Sperry Mine — Accidents

Total: 72 accidents | Fatalities: 0

Date Classification Injury Days Lost Narrative
04/23/2025 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The 3rd shift relief hoist man was performing a pre-shift inspection on the #2 emergency hoist. The hoist did not pass inspection on the caliper test for the braking system. Mine maintenance was notif...
04/08/2025 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The 1st shift hoistman had an issue with the hoist the afternoon of 4/8. Upon investigation it appeared that there was possibly something wrong with one of the brake valves. After troubleshooting, it...
05/21/2024 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None An operator was filling a tank on truck #40. The operator's foot slipped off the edge of the platform causing them to slip, and they fell into a handrail, breaking three ribs on their left side. The o...
04/26/2024 POWERED HAULAGE NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None An employee was operating a mill loader to run rock from the mine stacker pile to the mill. They were on the west side of the pile to grab a bucket of fines; the employee then began to back up and cam...
04/04/2023 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None A mine maintenance employee was assisting in performing an annual service on the 2-belt hydraulic take-up. The employee placed their left ring finger in-between the two guards and pulled back on the g...
02/18/2023 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None A miner was dumping trash dumpsters. The employee followed proper shutdown procedures of the forklift and tried to assist the dumpster by pushing up on the rear. When that didn't work the employee gra...
04/02/2022 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Dust had built up on a beam used for hoisting. When utilizing the equipment, the dust was liberated and was able to get behind the worker's safety glasses and into eye.
10/04/2021 ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 9d lost A miner was diagnosed with COVID on 10/1/21. On 10/4/21, a second miner reported symptoms and tested positive for COVID. The second miner switched equipment with the first miner halfway through the sh...
09/28/2021 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None A mine mechanic was attempting to drive out the front pivot pin from a roof bolter using a 20# sledgehammer and a T-handle drift pin. The employee missed a swing, which resulted in the employee's righ...
08/07/2020 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None The employee was installing new light fixtures in the loading pocket. The mine was running production and dust was present in the environment each time the skips loaded. The employee was evaluated and...
04/14/2020 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 99d lost, 59d restricted The shift supervisor came to the employee and parked the personnel carrier to give morning break. The employee was climbing into the back of the personnel carrier when the employee felt a pop in left...
04/13/2020 HANDLING OF MATERIALS DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 95d restricted Employee was preparing to weld a broken pick holder on the north crusher. Employee was descending a ladder into the crusher hopper while carrying a MIG welder feeder box. Employee lost balance and fel...
06/16/2018 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Maintenance was performing quarterly inspections on the #2 Hoist. As they were raising the man cage, a fray in the outer strands of the south guide rope snagged. No personnel were in the mine at the t...
06/14/2018 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The main hoist experienced electrical issues, causing it to run slowly. The hoist stayed in operation, and the mine maintained two means of egress.
12/04/2017 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 84d lost, 176d restricted Employee was replacing production loader push plate hose at south break room. As employee pushed on wrench they felt a pop in the left shoulder. Employee was evaluated and diagnosed with a superior la...
12/05/2016 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the south hoist rope prevented the mine from running the #1 hoist removing the shaft from service. Mine operations were suspended as two means of egress were not available.
10/10/2016 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None #1 shaft hoist rope was rejected during non destructive testing removing the shaft from service.
06/04/2016 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The #1 production hoist computer failed preventing the mine from running the #1 hoist. Miners were evacuated immediately as two means of egress were not available. New computer was installed to correc...
06/12/2014 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the control power in the ore pocket prevented the mine from running the #1 hoist. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the #2 and #3 hoists.
05/15/2014 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The #1 hoist drum bearing housing slid to the south preventing the mine from operating the hoist. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the #2 and #3 hoists.
04/24/2014 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the #1 hoist drum bearing housing prevented the mine from operating the hoist. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the #2 and #3 hoists.
03/20/2014 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the foot gate controls prevented the mine from raising and lowering personnel with the #3 hoist. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the #1 and #2 hoists.
12/02/2013 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None The #1 hoist electrical breaker was locked out to allow mine personnel to reposition the brake counter weight proximity switch. After repositioning was completed, the #1 hoist electrical breaker would...
11/07/2013 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 4d restricted Employee had finished loading ANFO and was in the process of wrapping up the on/off control valve hose. Employee's feet got caught in the hose and he fell to the ground. Employee was evaluated and dia...
10/17/2012 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Failure of the #1 hoist plc processor prevented the mine from raising and lowering personnel with the #1 hoist. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the #2 and #3 hoists.
10/05/2012 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the topside ore bin vibratory feeder prevented the mine from emptying the ore bin (which was full) and the #1 hoist south skip could not be unloaded. This prevented the mine from raising and...
07/10/2012 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 107d restricted Supervisor was walking from the map case back to his truck and stepped in hole (7 inches) and fell to the ground. Supervisor was evaluated and was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain.
01/16/2012 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the south skip in the #1 shaft wouldn't allow the skip to close normally, causing the skip to become stuck in the bottom of the shaft. The mine still maintained two means of egress with the...
01/03/2012 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the south skip in the #1 shaft wouldn't allow the skip to close normally, causing the skip to become stuck in the bottom of the shaft. The mine still maintained two means of escape with the...
07/21/2011 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Damage to the South skip in the #1 shaft, due to normal wear a part of the skip became bent and wouldn't allow the skip to close normally and would require the skip to be repaired. The mine still mai...
05/23/2011 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None 3rd shift hoist operator had the #1 hoist stop running-an electrician was called out. MSHA was notified at 4:50 am. The electrician determined the PLC needed rebooted. #2 and #3 hoists where availab...
02/25/2011 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None While hoisting rock, the 3rd shift hoist operator had the brakes set and lock up on the #1 hoist. After troubleshooting, maintenance personnel determined that a faulty output signal was affecting the...
03/26/2009 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Unloading/lifting two wheeled nigtrogen cart from the bed of #53 Kubota RTV. Injured employee was working with another employee to lift the two wheeled cart out of the Kabota when he felt pain in his...
05/14/2008 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None 3rd shift hoist operator had the hoist stop running- an electrician was called out, MSHA was notified and the foreman began the process of evacuating the mine. The electrician arrived 3:00AM and deter...
05/13/2008 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None At 3:25PM it appeared that the circuit board for the Avtron hoist failed. The procedure to replace circuit board takes over 30 minutes. MSHA was notified at 3:30PM that our hoist was down and the mine...
04/22/2008 POWERED HAULAGE DAYS AWAY FROM WORK ONLY 105d lost Employee was driving #19 Haul Truck South on R43 and failed to maneuver vehicle through jog in road at XC4W and haul truck impacted 26 x 26 pillar.
04/22/2008 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Injured back while assisting shift supervisor with injured employee.
10/24/2007 HOISTING ACCIDENT ONLY None Hoist rope came off sheave wheel. Anticipated rope damage. Later inspection determined no damage on hoist rope.
10/13/2007 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee was preparing a new roof bolter boom to be lowered into the mine for assembly. Boom was suspended in mine shaft and when employee was positioning the boom, the boom extension cylinder guard c...
08/13/2007 OTHER ALL OTHER CASES (INCL 1ST AID) None Medical monitoring showed a recordable shift in left ear- noise induced hearing loss.
05/30/2007 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) DAYS RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ONLY 7d restricted Employee was clearing a rock jam out of #2 Belt Transition with a steel pole and experienced an AC Joint strain to the right shoulder.
03/05/2007 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Employee placed hand in a pinch point while pulling door shut on loader. Unanticipated assistance shutting door from another employee in the area. Resulting in tuft fracture to right middle finger, 5...
07/13/2006 FALL OF ROOF OR BACK NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Drilling hole near bent bolt to replace it. Drill bit had broken tip out on last hole. Before he could install new bit, a piece of 2' wide, 6""-8"" thick, 6'-7' long shale fell in pieces hitting emplo...
04/12/2006 OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES OCCUPATNAL ILLNESS NOT DEG 1-6 None Filling drilled holes with ANFO and developed a rash, allergic dermatitis.
10/22/2005 HANDLING OF MATERIALS NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None The employee pulled a 2'x18"" rock off the arm of a production loader and it landed on the right side of her right foot causing a contusion.
08/27/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Was stepping off a haulage truck when the employee twisted his right ankle. Resulting a sprained ankle.
05/19/2005 STRIKING OR BUMPING NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None The employee was walking under an overhead pipe. He failed to duck far enough to clear pipe and hit his hardhat on the pipe. He felt a sharp pain in the upper part of his neck and back of his head.
04/20/2005 HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED) NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None Was hand scaling when a large rock was knocked loose. The rock fell onto the scaling bar, causing the scaling bar to hit the employee on the lower right leg.
03/23/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON NO DYS AWY FRM WRK,NO RSTR ACT None While stepping down off of a tractor, the employee missed the last step, fell backwards to the ground and hit his head on a rock, receiving a contusion to the back of his head and lower back.
02/12/2005 SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON DYS AWY FRM WRK & RESTRCTD ACT 7d lost, 31d restricted In assessing a fall of ground, the employee instinctively jumped back when he heard more material fall (in this case it turned out to be ice). The employee fell backwards injuring his right knee - to...