Mining Incidents

Laurel Hill QuarryMetal/Nonmetal

Woodsboro, Frederick County, MD · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 1800341
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
43
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Mar 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

43 on file

2026 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

EE went to work on the replacement of middle deck screen weighing approx 275lbs. While EE was on bottom deck (pushing screen up to get over feed lip), other EE's were pulling the screen out, when pulling out, the screen got caught on something, it got directed back into shaker, falling downward, striking EE leg.

2024 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was disconnecting a small water line. When kneeling down/bending over employee felt a sharp pain in lower back (left side)

Struck against a moving object

While employee was loading material in the pit, the employee hit a toe in the pit floor causing the loader to jerk. This incident occurred on 5/23/2024, but the safety department was not notified until 8/6/2024. When the employee was stating they now needed care.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Shoveling material off of belt, when they tossed the stone with shovel in hand heard a ""POP"" in left shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cutting rubber skirting to put on screen deck, was cutting away from belt and knife slipped and went across EE's left leg.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Chute got backed up, hit with sledge hammer four times and hurt right shoulder. Unspecified sprain of right shoulder joint.

2007 · 6 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pre-existing medical condition.

Fall onto or against objects

While washing off bulldozer employee slipped off a step, hitting his left shin and causing a laceration requiring sutures.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While installing metal mesh guard hit left thumb with hammer resulting in fracture.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Reinstalling cooler door, caught rt. index finger between door and cooler frame, causing finger tip contusion.

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

Employee was working in the precipitator with the electrician to install shock bars. Employee was receiving the shock bar from the electrician. Employee said to stop pushing the shock bar and eletrician did not hear him due to noise. With electrician still pushing shock bar, employee's left hand got pinched between shock bar and frame of precipitator.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working in the precipitator assisting the plant electrician in removing tumbling hammers, when the employee cut his right thumb. The employee was holding a tumbling hammer in both hands, while the electrician attempted to cut the right side pin with a hand held grinder with a cutting wheel. The grinder jumped out and struck the employee's thumb.

2006 · 5 incidents

Struck against stationary object

The employee was walking down steps along side the shipping silos, when he hit some built-up material on one of the steps and turned his right ankle. The employee thought his ankle would be okay, but as the day progressed, it swelled up considerably. As a result, the employee started experiencing discomfort and asked to receive medical treatment.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was working in belt 16 tunnel, installing a sump pump. It was discovered that the employee was working in ankle deep water, which was full of limestone dust. The employee's immediate supervisor asked him to put rubber boots on, but he advised the supervisor that he did not need them. Unfortunately, the employee incurred limestone burns on both of his feet.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was welding a steel plate inside belt 18 head pulley chute. During the job, welding sparks caught the employee's right pant leg on fire, burning his right leg. Employee did nothing wrong. He was wearing the proper welding hood and arm sleeves at the time. Considering the confined space, welding sparks were a lot closer than if welding in an open area!

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was shoveling material off of the screen house landings when he felt a slight pain in his back.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

The employee was cleaning along belt 16. As he attempted to raise the belt scraper from the belt, limestone dust from the immediate area blew into both his eyes, causing irritation and redness. He was able to flush out the material from his right eye, but not his left. As a result, he was transported by a supervisor to receive further medical treatment.

2005 · 8 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Laborer was shoveling shale debris which contained some lime dust and it burned parts of his body when he would sweat and a chemical reaction between the sweat and lime took place.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was shoveling and using a pick axe an aggregate near dryer/kiln when he felt a twinge in his lower back. He was operating in the standard manner with no contribution to the accident and no failure to follow safety rules.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE WAS WALKING ALONG BELT 30 CATWALK WHEN THE WIND PICKED UP, CAUSING A DUST CLOUD TO FORM IN HIS PATH OF TRAVEL. PARTICLES FROM THE DUST CLOUD ENTERED EE'S LEFT EYE. IRRITATION AND TEARING RESULTED IMMEDIATELY. PRESCRIPTION AND RESTRICTIONS ISSUED.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SHOVELING MATERIAL ALONG BELT 4 TAIL PULLEY WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. EE MENTIONED HE MAY HAVE TWISTED HIS BACK WHILE SHOVELING MATERIAL IN FRONT OF HIM TO THE SIDE. PRESCRIPTION AND RESTRICTIONS ISSUED.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO START A CHAIN SAW WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED SHARP PAIN IN HIS UPPER LEFT SHOULDER AND BACK AREA. PRESCRIPTION AND RESTRICTIONS ISSUED.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS DESCENDING ON STAIRWAY LEADING FROM BELT 20 HEAD PULLEY TO LOWER LEVEL WHEN HE CAME OFF LAST STEP ONTO SURGE BIN PLATFORM. HE STEPPED ON A ROCK APPROX. 1"" IN DIAMETER, TWISTING HIS LEFT ANKLE. SPLINT/BRACE PRESCRIBED; CRUTCHES ISSUED.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE HAD LOWER BACK PAIN CONTINUING DOWN BELOW HIS LEFT KNEE. EE COULD NOT SAY WHEN, HOW OR WHERE HE HURT HIS BACK. COMPANY DOCTOR PLACED EE ON LIGHT DUTY; EE REFUSED & WENT TO PERSONAL PHYSICIAN. WORKERS' COMP. AWARD 5/3/05: TEMP. TOTAL DISAB. DUE TO WORK-RELATED ACCIDENTAL INJURY (SWINGING SLEDGE HAMMER, INSTALLING PINION GEAR FOR ROLL CRUSHER). SURGERY PENDING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB UP THE XPM SILO WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN HIS RIGHT ELBOW (POSSIBLY PULLED A MUSCLE OR STRAINED HIS ARM). PRESCRIPTION AND RESTRICTIONS ISSUED.

2004 · 6 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Ee was cleaning idlers along belt 4 tail pulley area when his hand was caught between the running belt and #2 & #3 idlers on the west side. He was advised in the past not to clean idlers when the belt was running. He failed to do so. He also admitted to his supervisor that he should not have been cleaning the idlers while the belt was in operation.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking through maintenance dept while maint ee's were hammering a pin. The pin flew out and struck ee in the left eye, cracking his safety glasses. EE got glass in his left eye as a result of his glasses cracking. EE was issued a prescription.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

*REOCCURRENCE FROM LAST JULY, WHICH WAS NOT REPORTABLE AT THE TIME* EE WAS USING A LONG METAL ROD/BAR WITH AN END HOOK TO FREE CLINKER WHEN HIS RIGHT HAND AND ARM WERE JERKED FORWARD. EE EXPERIENCED A BURNING SENSATION IN HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. IT DID NOT GO AWAY AND IS ANNOYING. EE CLAIMS POOR LIGHTING WAS A FACTOR IN RECEIVING THE INJURY. LOST TIME STARTS ON 5/4/05.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCED INCREASING IRRITATION AND RASH ON LEGS AND ARMS. EMPLOYEE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE PAST THAT WAS RESOLVED WITH LOTIONS. HIGHER LIME CONTENT IN THE QUARRY STONE PLAYED A PART IN THE PAST AND, MOST LIKELY, HIGH LIME CONTENT IS THE REASON AGAIN. EMPLOYEE WAS ISSUED A PRESCRIPTION (PREDNISONE TAPER) TO RELIEVE THE RASH.

Fall from ladders

Employee was changing a light bulb in the coal tunnel and fell off his ladder hurting his lower back. Ladder slipped out from under him, causing him to fall.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS AT BELT 18 CONVEYOR HEAD PULLEY PREPARING TO CLEAN THE MAGNET THAT COLLECTS METAL COMING OFF BELT. EE DROPPED PLATE DOWN TO POSITION TRAY UNDER MAGNET. WHILE POSITIONING TRAY, PLA TE WENT TO DROP & EE REACTED BY GRABBING THE PLATE & DOING SO USED HIS HAND TO GRAB PLATE, HIS HAND STRUCK BELT ON HEAD PULLEY AND EDGE OF PLATE WHICH SLICED HIS RIGHT THUMB.

2003 · 5 incidents

Struck by falling object

EE WAS BENDING DOWN IN KILN WHEN A PIECE OF COATING FROM INSIDE KILN FELL & STRUCK HIM IN THE LOWER BACK.

Struck against stationary object

EE WAS SCRAPING & CLEANING GREASE OFF OF METAL SEAL AND BRASS BUSHING ON THE TERTIARY CRUSHER. WHILE CLEANING EE FINGER WAS LACERATED BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE SEAL. THE RIGHT PINKY FINGER WAS LACERATED AND REQUIRED STITCHES.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING A HYDRAULIC HOSE ON A MICHIGAN LOADER. WHILE USING WRENCH ON HOSE FITTING, WRENCH SLIPPED OFF AND SMASHED TWO FINGERS ON RIGHT HAND.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE STATES THAT HE WAS WORKING ON GROUND FLOOR WHEN SOMEONE DROPPED SOMETHING OVERHEAD CAUSING A CLOUD OF DUST TO COME DOWN - FLY ASH IN EYE.

Contact with electrical current

INJURED REMEMBERED THAT AFTER REPLACING THE BREAKER, HE ONLY PUSHED THE BREAKER BACK ON THE STABS IN THE CABINET & DIDN'T SECURE IT. HE BORROWED A LONG SCREWDRIVER BECAUSE HIS INSULATED SCREWD RIVER WASN'T LONG ENOUGH. HE TIGHTENED THE UPPER RIGHT HOLDING SCREW & WENT TO TIGHTEN THE UPPER LEFT HOLDING SCREW & APPARENTLY TOUCHED THE SCREWDRIVER TO THE LEFT CONTACT & IT SHOCKED HIM.

2002 · 2 incidents

Contact with electrical current

EMPLOYEE, ELECTRICIAN A, WAS CLOSING DOOR TO BREAKER BOX. WHILE POSITIONING WIRES, HE CONTACTED THE WIRE ON THE METER ON THE DOOR. AND GOT SHOCKED. DUE TO SHOCK, IT CAUSED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER MUSCLE TO CONTRACT AND DUE TO BONE SPUR IN SHOULDER, CAUSED PAIN IN RIGHT SHOULDER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE & CO-WORKER WERE REMOVING OLD TRANSITE SIDINGOFF OF THE PRECIPITATOR BLDG. USING A MAN-LIFT. EE WAS HOLDING A 4'X 8'PIECE OF SIDING WHILE CO-WORKER WAS BACKING OUT LAST SCREW HOLDING THE SIDING. THE SIDING SLIPPED WHEN IT BECAME FREE FROM THE BLDG. & IT DROPPED ABRUPTLY. EE GRABBEDIT & HELD IT FOR AWHILE. HE FINALLY LET IT DROP WHEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN STOMACH AREA.

2001 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING WIRE OFF OF WIRING TO R35 HAUL TRUCK WITH PEN KNIFE. KNIFE CUT THROUGH WIRE TIE AND LACERATED HAND.

Fall from machine

INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS RIDING IN R35 TRUCK FROM QUARRY TO PLANT FOR LUNCH. TRUCK OPERATOR PARKED TRUCK, SET PARKING BRAKE. INJURED EXITED CAB AND PROCEEDED ON CATWALK TO LADDER OF TRUCK. WHEN OP ERATOR TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE, TRUCK LURCHED FORWARD, CAUSING INJURED TO LOSE BALANCE AND FALL APPROX. 7' TO GROUND. INJURED STATED HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR TRUCK TO BE SAFELY STOPPED.

Fall from machine

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING REMOVAL OF 988 LOADER RADIATOR. EMPLOYEE USING PRY BAR TO HOLD RADIATOR WHILE REMOVING BOLTS. PRY BAR BROKE LOOSE FROM RADIATOR CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO LOSE BALANCE. HE FELL 5 FT APPROX TO CONCRETE PAD.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE SHOVELING WALKWAY OF BELT 12 CONVEYOR. GLASSES GOT FOGGED DUE TO HUMIDITY. EE LAID GLASSES ON BELT TRAY. GLOVE GOT CLOSE TO PINCH POINT OF IDLER AND BELT. PULLED EE'S RIGHT ARM IN PINCH POI NT. BELT WAS MOVING SLOW, EE PULLED STOP CORD TOSTOP BELT AND PULLED OUT ARM.

2000 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CUTTING V-BELT OFF OF RAW SCREEN #1 MOTOR, EMPLOYEE LACERATED FINGER WITH KNIFE.