Author: renewcomer

Fatality #14 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On November 17, 2011, a 26 year-old contract underground miner with 3½ years of experience was seriously injured in a silver mine. He died at a hospital on November 19, 2011. The victim and a coworker were attempting to dislodge muck in a bin excavation when the muck they were standing on started to flow. The victim was wearing a safety harness attached to a self-retracting lanyard; however, the lanyard extended and did not lock before he became engulfed. The other miner was freed immediately, treated, and released from the hospital.

Best Practices
 

  • Wear a safety harness and attach it to a securely anchored lanyard, where there is a danger of falling.
  • In applications where the danger is not limited to a free-fall, do not use lanyards that depend on free-fall speed to lock. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Ensure that persons working on material in bins, silos, hoppers, tanks, and surge piles are properly tied-off, with one line tender per person. No persons should enter the facility until the supply and discharge equipment are locked out.
  • Establish policies and procedures for safely clearing muck in a bin excavation and ensure that persons follow these safe procedures.
  • Ensure that persons are task-trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed and the proper use of their personal protective equipment.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On November 7, 2011, an 82 year-old owner/crusher operator with 27 years of experience was killed at a surface crushed stone operation. The victim was attempting to dislodge material from the vibrating feed hopper when he slipped or fell into the operating jaw crusher.

Best Practices

  • Establish policies and procedures for safely clearing plugged material in a feed hopper. Evaluate design modifications or use auxiliary equipment to reduce the risks associated with clearing an obstruction.
  • 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 crushers.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #17 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Monday, October 17, 2011, a 62-year old miner was killed on the surface of the underground mine while using a jumper cable to move a track-mounted back hoe machine at a gap in the trolley wire. When reenergized by a jumper cable, the machine struck and ran over him. The victim had 30 years of mining experience, with one day of experience operating this machine.

Best Practices

  • Assure all tram control switches are in the off position and the brake is set before applying a DC power jumper to the machine.
  • Always attach a nip on the machine first, then attach the nip on trolley wire, while standing in a safe location.
  • Ensure adequate task training is provided to equipment operators which cover all machine controls, functions and hazards related to the machine operation and any safe operating procedures related to the specific equipment operation.
  • Use self-centering tram/power controls to limit unexpected machine movement.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #12 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On October 31, 2011, a 42 year-old muck haul leadman with 3½ years of experience was killed in an underground platinum mine. The victim was operating a 4-yard loader in a drift when the loader struck the left rib. At that time, a spieling (rebar anchored in the rib for ground control) that was protruding from the rib, penetrated the front side window, entered the cab, and struck him.

Best Practices

  •  Operators of self-propelled mobile equipment shall maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion.
  • Maintain all roadways free of materials that may pose a hazard to equipment operators. This includes materials on the floor and protruding from the ribs, back, or walls.
  • Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
  • Slow down or drop to a lower gear when necessary. Post areas where lower speeds are warranted.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Trim protruding spielings.
  • Keep mobile equipment operator’s stations free of materials that can impair the safe operation of the equipment.
  • When clearances on roadways are restricted, install warning devices in advance of the area and conspicuously mark it.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On October 28, 2011, a 21 year-old contract tire repair technician with 37 weeks of experience was killed at a surface gold operation. The victim was working in a shop repairing a haul truck tire. He was applying adhesive inside the tire and was completely out of view. He was not wearing respiratory protection.

Best Practices
 

  • Develop, implement, and maintain a written Hazard Communication (HazCom) program.
  • Ensure that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is accessible to persons for each hazardous chemical to which they may be exposed.
  • Review and discuss MSDS control section recommendations. Establish and discuss safe work procedures before starting any work and identify and control all hazards.
  • Train all persons to recognize and understand safe job procedures, including the physical and health hazards of chemicals that are being used and the proper use of respiratory protection.
  • Ensure that adequate exhaust ventilation is provided to all work areas.
  • Ensure that persons are not required to perform work alone in any area where hazardous conditions exist that would endanger their safety.

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

Four Miners Killed in Four Days

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The mining industry recently experienced four mining deaths within four days. In an effort to remind operators, miners, and contractors to stay focused on preventing fatalities and injuries, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is distributing best practice and preventative measure information in the form of a Safety Alert and a 2011 3rd quarter fatality update.

The Safety Alert is a poster that can be displayed in the mine to remind operators, miners, and contractors of the fatalities that occurred between Oct 28 -31, 2011. It lists actions to take to prevent these kinds of accidents.

The 3rd quarter fatality update analyzes the mining fatalities for the third quarter of 2011 and best practices to prevent them.

Click here for: MSHA 3rd Quarter Fatality Review for Metal/Nonmetal (pdf), MSHA 3rd Quarter Fatality Review for Coal (pdf), Safety Alert Poster (pdf)

16th Professional Development Mine Safety Seminar for Supervisors

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January 18, 2012 Allentown, PA

January 19, 2012 Center Valley, PA

Supervisors, trainers, and safety professionals mark your calendars now, and plan to attend the 16thProfessional Development Mine Safety Seminar for Supervisors. This well-known seminar and workshop will be held in Allentown, PA at the Holiday Inn Conference Center—Lehigh Valley, and Eastern Industries, Inc., Center Valley, PA. Organized by the Penn State Miner Training Program, MSHA, PA Bureau of Mine Safety, and industry, the program is tailored for professional development of supervisors who are interested in learning about regulatory issues, practical approaches, tools, and technology, to enhance safety at their operation.

This year’s seminar and workshop program covers a variety of topics including the Chilean mine rescue, trends in mine safety enforcement, worker rights, compliance strategies, safety motivation, fall protection during equipment maintenance, fall rescue procedures, fire extinguisher training, tire safety and oxy-fuel/welding safety.

For a brochure and registration information, please visit the seminar website.

Seminar website:  http://www.eme.psu.edu/safetysem16/index.html

 

September MSHA Impact Inspection Results

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that federal inspectors issued 374 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 18 coal mines and two metal/nonmetal mines in September 2011. The coal mines were issued 292 citations, 28 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and one order.

Special impact inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, including high numbers of violations or closure orders; indications of operator tactics, such as advance notification of inspections that prevent inspectors from observing violations; frequent hazard complaints or hotline calls; plan compliance issues; inadequate workplace examinations; a high number of accidents, injuries or illnesses; fatalities; and adverse conditions, such as increased methane liberation, faulty roof conditions and inadequate ventilation.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf), Results Spreadsheet (pdf)

 

Fatality #16 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Friday, October 7, 2011, a 23-year-old section repairman with five years of mining experience was killed when a continuous haulage conveyor fell on him. A rock had been used to block up the continuous haulage conveyor. The victim was working beneath the continuous haulage conveyor attempting to repair the bridge conveyor chain.

Best Practices
  • Do not work under raised equipment unless it is securely blocked.
  • Use proper blocking material that is properly placed and stable.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of all areas where work is scheduled and have adequate oversight to ensure all tasks are performed in a safe manner.
  • Provide additional training for all work procedures emphasizing best practices for each specific task.
  • Evaluate hazard potential before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

I’m Going for My Flu Shot Today

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Yes it’s that time of the year again as we look forward in excitement to winter and in dread to the diseases of the season. I’m headed to the doctor today to get my annual flu shot. Are you? OSHA has some materials available to help you prevent OR have in place should a pandemic occur.

Check them out here. Workplace Safety and the Flu (web); Pandemic Influenza (web).

You can also find out about the flu, find informational videos to use, and even locate a source locally for flu shots at flu.gov.