Author: renewcomer

Fatality #39 for Coal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On June 24, 2010, a 29 year old continuous mining machine operator with 12 years experience received fatal injuries when he was caught between the right rib and the remote controlled continuous mining machine he was operating.

Best Practices
     

  • Install MSHA approved Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines.
    http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevention/...
  • Avoid “Red Zone” areas associated with remote controlled continuous mining machines and other mobile equipment.
    http://www.msha.gov/webcasts/coal2004/REDZONE2.pdf
  • Ensure equipment is being operated safely, especially in low mining heights, and slippery and uneven floor conditions.
  • Maintain equipment in a safe operating condition.
  • Observe work practices and provide timely feedback.

    •  

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

Links to Fatalgrams in Spanish!

renewcomerLeave a comment

Thanks to John Henderson, the Program Manager at the Texas Mine Safety and Health Program at the University of Texas at Austin for pointing me to some great resources on their site. I’ll be posting them on the Resources page as well as integrating some right into the blog. For example, they translate the MSHA MNM Fatalgrams into Spanish. It’s a great resource if you have any workers who’s native language is Spanish.

You can click here to access their web page and also watch for them with the links that follow the Fatalgrams that are posted here such as Fatality #1 and Fatality #2 from this year. The links from the fatality will, like the links to investigations, etc., be posted as soon as they are available.

Fatality #12 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On June 20, 2010, a 52 year-old mechanic with 8 years of experience was fatally injured at a surface copper operation. A ½ ton pickup truck had parked in front of a 240 ton haul truck that was also parked. The haul truck pulled forward and struck the pickup truck fatally injuring the driver and seriously injuring another miner.

Best Practices

  • Do not park smaller vehicles in a large truck’s potential path of movement.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, be certain no one is in the intended path, sound the horn to warn possible unseen persons, and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.
  • Ensure all persons are trained to recognize work place hazards, specifically the limited visibility and blind areas inherent to operation of large equipment and the hazard of mobile equipment traveling near them.
  • Establish procedures that require smaller vehicles to maintain a safe distance from large mobile equipment until eye contact is made or approval to move closer is obtained from the mobile equipment operator. Provide training in these procedures.
  • Install cameras and collision avoidance systems on large trucks to protect persons.
  • Regularly monitor work practices and reinforce the importance of them. Take immediate action to correct unsafe conditions or work practices.

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

Safety Roundtable

renewcomerLeave a comment

If you’re in the southeast/south central part of Pennsylvania and want to gather for a couple of hours with safety-minded folks in the mining and construction industry you’re invited to attend one of our quarterly meetings. This month we’re gathering at a local park that was reclaimed from a sand mine. You can find an invite at http://bit.ly/1007roundtable .

There’s no cost, but I ask that you register here so we know you’re coming.

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On June 18, 2010, a 29 year-old contract miner with 6 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground silver mine. The victim was scaling loose ground in a stope when he was struck by falling material approximately 3½ feet long by 2½ feet wide by 2 feet thick.

Best Practices

  • Examine, sound, and test for loose ground in areas before starting to work, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Train all persons to scale loose material safely.
  • Communicate unsafe ground conditions to all affected miners.
  • Perform manual scaling from a location which will not expose persons to injury from falling material.
  • When manually scaling, use scaling bars of a length and design that will allow the removal of loose material without exposing persons to the risk of injury.
  • Install ground support where conditions warrant.

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

Fatality #38 for Coal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, a 42 year old Section Foreman with 17 years of mining experience was fatally injured. While he was installing rib support, a section of rib 12 feet wide x 15 feet 6 inches high x 9 feet thick fell, knocking over a roof jack that struck him.

Best Practices

  • Conduct roof evaluations when entering a previously mined area for the purpose of pillar recovery.
  • Support loose ribs or roof adequately or scale down material before beginning work.
  • Conduct thorough pre-shift examinations and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before work or travel is in an area and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan. Take additional measures to protect persons if unusual hazards are encountered.
  • Assure the roof control plan is suitable for prevailing geologic conditions. Revise the plan if conditions change and the support system is not adequate to control the roof, face, and ribs.
  • Be alert to changing geological conditions which may affect roof, rib, and face conditions.

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

Fatality #37 for Coal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, a 38-year old service truck operator with seven years of mining experience, was fatally injured while in the process of refueling a diesel track-mounted highwall drill. The operator was apparently placing the fuel nozzle into the diesel fuel tank when an ignition/explosion erupted into a fire, engulfing him in flames.

Best Practices

  • Open fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure buildup.
  • Ensure that the refueling area is well ventilated, especially in low areas where heavy fuel vapors can accumulate.
  • Before refueling, turn off the engine(s) and motor(s) and eliminate other potential ignition sources.
  • Check hydraulic lines and connections, especially those near hot surfaces, prior to operating the vehicle. Perform maintenance or repairs when necessary.
  • Ensure that all affected persons are familiar with the Material Safety Data Sheets on fuels and lubricants in use.

Click here for: Spanish Fatalgram (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On June 12, 2010, a 46-year-old contractor welder was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. He was preparing to weld on an overhead ventilation duct. The victim was using a ladder to access the duct when he fell over a handrail approximately 45 feet to the ground.

Best Practices

  • Always use fall protection when working where a fall hazard exists.
  • Position ladders to ensure their stability and to eliminate trip hazards.
  • Always face the ladder when climbing or working from a ladder.
  • Do not lean to reach items while standing on a ladder.
  • Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder when climbing.

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


Fatality #9 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

renewcomerLeave a comment

On May 28, 2010, a 59-year-old supervisor with 20 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground gold mine. The victim and another miner entered a blast area when a misfire detonated without warning. The other miner was injured and hospitalized.

Best Practices

  • Follow the manufacturers’ guidelines for the storage and usage of explosives.
  • Keep explosives storage areas clean, dry and orderly.
  • Properly rotate explosive stock to use oldest stock first.
  • Never use damaged/deteriorated/outdated explosives, initiation devices, or blasting agents.
  • Wait a minimum of the required times before entering the blast area when either a misfire and/or burning explosives are a possibility.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf),  Spanish Fatalgram (pdf)

Caterpillar Seat Belt Replacement

renewcomerLeave a comment

Seat BeltBecause the Caterpillar operator manuals and other literature say that you must replace seat belts after three years, you may have to replace perfectly good seat belts. MSHA can enforce such requirements from manufacturers.

We can debate that for a long time, but let’s start back a step. Are you replacing seat belts when they become damaged or worn? While CAT’s policy may have created this firestorm (which is before the courts somewhere I’m told) it should at least lead us to take a good look and start by replacing seat belts that should be replaced. For that CAT has a very nice little tool. It’s a toolbox talk that provides a checklist that reminds us that it’s more than the webbing that should be examined. You can download the pdf file below. Why not give a copy to each of your operators (CAT equipment or not) and be sure that these lifesaving devices will function when called upon. I’ve also included an online checklist from an Australian aftermarket supplier.

If you are going to replace that seat belt and want to do it with something other than one from the manufacturer, be sure to meet the requirements of 30 CFR 56/57.14130(h) and 56/57.14131(c). They should have a tag on them showing adherence to the latest versions of SAE J386 or SAE J1194 standards. Check out the MSHA links below.

Resources: CAT Seat Belt Toolbox Talk, Seat Belt Safety Checklist, 30 CFR 56/57.14130, 56/57.14131, MSHA 2003 Final Rule seat belt update