MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Underground

A 50 year-old miner died when the excavator he was operating underground slid over an elevated loading pad and was engulfed by lime dust.

Best Practices: 

•    Conduct workplace examinations prior to beginning work and assure hazards are corrected.
•    Train miners to identify and report hazards and stay clear of potentially unstable areas.

Additional Information: 

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

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

June Fatality Updates

Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 6/20/22 MNM – Machinery
  • 6/20/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 6/17/22

On June 17, 2022, a contract miner died when the compactor he was operating overturned, pinning him beneath the cab.  As the miner was backing up, the left tire went off the edge of a four-foot embankment, causing the compactor to overturn.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear seat belts at all times when operating equipment.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely, and to recognize potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2022, and the 4th classified as “Machinery.”

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

May Fatality Updates

Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • None

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 1/28/22

On January 28, 2022, while driving downhill, the 56 year-old driver of a concrete mixer truck was fatally injured after he lost control of the truck.  The truck overturned and the driver was ejected from the truck.  Another miner, who was in the truck, was also ejected and suffered serious injuries.

Best Practices: 

  • Each shift, inspect mobile equipment before placing it into operation.  Correct defects that pose a hazard to miners.  Tag out mobile equipment that can’t be corrected.
  • Assure brakes can stop and hold mobile equipment with its typical load on the maximum grade it travels.
  • Always wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of mobile equipment and drive at safe speeds.

Additional Information: 

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 2/14/22

On February 14, 2022, a 34 year-old maintenance technician died while driving a lube truck underground.  The truck over traveled the edge of a stope and fell approximately 60 feet into the stope drift.

Best Practices: 

  • Provide berms, bumper blocks, safety hooks, or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of over travel.
  • Examine working places before work begins for conditions that may adversely affect safety and health

Additional Information: 

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: preliminary report (pdf) Final Report (pdf).

April Fatality Updates

Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 1/26/22

On January 26, 2022, a dump truck rolled backward onto a 54 year-old miner while the miner was attempting to troubleshoot a brake issue.  The dump truck operator was unaware that the miner was under the truck when he released the parking brake, allowing the dump truck to roll backward. 

Best Practices: 

  • Block machinery or equipment against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and assure they acknowledge your presence, before traveling near mobile equipment.  Do not assume that mobile equipment operators know that you are in the vicinity.

Additional Information: 

This is the 5th fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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