MNM Fatality – 9/12/23

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).

MNM Fatality – 5/22/23

On May 22, 2023, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating overturned, when the edge of the bank at a dump point gave way.  The haul truck landed on the roof of the cab. 

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before work begins in an area.
  • Dump material from a safe location and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Ensure dump locations on unconsolidated material are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.   
  • Construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to prevent overtravel.  Clearly mark dump locations with reflectors and/or markers.
  • Never load material from the toe of a stockpile that is directly below an active dump point.  This may lead to an over steepened and unstable slope.
  • Wear a seatbelt.  Install advanced systems that restrain miners during roll-overs.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2023, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 2/25/23

On February 25, 2023, a miner drowned when his excavator traveled over a berm into a sediment pond.

Best Practices

  • When working near water, install a combination seat belt cutter and window breaker tool in the operator’s cab of equipment.
  • Keep all exits clear in cabs, including alternate and emergency exits, and make sure the doors and windows open freely before beginning work.

Additional Information

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Drowning.”

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

MNM Fatality – 3/15/23

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).

MNM Fatality – 3/9/23

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

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).

MNM Fatality – 1/4/23

On January 4, 2023, a miner was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs;
  • position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas;
  • conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations; and
  • develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.

Additional Information

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

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

MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Underground

A 50 year-old miner died when the excavator he was operating underground slid over an elevated loading pad and was engulfed by lime dust.

Best Practices: 

•    Conduct workplace examinations prior to beginning work and assure hazards are corrected.
•    Train miners to identify and report hazards and stay clear of potentially unstable areas.

Additional Information: 

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 12/3/21

On December 3, 2021, a miner was fatally injured when he became entangled in the return idler on the belt conveyor under a portable crusher plant. 

Best Practices: 

  • Before performing maintenance and repair work near belt conveyors:
    • Remove power from the belt drive.
    • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Guard moving machine parts to protect miners from contacting moving parts.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of equipment. Report defects and do not work in unsafe conditions.
  • Train miners to assess risks and control hazards before beginning work on belt conveyors.

Additional Information: 

This is the 33rd fatality reported in 2021, and the 16th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 1/7/22

On January 7, 2022, a 49 year-old front-end loader operator with 15 years of mining experience died when a large rock fell from the mine roof, crushing the cab of the front-end loader.  When the accident occurred, the victim was loading material from a recently blasted shot. 

Best Practices: 

  • Scale the back and ribs before performing work in an area.
  • Conduct examinations of the back, face, and ribs where miners work and travel.
  • Install suitable ground support where conditions warrant.
  • Use geologic hazard mapping to identify adverse conditions and be aware of changing ground conditions.
  • Train miners to identify workplace hazards and take action to correct them.

Additional Information: 

This is the first fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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