On November 10, 2014, a 45-year old crusher operator with 3 years of experience was seriously injured at a granite mine. The miner was using a torch to cut a drill bit that was wedged in a jaw crusher when the bit freed and struck him. The victim was hospitalized and died on January 17, 2015, as a result of his injuries.
Best Practices
- Task train miners to identify and control all hazards associated with their work.
- Establish and discuss policies and procedures for safely clearing a jaw crusher.
- Implement measures to ensure miners are positioned safely and protected from hazards while performing a task.
- Consider a mechanical method for clearing material to minimize exposure.
- Before working on or near equipment, deenergize the power and lock out/tag out.
- Securely block equipment against hazardous motion to ensure energy cannot be released.
- Provide a safe means of access for miners required to maintain a jaw crusher.
- Provide guards, shields, or other devices to protect miners from flying or falling materials at screens, crushers, or conveyors.
- Install equipment to detect and prevent metal from entering a crusher.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)