Coal

Fatality #7 for Coal 2018

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On Friday, September 7, 2018, a 60-year-old haul truck operator with 1 year of total mining experience received burn injuries while attempting to escape from the cab of the burning haul truck he was operating.  Due to complications associated with his injuries, the victim died five days later.
Best Practices: 

  • Thoroughly examine all haulage equipment and repair safety defects before placing equipment into service.  Follow the original equipment manufacturers maintenance recommendations.
  • Check for accumulations of combustible materials, cracked or blistered hoses, and uninsulated wires.
  • Be alert to changes in the way the equipment sounds or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the exhaust system.
  • Conduct risk assessments on all equipment to determine safe exit locations for required escape and evacuation plans.
  • Establish and keep current an Escape and Evacuation Plan for exiting equipment in the event of a fire (§ 77.1101).  Train employees on contents of this plan.
  • Install well designed stairs or ladders to the equipment at both ends for an alternate escape.
  • Ensure fire suppression systems are properly maintained and protected from damage.  Install automatic fire suppression systems and train miners on their use.

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

Fatality #6 for Coal 2018

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On Tuesday, September 11, 2018, a mobile bridge conveyor (MBC) operator, with 8 weeks of mining experience, was fatally injured during the mining process.  The continuous mining machine (CMM) and attached MBCs had been backed out of a completed cut.  While the CMM was being repositioned, it moved the attached MBCs and crushed the victim between his MBC and the coal rib.
Best Practices: 

  • Frequently communicate with other MBC operators before starting or tramming any component of the system.  Always be in a location where other MBC operators can readily see or communicate with you.
  • Install latching emergency stop switches so MBC operators can actuate them to prevent machine movement when they leave the operator’s cab or position.  See PIB No. P11-16 for information on man-in position switches. https://arlweb.msha.gov/regs/complian/PIB/2011/pib11-16.pdf
  • Stay out of MBC Red Zones if the CMM or any of the MBCs are energized.
  • Be familiar with how the de-energizing switches on your machine operate and immediately actuate them the moment a hazard is recognized.
  • Install man-in-position switches on mobile bridge conveyor systems so all MBC operators know everyone is in a safe position before initiating machine movement.

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

Fatality #5 for Coal 2018

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On Monday, June 4, 2018, a 43-year-old miner with 10 years of mining experience, was fatally injured when a roof jack struck him in the head.  At the time of the accident, the miner was a passenger in a personnel carrier that traveled over the roof jack, which was lying in the roadway at the time.  As a result of being hit, the roof jack was propelled into the passenger’s compartment, striking the victim. The victim was flown to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
Best Practices: 

  • Conduct thorough examinations of roadways and remove material that may pose a hazard to equipment operators, passengers, or other miners.
  • Maintain roadways free of excessive water, mud, and other conditions which have an impact on an equipment operator’s ability to control mobile equipment.
  • Establish safe operating procedures for mobile equipment and a maintenance schedule for roadways.
  • Secure loads being hauled to prevent them from falling off haulage vehicles.
  • Ensure each item being hauled reaches the intended destination.
  • If items are lost during transport, immediately search for them and warn other mobile equipment operators.

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

Fatality #4 for Coal 2018

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On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, a 29-year-old belt foreman with .eight years of total mining experience was fatally injured while he and a co-worker were in the process of splicing an underground conveyor belt when the conveyor belt inadvertently started.  The victim became entangled with the belt splicing tools as the conveyor belt moved.
Best Practices: 

  • Before splicing conveyor belts, perform the following steps:
    • Open the circuit breaker that supplies electrical power to the conveyor belt drive.
    • Open the visual disconnect for the cable that supplies electrical power to the conveyor belt drive.
    • Lock-out and tag-out the visual disconnect yourself and NEVER rely on someone to do this for you.
    • Release the tension in the conveyor belt take-up/storage unit.
    • Block the conveyor belt against motion.
  • Keep the key to the lock at all times while repairs and/or maintenance are performed.
  • Ensure that you are the only person who removes the lock after repairs and/or maintenance are completed.
  • Ensure that no miner is in harm’s way before starting the conveyor belt(s).
  • Provide a visible and/or audible system, with a start-up delay, to warn persons that the conveyor belt will begin moving.
  • Establish policies and procedures for performing specific tasks on conveyor belts and ensure all miners are trained.

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

Fatality #3 for Coal 2018

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On Friday, March 16, 2018, a 34-year-old mechanic with 16 years of total mining experience was fatally injured while operating a diesel personnel carrier on the mine haulage road.  The vehicle hit the right rib and rolled onto its left side.  The victim was partially ejected from the mantrip and the canopy of the mantrip came to rest on his chest.

Best Practices: 
  • Operate all mobile equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility, and other traffic.
  • Consider installing mechanical devices that limit the top speeds of fast-moving equipment.
  • Travel at safe speeds so that mobile equipment can be stopped within the limits of visibility.
  • Maintain haulage roadways free from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment.
  • Maintain steering and braking components so that mobile equipment can be controlled at all times.
  • Properly maintain brakes, lights, and warning devices on mobile equipment.  Perform functional tests of the brakes and other safety devices during the pre-operational examination.
  • Install safety devices, including seat belts, and ensure they are properly used and/or worn.
  • Conduct task training for each type of personnel carrier or equipment being operated.

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

Fatality #2 for Coal 2018

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On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, a 38-year-old highwall mining machine operator, with 21 years of total mining experience, was electrocuted when he contacted an energized connection of a 7,200 volt electrical circuit.  The victim was found inside a transformer station troubleshooting and/or performing electrical work on the electrical system that supplies power to the mining machine.

Best Practices: 
  • Lock-Out and Tag-Out the electrical circuit yourself and NEVER rely on others to do this for you.
  • Follow these steps BEFORE entering an electrical enclosure or performing electrical work:
    1. Locate the circuit breaker or load break switch away from the enclosure and open it to de-energize the incoming power cable(s) or conductors.
    2. Locate the visual disconnect away from the enclosure and open it to provide visual evidence that the incoming power cable(s) or conductors have been de-energized.
    3. Lock-out and tag-out the visual disconnect.
    4. Ground the de-energized conductors.
  • Wear properly rated and well maintained electrical gloves when troubleshooting or testing energized circuits.  After the electrical problem has been found, follow the proper steps before performing electrical work
  • Use properly rated electrical meters and non-contact voltage testers to ensure electrical circuits have been de-energized.
  • Install warning labels on line side terminals of circuit breakers and switches stating that the terminal lugs remain energized when the circuit breaker or switch is open.
  • ​Electrical work must be performed by a qualified electrician or someone trained to do electrical work under the direct supervision of a qualified electrician.

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

Fatality #1 for Coal 2018

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On February 6, 2018, a 52-year-old electrician with 13 years of mining experience was fatally injured while working alone performing routine maintenance on a continuous mining machine.  A portion of rib, measuring 42 inches long, 28 inches high, and 14 inches thick, fell and struck the victim.  He was found between a coal rib and the continuous mining machine.

Best Practices: 
  • Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs, especially when geologic conditions, or an increase in mining height, could cause roof or rib hazards.  Take additional safety precautions while working in these conditions.
  • Correct all hazardous conditions before allowing miners to work and travel in these areas.  Adequately support or scale any loose roof or rib material from a safe location.  Use a bar of suitable length and design when scaling.
  • Train all miners to conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs in their work areas, including more frequent examinations when conditions change.
  • Install rib bolts with adequate surface area coverage, during the mining cycle, and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan.  The roof control plan only contains minimum safety requirements.  Additional support may be required when roof or rib fractures, or other abnormalities are detected.

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

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2017

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On Friday, December 29, 2017, at approximately 12:57 a.m., a 34-year-old bulldozer operator with 10 years of mining experience was fatally injured.  While pushing overburden toward the edge of a highwall, the bulldozer he was operating travelled over the edge, down an embankment, and came to rest approximately 400 feet from where it went over the highwall.

Best Practices

  • Ensure the bulldozer blade is kept between you and the edge when operating close to drop offs.  Dump loads short of the highwall edge and push one load into another to maintain a safe distance from the edge.
  •  Inspect the area before beginning work and remain familiar with the environment throughout the shift.  Plan the safest way to move material and maneuver equipment.
  • Reduce the throttle position when working near the edge of a highwall.
  • Properly illuminate work areas and dump sites.
  • Perform complete and thorough examinations of ground conditions.
  • Always wear a seatbelt when operating mobile equipment.  Monitor work activities routinely to ensure seatbelts are worn and safe work procedures are followed.
  • Ensure miners are trained, including task-training, to understand, recognize and avoid hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Conduct pre-operational examinations to identify any safety defects.  Correct safety defects prior to placing equipment into service.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2017

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On Monday, October 23, 2017, a 48-year-old mine examiner with 19 years of mining experience, received fatal injuries after he fell on the No. 1 conveyor belt near the transfer point with the No. 2 conveyor belt and was transported by the belt conveyor system to the raw coal pile. It appears he was attempting to cross the No. 1 conveyor belt at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • Never attempt to cross a moving conveyor belt, except at suitable crossing facilities.
  • Train all employees thoroughly on the dangers of working on or traveling around moving conveyor belts.
  • Provide conveyor belt stop and start controls at areas where miners must access both sides of the belt.
  • Install practical and usable belt crossing facilities at strategic locations, including near controls, when height allows.
  • Install pull cords to disconnect power to the conveyor belt at strategic locations along the conveyor belt.

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

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2017

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On Thursday, September 28, 2017, a 39-year-old miner with ten years of mining experience received fatal injuries when coal from the longwall face rolled out and completely covered him. The victim was assisting with roof bolting by untangling the mesh during the longwall recovery process. At the time of the accident, the victim was located between the coal face and the pan line.

Best Practices

  • DO NOT ENTER the panline, or any immediate work area, unless the roof and longwall face have been made safe. This includes reducing exposure by minimizing the distance from the face to the tips of the shield.
  • Scale roof, face, and ribs with a bar of suitable length and design or other safe means.
  • Ensure miners are trained on the minimum requirements of the approved roof control plan.
  • Conduct thorough and more frequent examinations of the roof, face, and ribs when miners work or travel close to the longwall face, and continuously monitor for changing conditions
  • Before beginning a longwall recovery, ensure miners are trained to recognize the hazards associated with the recovery area.
  • Be aware of and correct potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs, especially when conditions exist that could cause roof or rib disturbance.

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