Mining Incidents

MERCER STONE PLANTMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by CRH PLC
Princeton, Mercer County, WV · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4602793
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
57
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Mar 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

57 on file

2026 · 2 incidents

Fall from machine

Contract truck driver was loaded at the Agg Plant and while descending the hill to the scales, lost EE's brakes, jumped out of the dump truck receiving facial injuries and the truck continued down the road driverless through two berms before finally coming to rest a third berm.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was being transported to the west pit by a supervisor when they stepped out of the truck and slipped on ice and landed on right hip and right elbow. After onsite evaluation it was determined to take them to the ER for imaging to ensure no further injuries. Employee was diagnosed with a strained shoulder, put on restricted duty and instructed to follow-up with an ortho.

2025 · 1 incident

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

Crew was changing belt on BC-8 when the roll of belt being suspended by the boom truck shifted while pulling the belt and crushed little finger on right hand between the roll and the handrail of the man lift they was working from.

2024 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee's right foot slipped on loose ground causing EE to fall down the slope while checking pump. The employee landed on EE's right shoulder and right hip and struck the right side of EE's face. Out of an abundance of caution, emergency responders were called and the employee was taken to the hospital via ambulance.

2023 · 1 incident

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Standard Threshold Shift

2021 · 3 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Hauler operator was driving back to the strip after dumping EE's load at the waste area. There was a washout on the road and as EE tried to avoid some of the washout EE's right front tire hit a rock and the cab of the articulated truck EE was driving shifted. EE said EE felt a pain in EE's left lower back down into EE's leg. The employee was taken to be medically examined.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Working in the Mercer Lab, employee was preparing a test sample. EE reached back with right arm to get gloves and said shoulder popped. EE said it hurt but EE worked the remainder of shift. Monday 6/14/21 EE reported the incident. The following Monday 6/21/21 EE reported it was still bothering EE. EE was taken to a medical clinic in Princeton WV to be evaluated.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Rolling a fuel hose off a hose reel and had the nozzle in hand and it twisted their right hand/wrist.

2020 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was cleaning up around the shop, lifted a section of drill steel and strained back. EE was treated at clinic and released to work on light duty. Released to full duty on 08/21/2020.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Greasing equipment and while descending the excavator, EE put foot on the ground and EE's back popped. EE immediately felt pain in the lower back. EE was taken to medical office where EE was treated and released with restrictive duty. EE was examined again on Friday 5/29/2020 and was released to full duty.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was returning hurriedly to the control room to shut down a feeder when they slipped and fell resulting in a sprain of the right knee.

2019 · 2 incidents

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

After completing repair of the electronic eye that monitors belt rotation of the #10 belt, employee was returning to the man lift. While fully protected from falling by a fall protection system employee was preparing to re-enter the man lift. As man lift boomed closer employees fingers (left ring and pinky) were caught between the man lift and the structure.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

While walking to the off road fuel tank, employee tripped over a piece of rebar that had extended out of a broken concrete curb. When EE fell a piece of concrete punctured EE's left leg.

2018 · 2 incidents

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

Helping load a screen bearing in skid steer loader bucket. Bearing rolled pinching finger against side of loader bucket. Went to hospital some stitches required.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Plant maintenance, slipped in the mud and twisted ankle. Went to hospital found ankle was broke. Did not receive this until this date 03/15/18.

2017 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

While assisting in carrying a wire cable, both employees slipped and fell due to mud conditions. Employee's wrist was cut by the cable by employee falling. Went to Princeton Community Hospital for attention. Treated and released after application of adhesive in lieu of stitches.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Drill operator had bee sting, allergic to same, used EPI Pen and then we took to Princeton Community Hospital where employee was treated and released.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic changing fuel filter on rock drill. Complained of chest pain, contacted EMS they responded, transported to Princeton Medical Center. Treated and released that day returned to work next day. Referred to family doctor for more follow up testing.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Routine maintenance, while loosening a bolt with a wrench, felt hand pop in left wrist. Felt like it was from a prior fracture 3 years earlier. Went for medical evaluation found employee had only a sprain.

2015 · 8 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was handing a box of 1 1/2 inch x 10 inch bolts out the driver side window of a pickup when the box slipped out of his left hand, he tried to grab hold with his right hand and felt a pull in groin area.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Haul truck operator having chest pains and had taken 3 nitroglycerin pills during shift to treat pain. Called emergency response to treat and transport to hospital.

Struck against stationary object

Using a Walk-Behind-Skid Steer loader to clean spillage from surge tunnel, unit slid sideways, causing hand and elbow to strike the side of the tunnel structure.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While descending steps from operators room at High Cal plant, employee stopped five steps from stairs end to pull a 1 1/2 inch water hose used for cleaning and felt a pain in his right bicep. Sent to hospital for evaluation.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Excavator operator loading overburden on truck when rock rolled from face of material against the front of cab of the machine. Weight of rock on the front lower part of the cab bent the operator control pedals partially lodging his right foot, which he quickly removed. Nothing broken or cuts, sent to doctor as a precautionary measure.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Mechanic was removing an ID tag from a hydraulic hose with a pocket knife, the knife slipped and he punctured his left palm of hand.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a CAT 236B skid steer loader on irregular surface area, the machine went forward and back shifting his neck in same direction of machine. This happened at 1:00PM employee requested to go to doctor at 2:10PM.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking from MCC-1 aggregate primary to aggregate primary control tower and fell in mud and landed on left shoulder.

2014 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Employee stated he hurt his back while operating a CAT 226 during clean up of plant area. An inspection on this CAT 225 the following day by MSHA inspector found nothing relative to create a back injury. Employee must now be off work through the end of Sept is reason for filing injury report!

Struck by flying object

Using a come-a-long, tool broke hitting employee in the head.

2013 · 5 incidents

Fall from machine

Highway truck driver was exiting his truck, his foot slipped off the top step, fell into the truck parked next to him and then fell to the ground.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Plant operator was trimming a belt splice clamp on conveyor belt, knife slipped cutting his leg.

Struck by flying object

Individual was hammering on metal segment on a CAT D8N dozer when a piece of metal broke and hit him in the neck. Just a cut at the time, later on at 1:30PM he notified his superintendent. When he went to the doctor after his shift 3:00PM and was found that a small piece about the size of a needle had to be surgically removed. This was done on 6/25/13.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Injury not reported until 06/11/2013 at 11:15AM Highway Truck driver possible sprain to stomach area while opening hood on truck. Supervisor was present at the time, no indication given as to supervisor by the driver of any injury at that time. Injury reported as noted.

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

Highway delivery truck driver-Removing stone buildup on tailgate apron-Schotched the tailgate to keep the tailgate open in order to clean the area-Wheel choked slipped allowing tailgate to close under its own weight striking the drivers hand.

2012 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Individual complained of chest pain and shortness of breathe.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was adjusting metal gate on a screen unit. Adjustment required a pry bar to be used to move the gate, the bar slipped and employee tried to catch the gate causing his little finger to be caught under the gate.

Fall onto or against objects

Exiting skid steer loader foot slipped both shins hit the bucket causing abrasion on right ankle and small bump on his left foot.

2011 · 3 incidents

Unclassified, insufficient data

Plant operator was performing preshift check of the Primary screen system when he passed out. Employee was found by another employee who notified the supervisor, 911 was contacted at 7:40AM. Employee was alert and talking, Emergency services arrived 7:50, employee was allowed to walk to ambulance and transported to the hospital.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Removing drive pulley from motor with a come-a-long when metal wedge from the pulley plate broke, striking the EE in the face.

Fall from machine

Operator slipped and fell while exiting a CAT 771-D haul truck.

2010 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was helping drill operator ee in changing bit and driver on Beetle Drill. The pipe wrench was to hold the steel to break the hammer loose to change the drill bit and driver. In doing so the operator moved the control lever to hold the pipe wrench in the opposite direction and the wrench hit ee on left leg above the knee.

Struck by falling object

Drill operator was helping mechanic remove a broken blow tube from inside the hammer on an Atlas Copco 785 Drill. The hammer and starter rod fell 2 and 1//2 feet from the spindle adapter, the hammer (400 to 500 pounds) landed on the operator left arm pinning between the drill table and hammer. The operators' left forearm was broken.

Fall from machine

Operator was access haul truck/Stumbled on access steps to operators cab. Landed on his right wrist, worked for two and one half hours. Wrist began hurting and swelling, went to hospital at 10:00 AM. treated and released. In doctors care to date.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injury occurred when replacing a conveyor belt, individual was trimming excess rubber from belt splice area when knife slipped, cutting individual in left arm.

2009 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operator was exiting the drill unit cab and turned his right ankle. Operator was taken to Emergency Room due to pain and swelling of ankle.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Slipped on ice when exiting equipment to the ground. Strained back muscle.

2008 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee climbing access ladder to enter cab of machine pulled tendons in right wrist.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Trip and fall on excavated fill area-irregular surface area, breaking right wrist.

2007 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE parked 769-C truck at fuel pump at end of shift. When preparing to exit cab, he pulled something in lower stomach area. After getting home and taking a shower he called supervisor to inform about going to ER. After leaving ER, he called supervisor to inform he had a hernia and an appointment with Dr. on 1/26/07.

2006 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Pulling air hose in shop to air tire up on truck. Pulled bicep muscle in right arm.

2005 · 2 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

MECHANIC WAS PREPARING TO WELD PIN LOCK ON BOOM OF EXCAVATOR WHEN WELDER MISFIRED. EMPLOYEE TURNED TO GET AWAY FROM SMOKE & HE TRIPPED OVER A GASOLINE CAN & FELL TO THE GROUND ON HIS LEFT SHOULDER.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EE WAS HELPING DRILL OPERATOR PULL HOSE WHEN EE FELL AND INJURED LEFT ANKLE

2001 · 4 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HE WAS CUTTING A MINE BELT WITH BOX CUTTER. IT SLIPPED AND CUT HIS LEFT ARM.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON CATWALK ATTEMPTING TO CUT A CHUTE LOOSE WHEN THE CATWALK HE WAS STANDING ON FELL. EMPLOYEE SUFFERED BACK, PELVIC, ANKLE AND LEG INJURIES.

Fall from machine

STEPPING DOWN OUT OF TRUCK LEFT FOOT SLIPPED FELL AND ALL OF BODY WEIGHT WENT ON LEFT SIDE OF BACK.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE ASSISTING DRILLER LOAD DRILL STEEL AND HAMMER ONTO DRILL RIG.

2000 · 1 incident

Contact with heat

HEAT EXHAUSTION DUE TO DRIVING HAUL TRUCK.