Author: renewcomer

Coal Fatality – 5/14/21

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On May 14, 2021, a 32 year old* continuous mining machine operator with 11 years experience* was fatally injured when a piece of rock fell from the roof and struck him at an underground coal mine with 17 employees*. The victim was working under unsupported roof in the Number 1 entry.

Best Practices: 

  • Never work or travel under unsupported roof.  
  • Thoroughly examine the roof, face and ribs where people will be working and traveling, including sound and vibration testing.
  • Scale loose roof and ribs from a safe location. Prevent access to unsupported and hazardous areas until appropriate corrective measures can be taken.
  • Follow the approved roof control plan and provide additional support when cracks or other abnormalities are detected. Never exceed the maximum cut depth specified in the approved roof control plan.
  • Mark the second to last row of bolts with reflective material and train miners not to travel inby this location.
  • Train miners to identify hazards from the roof, face and ribs.

Additional Information: 

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2021, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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

Coal Fatality – 1/22/21

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On Jan. 22, 2021, a 38 year old* shuttle car operator with 11 years of mining experience at an underground mine with 57 employees* was in the operator’s compartment of his shuttle car, traveling through the last open crosscut, when a second shuttle car traveled through a ventilation curtain and struck his shuttle car. The corner of the second shuttle car entered the operator’s deck of the victim’s shuttle car. The operator was injured and passed away from the injuries on Feb. 21, 2021.

Best Practices: 

  • Install and maintain proximity detection systems on mobile section equipment.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements.  Wait until miners acknowledge your message before moving your equipment.
  • Do not tram equipment through ventilation curtains.  Tram only through fly pads in designated haulage routes.
  • Use clear curtains for fly pads and ventilation controls on working sections.
  • STOP and SOUND an audible warning device before tramming equipment through fly pads.  Ensure directional lights are on when operating mobile equipment.
  • Avoid areas where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Wear personal strobe light devices to increase visibility.

Additional Information: 

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

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

MNM Fatality – 4/22/21

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On April 22, 2021, a 53 year old dredge operator with 6 years 40 weeks experience* was fatally injured at a sand & gravel mine with 3 employees* when leaving the mine site in his personal pickup truck.  The manual swing barrier gate was partially closed.  A gate pole entered the truck’s windshield as the pickup truck approached, striking the victim and causing fatal injuries.

Best Practices: 

  • Ensure that manual swing barrier gates can be secured when opened or closed to prevent unintentional movement.
  • Paint or tape swing barrier gates with reflective and distinguished markings to differentiate them from their surroundings.  Install additional lighting near barrier gates.
  • Conduct thorough travelway examinations to identify and mitigate hazards.
  • Establish safetraffic patterns with proper signage. 
  • Be alert to road conditions and always keep a clear line of sight.
  • Maintain proper speed for road conditions.

Additional Information: 

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

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

MNM Fatality – 4/19/21

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On April 19, 2021, a 28 year old haul truck driver with 37 weeks and 5 days experience* stopped his haul truck in front of his personal vehicle to get his lunch at a crushed stone mine with 27 employees.*  While standing and eating his lunch, the haul truck rolled forward, pinning the miner between the haul truck and his personal truck.

Best Practices: 

  • Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the brake is set.  NEVER use a steering column-mounted “dump brake” for parking.
  • When parking mobile equipment on a grade, chock the wheels or turn them into a bank.Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Position yourself in a safe location away from potential “danger-zone” areas.
  • Train miners to safely perform their tasks.

Additional Information: 

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

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

April Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 4/19/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 4/22/21 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

Taking it to the Streets… and the Mines

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Two unique NIOSH programs bring vital safety and health screening directly to miners.

Mobile Hearing Tests & Health Screening Units – In 1999, the NIOSH Mining Program expanded its research into noise-induced hearing loss by developing a 32-foot long trailer into a mobile laboratory. Using a sound insulated booth, NIOSH personnel can conduct hearing tests and hearing protection evaluations at mine sites. The Mobile Hearing Loss Prevention Unit has traveled to mine sites, conferences, and other community outreach activities since 1999. While the trailer is not currently in use due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to resuming visits to conferences and other mining events throughout the country to provide hearing tests and other hearing loss prevention guidance.

NIOSH also operates a mobile health screening program called the Enhanced Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program (ECWHSP). The ECWHSP, an extension of the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP), was developed in collaboration with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to reduce potential barriers to participation in the screening program and investigate the trends of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, also referred to as “black lung.” The program is staffed by trained NIOSH personnel who provide screening services to coal miners across the U.S. through two state-of-the-art mobile testing units.

Post from the NIOSH Science Blog

March Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • none

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 3/12/21

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On March 12, 2021, a 63 year old mine manager with 43 years mining experience and 7 years at the task* was fatally injured while attempting to insert a steel pin into a spud beam at a sand & gravel mine with 5 employees*.

Best Practices: 

  • Always assure hoisted equipment movement has stopped and the hoist operator has set the brake before working on hoisted equipment. 
  • Assure the hoist operator can see miners working on hoisted equipment.
  • Establish an effective communication protocol, which includes confirmation of instructions, between the hoist operator and miners working on hoisted equipment.
  • Position yourself in a safe location to maintain balance and protection from any energy of cantilevering tools or objects.
  • Stay in a Safe Zone when working around cables and sheave wheel systems.
  • Always maintain a work area that is clean and clear of debris.
  • Train equipment operators in the safe performance of their tasks and potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

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

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