Mining Incidents

Casper Plant Metal/Non-Metal

Casper, Natrona County, WY  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4800243

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
31
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Apr 2026
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
131
citations
28
significant & substantial
$21,373
proposed penalties
$20,920
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 12,989 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 7,856 1 0 127.3
2025 Q2 13,552 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 14,109 2 1 141.8
2024 Q2 15,792 9 1 569.9
2024 Q1 9,880 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 3,622 4 3 1104.4
2023 Q3 3,347 2 0 597.6
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

31 on file

2026 · 1 incident

April 29, 2026 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman MACHINERY
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE climbed into the chute of the packer system to lube the roller without locking out/tagging out packer. EE's left hand was caught between the conveyor and the closest roller.

2024 · 3 incidents

July 16, 2024 WY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Employee took guard off to check belt air from outside. The fan kept spinning and the employee put their hand on the belts to stop it, and fingers went between belts and sheave. Employee smashed two fingertips. Employee had gloves on and was locked out.

2023 · 3 incidents

November 29, 2023 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to knock buildup off the inside of a hopper with a hammer, when the hammer bounced back and hit EE in the top of the head.

August 24, 2023 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was attempting to close the latch for a tailgate on an end dump truck and as the latch bar moved into place, the palm on the right hand was pinched resulting in a cut needing stitches.

March 27, 2023 WY · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Struck by falling object

Employee was barring out a chute, when the door access to the chute swung closed during barring causing the employee to smash their right hand into the door fracturing right ring and pinky fingers.

2018 · 1 incident

January 21, 2018 WY · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was performing the duties of sanding the railroad tracks to aid traction for both the loader and rail car traffic in the area. The employee slipped on the packed snow while walking and attempted to arrest the fall with their right hand, feeling a sharp pain. an x-ray confirmed that the right wrist had been fractured

2016 · 1 incident

April 14, 2016 WY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Was moving an electric Motor. And felt a Slight pull in my lower abdomen. Didn't think anything of it.

2015 · 1 incident

2014 · 2 incidents

February 12, 2014 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee Threw his back out stacking bags. Felt spasms in lower back, Lost most function in his left arm from pain in the back. Is receiving chiropractic treatments and has not missed any time off from work.

2012 · 2 incidents

March 14, 2012 WY · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting shelving and light fixtures and hurt right shoulder. He continued working, thinking it would heal but a visit to doctor recently indicated a need for surgery scheduled for November 28, 2012. No missed days as yet.

February 16, 2012 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee has complained about a potential injury resulting from years of lifting and handling 100 pound bags as required by his employment.

2011 · 2 incidents

November 9, 2011 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The truck was not backed straight into dock, allowing a gap that could be fallen into between truck and personnel guard rail. EE was stacking bags on a pallet when he fell into this gap all the way to his shoulders. He strained lower left side of his back.

June 28, 2011 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was involved in palletizing 100 pound bags when he spun bag around to get a better grip. This action caused trauma to right hand area and thumb was sprained and possible ligament damage but doctor is not sure. He will return to work on light duty on 07/03/2011 for about 6 weeks tentatively.

2010 · 1 incident

March 19, 2010 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE reached up to grab rail to climb into a straight truck when he felt his left shoulder pull out of socket. He was taken to hospital to check it out. He was given a brace for now and may require surgery in the future.

2009 · 1 incident

2008 · 1 incident

June 8, 2008 WY · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was lifting a Variable Frequency Drive for an electric motor and ruptured lower right side (hernia). He continued to work for many days before beginning to take time off and had operation on 08/28/2008.

2005 · 3 incidents

December 3, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

Employee climbed 2 or 3 rungs up a 6 foot ladder to grease dryer trunnions. The ladder at top was not making contact with concrete support but rather with a metal rail at the 3 foot point. Shifting his weight above this point caused the rail to act as a fulcrum point and the bottom to slide out from under him. He landed and re-injured his previously injured left foot.

April 20, 2005 WY · Metal/Non-Metal pumper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was stepping off of rear of flat-bed truck when he slipped on wet bentonite. While falling and trying to catch himself, he strained his left wrist and bruised ribs along his left side.

2004 · 1 incident

February 19, 2004 WY · Metal/Non-Metal SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ON TOP OF RAILCAR WHILE MOVING LOADOUT HOSE FROM ONE OPENING TO THE NEXT WHEN HE SLIPPED ON SLICK SURFACE OF NEWLY PAINTED CAR WHICH CAUSED HIM TO FALL OVER THE EDGE OF THE CAR. T HE RETRACTABLE LINE ACTIVATED, STOPPING HIS FALL SEVERAL FEET FROM THE GROUND. HE STRAINED HIS KNEE IN THE PROCESS OF SLIPPING. HIS KNEE IS STIFF AND UNDER OBSERVATION FOR NOW.

2003 · 2 incidents

October 3, 2003 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE

A BULK TRUCK BACKED IN TO BE LOADED. EMPLOYEE STEPPED ONTO TOP OF TRUCK TO OPEN HATCH; DRIVER NOT KNOWING THIS, DECIDED TO PULL OUT & REPOSITION THE TRUCK MORE SQUARELY IN LINE WITH SPOUT. EMP LOYEE SCRAMBLED TO REAR OF TRUCK, DESCENDED LADDER & JUMPED THE REMAINING 2' TO THE GROUND & WAS STOPPED BY THE LIFE LINE JUST AS HIS FEET MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, BRUISING HIS ABDOMEN.

September 24, 2003 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE WAS STACKING BAGS ON A FLAT-BED TRUCK, HE WAS GOING TO THROW A BAG ONTO PALLET WHEN HE FELT A SUDDEN PAIN IN LOWER LEFT BACK. HE SAID HE HAD SOME TROUBLE BREATHING. HE TOOK ONE DAY OFF TO R ECOVER. THIS ACCIDENT REPORT WAS RECEIVED BY SAFETY OFFICE ON 10-8-03.

2002 · 2 incidents

September 23, 2002 WY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Struck by falling object

EE WAS WELDING AN I-BEAM, HELD BY CLAMPS, TO A NEW HOPPER LID. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE BEAM AND THE TACK WELD BROKE CAUSING THE BEAM TO FALL ON HIS UPPER & LOWER RIGHT ARM. THE INJURY REQUIRE D 4 DAYS OF LOST TIME TO ALLOW THE BRUISING AND PAIN TO SUBSIDE.

April 18, 2002 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS PULLING ON THE PORTABLE CONVEYOR TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT, HE STEPPED ON A CONVEYOR SPRING THAT WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR, CAUSING HIM TO SLIP AND TWIST HIS LEFT KNEE.

2001 · 2 incidents

November 7, 2001 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

WHILE STACKING A BAG ON A PALLET ON A FLAT-BED TRAILER, EMPLOYEE SLIPPED ON A SLICK SPOT AND FELL OFF THE DECK, RECIEVING A LACERATION TO THERIGHT CHEEK, A GASH ABOVE THE RIGHT EYE AND A TWISTED SMALL FINGER ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

August 10, 2001 WY · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

EMPLOYEE WAS PLACING A BAG ON A PALLET WHEN HIS FOOT CONTACTED A WET SPOT, CAUSING HIM TO SLIP AND FALL OFF THE TRUCK. HIS RIGHT ELBOW RECEIVED A MINOR SCRAPE AND SUSTAINED A SPRAIN IN THE PRO CESS. THIS RESULTED IN TWO DAYS LOST TIME.

2000 · 2 incidents

October 3, 2000 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON

WHILE STACKING BAGS ON A PALLET, EE BACKED UP AND FELL 4'8" TO THE CONCRETE. HE FELL FROM A FLATBED SEMI TRAILER AND INJURED HIS BACK AND ELBOW. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AN AMBULANCE TO ENSURE PROPER CAR. XRAYS REVEALED NOTHING SERIOUS AND HE IS TAKING THREE DAYS OFF TORECOVER FORM THE BRUISING.

August 9, 2000 WY · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Black Hills Bentonite-A Limited Liability Co · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LOADING 100 BAGS ONTO A FLAT BED TRUCK WHEN HE FELT A PULLING SENSATION IN HIS NECK.