On August 3, 2015, a 64-year old miner with 44 weeks experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine. The victim was operating a front-end loader, loading trucks from a stockpile, when he exited the loader. While outside the loader, the approximate 35-foot high stockpile slope failed and engulfed the victim between the stockpile and the loader.
Best Practices
- Ensure that miners are adequately trained in determining the stability of a stockpile. Any unconsolidated material sloped above its natural angle of repose is, by definition, UNSTABLE and potentially DANGEROUS.
- Ensure that equipment on site has the capability to trim stockpiles safely.
- Ensure that equipment is parked in a safe location before exiting the vehicle.
- Ensure adequate work place examinations are performed and promptly correct hazardous conditions that adversely affect safety and health.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (pdf).