June 6, 2011
Powered Haulage – Surface – Virginia
Humphreys Enterprises Inc. – No 5 Strip
Based on MSHA’s investigation and the finding of the death certificate, MSHA concluded that the miner died from natural causes and that the fatality should be de-listed and not charged to the mining industry. The death certificate indicated that the death was natural and was due to a cardiac arrhythmia due to a myocardial infarction which in turn was due to coronary artery atherosclerosis.”
Coal
Fatality #5 for Coal Mining 2011
On Saturday, May 14, 2011, a 37-year old mechanic with 14 years of mining experience and 1½ years of experience as a mechanic, was killed while removing a counter weight fuel tank assembly from a front-end loader. He was positioned beneath the front-end loader when he removed 14 of the 16 mounting bolts that secure the counter weight. When the victim attempted to remove the next to last bolt, the remaining two bolts failed allowing the 11,685 pound counterweight to fall on him. The counter weight had not been blocked to prevent it from falling.
Best Practices
- Install blocking materials before removing mounting bolts from machinery components which can fall during disassembly.
- Follow known safe maintenance procedures.
- Follow the equipment manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures when performing repairs to machinery.
- Train new mechanics in the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).
Fatality #4 for Coal Mining 2011
On Friday, March 25, 2011, a 54-year old continuous mining machine operator with 35 years of experience was killed when he was caught between the coal rib and the conveyor boom of the remote controlled continuous mining machine he was operating.
Best Practices
- AVOID “RED ZONES”!!! Prior to tramming the continuous mining machine to a new place, ensure the machine operator is positioned outside the turning radius of the machine. MSHA Red Zone webcast (pdf)
- Prior to tramming the continuous mining machine to a new place, ensure the tip of the conveyor boom is positioned on the side of the mining machine opposite to the side where the machine operator is located.
- Install MSHA approved Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines. Proximity Detection Single Source
- Assign another miner to assist the continuous mining machine operator. Train all persons in the programs, policies, and procedures for operating or working near remote controlled continuous mining machines. Additional information on preventing these types of accidents can be found at: MSHA’s Safety Targets Program Hit By Underground Equipment.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).
Fatality #3 for Coal Mining 2011
On Friday, February 11, 2011, a 55 year old miner with 30 years of mining experience was killed when the fuel and grease service truck he was operating collided head on with a scraper. The two pieces of equipment were traveling in opposite directions. The impact resulted in a fire that engulfed the fuel truck.
Best Practices
- Inform others when driving a vehicle into a work area.
- Optimize traffic rules to maximize safe road travel.
- Obey established traffic rules and signage that apply to the area.
- Follow established communication procedures.
- Ensure signage is in place and easily observed.
- Maintain control of equipment at all times.
- Ensure all safety systems are maintained, including brakes and steering.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).
Fatality #2 for Coal Mining 2011
On February 3, 2011, a 49 year old dozer operator, with 2 years mining experience, was killed at a surface area of an underground coal mine. The accident occurred at an access road leading to a gas well plugging site. The victim parked on a grade and dismounted the dozer to assist a truck driver connect a winch cable from the dozer to the water truck. The dozer drifted backward into the water truck, pinning the victim between the truck and the dozer. The parking brake was not set and the blade was not lowered on the dozer.
On March 25, 2011, MSHA Solicitors made a determination that this fatality is not under MSHA jurisdiction, and therefore, not chargeable to the mining industry.
Best Practices
- Ensure that equipment operators are trained and knowledgeable about equipment operation and the associated hazards.
- Perform pre-operational equipment checks for defects and repair any defects found before operating equipment.
- Analyze the job for what needs done and look for what could go wrong. More information can be obtained here: http://www.msha.gov/SLAMRisks/SLAMRISKS.pdf
- Block dozers against motion by lowering the blade, setting parking brakes, and shutting off the machine.
- Position equipment on flattest grade possible to connect equipment for towing, and consider positioning the tow machine at a distance and angle that would prevent a rollback collision.
- Stay in equipment, if equipment has the potential to move.
Additional safety information can be found on Safety Target Packages:
- MSHA – Safety Targets Program – BLOCK AGAINST MOTION
- MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Awareness
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)
MSHA Fatality Summaries for 2010
MSHA has posted Fatality Summaries for both the Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Industries. Each summarizes the various task and equipment groupings. The coal report includes information on each of the 19 fatalities that occurred in addition to the 29 killed in the Upper Big Branch explosion. It also include a look at the most common causes of all coal fatalities from 2001 to 2010 and provides suggested best practices. Also included are two Mine Safety Alerts for Powered Haulage and Roof Falls.The Metal/Nonmetal report includes the same type of information for that industry with a number of colorful posters highlighting Machinery, LOTO, and Contractor Safety.
Click here for: MSHA 2010 Coal Fatality Summary (pdf), MSHA 2010 Metal/Nonmetal Fatality Summary (pdf).
Fatality #1 for Coal Mining 2011
On Thursday, January 27, 2011, a 19 year old underground miner with fifteen weeks of mining experience was killed when he became caught between the “V” shaped coal discharge guides adjacent to the discharge roller of the section conveyor belt. Both belt conveyors were operating at the time of the accident.
Best Practices
- Train all employees thoroughly on the dangers of working or traveling around moving conveyor belts.
- Never attempt to cross a moving belt conveyor, except at suitable cross-overs or cross-unders.
- Install proper belt cross-overs and/or cross-unders at strategic locations, when height allows.
- Be aware of locations where new miners are working or intend to travel.
- Provide belt conveyor stop and start controls at areas where miners must access both sides of the conveyor. These areas should be provided with adequate crossing facilities (e.g. cross-overs or cross-unders).
- Install adequate guarding at all conveyor belt pinch point locations.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)
Fatality #48 for Coal Mining 2010
On Saturday, December 4, 2010, a 32 year old contract truck driver with four years of experience was killed in a Powered Haulage accident on a coal mine haul road. The loaded truck struck the left berm on the elevated roadway and over-turned on the road, trapping the victim under the cab.
Best Practices
- Never operate a truck or other mobile equipment without using a seat belt.
- Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and properly maintain the brakes and other safety features.
- Construct roadway berms to appropriate strengths and geometries to prevent driving through them or driving up onto them.
- Train all employees on proper work procedures, hazard recognition and avoidance, and proper use of roadway berms.
- Observe all speed limits, traffic rules, and ensure that grades on haulage roads are appropriate for haulage equipment being used.
- Always select the proper gear and downshift well in advance of descending the grade.
- Monitor work habits routinely and examine work areas to ensure that safe work procedures are followed
- Maintain control of equipment at all times, making allowances for the prevailing conditions (low visibility, inclement weather, etc).
- Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
- Do not attempt to exit or jump from a moving vehicle
For more information that can be used to prevent this type of accident refer to: MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Target Package – Trucks
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)
Fatality #47 for Coal Mining 2010
On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, a 32-year old service man with 6 years of experience, was killed at a surface mine. The victim was driving a tandem axle lube truck down a grade into an active work area of the mine when he lost control of the truck. The truck struck an embankment and overturned onto its left side. The victim either jumped or was thrown from the truck.
Best Practices
- Conduct pre-operational safety checks of all mobile equipment.
- Equipment defects affecting safety shall be corrected before the equipment is used.
- Always wear a seat belt when operating a truck or mobile equipment.
- Maintain adequate berms on the outer banks of elevated roadways.
- Construct haulage roads to grade and lane widths appropriate for all equipment used.
- Train all employees on proper operation procedures, hazard recognition, and avoidance.
- Ensure traffic rules, signals, and warning signs are posted and obeyed.
- Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
- Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
- Operate vehicles in the appropriate gear and avoid changing gears when descending grades.
- Ensure there is sufficient illumination of working areas and lights are maintained on mobile equipment.
- Do not exit or jump from a moving vehicle.
For more information to prevent these types of accidents click on the following link:
MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Target Package
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)
Fatality #46 for Coal Mining 2010
On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 39-year old continuous mining machine helper, with approximately 4 years of mining experience, was killed when he was struck by a loaded shuttle car. The victim was in the No.7 Entry between crosscuts No.37 and No.38, repairing a ventilation curtain. This entry and adjoining crosscuts were being used to gain access to the ratio feeder, which was located in the No.6 Entry.
Best Practices
- Before performing work in an active haulage travelway, stop mobile equipment until work has been completed and communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.
- Use approved transparent ventilation curtains to improve visibility.
- Operate mobile equipment at safe speeds and sound audible warnings when making turns, reversing directions, approaching ventilation curtains, and any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed. The sound level of audible warnings must be significantly higher than that of ambient noise.
- Place visible warning devices at all entrances to areas where work is to be performed in the active travelway of mobile equipment.
- Be aware of blind spots when traveling in the same areas where mobile equipment operates.
- Install proximity detection systems on mobile face equipment.
- Always wear reflective clothing, or use permissible personal flashing lights, to ensure high visibility when necessary to walk or work where moving equipment operates.
For more information related to struck-by equipment accidents view the following link: MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Hit By Underground Equipment at www.msha.gov.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)