground. The injured employee was guiding the plow using his right hand to hold the chain. The load shifted causing the chain to move downward, pinching the mechanics fifth digit on the right hand.

2012 · 2 incidents

September 24, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
United States Gypsum Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Initial MSHA Reportable Standard Threshold shift in the left ear and Confirmed MSHA Reportable Standard Threshold Shift in the right ear. The STS was confirmed by an Air Bone Conduction test.

April 23, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Quarry supervisor was assisting another employee to lift a grease barrel onto the drag line platform. The barrel slipped from their grasp and pinched the supervisor's right, middle finger between the barrel and a ladder rung on the drag line. The supervisor fractured the tip of the right middle finger and an avulsion to the finger tip required four sutures to close.

2011 · 1 incident

April 19, 2011 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
United States Gypsum Company · Rubbed or abraded

Quarry maintenance mechanic was working on the fuel injector pump on a 35-ton water truck. The mechanic was required to kneel inside the engine compartment to access the area where repairs were required. The mechanic arose from the kneeling position and experienced pain and inflammation to the right knee.

2010 · 2 incidents

September 27, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
United States Gypsum Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - right ear. Employee underwent initial Audiological testing on August 24, 2010, which revealed a STS for the right ear. Employee had follow-up air and bone conduction testing which confirmed the STS.

May 14, 2010 TX · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
United States Gypsum Company · Struck against a moving object

Pain in lower back attributed to operating a haul truck on rough terrain.

2009 · 1 incident

September 21, 2009 TX · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
United States Gypsum Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing in left ear. EE underwent audiological testing July 2009 with an STS identified in the left ear. The EE was taken for an additional air and bone conduction test on Aug. 31,09. Results of the test and final coversations with the Company's Med. Review Officer were completed and the STS confirmed on 09/21/09.

2007 · 3 incidents

October 15, 2007 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
United States Gypsum Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - left ear. Employee underwent audiological testing June 2007 with an STS identified in both ears. He received notification of the immediate results but an additional air & bond conduction test was performed by an Audiologist on October 15 which confirmed the STS in the left ear.

October 11, 2007 TX · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
United States Gypsum Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift in hearing - left ear. Employee underwent audiological testing June 2007 with an STS identified in the left ear. He received notification of the immediate results but an additional air and bond conduction test was performed by an Audiologist on October 11 which confirmed the STS in the left ear.

April 26, 2007 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

2 quarry mechanics were attempting to remove a house roller from the 4600 dragline. The roller is approx 15" across & 6" deep with a weight of 250 lbs The EE's were positioned on both sides and began to lift roller out of machine. Roller slipped and pinched inj EE's finger causing avulsion & fracture to finger.

2004 · 2 incidents

October 20, 2004 TX · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
United States Gypsum Company · Struck against a moving object

Operating front end loader on rough surface and felt pain in right shoulder

May 26, 2004 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE WALKING OUT OF THE DOORWAY OF THE PRIMARY CRUSHER CONTROL ROOM, THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT BEHIND A QUARRY MAINTENANCE EE, PINCHING HIS RT. INDEX FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME.

2003 · 3 incidents

November 14, 2003 TX · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE UNLOADING EXPLOSIVES, EE FELT PAIN IN HIS BACK ON 11-14-03. AFTER SEVERAL TREATMENTS OF PLANT FIRST AID, EE WAS TAKEN TO A PHYSICIAN ON 11-26-03.

August 5, 2003 TX · Metal/Non-Metal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
United States Gypsum Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BREAK A GYPSUM ROCK WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER AND FELT PAIN IN HIS LOW BACK.

March 20, 2003 TX · Metal/Non-Metal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
United States Gypsum Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE'S FOOT GOT TANGLED IN A WATER HOSE WHILE WASHING TRUCKS AND HE FELL. AT THAT TIME HE SAIDHE WAS NOT INJURED. ON 4-21-03, THE EE REPORTED BACK PAIN RELATED TO THE FALL THAT OCCURRED ON 3 -20-03. HE HAS BEEN DISABLED FROM WORK SINCE 4-21-03 UNTIL PRESENT.

2002 · 1 incident

February 5, 2002 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
United States Gypsum Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BEGINNING TO STAND. THE INDIVIDUAL USED HIS RIGHT HAND AS A SUPPORT. THE EE THEN FELT A STINGING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AREA.

2001 · 2 incidents

November 20, 2001 TX · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner OTHER
United States Gypsum Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE WAS STUNG BY UNKNOWN INSECT ON RIGHT WRIST WHILE REMOVING CAPS FROM CAP MAGAZINE BUILDING.

January 22, 2001 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
United States Gypsum Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE SUFFERED AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE THAT CAUSED HIM TO FALL. EE RECEIVED A LACERATION TO FOREHEAD AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURE TO RIGHT THUMB.

2000 · 2 incidents

July 15, 2000 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
United States Gypsum Company · Struck by flying object

2 EE'S WERE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A GEAR FROM A SHAFT. AFTER CUTTING GEAR WITH TORCH, EE TRIED TOFREE GEAR BY STRIKINGIT WITH A 3LB SHOP HAMMER INJ EE WAS STRUCK BY A PIECE OF GEAR TOOTH THAT CAUSED LACERATION TO RIGHT FOREARM FOREIGN BODY WAS REMOVED & 4 STITCHES WERE USED TO CLOSE WOUND