Mining Incidents

Elco PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Covia Holdings LLC
Elco, Alexander County, IL · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1101981
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
61
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Oct 2024
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

61 on file

2024 · 1 incident

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

Mechanic moving a classifier from its housing when it got hung on a vertical I-beam on the lifting eyehole as it twisted coming out of the housing. Mechanic placed their hand on the motor to push away from the beam. Space was too tight for a pushstick. The lifting chain shifted as twisted and caught right thumb between the motor and chain. 6 stitches.

2023 · 2 incidents

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

Moving rocks by hand and smashed thumb between two rocks. Fractured thumb

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

Mechanic was crawling out of under packers at 4Spout when feet got tangled up in each other. EE fell from packer platform on hands and knees approximately 30"" from packer platform to concrete floor below onto L knee. EE reports no pain and no injury other than a 2"" knot above L knee. Mobility is not restricted. EE does not want to go to ER or leave work.

2021 · 3 incidents

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

EE was attempting to swing a suspended load that had been hung up. EE pushed on the load and it popped loose and trapped R hand between I-beam and load causing laceration.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Reportable hearing loss from audiogram. *After sending EE to a second audiologist and an ENT specialist, results came back without a reportable hearing loss.

Struck by falling object

EE was placing a fan blade on the maintenance shop table when it slipped and dropped causing a laceration to EE's index finger on EE's left hand. After removing the fan blade from the motor shaft, EE removed EE's gloves to take a break but then decided to sit the fan blade on the table to get it off the floor.

2016 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was trying to get a valve closed using a dead blow hammer, when EE felt pain in EE's right shoulder.

Fall from ladders

The employee was descending a ladder when the right foot slipped on the rung. The employee was able to catch themselves with their upper body. A short time after, the employee felt pain in the lower back and right leg.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was recycling 50 lb bags of material when ee felt a pop in right elbow. Initial treatment was using over the counter anti-inflammatory medicine. EE was seen by the company doctor on 4/4/16 and given a cortisone treatment.

2015 · 2 incidents

Struck against stationary object

EE was clearing dust from photo eye the Fuji Robot. After cleaning photo ee noticed a bag that was not completely at the end of the line which would cause a problem when robot picked up bag. He then proceeded to step down to move the bag to the appropriate place, but when he took the 1st step with his right foot he stepped on a bolt sticking out of the ground, which he did not see.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was moving pallets to prepare for bagging. He picked up a pallet by hand & felt a prick to his left hand ring finger. EE removed his glove & found a small dark object just under the skin, which he removed. EE continued to work & within an hour his finger & hand were swollen. He was taken to the ER for treatment & had a follow up with a hand specialist the next day.

2014 · 4 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

A chest x-ray taken during 2006 for Unimin's medical surveillance program was interpreted by a NIOSH Certified B-Reader as normal. The 2006 chest x-ray was recently re-studied by 3 different NIOSH Certified B-Readers for an industrial sand epidemiology study & found to have radiographic indications of occupational lung disease with a median profusion classification of 1/0.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The EE placed his body against the safety chain at the north loading dock door & leaned out of the opening to look south in order to determine if there were any trucks waiting to be loaded. The bolt at the chain anchor point broke, & the EE was pitched forward out the loading dock door opening. HE traveled downward approximately 4', landing on his feet in an upright position.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was retrieving a garden hose from the well pump house and was reaching for the water hose spigot when he encountered the snake. The snake struck at him, causing him to jump back to avoid being bitten. The employee landed awkwardly on his left leg and fell to the ground. Upon attempting to stand, he experienced severe pain in his left knee. The result was a patella fracture.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On January 21, the employee was exiting the building through an overhead garage door. He opened the door with the controls and stopped the door just above his head. As he was walking through the door, it began to close and hit the employee on the hard hat, neck, and shoulder. The employee did not seek medical attention until February 17 and dr prescribed light duty for L shoulder.

2013 · 2 incidents

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Dust inhalation.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee claims injury from repetitive motion of using a sledgehammer to break rocks over a period of several years, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.

2011 · 1 incident

Fall from ladders

EE was descending a vertical ladder when his foot slipped off a ladder rung. The ee had his hands on the outer frame of the ladder and was able to catch himself before hitting the ground. The ladder is approx 10 feet in height and the ee slid approx 5 feet before catching himself. The ladder is exposed to weather, and it was raining at the time of the incident.

2010 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

The employee was placing a bulk bag on the bagging arm when material fell into his eye.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

The employee was trying to unplug a pipe by striking it with a sledgehammer. When he hit the pipe the hammer twisted causing injury to the employee's right wrist and elbow.

2009 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

The employee was balancing a 4' x 4' x 1/4"" sheet of steel on edge, when the steel became off centered and twisted, causing the employee to lose his grasp. The steel plate fell forward across the top of his right foot causing his injury.

2008 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was setting a pallet on the floor for placement of a mini-bulk bag, when he turned and twisted his right knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was separating and loading 20' sections of 1"" sch 40 steel pipe on to the forks of forklift, when he felt a burning sensation in his right elbow.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee had descended a ladder when he tripped over a piece of conduit channeling welded to the top of the bin. Employee fell to the bin top flooring injuring his left wrist, both shoulders, and collarbone.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was leaving the supply building, carrying a box of ice melt on his right shoulder, when he slipped on a patch of ice. The slip caused the box to move across his shoulder, at which time he felt something move in his right shoulder.

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

Employee was lining up the bolt holes of a crusher bar when his finger got caught between the crusher bar and the impact plate.

2007 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was removing an oversized silica rock from the grizzly feeder. As he turned to throw the rock out he felt something pull in his right shoulder.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was exiting a control platform and when stepping from the single step to the concrete floor his right ankle turned underneath him causing him to collapse to the floor.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to free a sheave from a shaft with a porta-power and a hammer. During the process the porta-power broke free and struck him in the forehead.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was getting on a forklift when e struck his head on the roll bar (rops), EE was wearing a hard hat.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Shift in audiometric testing noted in L ear.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

After replacing the splice on a short conveyor, the EE was completing adjustments to center the belt. The guarding had been removed and the EE inadvertently came into contact with a return idler which caught his arm between the idler and the belt. A co-worker was able to free his arm and the EE sustained a minor strain the his arm resulting in restrictive duties.

2006 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was using a jackhammer, which was dropped. He smashed his 5th digit between the chute and the jackhammer causing a minor fracture at the tip of his finger. Did not result in any impairment or restrictions.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was carrying a rock that was too large for one person to carry, when he tripped & fell against a wall. The fall resulted in a deep bruise in the lower back, this caused the employee to be placed on modified duties.

2005 · 5 incidents

Flash burns (welding)

Employee was performing arc welding near a highly reflective surface. Welding flash was being reflected off this surface through the back of his welding helmet/shield & was able to strike both of his eyes causing a welding arc flashburn. Employee sought medical attn. & was instructed to avoid work for four days.

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

Employee was cleaning a rare earth magnet used to capture nuts and bolts from a product stream. While the employee was handling the magnet, it was magnetically attracted to its mount which caught two fingers of his left hand between the magnet and its mount, causing a fracture and laceration to his pinkie finger and amputation of the tip of his left ring finger.

Rubbed or abraded

Ee was working below a mechanic that was working above him on a ladder and had dust fall behind his safety glasses from above entering his left eye. First aid eye wash was used but failed to remove all of the dust. EE caused eye irritation as he rubbed his eye. His eye became infection requiring antibiotic and ee was placed on restricted duty to avoid dusty condition.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Shift in audiometric testing noted in R ear.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS ASSISTING WITH LIFTING WITH A HOIST AND THE PULLING ACTION ON THE ROPE CAUSED A MINOR STRAIN TO EE RIGHT SHOULDER, DUE TO PERSISTANT PAIN, EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION AND PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

2004 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ASCENDING LADDER. AS HE REACHED UP TO GRAB THE NEXT RUNG WITH HIS RIGHT HAND TO PULL HIMSELF UP, HE FELT PAIN IN THE AREA OF HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. PERSISTENT PAIN, SO EE WAS TAKEN 1/5/05 FOR MEDICAL EVAL. WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A STRAIN IN HIS SHOULDER/ROTATOR CUFF. THE EE WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY & PROVIDED MEDICATION. AWAITING RESULTS OF MRI.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING WITH CHANGING A VALVE THAT WEIGHED 70 LBS. THE EE WAS HELPING LIFT & SUPPORT THE VALVE WHEN HE OVEREXERTED CAUSING A MINOR MUSCLE STRAIN IN HIS LT. SHOULDER. BECAUSE OF PERSISTENT PAIN, HE REQUESTED MEDICAL TREATMENT ON 8/18/04 WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED & PROVIDED MEDICATION & PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Ee was assisting in maintenance work by helping lift an 80-pound valve. During the lifting task, the ee apparently strained his elbow. Due to persistent pain, the ee was taken for medical evaluation on 10/8/04 when he was diagnosed with tendonitis in his elbow and provided medication and placed on restrictive duty.

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

EMPLOYEES WERE LIFTING A SECTION OF 4 INCH STEEL PIPE. THE INJURED EE GOT HIS LEFT INDEX FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PIPE AND A HANDRAIL THEY WERE LIFTING THE PIPE OVER. THE INJURED EE SUFFERED A CONTUSION AND BONE FRACTURE TO THE TIP OF THE FINGER. SUTURES WERE APPLIED AND THE EE WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS DESCENDING STEPS & WHEN HE REACHED THE BOTTOM STEP HE TWISTED HIS KNEE CAUSING TENDON STRAIN. EE WAS PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY & PROVIDED MEDICATION.

2003 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS WALKING TOO CLOSE TO A WOODEN PALLET LYING ON THE FLOOR WHEN HE STUBBED HIS TOE ON ITS EDGE CAUSING A MINOR STRAIN TO A TENDON IN HIS ANKLE. EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED AND PROVIDED A PAIN AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION AND RELEASED WITH NO FOLLOW-UP.

Fall onto or against objects

EE WAS CLEANING CRUSHED ROCK FROM A PLUGGED CHUTE AND THE ROCK HAD ACCUMLATED ONT HE CRUSHER DECK AND SURROUNDING WALKWAY. EE STEPPED ON A LOOSE ROCK, SLIPPED AND FELL ONTO THE WALKWAY STRIKIN G HIS BACK ON ONE OF THE ROCKS CAUSING A CONTUSION TO HIS LOWER BACK THE EE WAS TAKEN FOR A MEDICAL EVALUATION, PROVIDED MEDICATION AND WAS PLACED ON MODIFIED DUTIES.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE WAS STRIKING PRODUCT TANK WITH SMALL SLEDGE HAMMER TO LOOSEN MATERIAL, WHICH ACTION CAUSED A MINOR LOWER BACK STRAIN. DUE TO PERSISTANT PAIN, EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL ATTN. 9/23/03. EE WAS PROVIDED MEDICATION & RETURNED TO WORK.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Shift in audiometric testing noted in R ear.

2002 · 4 incidents

Struck by flying object

EE WAS CUTTING 4 INCH ANGLE IRON WITH BAND SAW. SMALL PIECE OF METAL BECAME BOUND AT THE END OF THE CUT AND WAS THROWN TOWARD THE EE, STRIKING HIM IN THE RIGHT KNEE CAUSING A CONTUSION. BECAUS E OF PERSISTENT PAIN, EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION ON 10/1/02. THE EE WAS PROVIDED ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION AND ALLOWED TO RETURN TO DUTIES.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CATCH A 50 LB PRODUCT BAG THAT WAS FALLING FROM THE TOP OF A PALLETIZED LOAD OF PRODUCT BAGS. THE 50# BAG WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE EE TO CONTROL, AND AS HE GRABBED THE FALLIN G BAG. ITS WEIGHT WHEN HE CAUGHT IT CAUSED A MU SCLES STRAIN TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER. DUE TO PERSISTANT PAIN IN HIS SHOULDER, THE EE WAS TAKEN FOR A MEDICAL EVALUATION ON APRIL 23, 2002. WHERE H

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS DRIVING FORKLIFT ACROSS DOCK PLATE @ TRUCK LOADING DOCKS. THE TRUCK THAT WAS BEING LOADED WAS UNEVEN, CREATING A 2"" RISE. WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF FORKLIFT HIT RISE, FORKLIFT STOPPED SU DDENLY, CAUSING EE TO LUNGE FORWARD & SUFFER LOWER BACK STRAIN. HE WAS WEARING SEATBELT. DUE TO PERSISTANT PAIN HE WAS TAKEN FOR MED ATTN 3/25/02. DIAGNOSED W/MINOR BACK STRAIN GIVEN MEDICATI

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING AND PLACING A STEEL PIPE THROUGH AN OPENING IN A WALL. THE WEIGHT OF THE PIPE AND AWKWARD POSITION THE WORKER WAS IN CAUSED A MINOR MUSCLE STRAIN TO HIS LEFT FOREARM. THE EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION ON 2/5/02 DUE TO PERSISTENT PAIN. EE WAS PROVIDED MEDICATION AND ALLOWED TO RETURN TO WORK WITH 40 POUND LIFTING RESTRICTION.

2001 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A 50 LB BAG OF PRODUCT FROM A CONVEYOR BELT BY PULLING A LIFTING THE BAG. THIS LIFTING AND PULLING MOTION CAUSED THE EE TO STRAIN HIS LEFT FOREARM. THE EE DID NOT S EEK MEDICAL ATTENTION UNTIL 10-11-01 AFTER PERSISTANT PAIN IN HIS ARM. HE WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICATION AND AN ARM BRACE AND CONTINUE TO PERFORM HIS JOB.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A 50 POUND WOOD PALLET WHICH CAUSED HIM TO STRAIN MUSCLE IN HIS LOWER LEFT ARM. EMPLOYEE COMPLAINED OF PERSISTENT PAIN AND WAS PROVIDED MEDICAL SERVICES ON 8-27-01. EMPLOY EE WAS PRESCRIBED AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION AND PLACED ON RESTRICTIVE DUTY. WORK PROCEDURES CALL FOR THE EMPLOYEE TO USE A FORKLIFT TO MOVE PALLETS.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

ON 5-30-01 EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN A VALVE THAT HAD NOT BEEN OPENED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE VALVE WAS STUCK AND EMPLOYEE EXERTED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO OPEN VALVE. DUE TO PERSISTENT PAIN , EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL SERVICES 6-20-01, AND DIAGNOSED WITH A MINOR MUSCLE STRAIN TO HIS LOWER ARM.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS TRYING TO MOV A PALLET OF PRODUCT BY PUSHING AGAINST IT CAUSING A MINOR BACK STRAIN. THE EE WAS TAKEN FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION ON 4-5-01 BECAUSE OF PERSISTENT PAIN IN HIS BACK WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A MINOR BACK STRAIN. THE EE WAS PRESCRIBED PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MEDICATION.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT ROLL OF POLY FILM AND PLACE IN DISPENSER WHEN HE STRAINED A MUSCLE INHIS LOWER BACK. EE WAS PLACED ON LIGHT DUTY AND PROVIDED MEDICATION.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE TWISTED HIS RIGHT KNEE WHILE TURNING CORNER WHILE WALKING ALONG WALKWAY CONSTRUCTED OF STEEL GRATING. THE SPRAIN RESLUTED IN RESTRICTIVE DUTIES.

2000 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR WAS TROUBLESHOOTING A NEW INSTALLATION OF A BAG PLACER MECHANISM ON A BAG FILLING MACHINE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO LIMIT SWITCHES AND RELAYS DURING INSTALLATION OF THE EQUIPMENT. AS HE MANUALLY REMOVED A FILLED BAG FROM THE BAGGER SPOUT, THE BAG PLACER UNEXPECTEDLY MOVED AND STRUCK THE SUPERVISOR ON THE ARM CAUSING A MINOR BACK STRAIN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE EE WAS OPERATING THE FOUR SPOUT BAGGER HISLEFT LEG WAS STRUCK BY A FILLED BAG AS IT WAS BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE BAGGER TO TAKE AWAY CONVEYOR LOCATED BELOW THE OPERATOR

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING THE ACCESS DOOR TO THE DRYER WHICH CAUSED HIM TO STRAIN HIS RIGHT WRIST DUE TO OVER EXERTION, RESULTING IN RESTRICTIVED DUTIES.