Mining Incidents

Middleton OperationsMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by USS Holdings Inc
Middleton, Hardeman County, TN · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4002968
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
107
Years on record
2000–2023
Latest incident
Sep 2023
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

107 on file

2023 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was changing a reducer on the dust screw because it was locked up, while they were trying to remove the bolts the reducer broke free and shifted to the side smashing the ring finger at the second knuckle.

Struck by flying object

A non-miner customer truck driver was knocked unconscious when a gust of wind blew their trailer doors open and slammed them, headfirst, onto the ground. The driver received medical attention for a concussion.

2022 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Walking to the Lab EE tripped over floor mat and landed on their wrist causing a fracture.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was adjusting the armrest inside the L60H front end loader, they grabbed the lever with left hand and pulled up quickly as the lever was stuck and knuckle contacted the track for the arm rest and lacerated the knuckle. Employee received 4 stitches.

2021 · 2 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

A customer truck driver was found unresponsive in the cab of the driver's truck on the US Silica customer pickup dock. The onsite emergency responder and 911 were notified. CPR was conducted until the ambulance arrived. The driver was then transported to a local hospital and was pronounced deceased due to a health related incident.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was working in the mill room and when they turned they tripped over a cord falling on left side causing discomfort to hip left hip and thigh.

2018 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee came to management complaining of localized shoulder pain for unknown reason. Employee stated the pain had been going on years and was aggravated possibly by driving forklift and using shoulder continuously.

2017 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cleaning clay out of the top of a hopper when the machine rolled back and pushed the cleaning tool into chest causing rib fractures.

2016 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was stacking 40-pound bags on the production line when EE felt pain in EE's back. the employee is complaining of strong lower to mid level back pain.

2015 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee smashed his finger while trying to pry a piece of refractory from a plugged kiln chute. The employee received a broken finger and stitches to the tip of his right ring finger.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

A bee flew down and stung employee in the neck

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

The employee was cleaning out the bottom of #1 disintegrator with a long scrapper when a large piece of clay broke free and landed on the tool. the employees finger was smashed between the handle of the scrapper and the metal frame on the outside of the disintegrator.

2014 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a power drill and was drilling a piece of metal. He was holding the metal in his hand and it twisted causing a laceration that needed stitches.

2013 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was using a battery powered drill and it caught and twisted his arm causing discomfort in his elbow.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On March 27th 2013 a miner with 4 years experience was helping a co-worker change a ton bag for the red system, when his hand contacted a raised weld on the side of the pipe, cutting it.

2012 · 7 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

strained groin climbing ladder into haul truck.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

lifting 3"" angle iron 10 ft long, the employee received injuries resulting in a hernia.

Struck against stationary object

The employee received a cut on his left index finger, while checking to see if a mechanism was loose on the hammer line.

Struck by flying object

A foreign object ricocheted off clothing, under safety glasses, into eye.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee moved a trailer to line it up with the ball joint on the back of a truck, he sprained his elbow in the process.

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

A steel pipe rolled over onto the left ring finger of the employee, and pinched it.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee grabbed a set of steps and pulled them toward himself and felt pain in his back.

2011 · 7 incidents

Struck by flying object

a particle of dust went into the employees eye

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was climbing onto a forklift when he sprained his knee pulling himself up.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cutting a conveyor belt with a knife on his hands and knees, the knife slipped and cut him above the right knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee, while on break, walked through the warehouse and into the path of a forklift carrying a pallet of product. the employee heard the horn blow and was nudged by the pallet causing him to trip, the pallet came to a rest on his leg.

Flash burns (electric)

An arc flash from resetting overload on the starter resulted in burning of eyes.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

As the employee stepped out of a kiln he twisted and sprained his knee.

Struck by flying object

Hydraulic fluid got into the eyes of the forklift operator for the warehouse. After taking several moments to wash his eyes out with eye wash and water, he deemed it necessary to seek medical attention because of prolonged irritation.

2010 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The subject was changing a brake chamber when a spring struck him on the lip.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee said that he may have hurt his knee getting off a forklift, but he wasn't for sure. There is pain and swelling around his knee.

Struck against a moving object

The miner was inadvertently injured when his left shoulder struck the window latch in his designated haul truck.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The subject was helping a co-worker change a bearing on an elevator, he bent over to help lift a reducer and he pulled a muscle in his back.

Fall onto or against objects

The operator slipped and hit his elbow on a material chute.

2009 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The operator injured his back while shoveling loose material out from under a belt.

Struck by falling object

The employee was retrieving a clay shed density from a clay pile when some loose clay fell and knocked her down.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The subject was washing truck scales with high powered pressure washer, when he inadvertently struck the palm of his left hand, subject's hand is swollen and aching with a small laceration in the center.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The subject slipped in the mud while retrieving a mill sample and pulled his groin muscle.

2008 · 11 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was pulling out oil heaters when some kind of liquid got under glove and burned back of right hand. We believe the liquid may have been a degreaser.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling pile of material and pulled something in his left shoulder.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was changing bags at Kiln #2. He picked up a pallet and stepped on a dirt clod and twisted his left ankle.

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

Employee was working with hole punch and had left thumb in the way and another employee slammed hole punch down on left thumb of employee.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was pumping oil into Kiln tank. Employee was sprayed a little with the oil causing a chemical burn to his left forearm on the inside.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was shoveling material and turned the wrong way causing his lower back the left side to strain and pull a muscle.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was stacking 50 lb bags onto pallets, when he felt something pop in his left wrist area.

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

Employee was inspecting cylinder for air leak when the cylinder closed catching the employees right pinky finger in trap doors.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A conveyor was being moved as it was being moved. It the handle on an air valve to the on position.This caused the air line to whip around hitting the employee several times on his right shin causing cuts and bruises. The air valve in question is on kiln deck plant # 2

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was stacking 40# bags, when he caught one off the conveyor line, he spun around and felt pain in his left shoulder area.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was getting on skytrack, when he pulled the left side of his lower back.

2007 · 11 incidents

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

Employee was removing empty pallet from stack to place in scissor lift. Top pallet was caught on another pallet and employee jerked pallet to get it loose. In doing that as the pallet became free his left hand was caught between both pallets.

Struck against stationary object

Employee had hand over auger box and finger went through duct tape, employee thought it was metal cut his right index finger and had to have stitches.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting 50 lb bags and stacking them onto a pallet and strained his lower back.

Fall onto or against objects

EE was getting off of loader, when his foot slipped off of the last step and he hit his left knee cap on the step, causing swelling and discoloring and pain in his left knee.

Struck by flying object

Employee was sweeping floor and got something in his left eye.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

The adjustment torque arm on # 3 elevator is rusted up, while forcing the belts on it and pulling on the belts, left hand and forearm began to hurt.

Rubbed or abraded

Worker was handling bags, stacking them on pallets off the conveyor belt and caused a blister on 8/27/2007. The accident was not reported til 8/31/07 when employee's blister became swollen and discolored his finger. He went to ER on 8/31/07.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was checking hot elevator at # 1 plant and a small piece of refractory covered with hot grease fell on his face, burning his nose and upper and lower lips.

Struck against stationary object

Worker was taking link out of elevator and was pulling on come along cable when it gave way and extended. He then hit his right hand on side of elevator causing the right hand to swell. Reported 7-16-07 went to doctor 7-25-07.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Picked up chair to set on desk while cleaning control room and had a sharp pain under left shoulder blade. Causing swelling and muscle strain to left shoulder.

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

While flattening a 40 # bag on a pallet, the employee bruised his left thumb adn hand and his left thumb was swollen.

2006 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Reportedly this employee was injured on the job 11/8/06 but the injury was not reported until 2/5/07. The wrench he was using to replace the transmission slipped and caused his left elbow to strike the frame of the dump truck.

Flash burns (electric)

Employee was replacing fuses in disconnect when the electrical box blew up causing fire to burn his right arm. His thumb, index finger, and top part of had rec'd 3rd deg burns, his wrist area rec'd 2nd deg and his forearm about 2"" past his elbow rec'd 1st degree burns.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was replacing a conveyor belt and the rope that was holding the employee broke and caused the employee to fall. While pulling the belt together the employee pulled a muscle in his stomach

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employe was repairing a broke shaft on tiller and wrench slipped and stuck blade in right forearm.

2005 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cleaning up silo concrete pad at plant 2 and slipped on mud and twisted right knee.

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

EMPLOYEE POSITIONED TON BAG (STRAPS) ON FORKS OF FORKLIFT. CO-WORKER RAISED FORKS (TO FILL BAG) CATCHING EMPLOYEE'S ARM BETWEEN FORK AND DAY BIN CROSS BEAMS.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was stacking 50# bags on pallet. When he picked up bag to turn he heard a pop in his shoulder.

2004 · 12 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was going to get a bag filter for canister filters leading to the firehead. His left boot hung in the catwalk and he fell, cutting his right knee.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE PICKED UP EMPTY PALLET TO PUT IN SCISSOR LIFT.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

PULLING CHAIN UP IN A ELEVATOR & CHAIN BROKE & PINCHED RING FINGER ON LEFT HAND.

Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING PIPE IN PLACE ON ELEVATOR & A PIECE OF SLAG DROPPED IN RT.BOOT & BURNED RT. ANKLE.

Flash burns (welding)

WELDING BUILDING MATERIAL PIPES & GOT WELDER BURN TO RIGHT EYE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF HOPPER & TWISTED RIGHT KNEE. (NOTE: CONSIDERED FIRST AID AT TIME OF ACCIDENT, BUT LATER KNEE GAVE TROUBLE & HAD TO GO BACK & MRI WAS PERFORMED & THERAPY.)

Struck by flying object

Grinding and welding on feed hood when foreign object got in left eye.

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE WAS TRYING TO BUST BIG CLOD OF CLAY IN DUMP HOPPER THAT WAS GOING THRU HAMMER MILL WHEN HE SLIPPED ON WET CLAY & HIT BRACE ON DUMP HOPPER & INJURED LEFT RIB & ELBOW.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS PUTTING UP BOXES OF REFRACTOR IN MAINTENANCE SHOP WHEN HE DROPPED A BOX OF 50# REFRACTOR ON LEFT ANKLE.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CHANGING ADJUSTMENT ARM ON EAST MILL BOTTOM ROLLS WHEN WRENCH SLIPPED & HIT EE ON LEFT SIDE OF NOSE.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS TURNING DISCONNECT BOXES OFF ON COOLER & SLIPPED ON MUD & TURNED LEFT ANKLE OVER.

Struck by powered moving object

A employee was backing up forklift out of shop when other ee's motioned for him to stop, but the forklift hit employee on right side.

2003 · 9 incidents

No Value Found

EE WAS WELDING ON FRAME FOR A TANK AND CHIPPED SLAG OFF OF WELD WHEN A PIECE OF SLAG FLEW OFF INTO LEFT EYE.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS MOVING AN AIR LOCK TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS. PICKED UP AIR LOCK TO PUT ON PALLET & STRAINED LOWER BACK.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE HELPING PATCH KILN WHEN HE STEPPED ON A ANCHOR WHICH WENT THRU BOOT AND PENETRATED BALL OF RIGHT FOOT.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING BAGS IN BAGHOUSE, BENDING OVER AND PULLING BAGS, STRAINED LOWER BACK.

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

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING TAKE GUARD OFF TO REPAIR CHAIN AT #2 KILN, WHEN GUARD SLIPPED & CAUGHT LEFT HAND BETWEEN GUARD HANDLE & SUPPORT BRACKET AND PINCHED 5TH & 5TH FINGER ON LEFT HAND.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING CRANE WHEN PIN SHEARED ON STABLIZER SHAFT THAT CAUSED FOOT TO FALL OFF. EMPLOYEE STOPPED CRANE TO PICK UP STABLIZER FOOT & PUT ON FRONT OF CRANE TO TAKE TO MAINT SHOP FOR R EPAIR WHEN HE FELT PAIN IN BACK.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS INSPECTING EAST MILL & PIN SHEARED & ARM KICKED BACK & STRUCK RIGHT HAND & FOREARM.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WHILE TAKING HEATING ELEMENT OUT OF OIL HEATER, EMPLOYEE STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK.

No Value Found

IMPROPER POSITION OF HANDS WHILE RIDING IN BUCKET.

2002 · 14 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE HAD BEEN STACKING 40# & 50# BAGS OF PRODUCT ON A ROTATING SCHEDULE FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 DAYS WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN AND SWELLING IN RIGHT WRIST.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS STACKING 50# BAGS OF OIL ABSORBENT FROM CONVEYOR LINE WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN RIGHT SHOULDER AREA.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS WALKING FROM THE MAINTENANCE SHOP TO THE EAST FINISH MILL AT PLANT 2 WHEN DUST ENTERED HIS RIGHT EYE.

Struck by flying object

IN THE PROCESS OF PROVIDING A WORKER WITH AN 8' LONG 3/4"" RIGID CONDUIT, THE CONDUIT FELL ONTO CONCRETE. THE CONDUIT BOUNCED UP TOWARD THE INJURED EMPLOYEE (WHO WAS STANDING ABOUT 6' AWAY) STR IKING HIS FOREHEAD UNDER HIS HARD HAT.

Struck by flying object

POURING REFRACTOR IN #2 KILN AND METAL FRAGMENT FLEW INTO RIGHT EYE.

Struck by flying object

A SUDDEN STORM CAUSING HIGH WIND TO BLOW DUST FROM THE PARKING LOT.

Struck by falling object

AIR HOSE CAME OFF CAUSING EMPLOYEE TO DROP JACKHAMMER, CAUGHT WITH RIGHT HAND AND BROKE RIGHT THUMB.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING 90 LB. JACKHAMMER TO BUST OUT REFRACTOR IN KILN.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS REPAIRING BROKE WATER LINE WHEN OBJECT FLEW INTO RT. EYE. EE WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS STACKING 50# BAGS ON PALLET, WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN LOWER BACK.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WORKING ON KILN AT PLANT 2 AND STEPPED IN HOLE. EE FELL TWISTING RIGHT ANKLE AND HIT LEFT ELBOW.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LOADING TRUCK OF PALLETIZED 40# PRODUCT WHEN PALLET BROKE SPILLING PRODUCT ON FLOOR. EE WAS RESTOCKING BAGS ON PALLET, WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN LOWER LEFT BACK.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CLIMBING LADDER AT PLANT 2 BETWEEN #1 & #2 FINISH SILO. SLIPPED & CAUGHT WEIGHT WITH RIGHT ARM.

Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE, AT PLANT 2 UNDER COOLER ELEVATOR CLEANING UP, LOOKED UP AND HOT MATERIAL LEAKED OUT OF TRANSMISSION BOX.

2001 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

WHILE CHECKING POWER SUPPLY, BELT CAME ON AND TWISTED RIGHT ARM IN BELT DRIVE AND REDUCER SHEAVE.

2000 · 4 incidents

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS CUTTING BOARD WITH A TORCH OVERHEADAND A FOREING OBJECT BOUNCHED OFF GLASSES AND ENTERED RIGHT EYE.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE WAS FILLING A LIME HOPPER WHEN LIME BLOWED BACK IN HIS FACE, EYES AND MOUTH.

Flash burns (welding)

EE WAS CUTTING WITH TORCH HELPING WELDER. THE WELDER FLASHED CAUSING A BURN TO BOTH EYES.

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING UP LOOSE PRODUCT OUTSIDE AROUND SILOS WHEN A FOREIGN OBJECT FLEW INTO LEFT EYE.