Ash Grove Cement Company safety activity

While conducting routine inspections, EO detected a smoldering inside of the coal building as they proceeded to investigate. EO made their way from the front of the coal building to the back, during this process EO sank into a hot ash pile up to their waist area, resulting in burns to their lower extremities & lower arm area.

Employee was removing an aqua ammonia (19% ammonia) spray lance. The tip of the spray was plugged up and pressure built in the closed, locked out line. When the connection was broke loose the residual line material blew out into the area contacting EE's face and eyes. Employee was monitored and prescribed medication for EE's eyes.

Employee got material/dust in EE's right eye when EE was pulling apart a hose connection. When the hose broke apart loose material was thrown up into the employees face/eye. The employee was prescribed antibiotic eye drops making this a reportable injury.

Employee was helping to remove an aqua ammonia (19% ammonia) spray lance. The tip of the spray was plugged up and pressure built in the closed, locked out line. When the connection was broke loose the residual line material blew out into the area contacting EE's head and EE inhaled some vapor causing irritation. Employee was monitored and prescribed an inhaler for the irritation.

Employee was entering water truck heard pop in their knee. Employee filled out an Incident Report but did not want to seek medical attention. Employee went for their well medical visit for routine care and mentioned the knee still had some pain. The MD ordered an MRI. The MRI indicates surgical intervention is needed. This turned the first aid claim into a recordable.

After a series of self-care measures w/out relief, progressive medical treatment includes PT as of 7/31. On 4/17, emp. went to pick-up a piece of 3x3 angle iron and reported discomfort in EE's elbow.

Contractors were in the clinker passenger elevator, the car stopped abruptly halfway down, entrapping them. They contacted their manager at 11:37 to alert them that they were stuck. At 12:07, the Safety Manager called MSHA to report an entrapment. Plant electricians were called to reset the car, they were successful and were able to get them to the ground and extracted safely.

During the process of moving railcars an experienced employee needed to maneuver a rail switch to change the track. The shaft of the rail switch was not easy to maneuver, so the employee applied additional force by stepping on the switch. The switch went into place unexpectedly and the employee felt/heard a "pop" in left calf. The Employee was given a prescription medication.