Author: renewcomer

Fatality #12 for Coal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013c12On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, a 56-year old continuous mining machine operator, with 37 years of mining experience, was killed as a result of a coal rib outburst. The section crew was retreat mining the first right lift of the #3 entry in a five entry system when the accident occurred. Two other miners were injured, one seriously.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that the approved roof control plan support provisions are suitable for the geological conditions at the mine and that the plan is followed.
  • Ensure that the pillar dimensions and mining method are suitable for the conditions. OR, ensure that roof and rib control methods are adequate for the depth of cover and for the potential effects of any mines above or below active workings.
  • Develop a map of geological features and anomalies to determine orientation as a means to predict when and where they will be encountered during mining, so additional roof support can focus on those areas.
  • Conduct frequent and adequate examinations of roof, face, and ribs. Be alert for changing conditions. When hazardous conditions are detected, danger off access to the area until it is made safe for work and travel.
  • Maintain proper entry widths and pillar dimensions.
  • When gob falls have been delayed for periods that exceed routine intervals for the mining conditions, evaluate the area and consider evacuating miners and equipment to a safe area until the fall occurs.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #11 for Coal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013c11On July 31, 2013, a 28-year-old mechanic with 7 years of experience, was killed while checking a strut on a rock truck. He was removing the top cap of the strut when the cap loosened, allowing the truck frame to abruptly drop. The victim was pinned between the top of the right front tire and the bottom of the fender.

Best Practices

  • Perform maintenance and repairs only after blocking machinery and components against motion.
  • Before loosening hydraulic hoses or components, determine if they are supporting something or trapping pressure.
  • Ensure warning labels are visible. Check them regularly and replace any labels that are illegible.
  • Consult and follow the manufacturer’s recommended safe work procedures for the maintenance task, and monitor work to ensure procedures are followed.
  • Ensure that safe work procedures are in place for specific tasks, machines, etc.
  • Before performing any job, consider all hazards and implement formal procedures that address hazards.
  • Ensure that you are positioned in a safe location when performing maintenance and repairs.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013m10On August 5, 2013, a 55-year old plant manager with 5 years of experience was killed at a crushed stone operation. The victim looked into an operating crusher and a tooth, that broke free from an excavator bucket, was ejected from the crusher and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Establish and discuss policies and procedures for safely clearing a cone crusher. Consider a mechanical method for clearing material to minimize exposure to persons performing the work.
  • Task train persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
  • Before working on or near equipment, ensure the equipment power is off and locked out/tagged out. Ensure the equipment has been securely blocked against hazardous motion to ensure energy cannot be released while performing work.
  • Always maintain equipment in a safe operating condition.
  • Provide a safe means of access for persons required to maintain a cone crusher.
  • Provide guards, shields, or other devices to protect persons from the hazard of flying or falling materials generated from the operation of screens, crushers, or conveyors.
  • Implement measures to ensure persons are properly positioned and protected from hazards while performing a task.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #10 for Coal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013c10On Tuesday, July 2, 2013, a 35-year old continuous mining machine operator (victim), with 11 years mining experience, was killed when he was struck by a battery-powered coal hauler and pinned between the coal hauler and the coal rib. The victim was taking a lunch break behind a line curtain the No. 4 entry and the intersection of the last open crosscut, which was in the haulage route to the continuous mining machine.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that all persons are positioned to avoid danger from moving equipment. Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Use proximity detection systems to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Use transparent curtain for check and line curtains in the active face areas.
  • Sound audible warnings when the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, such as when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains. Assure that the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of the ambient noise.
  • Energize the lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
  • Equipment operators should come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before proceeding through ventilation controls.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

It’s the Law… Depending Where You Are

renewcomerLeave a comment

seatbeltWhat ARE the seatbelt laws across the country. My own state of Pennsylvania is in the minority with no Primary seat belt enforcement, meaning you have to be stopped for another infraction to receive a fine for not wearing a seat belt. I happen to like Wyoming which, although it has no primary enforcement either, you get a $10 reduction on your other fine if you had your seat belt on! Wow, positive reinforcement on the highway!

If you’re traveling across the company you can use the information on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s web page to stay within the law. Better yet, ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!

Click Here for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Seat Belt and Child Restraint Laws for all 50 States

Fatality #9 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013m09On June 13, 2013, a 50-year old mechanic with 15 years of experience was killed at a stone operation. He was operating a 35 ton articulated haul truck down a haul road. The truck went out of control and hit a berm, propelling it in the air. The truck came to a stop with the bed overturned and the cab upright. The victim was ejected from the truck.

Best Practices

  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Do not operate mobile equipment with reported brake problems. Use other means to move the mobile equipment to a safe area for inspection and repair.
  • Ensure that mobile equipment operators are task trained adequately in all phases of mobile equipment operation, including the mobile equipment’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features, before operating mobile equipment.
  • Maintain equipment steering and braking systems in good repair and adjustment. Always follow the manufacturer’s service and maintenance schedules.
  • Never rely on engine brakes and transmission retarders as substitutes for keeping brakes properly maintained.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks to ensure the service brakes will stop and hold the mobile equipment prior to operating.
  • Operators of self-propelled mobile equipment shall maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion.
  • Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
  • Do not attempt to exit or jump from moving mobile equipment.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2013

renewcomerLeave a comment

ftl2013m08On June 2, 2013, a 42-year old miner with 2½ years of experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The victim was operating a Load Haul Dump (LHD), preparing to backfill a stope, when the LHD overtraveled the edge of the stope and fell into the open hole.

Best Practices

  • Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks.
  • Before beginning any work, ensure that persons are properly task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work to be performed.
  • Provide berms, bumper blocks, safety hooks or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).