Mining Incidents

MLC - CaleraMetal/Nonmetal

MLC · Facility
Controlled by HBM Holdings Company
Calera, Shelby County, AL · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0103227
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
49
Years on record
2002–2025
Latest incident
Jul 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

49 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee walked down staircase, stepped in uneven surface rolling left ankle.

Struck against stationary object

Employee stepped on a piece of ash ring debris and sprained right ankle. Orthopedic doctor diagnosed torn ligaments, prescribed boot, crutches and physical therapy and restricted duty to no climbing steps or ladders. MLC is accommodating restrictions.

2024 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While working on a cylinder on a diverter gate, employee leaned over to see if the shaft was going to clear when cylinder/arm broke striking employee in left jaw.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

When closing a gangway at hydrate loadout, hand got caught between the handrail and gangway.

2023 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

After hooking the airlines together on two rail cars, the employee opened the air valve. The air lines blew apart and the metal gladhand coupling struck the employee on the right knee. First aid was administered until 3/14/22 when medical treatment began in the form of a needle draining bloody fluid and a physical therapy order from the doctor.

2021 · 2 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Loadout employee received lime in eye injury when lime fell on EE while walking back to the scale house. Employee initially declined medical treatment opting for onsite first aid treatment. On day three, the eye was swollen and worse.

Struck against a moving object

While using rail car puller to push three cars down track 4, the puller derailed between the 4/5 switch and crossover road. As it derailed, the tire blew which added to the rocking motion lifting the employee out of the seat employee was buckled in to & slinging employee around. Employee immediately felt pain in the right side of neck, right shoulder and right elbow.

2020 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

Employee tripped on a mat in the lab prep room and received a cut requiring stitches when EE's head struck the corner of a metal grinder cabinet.

2019 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

A customer truck driver fell off the passenger side of the trailer while closing the trailer hatches. No witnesses to the actual fall.

2018 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on a screen and experienced worse than normal pain in back. EE was sent to the doctor for an x-ray and MRI but no treatment was received. EE back did not improve with first aid type treatment so ee received medical treatment from a physician on 5/25/18.

2017 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee sprained ankle while stepping off buggy in rail yard.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While cutting plate in maintenance shop, plate fell to the floor. Out of reaction employee scooted feet back quickly. Roughly five minutes later ankle/foot started to hurt.

2016 · 3 incidents

Unclassified, insufficient data

12/21/2016, employee informed the Company that EE has had ongoing shoulder issues. Allegedly, shoulder hurt/aggravated while doing clean up work in late August or early September. Employee provided documents showing that EE first saw personal physician on 9/7/2016 and further states that MRI shows bone spurs and some corresponding issues.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee mashed finger between a counterweight and flange on the side of the chute, causing laceration, while clearing a chute.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee alleged that cladosporium previously found, tested and cleaned, was causing EE shortness of breath. Employee was taken to the hospital where all tests were clear/normal. Employee followed up with personal doctor, who took EE off work (normal spirometry/PFT). Workers compensation claim was initiated and was determined compensable on 8/3/16.

2015 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

After removing the retaining screw, the lock ring on the fines screw was still stuck. The employee used a chipping hammer and a 4lb sledge hammer to tap it loose. When the employee struck the chipping hammer with the sledge hammer, a piece of metal broke off the tip of the chipping hammer, went through his leather glove and into his left thumb.

2012 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee and 2 helpers were changing screens and screen rubber in vibratory screen. Employee was working in a reclining position and reaching across the work surface for an extended period. When he exited the screen and began cleaning up, he experienced soreness in lower back.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee manually turned a full 55-gal drum of oil on a containment pallet so that the pump would fit into the opening. He experienced immediate sharp pain in the back. Employee was seen by physician on 5/31/12 and diagnosed with lumbar strain. After an MRI was performed, employee has been prescribed a treatment plan of physical therapy along with pain block to begin 06/29/12.

Struck by flying object

During lime kiln outage, employee opened door to cooler to inspect for ash buildup on grates while system was down. Dust blew into his right eye. Employee immediately washed out eye thoroughly but sought medical aid the next day and was prescribed ointment for the eye.

2011 · 3 incidents

Struck by flying object

Employee approached a plugged air pipe at compartment A of the kiln main bag house for repairs when the bag house pulsed and the temporary plug blew off. The plug struck the employee in the mouth knocking his upper front left tooth out.

Struck by flying object

Employee was removing a bearing race that was ""galled"" to the shaft. The metal had been burned/cut with a torch in two places. The helper proceeded to strike the race with a 4-lb hammer to release it from the shaft. A small piece of metal flew off and struck employee in the left thigh which resulted in a puncture wound and the metal being lodged in his leg.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

During restart of kiln system following a power failure, a barrier valve had to be repositioned. The air pressure was bled off to reset the valve. Upon reactivating, a burst of air/lime dust was exhausted into employee's face/eyes.

2010 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee assisted in lifting hydraulic cylinder and over time began to develop symptoms of strain including tingling, numbness. Physician visit on 1/27/2011.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Allegedly, employee was stepping over a vacuum hose and felt a pop in his left knee resulting in a sharp pain. Employee was under care of personal physician to determine treatment for existing condition to same knee at the time of the incident.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was knocking the wooden pegs out of a C200 compressor coupling using a hammer and a chisel. The employee struck his left thumb with the hammer causing swelling and pain.

Struck by falling object

Brick dropped on finger and cut it.

Struck by flying object

Employee was using an air hose on preheater, blowing out compartments. Dust flew out of the port hole into his face causing an abrasion to the employee's right eye.

2009 · 2 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was working on 220 screen firing building when the torch he was working with failed. The acetylene hose separated from fitting and ignited. A fire fall burned the screen, the fire was controlled immediable by other employee's working around. However the flash caused a burning in right face side and neck which required a medical attention/prescription.

Fall from machine

Truck driver slipped and fell onto the ground after exiting vehicle. The ground was wet from several rainy days. The driver suffered a fractured right ankle and contusion to the right leg.

2007 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a piece of vacuum pipe with a utility knife. Knife slipped causing laceration to right index finger.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was opening the dribble chute when hot line dust came out and burned his chest, neck, side and ear.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE states that he was walking with a bucket of lime fines. He tripped (due to being clumsey), causing the fines to splash out into his left eye.

Struck by flying object

While hammering in pins on a ram. A chip of metal came off the metal rod and lacerated the right forearm.

2006 · 4 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While inspecting dust collector bags lime fell into face getting into right eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was welding on plant equipment, material entered EE's eye. EE did not feel that treatment was needed until several days later. EE reported to supervisor and then taken for treatment and the metal was removed from his right eye.

Struck against stationary object

While walking to job station, EE slipped on rock, twisting his right knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While performing routine maintenance work, EE twisted his knee. EE reported injury to EH@S manager. EE was taken to occupational clinic to be evaluated. At that time EE was released (same day) back to full duty. After injury began to hurt again, EE returned to clinic and was released to light duty.

2005 · 3 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE cleaning up lime spill. Lime entered air steam and ee's eye.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Hot metal entered right ear while employee was using a welding torch.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cleaning chute with air hose, lance slipped out of his hand cutting finger.

2004 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

RELEASING BRAKE ON RAIL HOPPER CAR. PUSHED HANDLE AND BRAKE LEVER DROPPED ON HAND CRUSHING RING FINGER (RT HAND)

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

SKIN REACTION TO WORKING IN HYDRATED LIME, CAUSING BURNS AND SWELLING TO ARMS AND NECK AREAS.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ee working on the coal mill. Low headroom with not much room to work while lowering equipment with come-a-long the load shifted. EE's finger was between the equipment and the rigging hardware (shackle) the tip of left hand pinky finger was pinched.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

LUBRICATION ATTENDANT PERFORMING NORMAL JOB DUTIES GOT LIME DUST IN HIS LEFT EYE CAUSING IT TO BURN AND SWELL.

Flash burns (electric)

EE WAS RESETTING BREAKER FOR BC117 IN KILN SYSTEM MCC. WHEN HE TURNED BREAKER BACK ON IT BLEW UP BURNING HIS FACE. HE WAS TREATED AT SHELF BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER FOR BURNS TO THE FACE AND DISC HARGED THAT NIGHT.

2003 · 1 incident

Accident type, without injuries

FROM SUMMARY: NORMALLY, THE LIME LEAVES THE COOLER AT TEMPERATURE OF 180*F AND IS THEN FED VIA VIBRATING PAN CONVEYOR (FD-205) TO THE BUCKET ELEVATOR (BE-207), WHICH CARRIES THE LIME TO THE TO P OF THE FIRING BUILDING WHERE IT FALLS ON WEIGHBELT 208 (WB-208). HOWEVER, LIME EXCEEDING 700*F LEFT THE COOLER, TRAVELED THROUGH THE SYSTEM NOTED ABOVE, AND WAS PLACED ON WB-208 WHERE IT IG

2002 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS SHOVLING LIME FROM BESIDE THE KILN AND ALSO LIFTING BARS & PRYING BUILDUP FROM INSIDE KILN. WHILE SHOVELING, EE FELT A PULL IN HIS STOMACH.

Struck by falling object

THE LIME KILN WAS DOWN & SOUTHERN LIME PERSONNEL HAD ENTERED KILN TO REMOVE BRICK THAT HAD FALLEN FROM KILN SHELL. A SINGLE RING OF REMAINING BRICK FELL FROM KILN SHELL & A SINGLE BRICK STRUCK EE IN BACK OF HEAD. THE HELMET LINING RIVET APPEARS TO HAVE THEN CUT EE'S FOREHEAD.

Fall down stairs

EE WAS CARRYING AIR HOSES DOWN A SHORT FLIGHT OFSTAIRS (3-STEPS) FROM THE PREHEATER TOWER WHEN HE MISSED THE LAST STEP. HE FELL TO HIS LEFT ANDTWISTED HIS LT. KNEE. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TORN ACL AND MENISCAL TEAR AND WAS OPERATED ON MARCH 1, 2002, TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.