On January 21, 2015, a 54-year old miner (ground support) with 4 years of experience was killed at an underground lead mine. The victim was operating a mechanical scaler in an intersection when a roof fall (55 feet long x 20 feet wide x 6 feet thick) occurred, covering the machine.
Best Practices
- Establish safe work procedures that ensure a safe work location for miners conducting scaling operations, and train all miners to recognize and understand these procedures.
- 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.
- Always examine and test areas for loose ground before starting to work, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant.
- Identify and scale loose material from a safe position which will not expose miners to falling material.
- Test for loose material frequently during work activities. Be alert to any change of ground conditions.
- Install ground support in roof and ribs where conditions warrant.
- Use equipment with a reach that reduces the possibility of the equipment being struck by falling material.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).