On Thursday, April 22, 2010, a 28-year old continuous mining machine operator with 5 years of experience was fatally injured when he was crushed between the conveyor boom of the continuous mining machine and the coal rib. The victim was located near the continuous mining machine while positioning it. The mining height in this area was approximately five feet.
Best Practices
- Ensure the continuous mining machine operator is positioned beyond the turning radius, and away from the conveyor boom turning radius before starting or moving the equipment.
- Frequently review, retrain, and discuss avoiding the “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a remote controlled continuous mining machine.
- Pursue new technology, such as proximity detection, to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
- Minimize the number of miners working or traveling near continuous mining machines and maintain effective communications between miners and equipment operators.
- Train all productions crews and management in programs, policies, and procedures for operating remote controlled continuous mining machines.
Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Spanish Fatalgram (pdf)