Author: renewcomer

July Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 5/31/24 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 6/14/24 MNM – Fire
  • 7/12/24 Coal – Powered Haulage
  • 7/25/24 Coal – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

June Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 5/31/24 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 6/14/24 MNM – Fire

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

Coal Fatality – 5/16/24

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On May 16, 2024, a miner died when the excavator he was operating traveled over a 200-foot highwall. 

Best Practices

  • Reduce fall hazard exposure by limiting the distance equipment can safely operate near the edge of highwalls. 
  • Examine benches to identify hazards related to insufficient bench width, locations of other equipment, loose material, etc.
  • Discuss highwall hazards with miners and train miners to recognize these hazards.
  • Address hazards in the mine’s Surface Mobile Equipment Safety Program.  Include safe work practices for weather conditions (fog, heavy rain, or snow) that could reduce visibility.

Additional Information

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Machinery.”

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

May Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 1/2/24 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 5/16/24 Coal – Machinery
  • 5/31/24 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 5/9/24

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On May 9, 2024, a miner died when he was pinned between the personnel lift that he was operating and the roof of a structure.  The miner was tramming the personnel lift from the basket to conduct a roller repair on an elevated belt conveyor.

Best Practices

  • Ensure miners maintain control of personnel lifts while in operation.
  • Use a spotter when moving mobile equipment in congested areas and around structures.
  • Monitor miners routinely to ensure miners follow safe work procedures while operating personnel lifts. 
  • Ensure miners are aware of their location in relation to nearby structures.
  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify and eliminate hazards before beginning work in an area.
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2024, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 5/8/24

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On May 8, 2024, a miner was electrocuted while unloading a roll of belt from a trailer.  The miner was performing rigging duties when the crane boom contacted an overhead high-voltage powerline.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that booms or masts of equipment are not operated within 10 feet of any energized overhead powerline.
  • Designate one person on the ground, located in a safe location, to give signals to the crane operator and watch placement and proximity of the boom.
  • Use non-conducting tag lines to steady loads when operating cranes where overhead power lines are present.
  • Post warning signs at all approaches to overhead powerlines; install barricades where necessary.

Additional Information

This is the fifth fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Electrical.”

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

MNM Fatality 4/15/24

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On April 15, 2024, a miner died when the tail section of a collapsible belt conveyor fell and pinned him between the tail section and middle section.  The miner was working as part of a crew to tear down the conveyor in preparation to be moved.

Best Practices

  • Block all equipment against hazardous motion before beginning work.
  • Stay clear of suspended loads.
  • Never enter or work in pinch points or Red Zones around equipment.
  • Identify hazards associated with the task, review those hazards with all miners involved, and implement measures to protect miners.
  • Train all miners in the safe performance of tasks.

Additional Information

This is the fourth fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 2/6/23

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This fatality never had an alert posted individually by MSHA but was mentioned in this Electrical Saety Alert. The following text is from the Final Report.

On February 6, 2023, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Javier Regalado-Cano (Regalado), a 61 year-old haul truck driver with over a year of mining experience, was fatally injured when he received an electrical shock. While Regalado was operating a haul truck, he raised the bed of the haul truck into the energized 13,800-volt phase-to-phase power lines (power lines). Regalado exited the haul truck and extinguished a fire on the haul truck’s left rear dual tires. Regalado received an electrical shock when he contacted the energized haul truck while reentering it. 

The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) install warning devices for the power lines, and 2) de-energize or take other precautionary measures when mobile equipment was operating near energized power lines. 

Additional Information

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

April Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

  • none

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 2/6/23 MNM – Electrical
  • 1/2/24 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 4/15/24 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 4/25/22

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On April 25, 2022, MSHA was informed of a miner’s death. MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical-related issues as the cause of death. Because of the circumstances surrounding the accident, MSHA referred the accident to the Agency’s Chargeability Review Committee (Committee). On March 28, 2024, the Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

On April 25, 2022, co-workers found a maintenance worker lying face down in a pool of water.  The maintenance worker was using a water hose to wash out fine material that had gathered under a tail pulley.

Best Practices

  • Maintain workplaces in a clean and dry condition when possible. 
  • Where wet processes are used, maintain drainage platforms, mats, or other dry standing places.
  • Ensure that miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Routinely check in on miners working alone.
  • Conduct workplace examinations before work begins in an area.

Additional Information

This is the 30th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Drowning.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)