On Saturday, October 18, 2014, at approximately 10:05 p.m., a contractor truck driver with over 5 years of truck driving experience was killed while operating a rock truck. The driver was removing top soil ahead of the East Elk Pit when he drove off a highwall and fell approximately 240 feet.
Best Practices
- Operate equipment in a manner that is consistent with conditions of roadways, grades, clearance, visibility, traffic, and the type of equipment used.
- Standardize and post traffic rules, signals, and warning signs.
- Provide and maintain adequate berms and other barriers that are at least mid-axle high on the banks of roadways where a drop off exists.
- Train all employees on the equipment they operate, on safe job procedures, hazard recognition, and on hazard avoidance.
- Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation. Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits, and safety features.
- Monitor work activities and examine work areas to assure safe work practices are followed.
- Monitor contract employees adequately at all job sites to ensure that safe work procedures are being followed.
- Conduct pre-operational checks to identify and repair any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)