Coal

Fatality #43 for Coal Mining 2010

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Coal Fatality 2010 number 43On August 31, 2010, a 25-year old truck driver, with 16 weeks and 3 days of mining experience, was killed when the truck he was driving left the haulage road. The truck traveled approximately 11 feet up an embankment on the left side of the haulage road, and then abruptly traveled back across the haulage road. Afterwards, the truck impacted a 5 foot high berm, travelled over the berm, and dropped 72 feet to the mine pit below.

Best Practices
  • Conduct pre-operational examinations on all mobile equipment.
  • Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
  • Always wear a seatbelt when operating a haul truck or mobile equipment.
  • Adequately task train miners on the equipment they will operate.
  • Post the speed limit, appropriate gear, grade, curve or other warning signage along haulage roads as appropriate.

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

Fatality #42 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Thursday, July 29, 2010, at approximately 11:55 a.m., the left side integral roof bolter operator on a continuous mining machine was fatally injured. The victim was struck with a portion of rib measuring approximately 276 inches long by 55 inches high and up to 16 inches thick. The accident occurred while cutting an overcast. The victim had installed one test bolt and was near the left rear bumper of the machine, when the accident occurred. The rock in the left rib sheared off pinning, the victim against the machine.

Best Practices
  • Develop a plan for cutting overcasts and train miners in the procedures and precautions.
  • Examine the roof and ribs frequently while working.
  • Take down or support any loose ribs or roof adequately before working or traveling in the affected area.
  • Be aware of changing roof and rib conditions, especially when working between the ribs and equipment.
  • Unless necessary, do not position yourself between any piece of machinery and the rib.
  • Where the mining process allows, remain within the confines of protective devices such as cabs, canopies and rib protectors whenever possible.
  • Install additional rib support prior to mining in areas where the roof or floor is cut above or below the coal seam, especially overcasts, loading points, etc.

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

Fatality #41 for Coal Mining 2010

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diagram of coal fatality number 41 for 2010On Friday, July 9, 2010, a 61-year old production foreman with 33 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was struck by a battery-powered ram car. The victim was last seen in the No. 6 entry just outby the intersection at crosscut No. 107. This intersection and adjoining crosscuts were being used to gain access to the ratio feeder located in the No. 5 entry.

Best Practices
  • Install proximity detection systems on mobile face equipment. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Use approved translucent check curtains designed to allow mobile equipment to tram through.
  • 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.
  • Be aware of blind spots when travelling in mobile equipment travel ways.
  • Communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.

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

Fatality #40 for Coal Mining 2010

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COAL MINE FATALITY – On Thursday, July 1, 2010, a 60-year old section electrician was fatally injured when he was run over by a shuttle car. The victim was last seen walking outby the face in a connecting crosscut. As the loaded shuttle car was leaving the continuous miner, the victim was discovered under the shuttle car.

Best Practices

  • Always sound the shuttle car alarm or bell when approaching and before traveling through check curtains.
  • Be aware of your location in relation to movement of equipment, especially in lower coal seams.
  • Wear reflective or florescent clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Train miners to use effective means of communication between themselves and equipment operators.
  • Develop and follow standard operating procedures for tramming shuttle cars.
  • Ensure all personnel are clear of the traveling path and turning radius before moving equipment.
  • Pursue new technology such as proximity detection to protect personnel and eliminate accidents of this type.

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

Fatality #39 for Coal Mining 2010

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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.

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

Fatality #38 for Coal Mining 2010

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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

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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 #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)

Fatality #34 & 35 for Coal Mining 2010

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On April 28, 2010, the mine roof collapsed at approximately 10:00 p.m., resulting in fatal injuries to a 27-year old continuous miner operator with 3.5 years total mining experience and a 28-year old miner helper with 2 years total mining experience. The roof fall occurred while the miners were loading rock out of a completed extended cut. The fall measured a maximum of 19’9″ in width and 10′ in height. The length of the fall was approximately 70 to 75′ in length, extending toward the face.

Best Practices

  • Assess and examine the adequacy of roof control systems and mining layout for local geology. Know and follow the approved roof control plan.
  • Always conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face and ribs immediately before work is performed and thereafter as conditions dictate.
  • When adverse or subnormal roof conditions are present, the mining cut depth should be limited to 20 feet or less. Be alert to changing roof conditions at all times.
  • Ensure that any past roof control issues or history of adverse conditions in adjacent previously mined areas are communicated to all miners and foremen.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)

Fatality #33 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Thursday, April 22, 2010, a 28-year old continuous mining machine operator with 5 years of experience was fatally injured when he was crushed between the conveyor boom of the continuous mining machine and the coal rib. The victim was located near the continuous mining machine while positioning it. The mining height in this area was approximately five feet.

Best Practices

  • Ensure the continuous mining machine operator is positioned beyond the turning radius, and away from the conveyor boom turning radius before starting or moving the equipment.
  • Frequently review, retrain, and discuss avoiding the “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a remote controlled continuous mining machine.
  • Pursue new technology, such as proximity detection, to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Minimize the number of miners working or traveling near continuous mining machines and maintain effective communications between miners and equipment operators.
  • Train all productions crews and management in programs, policies, and procedures for operating remote controlled continuous mining machines.

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