Author: renewcomer

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 26, 2010, a 28 year-old contract miner with 10 weeks of mining experience was fatally injured at an underground uranium mine. The victim was scaling a rib when he was struck by falling material approximately 11 feet high, 15 feet wide and 4 inches to 30 inches thick.

Best Practices

  • Always 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.
  • Always perform manual scaling from a safe location.
  • When manually scaling, use scaling bars of a length and design that allow the removal of loose material without exposing the persons performing the work.
  • Install ground support in ribs where conditions warrant.

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

Fatality #7 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 24, 2010, a 61-year-old maintenance foreman with 32 years of experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim entered a vertical roller mill without locking out the electrical power switch. The mill was started with the victim in the mill.

Best Practices

  • Always follow established lock-out and tag-out procedures.
  • Never rely on others to place your lock on electrical power switches.
  • Always post warning notices at the power switches.
  • Never enter machinery without ensuring the energy source is locked out.
  • Always test to ensure power is off after locking out.
  • Maintain power switch lock out mechanisms to function properly.

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

Joseph A. Holmes Association National Meeting

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Mine safety professionals are meeting this week in Virginia Beach for the annual Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association National Meeting and Training Seminar.  After greetings from secretary Patrick Hurley, president Judy Tate, and others presentations were made by Dave Weaver on the MSHA Rules to Live By initiative and by Mary Sue Taylor on the new materials to soon be available on the Rights and Responsibilities of Miners. Check out what’s already on MSHA’s site here.  I’ll put a permanent link on the Compliance Tab (above) on my MSHA EZ Compliance list.

Tomorrow there is an impressive slate of topics scheduled.

Fatality #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 14, 2010, a 35 year-old mechanic/welder with 4 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was using an oxy- acetylene torch to cut a damaged drill steel to salvage the drill bit. The drill steel exploded causing metal fragments to strike the victim.

Best Practices

  • Always examine materials before applying heat, cutting or welding.
  • Never apply heat to materials without ensuring that flammables/combustibles/explosive materials are not present.
  • Always examine materials with hollow spaces or cavities to ensure gases can vent before applying heat.
  • Never apply heat to materials where pressure build up is possible.

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

Fatality #36 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Monday, May 10, 2010, a 55 year old continuous mining machine operator, with approximately 37 years of mining experience, received crushing injuries when he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib. As the loaded shuttle car turned into the last open crosscut, the victim was positioned in the outside turn radius of the shuttle car and was crushed between the shuttle car and the coal rib. The victim passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 while hospitalized.

Best Practices

  • Make a visual check to ensure all persons are in the clear, and sound the warning device before mobile equipment is trammed, especially in areas where visibility is limited.
  • Ensure good communication between continuous mining machine operators and shuttle car operators so that each is aware of each other’s movements.
  • Wear reflective clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Use approved translucent curtains made to allow mobile equipment to tram through.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)

Most Roof Failures Occur During Warmer Weather

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration this week launched its annual roof fall prevention awareness program aimed at reducing the high number of roof falls that occur in the nation’s underground coal mines. Statistics show that more accidents and injuries from roof falls occur during the summer months than at any other time of year. As temperatures rise, humidity and moisture increase underground, making it easier for a mine roof or rib to fall.
“Underground roof falls continue to be a leading cause of coal mining fatalities,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “Miners and mine operators are urged to pay attention to roof conditions – not just in summer, but throughout the year.”
Since 2000, there have been 69 coal mining fatalities attributed to “fall of roof or back and fall of face/rib/pillar/side/highwall.” During the agency’s Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program, also known as PROP, which runs through September, MSHA personnel will advise operators to examine roof that has weathered due to humid air; communicate immediately with miners when they observe adverse roof conditions; install supplemental support when conditions warrant; scale loose roof in the face area where miners work; and consistently follow the approved roof control plan for their mines.
Beginning this week, federal mine inspectors will distribute educational information including posters and hardhat stickers to remind the coal industry about potential hazards and suggested remedies. MSHA officials will speak directly to miners about the problems warmer weather causes for underground mines and present them with pertinent statistics about the increase in accidents during the warmer weather months.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf), PROP page

Fatality #5 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 5, 2010, a 21 year-old old contract driller with 1 year of experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was repositioning a truck mounted drill. He lowered the mast and raised the leveling jacks to move the drill. The drill then rolled down a grade and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Maintain parking brakes to ensure proper function.
  • Always set parking brakes when leaving a vehicle unattended.
  • Ensure parking brake will hold the vehicle before exiting cab.
  • Use tire chocks when parking equipment on grades.
  • Never attempt to enter the cab of a runaway vehicle.

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