On August 31, 2010, a 25-year old truck driver, with 16 weeks and 3 days of mining experience, was killed when the truck he was driving left the haulage road. The truck traveled approximately 11 feet up an embankment on the left side of the haulage road, and then abruptly traveled back across the haulage road. Afterwards, the truck impacted a 5 foot high berm, travelled over the berm, and dropped 72 feet to the mine pit below.
Best Practices
- Conduct pre-operational examinations on all mobile equipment.
- Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
- Always wear a seatbelt when operating a haul truck or mobile equipment.
- Adequately task train miners on the equipment they will operate.
- Post the speed limit, appropriate gear, grade, curve or other warning signage along haulage roads as appropriate.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)