Mining Fatalities

MNM Fatality – 5/22/23

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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).

Coal Fatality – 2/26/23

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On February 26, 2023, a contract miner died while operating a bulldozer. The bulldozer traveled over the edge of an access road and rolled feet down an embankment, ejecting the miner from the operator’s cab. The miner was not wearing a seatbelt.

Best Practices

  • Always wear a seatbelt when operating mobile equipment. Monitor work activities routinely to ensure miners wear seatbelts and follow safe work procedures.
  • Examine ground conditions before beginning work and remain alert as conditions change throughout the shift.
  • Train miners on the equipment they operate, including safe work procedures, and to identify and report hazards.
  • Always be aware of your position relative to roadway edges and benches.

Additional Information

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

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

MNM Fatality – 2/25/23

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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).

Coal Fatality – 5/16/23

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On May 16, 2023, a bulldozer operator died when a spoil pile slid and engulfed the bulldozer he was operating. At the time of the accident, the bulldozer operator was repairing a ramp used to access water pumps in the pit.

Best Practices

  • Establish and follow ground control plans that are consistent with prudent engineering design for the safe control of all highwalls, pits, and spoil banks.  
  • Examine highwalls, spoil banks, and ground that slope into working areas after every rain, freeze, or thaw before work in such areas.
  • Stay clear of potentially unstable areas.  Correct unsafe ground conditions in the affected area.
  • Equip bulldozers with two-way communication systems, high strength glass, and an SCSR for breathable air when working on material that has the potential to slide or engulf mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.” 

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

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).

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).

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).