Coal Fatality – 3/22/23

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On March 22, 2023, a miner died when the personnel carrier he was riding overturned.  Another miner riding on the personnel carrier accidentally actuated the emergency stop causing the personnel carrier to drift backwards down a grade.  The personnel carrier struck a coal rib and overturned, pinning the victim beneath it.  The victim was not riding in a designated seating area.

Best Practices

  • Maintain steering and braking components.
  • Perform functional tests of brakes and other safety devices during the pre-operational examination.
  • Tag out and remove equipment from service when defects affecting safety are found.
  • Do not exceed the maximum designed seating capacity of personnel carriers. 
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with roadway conditions.
  • Task train miners on all equipment they operate.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 3/18/23

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On March 18, 2023, a miner died when the mine roof collapsed during the installation of standing roof support (crib) as part of the longwall recovery cycle.  The accident occurred in an area adjacent to a longwall shield.

Best Practices

  • Follow the approved Roof Control Plan.
  • Design, install, and maintain roof support where miners work or travel.
  • Never travel under unsupported roof. 
  • Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before starting work in an area.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during longwall recovery.

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

MNM Fatality – 3/15/23

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On March 15, 2023, a miner drowned when the ground sloughed causing the excavator he was operating to topple into a water-filled pit.  The excavator became submerged in approximately 25 feet of water.

Best Practices

Mine operators should:
•    Install berms at the edge of the working surface so machinery can operate a safe distance from the water.
•    Evaluate ground conditions and mining methods before operating equipment near water.
•    Examine work areas and equipment and correct unsafe conditions.
•    Task train equipment operators on the operation of machinery.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Machinery.”

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

Enclosed Cabs Health Alert

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Operator Booths, Control Rooms, Enclosed Cabs

A properly designed and maintained operator booth, control room, and enclosed cab can reduce miners’ exposure to respirable dust, including silica.

Best Practices

  • Use a filtration and pressurization system that allows filtered air to enter the enclosed area.
  • Replace worn seals/gaskets around doors and windows, and patch holes and cracks in doors and windows.
  • Keep enclosure interiors clean; remove floor heaters; and use rubber floor mats instead of carpeting.
  • Keep doors and windows closed.

Click here for: Enclosed Cab Health Alert in English (pdf), or in Spanish (pdf).

March Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 1/27/23 MNM (2) – Electrical
  • 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical
  • 2/25/23 MNM – Drowning
  • 2/26/23 Coal – Machinery
  • 3/15/23 MNM – Machinery
  • 3/18/23 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 3/22/23 Coal – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 3/9/23

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On March 9, 2023, a truck driver died when the tractor’s rear wheels ran over him.  A front-end loader struck the tractor-trailer from behind, causing the tractor to move forward.

Best Practices

  • Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the transmission is in the park position, and parking brakes of all units in a combination vehicle are set.
  • Chock or turn wheels of mobile equipment into a bank when parked on a grade.
  • Never position yourself in hazardous areas around mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 3/1/23

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On March 1, 2023, a miner died when the bulldozer he was operating went over an embankment, ejecting him from the operator’s cab.

Best Practices

Operators should train miners to:

  • Wear a seat belt while operating mobile equipment. 
  • Examine ground conditions before beginning work in an area and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.  
  • Operate equipment safely, and to identify and report hazards.
  • Be aware of their position relative to edges of roadways and benches.

Additional Information

This is the tenth fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

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

MSHA Hazardous Chemicals Health & Safety Alert

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MSHA has issued the following alert concerning Hazardous Chemicals:

“Recent train derailments and chemical spills, including several incidents on mine sites, have increased the importance of maintaining awareness about hazardous chemicals used in mining. Miners working with and around chemicals can be exposed to hazards that result in injuries or illnesses from exposure to chemicals.  Safe handling of chemicals can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses.”

Best Practices

Operators should: 

  • Store hazardous, flammable, and combustible materials in a manner that minimizes dangers to miners.
  • Warn against potential hazards; caution against unsafe practices; and provide instructions on the proper use of personal protective equipment.
  • Provide miners personal protective equipment to use, such as gloves, safety glasses or goggles, and NIOSH-approved respirators, as applicable.
  • Train miners on the task to be performed; on working with or near chemical hazards; and performing appropriate emergency response procedures.
  • Provide miners a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they may be exposed to during each work shift.

Click here for: Hazardous Chemicals Alert in English (pdf), or in Spanish (pdf).

February Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 1/27/23 MNM (2) – Electrical
  • 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical
  • 2/25/23 MNM – Drowning
  • 2/26/23 Coal – Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted: