Author: renewcomer

September Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

  • None

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 9/14/21 MNM – Falling or Sliding Material
  • 9/21/21 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 9/15/21

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On September 15, 2021, a 33-year-old contract welder with nearly 11 years experience in mining and 7 weeks experience at the task he was performing* was fatally injured at a mine with 3700 employees and 115 contractors* when he crawled 40 feet into a 30-inch-diameter stainless-steel pipe.  The victim was welding a joint from the outside of the pipe, and then entered the pipe to troubleshoot issues related to argon gas leakage.  Coworkers found him unresponsive.

Best Practices: 

  • Remove dangerous working materials and gasses by means of a high volume of fresh airflow before entering confined spaces.
  • Assess risks and hazards before beginning work activities to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) and atmospheric testing is needed prior to entry and during work execution.
  • Test atmospheres from a safe location with a calibrated gas monitor capable of detecting harmful and noxious gasses before entering and continuously while working in confined spaces.
  • Designate a miner to maintain contact with the miner entering a confined space in the form of visual or voice contact, or signal lines.
  • Ensure miners use the appropriate PPE, including dry, flame-retardant clothing and respiratory protection equipment, such as powered air-purifying respirators.
  • Train miners to identify confined spaces and understand their associated hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2021, and the first classified as “Other.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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

TRAM 2.0 Virtual Summit

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The Training Resources Applied to Mining Conference (TRAM) will be held online November 2-4, 2021. Featuring presentations from some of the industry’s most respected safety trainers, this tuition-free conference helps health and safety trainers improve their training skills and infuse their training programs with new ideas and materials. Participants can select from a variety of workshops and attend the conference remotely. To better accommodate our West Coast participants, this year’s workshops will take place during afternoons only. (MSHA)

More information and Register Here.

Proposed Mobile Powered Haulage Rule

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DOL – MSHA announced a proposed rule to require mine operators employing six or more miners to develop a written safety program for mobile and powered haulage equipment (excluding belt conveyors) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. This proposed rule is one of several actions MSHA has taken to reduce fatal and nonfatal injuries involving surface mobile equipment used at mines and to improve safety and health.

[photo: MSHA Powered Haulage Initiative]

Under the proposed rule, mine operators would implement a written safety program including actions to identify hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment. Mine operators would have the flexibility to devise a safety program for their specific mining conditions and operations. In addition, MSHA would encourage its state grantees to provide training to address hazards and risks involving surface mobile equipment in small mining operations.

Comments must be submitted by Nov. 8, 2021. 

Read or Download the Proposed Rule in the Federal Register (pdf).

Penn State Mine Professional Development Free Online Webinar September 29, 2021

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Penn State Miner Training Program – On September 29, 2021 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm the Miner Training Program of the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences will hold a Professional Development Online Webinar for Mine Supervisors, Competent Persons, and Safety Professionals. The program is free and presented as part of the State Grant outreach service to the state of Delaware, but you can be from anywhere to attend and it’s free. There is no registration needed, just get details on the flier here (pdf) and join us on the 29th.

Presentations will include a full online tour of the safeminers.com site and many more resources online including some hidden gems that I created for my own clients’ use.

Coal Fatality – 8/11/21

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On August 11, 2021, a 53-year-old contract truck driver with ten years’ experience was fatally injured while conducting a pre-operational examination of a truck at a mine in Mill Creek WV with 28 employees and 20 contractors*.  The rear wheels of the vehicle struck the truck driver when the truck rolled forward.

Best Practices: 

  • Block mobile equipment against motion.  Adequately chock wheels or turn wheels into a bank.
  • Use specially designed truck-wheel chocks of the appropriate size and material to hold the vehicle securely.  Do not use lumber, cinder blocks, rocks, or other makeshift items to chock.
  • Never position yourself in hazardous areas around equipment parked on a grade that is not blocked or secured from movement.
  • Maintain the equipment’s braking systems.  Perform repairs and adjustments when necessary and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.  Do not exceed the manufacturer’s load limits.

Additional Information: 

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2021, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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

August Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

  • None

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • None

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

Stay Out – Stay Alive

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(MSHA) Water-filled quarries and pits hide rock ledges, old machinery and other hazards.  The water can be deceptively deep and dangerously cold.  Steep, slippery walls make exiting the water difficult.  Hills of loose material can easily collapse on an unsuspecting biker or climber.  Vertical shafts can be hundreds of feet deep and may be completely unprotected, or hidden by vegetation.

Even so dozens of people are injured or killed while exploring or playing on mine property every year.  The men and women employed in our nation’s mines are trained to work in a safe manner.  For trespassers, hazards are not always apparent.

Visit https://www.abandonedmines.gov/staying-safe to learn more about abandoned mine and quarry accidents. Please help us raise awareness about this summertime danger. Most importantly, remind people to Stay Out, Stay Alive!

MNM Fatality – 8/3/21

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On August 3, 2021, a 62 year old Utility Person with 14 years 48 weeks experience* was run over by a customer tractor-trailer while walking to his normal work area at a mine in Bridgeport, TX with 83 employees*.

Best Practices: 

  • Assure adequate illumination sufficient to provide safe working conditions.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and make eye contact to ensure they acknowledge your presence. Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Wear strobe lights near mobile equipment.
  • Assure traffic controls provide for safe movement of mobile equipment and are followed. Operate mobile equipment at reduced speeds in work areas.
  • Stay clear of normal paths of travel for mobile equipment and train all persons to recognize work place hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2021, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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