Author: renewcomer

October is the “Deadliest Month”

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MSHA-logoSEASONAL SAFETY ALERT

Historically, October has been the most deadly month for the metal and nonmetal mining industry, with 51 fatalities occurring in the month of October since 2000. During this fall period MSHA intends to continue enhanced enforcement, education and outreach with a special emphasis on the historically high number of mining deaths.

 

Particular attention will be paid to intermittent mines that are beginning to shut down and prepare for the winter season, and the many full time operations that are performing annual repairs in advance of inclement weather. During these activities, many miners may be performing new or unfamiliar tasks, or may be assisting maintenance personnel on jobs they rarely perform, using unfamiliar tools and equipment. Mine operators must assure miners are adequately trained to do those tasks and are protected from hazards.

 

MSHA’s increased vigilance during this period of historically higher deaths will focus additional resources on increased enforcement attention, education and outreach, including walk-and-talks. We are encouraging the mining industry to do the same. MSHA has provided the mining industry with information on mining deaths and best practices to prevent them, particularly since the fall of 2013 when mining deaths increased. Please make sure that information gets distributed. MSHA will be looking hard for the conditions identified leading to those deaths. MNM inspectors, joined by Coal inspectors and Educational Field and Small Mines Services personnel will be visiting mines, calling attention to potentially hazardous tasks and conditions and discussing safe work practices with miners. Please join MSHA in this special safety outreach and help us spread the word to the miners at your operations. This is the time to be proactive. Assure that workplace examinations are being conducted to identify and fix hazards, and that miners are properly trained, including task training to recognize and avoid hazards so they can go home safe and healthy at the end of each shift.

 

A link follows to a Seasonal Safety Alert recently published on MSHA’s website.
Seasonal Safety Alert (pdf)

For more information on the mining deaths that have occurred and best practices to prevent them, please go to Best Practices (powerpoint)

Please use the photos and descriptions to prompt discussions about fatalities and how to prevent them.

Fatality #15 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m15On August 3, 2015, an 18-year old truck driver (seasonal associate) with 9 weeks experience was killed at a granite mine. The victim backed his truck under a conveyor belt to be loaded. After exiting the truck, the victim entered a door leading underneath the “sand fines silo.” Soon after entering the silo, the structure collapsed burying the victim beneath the falling material.

Best Practices

  • Routinely examine metal structures for indications of weakened structural soundness (corrosion, fatigue cracks, bent/buckling beams, braces or columns, loose/missing connectors, broken welds, spills of stored solids, etc.).
  • Periodic detailed inspections should be performed which examine hopper and wall thicknesses, critical connections such as the hopper to the wall, and the material flow conditions. Both the inside and outside of the structure should be evaluated.
  • Report any changes in the discharge flow pattern which may be a result of an internal obstruction that causes non-uniform pressures on the silo structure.
  • Report all areas where indications of structural weakness are found.
  • Schedule inspections of the silo’s interior surface only when all material has been removed to determine if it has become polished and worn from use.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #14 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m14On August 3, 2015, a 26-year old miner with 4 years of experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The drill was traveling in the reverse direction of travel up a 10% slope and was carrying a 13½ ft. long drill steel in a rack that had been installed on the machine. The forward end of the drill steel struck a rib causing it to be pushed back toward the operator. The drill steel struck and killed the operator, and caused him to fall to the ground. No witnesses were present at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • When mobile equipment is equipped with seat belts they should be worn at all times when operating that equipment.
  • Loads on mobile equipment shall be properly secured and positioned safely prior to moving equipment.
  • Miners should operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility, and other traffic that allow them to maintain control at all times. Maintain all roadways free of materials that may pose a hazard to equipment operators. This includes materials on the floor and protruding from the ribs, back, or walls.
  • Keep mobile equipment operator’s stations free of materials that can impair the safe operation of the equipment. Ensure that equipment controls are maintained and function as designed.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m13On August 3, 2015, a 64-year old miner with 44 weeks experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine. The victim was operating a front-end loader, loading trucks from a stockpile, when he exited the loader. While outside the loader, the approximate 35-foot high stockpile slope failed and engulfed the victim between the stockpile and the loader.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that miners are adequately trained in determining the stability of a stockpile. Any unconsolidated material sloped above its natural angle of repose is, by definition, UNSTABLE and potentially DANGEROUS.
  • Ensure that equipment on site has the capability to trim stockpiles safely.
  • Ensure that equipment is parked in a safe location before exiting the vehicle.
  • Ensure adequate work place examinations are performed and promptly correct hazardous conditions that adversely affect safety and health.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #12 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m12On July 10, 2015, a 50-year old Superintendent with 26 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel dredge operation.  Two miners were attempting to dislodge the clam shell bucket from the bottom of the pond when the dredge capsized. One miner was injured but was able to swim to shore and summon assistance. The victim was recovered eight days later.

Best Practices

  • Always wear a life jacket where there is a danger of falling into the water.
  • Ensure that machinery components are blocked against hazardous stored energy prior to performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
  • Examine and test all safety devices on a regular basis and ensure that they are operating properly.
  • When non-routine tasks or problems occur, conduct a risk analysis before starting the task to ensure that all hazards are evaluated and eliminated.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m11On May 18, 2015, a 59-year old delivery truck driver with 32 years of experience was killed at a cement plant.  The victim arrived at the plant to deliver drums. After opening the trailer doors, the driver walked to the cab of his truck and proceeded to climb the steps to get back in the cab when he fell backwards onto the ground striking the back of his head.

Best Practices

  • Always use the “Three Points of Contact” method. Ensure that either two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet are in contact with the ladder at all times when mounting and dismounting equipment.
  • Equipment should be designed to minimize the height of the first step from the ground and be provided with hand-holds to facilitate  “Three Points of Contact”
  • Keep hands free of any objects when mounting or dismounting equipment.
  • Maintain traction by ensuring footwear is free of potential slipping hazards such as dirt, oil, and grease. Slip resistant material can be coated to existing foot holds and handrails.
  • Always face equipment when mounting or dismounting it.
  • Always maintain and use the access provided by the manufacturer.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m10On July 15, 2015, a 25-year old contractor with 6 months of experience was killed at a Kaolin processing plant. The victim was working alone and entered a railcar to wash out residual product.  The victim was later found unresponsive inside the railcar.

Best Practices

  • Miners MUST be adequately informed and trained for the hazards they will encounter. The mine operator should have a plan that addresses confined space entry, monitoring, (attendance) and rescue specific to the types of confined spaces at the mine.
  • Purging of the confined space to remove contaminants should be done before entry by means of a high volume of fresh air flow. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air is provided for miners working in the confined space.
  • The person outside of the confined space should be ready to summon help if the miner inside the confined space requires assistance. The person monitoring should carry a portable radio to call for assistance in an emergency.  No miner should ever enter a confined space to conduct a rescue without awareness of the hazard(s) present and appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Miners working within confined spaces should never work alone.  Ensure that a trained person is posted outside the confined space to monitor the miner working in the confined space. The miner working in the confined space should be attached to a lifeline.
  • Prior to use, gas detection equipment should calibrated or bump tested per manufacturer recommendations and miners should be task trained in the use of such equipment.
  • Oxygen deficiency is the leading cause of confined space fatalities.  Check the atmosphere inside the confined space for adequate oxygen, toxic contamination and accumulation of flammable gases with a suitable gas detector before entering the confined space.  Wear supplied air respirators when making these examinations.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #27 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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m27On June 14, 2014, Kevin Lee Ames, a 35-year-old laborer, was using a propane torch to shrink-wrap pelletized gypsum when he received serious burns on 35% of his body. He was subsequently discovered by a co-worker and transported to a hospital. He died on July 28, 2014. The death certificate indicated that the cause of death was mucormycosis (fungal infection) due to burns, and that the manner of death was an accident. An autopsy was not performed. Based on the findings of the death certificate and the MSHA investigation, the Fatality Review Committee determined that the death should be charged to the mining industry.

[SafeMiners.com note: We’re posting these much later, catching up from late notice and even later pictures from MSHA for the reasons noted above.]

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #26 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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m26On June 17, 2014, Ronald Dwayne Dunn, Customer Truck Driver, age 41, parked his bulk tanker truck at a tanker top access platform, went to the top of the platform, and opened the bulk hatch on the trailer in preparation to get loaded with cement.  Another driver noticed the victim was not on top of the truck.  The driver found that the victim was inside the tank of the truck but could not get him out and called for help.  A responder team arrived and found the victim unresponsive.  He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On September 3, 2014, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) referred the accident to the Chargeability Review Committee.  On February 2, 2015, the Chargeability Review Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry.  The autopsy report indicated that the manner of death was accidental and that the cause of death was asthma exacerbated by environmental dust exposure. The toxicology screen detected levels of theophylline, the active ingredient in the asthma inhaler.  It appears Dunn may have accidentally dropped his asthma inhaler into the tank, proceeded to climb into the tank to retrieve it, and was unable to get out.

[SafeMiners.com note: We’re posting these much later, catching up from late notice and even later pictures from MSHA for the reasons noted above.]

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)

Serious Injury for Metal/Nonmetal Mining

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mnm-serious-accident-alert073015Potash Facility – A miner was entangled in the belt system while unloading a rail car into a belly dump haul truck using a portable conveyor system. The miner was released from the hospital without any apparent broken bones or lacerations. A similar accident occurred at a sand and gravel mine in 2014, however that accident resulted in a fatality. [2014 #12 MNM]

Best Practices

  •  Ensure that persons are trained, including task training, to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and use methods to properly protect persons.
  • Conduct work place examinations before beginning any work.
  • Position mobile conveyors to eliminate exposure of moving parts before operating.
  • Identify hazards around conveyor systems, design guards, and or emergency stop systems before putting into operation.
  • Always provide and maintain guarding sufficient to prevent contact with moving machine parts.
  • Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working near moving machine parts.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.

Click here for: MSHA Alert for Posting (pdf)