Coal Fatality – 1/29/24

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

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

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

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

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)

MNM Fatality – 11/13/23

On November 13, 2023, a rotating drill steel of a roof bolting machine entangled a miner, causing fatal injuries.

Best Practices

  • Always follow manufacturer recommendations when conducting maintenance on equipment, including:
    • Turn off or de-energize the machine.
    • Secure the equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Never touch or hold the drill steel, wrench, or bolt while it is rotating.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around any machinery with rotating parts.

Additional Information

This is the 36th fatality reported in 2023, and the 14th classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/4/21

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).

Coal Fatality – 12/22/22

On December 22, 2022, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Aidan Coon, a 21 year-old contract freeze treater with approximately two years of mining experience, was found unresponsive in his personal vehicle beside the mine office.

On December 22, 2022, MSHA was informed of a contractor’s death at Black Diamond Company’s Wellmore #8 Prep Plant in Big Rock, VA.  MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical related issues as the cause of death.  However, on March 31, 2023, MSHA received the death certificate and on April 12, 2023, MSHA received the autopsy report; both stated that the contractor died from carbon monoxide poisoning.  After further investigation and review, MSHA has decided that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

The accident occurred because the mine operator and the contractor did not ensure the vehicle, used by the miner during his shift, was maintained in safe operating condition.

Additional Information

Click here for Final Report (pdf). No Preliminary Report or Fatal Alert was posted by MSHA. Classified as Other: CO2 Poisoning.

MNM Fatality – 9/8/23

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)

Coal Fatality – 8/18/23

On August 18, 2023, a section foreman was installing hose for a dewatering pump.  He was found unresponsive lying in approximately eight inches of water and mud.  MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical related issues as the cause of death.  However, on September 26, 2023, MSHA received the death certificate which states cause of death is drowning.  After further investigation and review, MSHA has decided that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Remove standing water where miners work and travel.
  • Ensure qualified electricians examine and maintain electrical equipment in safe operating condition; if equipment is defective, correct hazards or remove equipment from service. 
  • Report and correct any slip, trip, or fall hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 34th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).