Author: renewcomer

MNM Fatality – 5/2/23

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On May 2, 2023, a miner died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor.

Best Practices

  • Provide safe access to all working places by identifying hazards around belt conveyor systems.
  • Deenergize, lock out, tag out, and block equipment from hazardous motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Provide remote e-stops to allow for safe access around moving equipment.
  • Train miners to work around moving equipment, including the hazards associated with the work to be performed. 

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MSHA Issues Heat Stress Alert (Again)

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It’s as regular as the seasons, HEAT, and as it arrives MSHA alerts us about related health issues. “Mining in hot work areas during summer can cause serious health issues for miners. Everyone needs to recognize the hazards of heat stress and mine operators should provide heat-stress recognition training, monitoring, and personal protective equipment,” says MSHA.

The latest alert contains advice on symptoms and what to do or NOT do to treat them. Most importantly it also says this about Preventing Heat Stress:

  • Provide cool drinking water near miners.
  • Encourage miners to drink a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Avoid drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar.
  • Use sunblockers, proper protective clothing and shade.
  • Use administrative controls to rotate miners on hot jobs.
  • Schedule heavy tasks during cooler times of the day.

Download the full alert (pdf) here.

Coal Fatality – 4/20/23

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On April 20, 2023, a contract laborer died while removing the side plate off a shaker screen. The unsupported side plate fell over and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Ensure blocking material is installed correctly and is of adequate size and strength to support and stabilize the load.
  • Ensure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2023, and the sixth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 4/11/23

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 On April 11, 2023, a miner died when a 12-foot by 4-foot by 5-foot rock slab slid out of the rib from the hanging wall and crushed him. The miner was installing a bolt in the rib of a slusher stope. 

Best Practices

  • Design, install, and maintain suitable ground support where miners work or travel.
  • Examine and test ground conditions immediately before starting any work in an area and as conditions warrant during the shift.
  • Periodically review mining methods and ground support to ensure they are suitable for conditions.
  • Be alert to changing ground conditions.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous ground conditions and install suitable support.

Additional Information

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

MNM Fatality – 4/9/23

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On April 9, 2023, a miner died while mounting off road truck tires on rims.  The miner was in the process of mounting a tire on its rim when another tire’s outer lock ring dislodged, became airborne and struck the victim in the head.

Best Practices

  • Use a tire safety cage (or other tire restraint device) when inflating a truck tire that is not on the truck.  Stand away from the inflating tire and out of the wheel and air blast trajectory during the inflation process.
  • Check tires and rims for damage and defects before performing work.
  • Before repairing tires, completely deflate the tires by removing the valve core and checking the valve stem to make sure it’s clear. 
  • Follow the manufacturer’s procedures and make sure tire and rim components are compatible.
  • Train miners who service tire and rim components. 

Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2023, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

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

April 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
  • 4/9/23 MNM – Machinery
  • 4/11/23 MNM – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 4/20/23Coal – Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

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).