MSHA has issued the following alert concerning Falls from Height.
Click here for: Fall Protection Alert in English (pdf), or in Spanish (pdf).
Preventing Falls from Height Safety Alert
Author: renewcomer
MSHA Hazardous Chemicals Health & Safety Alert
MSHA has issued the following alert concerning Hazardous Chemicals:
“Recent train derailments and chemical spills, including several incidents on mine sites, have increased the importance of maintaining awareness about hazardous chemicals used in mining. Miners working with and around chemicals can be exposed to hazards that result in injuries or illnesses from exposure to chemicals. Safe handling of chemicals can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses.”
Best Practices
Operators should:
- Store hazardous, flammable, and combustible materials in a manner that minimizes dangers to miners.
- Warn against potential hazards; caution against unsafe practices; and provide instructions on the proper use of personal protective equipment.
- Provide miners personal protective equipment to use, such as gloves, safety glasses or goggles, and NIOSH-approved respirators, as applicable.
- Train miners on the task to be performed; on working with or near chemical hazards; and performing appropriate emergency response procedures.
- Provide miners a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they may be exposed to during each work shift.
Click here for: Hazardous Chemicals Alert in English (pdf), or in Spanish (pdf).
February Fatality Updates
Final Reports posted:
- 1/14/22 Coal – Slip or Fall of Person [2/6/23]
- 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage [2/7/23]
- 8/3/21 MNM – Powered Haulage [2/8/23]
- 9/1/22 Coal – Electrical [2/22/23]
- 3/4/22 MNM – Machinery [2/23/23]
- 8/17/22 Coal – Powered Haulage [2/24/23]
Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:
- 1/27/23 MNM (2) – Electrical
- 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical
- 2/25/23 MNM – Drowning
- 2/26/23 Coal – Machinery
Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:
- 11/17/21 MNM – Electrical
- 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 1/7/22 Coal – Machinery
- 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 3/22/22 MNM – Drowning
- 6/17/22 MNM – Machinery
- 6/20/22 MNM – Machinery
- 6/20/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
- 7/21/22 MNM – Machinery
- 8/4/22 MNM – Machinery
- 8/23/22 Coal – Machinery
- 9/9/22 MNM – Drowning
- 9/28/22 MNM – Falling Sliding Material
- 10/1/22 MNM – Machinery
- 10/7/22 MNM – Falling Sliding Material Machinery
- 10/17/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
- 10/22/22 Coal – Drowning
- 11/5/22 MNM – Engulfment
- 12/6/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 12/16/22 MNM – Machinery
- 1/4/23 MNM – Machinery
- 1/17/23 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 1/23/23 MNM – Hand Tools
- 1/30/23 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
MNM Fatality – 1/30/23
On January 30, 2023, a miner died while troubleshooting a belt conveyor when he fell through a 37-inch-long by 34-inch-wide hole created by the removal of a section of grating. The miner fell approximately 35 feet from the catwalk to the ground below.
Best Practices
Operators should:
- Provide fall protection where there is a danger of falling and train miners on its proper use.
- Replace guarding/grating that protects temporary access openings as soon as completing work.
- Conduct workplace examinations and immediately correct any unsafe conditions.
Additional Information
This is the sixth fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
MNM Fatality – 1/23/23
On January 23, 2023, a utility management miner died, and another miner was seriously injured, while removing unused waterline pipe suspended from a mine roof. The two miners were using hand tools to remove a pipe fitting when the waterline pipe suddenly came apart, striking the victim.
Best Practices
Operators should:
- Release stored energy and pressure from pipes (block and bleed) before breaking a pipe connection.
- Lock out, tag out, and block equipment from movement before performing maintenance or repairs.
- Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks.
Additional Information
This is the third fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Hand Tools.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
MNM Fatality – 1/17/23
On January 17, 2023, a miner was fatally injured when his personal car collided with a customer truck. Both vehicles were traveling toward each other in opposite directions on an icy mine access road.
Best Practices
Operators should:
- Clear roadways of ice and snow or require traction devices to assure safe operation of mobile equipment.
- Alert drivers to reduce speed on wet or icy roads.
- Maintain control of equipment while it is in operation.
Additional Information
This is the second fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Powered Haulage.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
MNM Fatality – 12/16/22
On December 16, 2022, a contract mechanic died while removing the counterweight of an excavator, when it fell and struck him.
Best Practices
Operators should:
- Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
- Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
- Assure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
- Train miners to conduct repairs according to manufacturer recommendations.
Additional Information
This is the 29th fatality reported in 2022, and the tenth classified as “Machinery.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
January Fatality Updates
Final Reports posted:
- 3/20/22 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back [1/5/23]
Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:
- 12/16/22 MNM – Machinery
- 1/17/23 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 1/23/23 MNM – Hand Tools
- 1/27/23 MNM (2) – Electrical
- 1/30/23 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:
- 8/3/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 11/17/21 MNM – Electrical
- 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 1/7/22 Coal – Machinery
- 1/14/22 Coal – Slip or Fall of Person
- 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 3/4/22 MNM – Machinery
- 3/22/22 MNM – Drowning
- 6/17/22 MNM – Machinery
- 6/20/22 MNM – Machinery
- 6/20/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
- 7/21/22 MNM – Machinery
- 8/4/22 MNM – Machinery
- 8/17/22 Coal – Powered Haulage
- 8/23/22 Coal – Machinery
- 9/1/22 Coal – Electrical
- 9/9/22 MNM – Drowning
- 9/28/22 MNM – Falling Sliding Material
- 10/1/22 MNM – Machinery
- 10/7/22 MNM – Falling Sliding Material Machinery
- 10/17/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
- 10/22/22 Coal – Drowning
- 11/5/22 MNM – Engulfment
- 12/6/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
- 1/4/23 MNM – Machinery
MNM Fatality – 1/4/23
On January 4, 2023, a miner was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.
Best Practices
Operators should:
- block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs;
- position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas;
- conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations; and
- develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.
Additional Information
This is the first fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Machinery.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf) Final Report (pdf).
MNM Fatality – 12/6/22
On December 6, 2022, a miner died when the diesel tractor he was operating struck a pillar. The miner was thrown from the tractor and crushed under the rear tire of the tractor.
Best Practices
- Make sure miners wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
- Make sure miners maintain control of equipment while it is in operation.
- Train miners in the safe performance of their assigned tasks.
Additional Information
This is the 28th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).