Mining Incidents

Mill Creek Plant #37Metal/Nonmetal

Controlled by USS Holdings Inc
Mill Creek, Johnston County, OK · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3400377
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
40
Years on record
2000–2024
Latest incident
Aug 2024
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

40 on file

2024 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee felt discomfort in EE's knee while descending a stairway. After following first-aid measures, the knee didn't improve. EE went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a tear in EE's meniscus. The injured employee had surgery on 10/17/24, making this injury reportable.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A loose branch fell from an adjacent tree and struck an idling chainsaw the employee was holding. This caused the chainsaw to shift and strike the employee's left knee, resulting in three lacerations. The employee was taken to a medical clinic, where sutures were used to close the lacerations.

2019 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was working inside of a ball mill with limited height. EE was laying liner block in an awkward position. The EE did not seek medical attention until 01/02/2020, at which time EE was placed on work restrictions.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking up stairs, inside the Mill Building when EE felt/heard EE's Knee ""pop"". The injury was treated as a first aid. Several months the EE stated that EE's knee was giving EE problems again. EE was examined by a Dr. in October 2019 and sent for an MRI. Surgery was performed on the Knee 1/24/2020 to repair soft tissue damage.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

We have received confirmation of a Reportable Hearing Loss.

2017 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was cleaning the Mill MCC Room when EE tripped and fell, landing on right shoulder. EE refused medical treatment, reporting was sore but OK. EE requested examination on 8/14. EE was examined on 8/14, 9/6 & 9/12/17. Soft tissue surgery recommended after 9/12 exam. Surgery occurred 10/18/17.

2013 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was opening the bottom discharge gate on a Rail Car. He was using a 48 inch bar to turn the gate mechanism. The gear on the mechanism disengaged from the gear track as he was pushing on the bar. His momentum caused him to fall forward. He caught himself with his hands and suffered a strain in his lower back.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking on top of a cover rail car to position a loading spout in preparation to load the car. Employee struck his head on a low clearance walkway above the rail car. The employee suffered strained neck muscles as a result.

2012 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking along RR Tracks when he stumbled over a pile of rail spikes. The employee fell and twisted his left knee.

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

Employee was washing glass beaker. It broke and cut his little finger on his right hand. Needed 4 stitches. He returned to work after seeing the doctor.

Struck by flying object

Employees was opening a discharge slide on a rail car when wind blew sand into his left eye, causing an abrasion to the cornea.

2011 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking and stumbled over a rock and fell striking his R. knee on the ground.

2010 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was traveling down a stairway when he stumbled on the bottom step. He twisted his Left Knee as he caught his balance.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was closing a sliding warehouse door. The bottom of the door hit a wooden pallet and stopped abruptly. The sudden stop caused a strain to the employees left shoulder. The incident was reported on 6/21/10. Employee requested medical attention at that time. Physical therapy visits began on 7/27/10.

Struck by flying object

Employee was welding in an air classifier. He removed his welding hood and safety glasses to inspect a weld he had just finished. As the weld cooled a piece of the weld flux ""popped"" up and hit his eye.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was opening a discharge gate on a rail car. The bar he was using to open the gate, slipped in the gate mechanism. The employee felt a strain in his lower back as he reacted to regain his balance.

Struck by flying object

Employee was in process of pressure checking a pnuematic rail car, loaded with ground silica. Employee was attempting to tighten/seal one of the lids while the rail car was pressurized. The locking mechanism failed as he was hitting it with a hammer. Air and ground sand struck his face when the lid blew open.

2009 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was chipping ""Nordbak"" hardening compound from the interior of a mill, when 2 particles ""flew"" into his left eye. Particles were washed out and antibiotic drops were prescribed.

2008 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was holding one end of a flexible screw conveyor. The conveyor was cradled in his arms and held against his chest. The employee reached out with his left arm and felt a strain in his back.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported numbness and tingling in his left arm, due to neck pain, but wasn't sure when it happened. Subsequent visits to a Dr. generated no treatment or restrictions. Restrictions wer e received 3/12/09. Employee is away from work due to restrictions. It is unclear what activities the employee was performing when injured.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was unloading a rail car at the unloading screw. He was opening a rail car discharge slide using a 60"" bar. The slide was difficult to open and the employee stood on the bar to attempt to move the slide. The bar slipped while he was standing on it causing him to fall to the ground. The employee twisted his right knee as he fell.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was injured opening railcar slide.Bar he used twisted in the Knuckle of slide causing him to lose his balance. EE felt pain in lower back when he stood up.EE received First Aid treatment on the day of injury. The employee began visits with a chiropractor on 3/10/08 which has changed the status to a Reportable Injury.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was exiting the Mill building through the west door. He was carrying a bucket of samples weighing approx. 20 lbs. As he passed through the doorway, he stumbled as he stepped on the step, just outside the door. The employee fell forward onto his left arm and knees.

2007 · 3 incidents

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

Employee was opening a rail car discharge slide. The slide was hard to move. When the slide broke free, the momentum caused the bar to slip from the slide knuckle and employee's left middle finger was caught between the hex bar and unloading screw box.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee had been collecting trash into a 5 gal. bucket from the Mill floor and went to the outside trash dumpster to empty the bucket. As the employee lifted the bucket he developed a hernia in his lower abdomen. Employee had lifted the bucket to approximately waist high, when he felt a sharp pain and dropped the bucket.

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

Victim was opening a Rail Road Car discharge slide and it was difficult to move. When the slide broke free, the victim mashed and cut the little finger on his left hand between the bar he was using and the side of the rail car.

2006 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The operator was dismounting the Shuttle Wagon rail car mover. When he made contact with the ground with his left foot he released his grip on the hand rails. His left foot rolled into a tire rut twisting his ankle and caused him to fall backwards and strike his lower back on a RR Track rail.

2005 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was opening bottom Door/slide on a RR car when the bar he was using slipped out of the slide roller mechanism. Employee lost his balance and fell to the same level causing a strain in his Right Ankle.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking in the shop building in the area where there is a floor level difference of 7 1/2 inches. He was crossing the ramp between the two levels when he stepped on the edge of the ramp. He has a torn Achilles Tendon, a torn Calf Muscle and torn Ligaments in the Knee area of his left leg.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a step ladder to change light bulbs in main office. He over extended his normal reach, rather than move the ladder closer to his work. He felt pain in his back at the end of his shift and went to see a Doctor.

2004 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STRAINED BACK WHILE THROWING SWITCHES.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Walking to mill, slipped on ceramic balls, bruised left shoulder.

2003 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CARRYING OVERWEIGHT BAGS TO PALLET, SLIPPED IN WATER, TWISTED LOWER BACK.

2002 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PUTTING PALLETS ON PALLET LIFT, SMASHED RING FINGER ON LEFT HAND.

2001 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE PULLING HOSE UP STAIRS, HOSE HUNG ON TOE GUARD, CAUSING STRAIN TO LEFT ELBOW.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

CUTTING ANGLE IRON ON DUST COLLECTOR, TRIPPED OVER DUST COLLECTOR.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

TOOK GUARD OFF GEAR BOX; GUARD BLEW AND HIT HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AND HEAD.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WASHING RAIL HOPPER, STEPPED ON BENT WALKWAY GRATING TWISTING HIS LEFT KNEE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

BAGGING MICRON SAND INVOLVES TWISTING & SWINGINGOF ARMS. PAIN IN RIGHT ELBOW.

2000 · 1 incident

Struck against stationary object

WHILE TRYING TO ACCESS THE AIRSLIDE, HE HIT HIS ELBOW ON THE TOE PLATE OF THE WALKWAY.