Author: renewcomer

MNM Fatality – 3/22/22

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On March 22, 2022, a 44 year-old heavy equipment operator drowned after the floating pump station he was standing on capsized.  At the time of the accident, the miner was assisting a co-worker in connecting a water discharge line.  

Best Practices: 

  • Design and use floating platforms in a manner that complies with the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations.
  • Before working on a floating platform:
    • implement safe work procedures that take into account potential hazards from rain, ice, freezing temperatures, and other environmental conditions.
    • perform adequate work place examinations, especially on floating platforms that are infrequently used.  Check parts that are subject to rust, sun damage, water damage, etc. over long periods of time.
  • Wear life jackets where there is danger from falling into water.

Additional Information: 

This is the twelfth fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Drowning.”

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

Coal Fatality – 3/20/22

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On March 20, 2022, a 33 year-old miner died when he was struck by a roof fall while moving a waterline outby the retreat mining section.  The intersection of the fall area was supported with five-foot fully grouted roof bolts and 10-foot cable bolts.  The roof fall was approximately 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and five feet thick. 

Best Practices: 

  • Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is started in an area.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during retreat mining.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous roof and rib conditions.

Additional Information: 

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

MNM Fatality – 3/4/22

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On March 4, 2022, a 37 year-old bulldozer operator died when the bulldozer he was operating went over the edge of the highwall, landing upside down on the pit floor.

Best Practices: 

• Dump loads a safe distance back from the edge of the highwall and push the material over.
• Maintain control of mobile equipment while it is in operation.
• Perform ground condition and workplace examinations.
• Train miners to safely perform tasks.Additional Information: 

This is the tenth fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 3/2/22

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On March 2, 2022, a miner was fatally injured when an overhang along the mine rib fell, striking the miner and pushing him against the canopy of a twin boom roof bolting machine.  The miner freed himself from the fall, but later died. 

Best Practices: 

  • Remove overhangs with the continuous mining machine.
  • Install support of proper length with surface area coverage, on cycle, and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against falls.
  • Examine the roof, face, and ribs immediately before starting work in an area where people work and travel, including sound and vibration testing where applicable.
  • Scale loose roof and ribs from a safe location.  Prevent access to hazardous areas until you take corrective measures.
  • Take additional safety precautions when encountering new and changing roof and rib conditions.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous roof and rib conditions.

Additional Information: 

This is the ninth fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side, or Highwall.”

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

Coal Fatality – 2/28/22

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On February 28, 2022, a contract miner died when he was crushed between the rib and a single boom face drill.  The victim was alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred because the remote control was inoperable.

Best Practices: 

  • Mobile equipment shall be maintained in safe operating condition.  Immediately remove mobile equipment in unsafe condition from service.
  • Always operate mobile equipment from a safe location.  Use the remote control or operate from within the operator’s compartment if available.
  • Determine the proper working position to avoid pinch points and Red Zone areas.
  • Train miners on the safety aspects and safe operating procedures of mobile equipment before use.  Review and discuss pinch points and Red Zone locations.

Additional Information: 

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 12/13/21 Surface

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On December 13, 2021, a customer truck driver (victim) stopped at a designated tarping area and was assisting another driver with a rear trailer indicator light.  The victim’s truck moved forward and pinned him against the back of the other driver’s truck.

Best Practices: 

  • Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the transmission is in the park position, the parking brake is set, and the trailer brakes are engaged.
  • Block, or secure from movement, mobile equipment parked on a grade.
  • Never position yourself in hazardous areas around mobile equipment parked on a grade that is not blocked or secured from movement.
  • Train customer truck drivers on site-specific hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 37th fatality reported in 2021, and the 17th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

March Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/28/22 Coal – Machinery
  • 3/2/22 Coal – Fall of Face, Rib, Side, or Highwall
  • 3/4/22 MNM – Machinery
  • 3/20/22 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 3/22/22 MNM – Drowning

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

February Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/28/22 Coal – Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

Coal Fatality – 1/14/22

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On January 14, 2022, a 44-year-old contract laborer with 13 years of total experience received fatal injuries when he fell 27 feet to a concrete surface.  At the time of the accident, the contractor was on a belt conveyor in a preparation plant and was working to replace a belt conveyor roller. 

Best Practices: 

  • Establish and follow safety policies and procedures, when working at heights.
  • Train miners to use fall protection when a fall hazard exists.
  • Ensure fall protection is available and properly maintained.
  • Provide identifiable and secure anchor points to attach lanyards and lifelines.
  • Provide mobile or stationary platforms—or scaffolding—where there is a risk of falling.

Additional Information: 

This is the fourth fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person”

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

Coal Fatality – 1/7/22

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On January 7, 2022, a 35 year-old continuous mining machine (CMM) operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the remote controlled CMM and the coal rib. 

Best Practices: 

  • Operate equipment from a safe location. Stay out of “Red Zone” areas including pinch points, the CMM turning radius, and areas close to the ribs.
  • Maintain proximity detection systems (PDS) in the approved operating condition.
  • Perform the manufacturer’s recommended static and dynamic tests to assure the PDS is functioning properly. Verify that the shutdown zones are at sufficient distances to stop the CMM before contacting a miner.
  • Wear miner wearable components in accordance with PDS manufacturer’s recommendations so warning lights and sounds can be seen and heard.
  • Develop and implement procedures for tramming, repositioning, cable handling and moving remote controlled CMMs safely.
  • Train miners on the function of PDS.

Additional Information: 

This is the second fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Machinery.”

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