Author: renewcomer

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On August 31, 2012, a 49-year old driller with 24 years of mining experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The victim was assigned to prepare the work area to set up a long-hole bench drill and was working near an open stope when he fell down the stope. He was inadvertently loaded out with the material and transported by a haul truck to the surface where he was later discovered.

Best Practices
 

  • Always use fall protection with a lanyard anchored securely when working where there is a danger of falling.
  • Examine workplaces for changing conditions when the strata, drill patterns, or other workplace conditions change.
  • Establish policies and procedures for safely clearing hung or stuck material and ensure that persons follow those safe policies and procedures.
  • Ensure that persons are task-trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Ensure that areas are barricaded or have warning signs posted at all approaches where hazards exist that are not immediately obvious.
  • Consider using a “miner in distress” call feature available on many communication and tracking systems carried by miners. This feature is designed to improve emergency response if a miner working alone or out of sight of other miners requires immediate assistance.

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

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2012

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On September 11, 2012, at approximately 10:15 a.m., a fatal accident occurred while moving longwall equipment at the Drummond Company, Inc., Shoal Creek Mine. A 28 year old miner was killed when he was crushed between the coal rib and a large power center, weighing approximately 30 tons.

Best Practices
  • Prior to beginning any work activity, train the miners to perform the task-at-hand safely.
  • STAY OUT of areas where clearance is tight (pinch points) and visibility is limited when haulage equipment is being operated to move large equipment and/or components.
  • Ensure that equipment operators establish good communications between themselves and other miners that may be working around or near their equipment.
  • While moving equipment, ensure that all persons are located safely out of the route of travel, especially with limited visibility.
  • Ensure that all large equipment and/or components are secured adequately to prevent unintended motion when being moved.
  • Inspect the mine floor properly in areas where large equipment and/or components will be transported to identify any irregularities that may cause unexpected movement of the equipment and/or components being moved, or with the machinery being operated to move the equipment.

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

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a 43-year-old scoop operator received fatal crushing injuries when he was caught between a battery powered scoop and the coal rib while attempting to change the scoop’s batteries. The scoop was parked at a battery charging station located four crosscuts from the working section when it was impacted by another scoop which was traveling outby adjacent to the charging station.

Best Practices
  • Equipment operators should sound audible warnings when traveling around turns or blind spots, through ventilation curtains, and at any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed.
  • Always look in the direction of equipment movement and exercise caution in areas where clearance is tight and visibility is limited. Install warning signs to remind equipment operators of the hazards present in these areas.
  • Assure that the area where equipment is parked is conspicuously marked with reflective material and/or signs if there is a potential for other equipment to strike it.
  • Install Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines and haulage equipment to prevent these types of injuries and fatalities. Proximity detection Single Source Page
  • Ensure that equipment operators establish good communications between themselves and other miners that may be working around or near their equipment.

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

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On July 26, 2012, a 49-year old equipment operator with 18 weeks of mining experience was killed at a portable crushing operation. He was standing on the discharge end of a 150-foot stacker belt conveyor, greasing the head pulley, when a coworker started the conveyor. The victim fell off the conveyor approximately 50 feet to the ground below.

Best Practices
 

  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.
  • Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
  • Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Deenergize and Lock-out/tag-out all power sources before working on belt conveyors.
  • Block belt conveyors against motion before working near a drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
  • Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.
  • Sound an audible alarm prior to start up, if the entire length of the belt conveyor is not visible from the starting switch.
  • Clearly label all switches on equipment and provide training to persons who operate and work in the vicinity of equipment.

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

Fatality #12 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Friday, July 27, 2012, at approximately 4:15 a.m., a 35-year-old move crew member with 5 years of mining experience received fatal crushing injuries when he was pinned between the conveyor boom of a remote controlled continuous mining machine and the outby rib of the No. 4 Right Crosscut. The continuous mining machine was moving to an adjacent entry in preparation for the oncoming day shift when the accident occurred.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that all persons, including the continuous mining machine operator, are positioned outside the machine’s turning radius before starting or moving the machine.
  • Maintain clear visibility and communications with all personnel in the vicinity of the equipment, and minimize the number of miners working around or near continuous mining machines.
  • Frequently review, retrain, and discuss the importance of staying out of any “RED ZONE” area while operating or working near a continuous mining machine.  REDZONE2 (pdf) and Continuous Miner Package
  • Position the conveyor boom away from the operator or other miners working in the area when tramming or moving the machine.
  • Install Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines and haulage equipment to prevent these types of injuries and fatalities.
    Proximity Detection Single Source Page

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

Fatality #9 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On June 21, 2012, a 49-year old customer truck driver with no mining experience was killed at a surface stone mine. He was driving a loaded dump truck, traveling down a grade, when the truck lost its brakes and went out of control. The victim jumped out and the truck ran over him. A passenger in the truck also jumped out and was treated at a hospital and released.

  • Ensure that mobile equipment operators are task trained adequately and demonstrate proficiency in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work.
  • Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks to ensure the service brakes will stop and hold the mobile equipment prior to operating.
  • Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
  • 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.
  • Slow down or shift to a lower gear when necessary. Post areas where lower speeds are warranted.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Do not attempt to exit or jump from moving mobile equipment.
  • Provide adequate site specific hazard training to all customer truck drivers.

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

Fatality #11 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Saturday, July 14, 2012, a 25-year old water truck driver with 31 weeks of experience was killed at a surface mine. The victim was driving a water truck down a grade in an active work area of the mine when he lost control of the truck. The truck struck a berm on the right side of the roadway, traveled across the roadway, struck an embankment on the left side of the roadway and overturned, ending up facing opposite the original direction of travel. The victim was found ejected from the truck.

  • Train all employees thoroughly on proper work procedures, hazard recognition and avoidance, and proper use of roadway berms.
  • Conduct pre-operational checks to identify defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before being placed into service.
  • Never operate a truck or other mobile equipment without using a seat belt.
  • Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits, and maintain the brakes and other safety features properly.
  • Construct roadway berms to appropriate strengths and geometries. Ensure all grades and haulage roads are appropriate for the haulage equipment being used.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times, making allowances for the prevailing conditions (low visibility, inclement weather, etc).
  • Observe all speed limits, traffic rules, and ensure that grades on haulage roads are appropriate for haulage equipment being used.
  • Always select the proper gear and downshift well in advance of descending the grade.
  • Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment. Never rely on engine brakes and transmission retarders as substitutes for keeping brakes properly maintained.
  • Monitor work habits routinely and examine work areas to ensure that safe work procedures are followed.
  • Do not attempt to exit or jump from a moving vehicle .

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