Surface

MNM Fatality – 1/2/24

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On January 2, 2024, the driver of an over the road tractor-trailer haul truck died when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the tractor. The driver was dumping part of the load of gravel from the trailer. Between 2018 and 2024, mine operators reported 14 injury accidents where over the road trucks tipped or rolled over while dumping. During the same period, miners were also injured when 28 off-road mine haul trucks tipped or rolled over. 

Best Practices

  • Dump only on level surfaces, free of spillage. Make sure elevated dump sites are substantial and equipped with adequate dump point restraints.
  •  Keep your truck and trailer in a straight line when backing up and never move faster than walking speed.
  • Avoid dumping in high or gusty wind conditions.
  • Stay in the cab with your seatbelt on during the dumping process. Never attempt to exit or jump from an overturning truck.
  • After dumping, remove any compacted material before reloading the truck.
  • Evenly distribute the load and use antifreeze in cold weather to prevent material from freezing and sticking in the truck bed.
  • Never overload trucks or trailers.

Additional Information

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 3/1/24

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On March 1, 2024, a miner died after a metal slurry pipe struck him. The miner was removing the last bolt connecting two metal slurry pipes when the pipe broke free and swung in his direction.

Best Practices

  • Prevent miners from positioning themselves in a manner that will expose them to hazards while performing a task. 
  • Examine work areas before and during the shift for hazards. 
  • Ensure that blocking material is competent, substantial, and adequate to stabilize the load. 
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the third fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Machinery”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pddf)

Coal Fatality – 1/29/24

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On January 29, 2024, a miner died when his haul truck traveled over the edge of a stockpile and overturned.

Best Practices

  • Examine dumping locations before work begins to identify hazardous conditions, especially after heavy rain, or other significant weather changes.
  • Always wear a seatbelt.
  • Provide adequate illumination at dumping locations.
  • Ensure dumping locations are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.
  • Dump material at a safe distance from the edge and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to prevent overtravel at dumping locations.  Clearly mark dumping locations with reflectors and/or markers.
  • Do not remove material from the toe of stockpiles when it would create instability at dumping locations.

Additional Information

This is the second fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage”.

MNM Fatality – 12/14/23 UT

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On December 14, 2023, a contractor died while delivering parts to the mine when an all-terrain telehandler pulling cable, tipped over, striking him.

Best Practices

  • Do not exceed the load radius and load limits of lifting equipment.
  • Ensure miners position themselves in a safe manner while working around equipment.
  • Barricade and sign affected areas in case equipment or loads fail or tip.
  • Ensure visitors entering the mine receive site specific hazard awareness training.
  • Maintain good communication between co-workers.

Additional Information

This is the 40th fatality reported in 2023, and the 16th classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 12/14/23 OK

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MINE FATALITY – On December 14, 2023, a miner died while preparing to repair flanges on the feed box. In the process of lowering the chute into the maintenance position, the chute pinned the miner between the chute and the handrail.

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs and verify miners are in a safe location before moving equipment and components.
  • Examine work areas during the shift for hazards that could be created while performing the work.
  • When conducting a non-routine task, review safe procedures before starting work and ensure all safety components are in place.
  • Do not work under suspended loads.

Additional Information

This is the 39th fatality reported in 2023, and the 15th classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 11/17/23

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On November 17, 2023, a miner died when the leg of a rock saw stand that he was assisting to unload, shifted and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Review safe procedures with all miners involved prior to conducting a non-routine task.
  • Use proper rigging and lifting procedures when moving machine parts.
  • Load and unload materials on smooth, level surfaces to ensure the material does not shift or fall over.
  • Ensure miners are positioned in a safe location and away from potential hazards when moving or positioning equipment. 

Additional Information

This is the 38th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Handling Material.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 11/13/23

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On November 13, 2023, a pit wall collapsed engulfing an excavator operator while he was outside of the excavator.

Best Practices

  • Use appropriate mining methods when the material is steeper than its angle of repose.
       o    Install appropriate benches and trenches when necessary.
       o    Scale highwalls to eliminate hazards, e.g., steep slopes or overhangs.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect miners.
  • Train miners to assess risks and hazards and correct or barricade hazards to prevent access before beginning work activities.

Additional Information

This is the 37th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/4/21

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This fatality’s Final Report was first posted on MSHA’s website on 11/7/23. No alerts or preliminary reports were produced.

On August 4, 2021, at 8:12 a.m., Jeffery Hudnall, a 60 year-old steam truck operator with 16 years of mining experience, was fatally injured while steam cleaning a front-end loader.  Hudnall was standing on the front-end loader’s right-side deck when he fell over nine feet to a concrete pad.

Additional Information

Click here for Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 9/8/23

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On September 8, 2023, a miner died after entering a hopper to clear an obstruction.  A front-end loader dumped two loads of crushed limestone into the hopper with the miner inside.

Best Practices

  • Install barricades to prevent mobile equipment access to bins and hoppers when miners are working in them.
  • Establish and train miners on procedures for safely clearing bins and hoppers.
  • Lock-out and tag-out the supply and discharge equipment before entering bins and hoppers. 
  • Wear a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline in a confined space.
  • Equip bins and hoppers with vibrating shakers or air cannons to prevent material blockages.

Additional Information

This is the 31st fatality reported in 2023, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/17/23

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On September 17, 2023, contractor driller helper died while driving a service truck to transport a rod handler on the bed.  The service truck left the road, overturned, and the driver was ejected.  The passenger, who was wearing his seat belt, was injured, treated and released from the hospital.

Best Practices

  • Wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
  • Conduct pre-operational inspections and correct any safety defects before operating mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of equipment. 
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.

Additional Information

This is the 33rd fatality reported in 2023, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf).

Delisted by MSHA after Investigation revealed accident did not occur within MSHA’s jurisdiction.