Coal

Fatality #5 for Coal Mining 2016

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c05On June 6, 2016, a 34-year-old contract laborer with 7 years of mining experience was fatally injured when a diesel-powered front-end loader fell on him.  Working together, another miner and the victim lowered the bucket and put downward hydraulic pressure on the bucket to raise the middle of the loader. Both miners then crawled under the loader.  The hydraulic pressure released, allowing the loader to lower, pinning both miners.  A mine examiner, who was nearby, lowered the bucket again to raise the loader off the miners.  One miner was freed and assisted in removing the unresponsive victim from under the loader.  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed, but the victim could not be revived.

Best Practices

  • Do not work under a suspended load.
  • Never depend on hydraulics to support a load.  Use the manufacturer’s recommendations to lift and block equipment against hazardous motion BEFORE starting any repairs.
  • DO NOT proceed with repairs until all safety concerns are adequately resolved, especially if potential hazards or prescribed procedures are unclear,.
  • Conduct examinations, from safe locations, to identify hydraulic leaks and assure repairs are conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.  Verify the release of, or fully control, all stored energy before initiating repairs.
  • Treat the suspended load as unblocked until blocks or jack stands are in place, fully supporting the weight, and equipment stability has been verified.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.  Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed to ensure miners are protected.  Use the proper tools and equipment for the job.
  • Train all miners in the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

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

Fatality #4 for Coal Mining 2016

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c04On Friday, March 25, 2016, a 48-year-old continuous mining machine operator, with 30 years of mining experience, was fatally injured when an overhanging section of a rock rib fell and pinned him against the haulage equipment. The fallen rib was approximately 44 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet thick. The victim was remotely operating a continuous mining machine that was being used to excavate material during the construction of a coal transfer shaft. The area where the accident occurred had a depth of cover of approximately 1,950 feet and a height of approximately 17 feet.

Best Practices

  • Be aware of potential hazards at all times when working or traveling near mine ribs, especially when conditions exist that could cause roof or rib disturbance. Take additional safety precautions in these conditions and when mining heights increase.
  • Do not stand between ribs and remotely controlled face equipment.
  • Know and follow all provisions of the approved roof control plan.  Recognize that this plan has minimum requirements and additional measures must be taken as mining conditions warrant.
  • Train all miners to conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs where miners will be working or traveling. Correct all hazardous conditions before allowing miners in such areas. Continuously watch for changing conditions and conduct more frequent examinations when abnormal conditions are present.
  • Pay particular attention to deteriorating roof and rib conditions when working in, or traveling through, older areas of the mine.  Provide additional training for specialized work, such as outby construction, emphasizing best practices for each specific task.
  • Perform a site-specific risk assessment for underground construction projects since unusual hazards may be encountered.  Identify and correct hazardous conditions related to falls of the roof, face, and ribs.
  • Install rib bolts on cycle and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls.
  • Provide additional support when fractures or other abnormalities are detected and use appropriate standing support beneath overhanging brows if they cannot be taken down or adequately bolted.
  • Adequately scale any loose rib material from a safe location with a bar of suitable length.
  • Historically, rib related accidents occur in areas where the mining height exceeds 7 feet and the cover is more than 700 feet. In such areas, make frequent examinations and take proactive measures to assure adequate, effective rib support is installed and maintained.

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

Fatality #3 for Coal Mining 2016

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c03On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a 36-year-old continuous mining machine operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the conveyor boom of the remote controlled continuous mining machine and the coal rib while positioning the trailing cable. The victim had trammed the continuous mining machine back out of the No. 6 Face into the last open crosscut between No. 6 and No. 5 Entries. The victim had 5 years and 6 months of mining experience, with 1 year and 17 weeks experience as a continuous mining machine operator.

Best Practices

  • Avoid “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a remote controlled continuous mining machine. Ensure all personnel; including the equipment operator is outside the machine turning radius before starting or moving the equipment. STAY OUT of RED ZONES.
  • Maintain a safe distance from any moving equipment. Position the conveyor boom away from the operator or other miners working in the area or when moving the machine.
  • Perform manufacturer’s pre-operation examinations each shift to ensure the proximity detection system is in proper working order to verify that the shutdown zones are sufficient to stop the machine before contacting a miner.
  • Be aware that radio frequency interference and Electromagnetic Interference generated by mining electrical systems can disrupt communications between the Miner Wearable Components (MWC) and the Proximity Detection System.
  • MWCs should be worn securely at all times according to manufacturer recommendations and in a manner so that warning lights and sounds can be seen and heard.
  • Always ensure continuous mining machine pump motors are disabled before handling trailing cables and never defeat machine safety controls.
  • Develop procedures to assist the continuous mining machine operator when repositioning or moving the machine.

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

Fatality #2 for Coal Mining 2016

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c02On January 16, 2016, a 31 year old continuous mining machine operator with 12 years of mining experience was fatally injured when a section of coal/rock rib measuring 4.5 feet long, 3 feet high, and 3 feet thick fell and pinned him to the mine floor. The victim was remotely operating the continuous miner in the number 2 entry of the advancing section when the accident occurred.

Best Practices

  • Train all miners and supervisors to conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs where persons will be working and traveling. Correct all hazardous conditions before allowing persons to work or travel in such areas.
  •  Be aware of potential hazards at all times when working or traveling near ribs. Take additional safety precautions when mining heights increase to prevent development of rib hazards.
  • Avoid areas of close clearance between ribs and equipment.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan and provide additional support when roof or rib fractures, or other abnormalities are detected.  Remember, the approved roof control plan only contains minimum requirements.
  • Install rib bolts with adequate surface coverage hardware on cycle and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls. In addition to rib bolts and mesh, setting post on 4 foot centers along questionable rib lines will provide additional protection against rib rolls.
  • Be alert for changing conditions, especially after activities that could cause roof disturbance. Report abnormal roof or rib conditions to mine management.
  • Adequately support or scale any loose roof or rib material from a safe location.  Use a bar of suitable length and design when scaling.
  • Danger off hazardous areas until appropriate corrective measures can be taken.

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

Fatality #1 for Coal Mining 2016

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c01On Monday, January 4, 2016, a 53 year-old belt foreman/fireboss with 34 years of mining experience was fatally injured when he came in contact with a moving underground belt conveyor. The victim was preparing to change out a hold up roller when he was caught by the moving belt and pulled into the roller.

Best Practices

  • Never perform work on a moving conveyor belt.
  • Ensure that power is off with a visual disconnect before any work is performed, use your own lock and tag.
  • Ensure that machinery is blocked against motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Always identify safety hazards before beginning any task.
  • Stay out of areas along a moving conveyor belt where clearance is restricted.
  • Cross moving conveyor belts only where suitable crossing facilities are provided. (e.g. cross-overs or cross-unders).
  • Ensure all guards are adequate and securely in place where exposed moving machine parts may be contacted by persons.

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

Fatality #7 for Coal Mining 2015

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c07On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, a 52-year-old contract truck driver was killed while driving a fuel truck on a mine haulage road.  The tandem axle truck was found on its top near the bottom of a long descending grade which included a sharp curve to the right.  The fuel truck was fully loaded with approximately 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel.  After interviews, investigators could not determine if the victim was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • Always wear your seatbelt while operating mobile equipment.
  • Incorporate engineering controls that require seat belts to be properly fastened before equipment can be put into motion.
  • Monitor employees regularly to ensure seat belts are worn.
  • Maintain full control of equipment at all times while it is in motion.  Take into account weather and road conditions (steep grades, inclement weather, low visibility, etc.).  Ensure work areas are properly illuminated at night.
  • Never exceed a vehicle’s design capabilities, operating ranges, load limits, and safety features.  Always select the proper gear and shift to this lower gear well in advance of descending grades.
  • Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment.  Never rely on engine brakes and transmission retarders as substitutes for keeping brakes properly maintained.
  • Conduct thorough pre-operational examinations to identify and repair defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
  • Post conspicuous signs along haulage roads to inform operators of speed limits, approaching grades and curves, and the use of an appropriate gear to maintain a safe speed.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #6 for Coal Mining 2015

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c06On Sunday, May 31, 2015, a 59-year-old mine examiner with 32 years of mining experience was found unconscious, unresponsive, and lying in a travel way.  The victim had been driving a diesel mantrip to travel to a set of seals to examine them.  The victim was located along the east coal rib, and the front right corner of the mantrip was in contact with the west rib just inby the location of the victim.

Best Practices

  • Operate all mobile equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility, and other traffic.
  • Always wear a seatbelt.
  • Maintain full control of the equipment while it is in motion.
  • Standardize and establish traffic rules, including speed limits, signals, and warning signs, at the mine.
  • Limit speed to safe levels by installing positive controls on personnel carriers and mantrips.
  • Install safety devices to keep miners from falling or being thrown out of moving vehicles.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #5 for Coal Mining 2015

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c05.jpgOn May 28, 2015, a 45-year-old surface foreman with 27 years of experience was killed when he was crushed between the frames of a road grader and a tractor that was transporting a base power module for a highwall miner.  The foreman was in the process of connecting a chain between the two machines when the road grader rolled back and crushed him.

Best Practices

  • Never position yourself between equipment that is not blocked and secured from movement.
  • Turn the engine off, place the transmission in gear, set the park brake, and always ensure equipment is securely blocked against motion, before performing repair or maintenance work, which includes connecting tow bars.
  • Use a tow bar with adequate length and proper rating when towing heavy equipment.  A chain should never be used to tow mobile equipment.
  • If mobile equipment must be towed, the equipment should be on level firm ground and secured from movement prior to connecting the equipment.
  • Ensure miners are adequately trained on proper towing procedures.
  • Ensure mobile equipment operators are aware of your location at all times.
  • Maintain communications with mobile equipment operators while working in close proximity to equipment.  Utilize radios to communicate when visual contact cannot be maintained.
  • Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment.  Do not depend on hydraulic systems to hold mobile equipment stationary.
  • Conduct pre-operational examinations to identify and repair defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #4 for Coal Mining 2015

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c04On Monday, March 16, 2015, a 34-year-old section foreman with 10 years of mining experience was killed when a coal/rock rib approximately 90 inches long, 45 inches high, and 15 to 18 inches thick fell and pinned him against the side of a shuttle car.

Best Practices

  • Be aware of potential hazards at all times when working or traveling near ribs.
  • Avoid areas of close clearance between ribs and equipment.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan and provide additional support when cracks or other abnormalities are detected.  Remember, the approved roof control plan contains minimum requirements.
  • Install rib bolts on cycle and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls.
  • Train all miners to conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs where persons will be working and traveling.  Correct all hazardous conditions before allowing persons to work or travel in such areas.
  • Be alert for changing conditions.  Report abnormal roof or rib conditions to mine management.
  • Adequately support or scale any loose roof or rib material from a safe location.   Use a bar of suitable length and design when scaling.
  • Danger off hazardous areas until appropriate corrective measures can be taken.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #3 for Coal Mining 2015

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c03On March 8, 2015, a 45-year old assistant longwall coordinator with twelve years of experience was killed while working a longwall section.  The victim was shoveling loose material between the longwall face and the pan line when a large piece of rock, 12 feet long by 5 feet wide by 1 foot thick, fell from the face and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Conduct thorough and more frequent examinations of the roof, face, and ribs, when abnormal conditions are present.  Watch for frequently changing conditions.
  • Scale hazardous roof, face, or rib conditions and adequately support the areas before any work or travel is permitted.  Ensure that a bar of suitable length and design is used when removing loose or unconsolidated material.
  • Install longwall shield extensions to cover a portion of the face and minimize unsupported areas.
  • Implement policies, programs, procedures, and controls to protect miners working in the face conveyor areas.
  • Reinstruct all miners in hazard recognition, adequate support methods, and safe work practices when abnormal conditions or circumstances are present on the longwall face.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)