Crushed Stone

MNM Fatality – 1/2/24

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On January 2, 2024, the driver of an over the road tractor-trailer haul truck died when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the tractor. The driver was dumping part of the load of gravel from the trailer. Between 2018 and 2024, mine operators reported 14 injury accidents where over the road trucks tipped or rolled over while dumping. During the same period, miners were also injured when 28 off-road mine haul trucks tipped or rolled over. 

Best Practices

  • Dump only on level surfaces, free of spillage. Make sure elevated dump sites are substantial and equipped with adequate dump point restraints.
  •  Keep your truck and trailer in a straight line when backing up and never move faster than walking speed.
  • Avoid dumping in high or gusty wind conditions.
  • Stay in the cab with your seatbelt on during the dumping process. Never attempt to exit or jump from an overturning truck.
  • After dumping, remove any compacted material before reloading the truck.
  • Evenly distribute the load and use antifreeze in cold weather to prevent material from freezing and sticking in the truck bed.
  • Never overload trucks or trailers.

Additional Information

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 12/14/23 OK

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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 – 9/8/23

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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)

MNM Fatality – 7/17/23

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On July 17, 2023, a miner died while performing repairs on a gyratory crusher. When a component was being suspended by a crane, a lifting eye welded to the component broke free striking the miner.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that all miners stay clear of stored energy while performing repairs. 
  • A certified welder should weld any lifting eye and ensure the welding rod is suitable for the materials joined together. 
  • Examine lifting equipment and connection points for cracks or deformation prior to lifting. 
  • Use low energy ropes and straps to minimize rebound effects when objects break. 

Additional Information

This is the 25th fatality reported in 2023, and the 11th classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 6/8/23

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On June 8, 2023, a miner died after climbing over the handrail onto a conveyor belt to gain access to a magnet belt that needed adjustment. When the miner stepped onto the magnet belt, the belt started, throwing the miner 16 feet to the ground below.

Best Practices

• De-energize, lock-out, tag-out, and block machinery against motion before performing repairs or maintenance on a belt conveyor.
• Install a system which provides visible or audible warning to warn miners that the conveyor will be started.
• Provide and maintain safe access to all workplaces and establish safe work procedures.
• Use fall protection when a fall hazard exists. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest and secure anchorage system, and that miners are properly trained.

Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 1/30/23

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On January 30, 2023, a miner died while troubleshooting a belt conveyor when he fell through a 37-inch-long by 34-inch-wide hole created by the removal of a section of grating.  The miner fell approximately 35 feet from the catwalk to the ground below.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Provide fall protection where there is a danger of falling and train miners on its proper use.
  • Replace guarding/grating that protects temporary access openings as soon as completing work.
  • Conduct workplace examinations and immediately correct any unsafe conditions.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 10/1/22

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On October 1, 2022, a miner died while using a crane to remove a haul truck engine.  The auxiliary line broke, causing the hook and ball assembly to fall and strike the miner.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure cranes have functional anti-two blocking devices to automatically shut off the crane when the rigging on the hoist line gets close to the sheave at the end of the crane boom.
  • Make sure miners stay clear of suspended loads and use taglines when necessary for steadying or guiding suspended loads.
  • Make sure miners conduct thorough pre-operational inspections of all machinery, equipment, and tools prior to use.

Additional Information: 

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2022, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Surface

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On June 20, 2022, a contract driller was working outside of his drill when he fell from the top of a highwall.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear fall protection when there is a danger of falling.  Assure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest and a secure anchorage system.
  • Train miners to properly use their personal protective equipment and to recognize potential hazards from falls and to safely perform tasks.
  • Provide communication systems when assigning miners to work alone.

Additional Information: 

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 6/17/22

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On June 17, 2022, a contract miner died when the compactor he was operating overturned, pinning him beneath the cab.  As the miner was backing up, the left tire went off the edge of a four-foot embankment, causing the compactor to overturn.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear seat belts at all times when operating equipment.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely, and to recognize potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2022, and the 4th classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 4/19/21

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On April 19, 2021, a 28 year old haul truck driver with 37 weeks and 5 days experience* stopped his haul truck in front of his personal vehicle to get his lunch at a crushed stone mine with 27 employees.*  While standing and eating his lunch, the haul truck rolled forward, pinning the miner between the haul truck and his personal truck.

Best Practices: 

  • Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the brake is set.  NEVER use a steering column-mounted “dump brake” for parking.
  • When parking mobile equipment on a grade, chock the wheels or turn them into a bank.Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Position yourself in a safe location away from potential “danger-zone” areas.
  • Train miners to safely perform their tasks.

Additional Information: 

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2021, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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