Mining Fatalities

Coal Fatality – 12/22/22

renewcomerLeave a comment

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

renewcomerLeave a comment

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

renewcomerLeave a comment

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).

Coal Fatality – 10/2/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On October 2, 2023, a miner died after he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib.

Best Practices

  • When working around mobile equipment, communicate your presence and intended movements to equipment operators. Wait for acknowledgement before moving. 
  • Avoid “Red Zone” areas where equipment operators cannot readily see you. 
  • Increase the visibility of miners by using reflective clothing and/or strobe light devices.

Additional Information

This is the 35th fatality reported in 2023, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/17/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

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.

MNM Fatality – 9/12/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On September 12, 2023, a haul truck operator died after his haul truck backed through the berm at a dump point and became submerged in a pond.

Best Practices

  • Construct substantial berms or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Do not travel into or onto berms. 
  • Dump material from a safe location and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before work begins.
  • Mark dump locations with reflectors, signage, or other indicators.

Additional Information

This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2023, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/30/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On August 30, 2023, a belt foreman died when a belt conveyor take-up unit component broke and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Examine work areas for hazards found during the shift. Report hazards and defects immediately and do not work in unsafe conditions.
  • Ensure there are no obstructions in the travel path of the belt conveyor take-up system prior to tensioning.
  • Examine any belt or linkage assembly for signs of deformation such as cracking, lateral deflection or distorted connections.
  • Train miners to recognize and avoid potential hazards from sudden releases of stored energy.

Additional Information

This is the 30th fatality reported in 2023, and the sixth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/21/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On August 21, 2023 a crusher lid that was being moved into place struck a miner when the rigging broke. The miner died from his injuries on August 23, 2023.

Best Practices

  • Do not work under suspended loads.
  • Use properly rated lifting equipment and ensure that the load is well secured.
  • Attach tag lines to suspended loads to steady or guide the load.
  • Communicate lift plans to all persons working in the lift zone. Follow manufacturer’s recommended work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 28th fatality reported in 2023, and the twelfth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 8/24/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On August 24, 2023, a miner died while preparing a wash plant for relocation. In the process of lowering the feed box into the travel position, the miner was pinned between the feed box and the handrail.

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Do not work under suspended loads.
  • When conducting a non-routine task, review safe procedures before starting work and ensure all safety components are in place and working.

Additional Information

This is the 29th fatality reported in 2023, and the 13th classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/5/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On August 5, 2023, a customer truck driver fell from a large container mounted on the trailer of his truck. After opening the container lid, the driver slipped while descending the container.  The driver died from his injuries on August 7, 2023.

Best Practices

  • Provide fall protection or safe means of access to miners, contractors, and customers who need to gain access to containers or tankers if there is danger of falling.
  • Ensure miners, contractors, and customers wear proper slip resistant footwear and use three points of contact when accessing elevated surfaces.
  • Provide site-specific hazard awareness training to customers, including commercial over-the-road truck drivers.

Additional Information

This is the 27th fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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