Mining Incidents

Voca PlantMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Covia Holdings LLC
Voca, Mcculloch County, TX · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4103929
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
50
Years on record
2001–2018
Latest incident
Aug 2018
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

50 on file

2018 · 4 incidents

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

Employee was performing housekeeping activities in our warehouse. EE was assisting placing an electric motor on a pallet that already had one motor in place. When setting motor on pallet their thumb and 4th finger on left hand was caught in-between the two motors. No treatment, 4th finger, the thumb did have to be drained from swelling.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was using a 24"" crescent wrench to loosen a bolt securing the gearbox that was needing to be changed. The wrench slipped off the nut causing EE to lose balance and fall on to EE's rear end. Employee chose not to receive medical attention at this time.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Individual was performing a pre-shift walk around EE's truck and tripped, injuring EE's elbow. Original doctor visit allowed employee to return to work without restrictions due to no findings on x-rays. Employee returned to the doctor on 1/8/18 due to continued pain . CT scans showed an elbow fracture and placed employee on light duty.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was setting up a heating device in our wet processing plant area when ee stepped backwards and slipped on a sheet of ice. The employee landed on wrist, causing a closed fracture.

2017 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Worker was repairing a water pipe and got sand in eye. The sand would not flush out so we took worker to the ER. Particles of sand were removed causing a scratch to eye.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was helping pick up the stacker. (ST-02). When hooking the chain up, EE felt a pull in the right shoulder. This EE had not received any work restriction that affected the job at the mine site, but did have restrictions. EE was released as of 9/5/2017. Disputed EE's claim & now moved forward with shoulder surgery. Completed on 4/19/18. No lost time or modified duty till surgery.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received annual physical at company location. Results from hearing exam showed a reportable hearing loss. Re-test on 9/20/2017 confirmed results from initial exam.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was lying down on a roller platform to spray out sand underneath a load out scale. Upon standing, operator twisted knee. Operator felt discomfort & reported it. Operator was released to work by operator's physician without restrictions. Upon further evaluation by operator's physician, surgery was recommended. Operator returned to work after surgery with modified duty.

2013 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE initially injured his lower back on 10/7/13 by placing a pallet on a scissor-lift. The EE was taken to the ER and was released without restrictions. On 10/14/13, EE was filling 50# paper bags when he felt the pain in his back again. The EE returned to the ER and was given a release with restrictions along with medication. WC is questioning the validity of the EE claim.

2012 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a box cutter to open a cardboard box with his right hand when the knife slipped and punctured his left arm.

Struck by flying object

Employee was sitting in a control room with the outside door open when the wind blew a piece of sand into his left eye.

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

A wet plant Utility was assisting EE with replacing v-belts on VS-01. The utility was using a long bar to hold the motor up to release tension on the belts to allow replacement. EE was using his bare fingers to ""walk"" the new belts onto the pulley. At some point the bar slipped and pinched EE's left index finger between the belt and the pulley causing a laceration.

2011 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a rubber, when he cut his left index finger with a utility knife.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking around the back of the bag house toward the restroom when he slipped on the sandy cement causing him to strain left groin muscle.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

Employee was stocking 12 pack soda cartons above his head when one slipped causing the employee to sprain his right arm.

2009 · 6 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was standing on top of the 5' by 14' screen deck, utilizing a safety belt & lanyard. A moment later EE allegedly slipped, fell from screen deck & allegedly struck his back. This incident is being reported only because of Part 50 requirements, as the operator strongly suspects fraudulent behavior.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was operating a small bagging machine when he cut his left hand on the fill spout.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A Front End Loader Operator was greasing his loader at the end of his shift. He was at the grease shed using a pneumatic grease gun to do this. The grease gun slipped off the zerk and the grease came out at extremely high pressure which cut into his left thumb.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was replacing a sleeve on a rotating screen when he cut his hand on the feed cone. The feed cone had become very sharp due to normal ware.

Flash burns (welding)

Two employees were welding inside of a loader bucket when one of the employees received flash burns to his eyes.

Fall onto or against objects

During a power outage, the employee walked from the dryer toward the wet plant and tripped over a pipe. He struck his elbow on another pipe while trying to brace himself.

2008 · 4 incidents

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

The employee was attempting to break a rock that was plugging the front of a feeder going into the primary crusher using a jackhammer. When the jackhammer broke through the rock, the operator lost control of the hammer causing the hammer to pinch his thumb between itself and the guardrail.

Struck against stationary object

The employee rushed down a flight of stairs and twisted his right ankle on a rock, when he stepped from the stairs to the ground.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee said he was climbing onto the backhoe with mud on his boots causing him to slip and turn his ankle.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was exiting the top of a hopper when he felt blood flowing down his hand. He was not exactly sure where he received the cut.

2007 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was bent over holding a pipe. The other end was lowered and caused him to jar his lower back.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Two employees were removing pipe from a density separator. One employee was on the inside, pulling the pipe and the other employee, the injured, was on the outside pushing the pipe through a hole. The employee on the inside pulled the pipe while the employee on the outside was still grasping the pipe and caused him to pinch his thumb between the pipe and the hole.

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

Worker was riding on the left step of Case front end loader. The operator began making a left turn. This caused the right leg of the rider to be twisted slightly in the pivot pinch point of the loader.

Fall onto or against objects

Haul truck operator was descending the ladder of the Cat 769 haul truck, when his left foot slipped off a step, causing him to strike his left knee on the step.

Struck against a moving object

On the above date and approximate time, the loader operator was working in Pit #4. While attempting to fill the bucket by digging into the muckpile, a portion of the pile collapsed onto the loader bucket. This caused the rear of the loader to come off the ground, and slam back down.

2006 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While guiding a V-belt onto a sheave, the tip of the little finger was caught between the belt and the sheave, crushing the tip and breaking the bone.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking down the stairs from the Loadout facility, when he inadvertently missed a step and fell. To avoid falling, he grabbed the handrail with his right hand. He immediately felt a severe pain in his right elbow and forearm.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was cutting zip ties with a pocket knife, when he inadvertently cut his right index finger with the knife. He received three stitches to close the cut.

2005 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

Employee was in the process of welding Drisco pipe together. He was positioning a new piece of pipe on the welding machine, and signaled for another EE to move the pipe closer. At this point, the pipe moved quickly, cathing EE's fingers between the two pieces of pipe.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was assisting with the building of handrails. A piece of pipe had just been cut with a torch, and employee was asked to move it. He inadvertently picked up the hot end of the pipe, burning his left hand.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was attempting to loosen a nut on the D6H dozer sprocket. He attempted to loosen the nut with a breaker bar and an added length of pipe (cheater bar). As he began pulling down on the cheater bar, the socket slipped off the nut, causing him to fall. As he fell, he struck his left arm on the dozer, causing severe pain to his left arm.

2004 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE exited the D6H Bulldozer, and inadvertently stepped on a rock. EE then slipped and fell. His left leg twisted behind him, causing severe pain to his left knee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ernie was walking down a stairwell, when his left foot slipped off the front edge of a stair step. This caused his left leg and knee to twist, causing pain to his right knee. Injury diagnosed as MCL strain.

Struck by flying object

AN UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT WAS BLOWN INTO THE EYE OF INJURED EMPLOYEE CAUSING IRRITATION AND REDNESS.

2003 · 4 incidents

Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE D6H DOZER IN A STRIPPED AREA OF THE QUARRY. HE WAS HEADING EAST WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY DROVE OVER A 1 1/2' LEDGE. THE DROP CAUSED HIM TO BOUNCE IN THE SEAT STRIKING H IS HEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE DOZER CAB, CAUSING PAIN IN HIS LOWER NECK.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING A 980G LOADER, MAKING REPAIRS TO A LEAKING DAMN, AT WHICH TIME HE STARTED FEELING PAINS IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE ATTRIBUTES THE PAIN TO ALL OF THE JARRING BOUNCING ON THE LOADER.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

THE PLANT LOST POWER DUE TO THUNDERSTORM / LIGHTNING MOVING THROUGH AREA. EE WENT TO THE SCRUBBER DECK TO OPEN DRAINAGE FLAPS. HE THEN TURNED TO WALK DOWN STAIRS WHEN A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED GUST OF WIND BLEW HIM OFF THE PLATFORM. HE FELL APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET TO GROUND - PLATFORM DOES HAVE PROPER RAIL GUARDING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLYOEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING STEEL PLATING FROM HOPPER #1. HE HAD ATTACHED CHAINS TO BOTH ENDS. HE WAS HOLDING ONTO THE LENGTH OF CHAIN AS SLACK WAS BEING TIGHTENED. THE CHAIN TIGHTENED QUICKLY JERKING HIS RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER, CAUSING PAIN TO RIGHT SHOULDER.

2002 · 5 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS OPERATING THE BAGGING MACHINE, BENDING/LIFTING. HE STATES THAT EARLY DURING THE MORNING, HE WAS HAVE LOWER BACK PAIN. AT 1015 HE REPORTED THE HE COULD NO LONGER TAKE THE PAIN. HE WAS IN OBVIOUS SERIOUS PAIN & HE COULD NOT STAND UP STRAIGHT.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS STACKING 100# BAG SAND ONTO PALLETS AS THEY CAME OFF THE END OF THE CONVEYOR. HE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT A BAG IN ORDER TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMEN ON THE PALLET. AS HE LIFTED THE BAG, HIS MIDDLE BA CK POPPED CAUSING PAIN.

Unclassified, insufficient data

EE REPORTED SERIOUS PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE SAID THAT HIS LOWER BACK HAS BEEN SLOWLY PROGRESSING IN PAIN OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. HE FEELS THAT THIS INJURY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LONG H OURS OF WORK. HE COULD NOT ATTRIBUTE THE PAIN TO ONE SPECIFIC INCIDENT.

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

EE WAS BREAKING A JAMMED ROCK W/JACKHAMMER. WHILE BREAKING ROCK HE SMASHED LT THUMB BETWEEN JACKHAMMER HANDLE & GUARD RAIL OF PLATFORM WHERE HE WAS STANDING. THIS CAUSED A SEVERE LACERATION TO LT THUMB, REQUIRING 10 STITCHES TO REPAIR.

Struck against a moving object

EE WAS OPERATING LOADER, BREAKING ROCKS/LOADING TRUCKS. HE COMPLAINED OF BACK PAIN THAT HE ATTRIBUTES TO AN INJURY WHICH HE CLAIMS OCCURRED APPROX. ONE MONTH EARLIER. THE EARLY ACCIDENT OCCURR ED WHILE OPERATING D6 DOZER. HE CLAIMS TO HAVE DRIVEN OVER LARGE ROCK, AND THE DOZER DROPPED ABRUPTLY CAUSING SEAT TO BOTTOM OUT. HOLTING HIS LOWER BACK.

2001 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING 4 SECTION OF 8"" PLASTIC PIPE, WHEN ANOTHER EMPLOYEE QUICKLY PICKED UP THE OTHER END CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEIGHT TO SHIFT ONTO THE INJURED EMPLOYEE. THE WEIGHT SHIFT CAUSED HIM TO STRAIN TO HOLD THE PIPE, CAUSING PAIN IN HIS LOWER BACK. EMPLOYEE WAS SEEN BY AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MILD BACK SPRAIN. HAS FOLLOW UP APPT ON JAN 2, 2002.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN MID-BACK. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR & WAS TREATED FOR KIDNEY INFECTION. THEPAIN CONTINUED SO WE TOOK HIM TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR WHO DID A MRI & ""FOUND NOTHING"" BUT REFERR ED HIM TO A NEUROLOGIST WHO ORDERED ANOTHER MRI.AT THIS POINT WE DETERMINED IT WAS A LUMBAGO ANDLUMBAR RADIOCULAPATHY (ATTACHED LETTER FROM DOCTOR, DATED 6/27/01). LOST TIME BEGAN 6/19/01.