MNM Fatality – 11/13/23

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On November 13, 2023, a rotating drill steel of a roof bolting machine entangled a miner, causing fatal injuries.

Best Practices

  • Always follow manufacturer recommendations when conducting maintenance on equipment, including:
    • Turn off or de-energize the machine.
    • Secure the equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Never touch or hold the drill steel, wrench, or bolt while it is rotating.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around any machinery with rotating parts.

Additional Information

This is the 36th fatality reported in 2023, and the 14th classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/4/21

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This fatality’s Final Report was first posted on MSHA’s website on 11/7/23. No alerts or preliminary reports were produced.

On August 4, 2021, at 8:12 a.m., Jeffery Hudnall, a 60 year-old steam truck operator with 16 years of mining experience, was fatally injured while steam cleaning a front-end loader.  Hudnall was standing on the front-end loader’s right-side deck when he fell over nine feet to a concrete pad.

Additional Information

Click here for Final Report (pdf).

Coal Fatality – 12/22/22

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On December 22, 2022, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Aidan Coon, a 21 year-old contract freeze treater with approximately two years of mining experience, was found unresponsive in his personal vehicle beside the mine office.

On December 22, 2022, MSHA was informed of a contractor’s death at Black Diamond Company’s Wellmore #8 Prep Plant in Big Rock, VA.  MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical related issues as the cause of death.  However, on March 31, 2023, MSHA received the death certificate and on April 12, 2023, MSHA received the autopsy report; both stated that the contractor died from carbon monoxide poisoning.  After further investigation and review, MSHA has decided that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

The accident occurred because the mine operator and the contractor did not ensure the vehicle, used by the miner during his shift, was maintained in safe operating condition.

Additional Information

Click here for Final Report (pdf). No Preliminary Report or Fatal Alert was posted by MSHA. Classified as Other: CO2 Poisoning.

October Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 9/8/23

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On September 8, 2023, a miner died after entering a hopper to clear an obstruction.  A front-end loader dumped two loads of crushed limestone into the hopper with the miner inside.

Best Practices

  • Install barricades to prevent mobile equipment access to bins and hoppers when miners are working in them.
  • Establish and train miners on procedures for safely clearing bins and hoppers.
  • Lock-out and tag-out the supply and discharge equipment before entering bins and hoppers. 
  • Wear a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline in a confined space.
  • Equip bins and hoppers with vibrating shakers or air cannons to prevent material blockages.

Additional Information

This is the 31st fatality reported in 2023, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/18/23

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On August 18, 2023, a section foreman was installing hose for a dewatering pump.  He was found unresponsive lying in approximately eight inches of water and mud.  MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical related issues as the cause of death.  However, on September 26, 2023, MSHA received the death certificate which states cause of death is drowning.  After further investigation and review, MSHA has decided that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Remove standing water where miners work and travel.
  • Ensure qualified electricians examine and maintain electrical equipment in safe operating condition; if equipment is defective, correct hazards or remove equipment from service. 
  • Report and correct any slip, trip, or fall hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 34th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

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

Coal Fatality – 10/2/23

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On October 2, 2023, a miner died after he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib.

Best Practices

  • When working around mobile equipment, communicate your presence and intended movements to equipment operators. Wait for acknowledgement before moving. 
  • Avoid “Red Zone” areas where equipment operators cannot readily see you. 
  • Increase the visibility of miners by using reflective clothing and/or strobe light devices.

Additional Information

This is the 35th fatality reported in 2023, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/17/23

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On September 17, 2023, contractor driller helper died while driving a service truck to transport a rod handler on the bed.  The service truck left the road, overturned, and the driver was ejected.  The passenger, who was wearing his seat belt, was injured, treated and released from the hospital.

Best Practices

  • Wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
  • Conduct pre-operational inspections and correct any safety defects before operating mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of equipment. 
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.

Additional Information

This is the 33rd fatality reported in 2023, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf).

Delisted by MSHA after Investigation revealed accident did not occur within MSHA’s jurisdiction.

MNM Fatality – 9/12/23

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On September 12, 2023, a haul truck operator died after his haul truck backed through the berm at a dump point and became submerged in a pond.

Best Practices

  • Construct substantial berms or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Do not travel into or onto berms. 
  • Dump material from a safe location and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before work begins.
  • Mark dump locations with reflectors, signage, or other indicators.

Additional Information

This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2023, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

September Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical
  • 8/18/23 Coal – Drowning
  • 9/8/23 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 9/12/23 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 9/17/23 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted: