Metal/Nonmetal

MNM Fatality – 11/5/24

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On November 5, 2024, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating over travelled a dump point.  The edge of the dump point failed, causing the haul truck to travel backwards, overturn, and land on the roof of the cab.

Best Practices

  • Always dump material from a stable and safe location. If inspections indicate the ground conditions are not reliable, dump loads at a safe distance and push the material over the edge using a bulldozer.
  • Never load material from the toe of a stockpile directly below an active dump point.  This may lead to an over steepened and unstable slope, resulting in stockpile collapse.
  • Always construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to prevent overtravel or overturning. 
  • Always wear a seatbelt.
  • Train miners to use safe dumping procedures and recognize dumping hazards such as material slides and other unsafe conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2024, and the 11th classified as “Power Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 4/13/24

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On April 13, 2024, a front-end loader operator drowned, lying face down in a pool of water.  The front-end loader operator was last seen using a water hose to wash material off a concrete pad next to a pool of water.

Best Practices

  • Conduct adequate workplace examinations before work begins in an area.
  • Maintain workplaces in clean and dry condition when possible. 
  • Where wet processes are used, maintain drainage, and ensure safe access.
  • Ensure miners are able to communicate with others when assigned to work alone.
  • Routinely check on miners working alone.

Additional Information

This is the 25th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

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

MNM Fatality – 9/20/24

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On September 20, 2024, a miner died after he fell approximately six feet from a front-end loader while attempting to replace a bulb on the right front headlight. 

Best Practices

  • Develop and implement a Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment that includes actions taken to identify hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment.
    • Identify hazards and risks.
    • Take corrective actions to eliminate / reduce risks.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all workplaces and establish safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 9/18/24

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On September 18, 2024, a miner died when a front-end loader struck him after he exited his truck.

Best Practices

• When approaching mobile equipment, communicate your intended movements with equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
• Wear high-visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
• Truck drivers should not exit their trucks during loading.
• Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
• Train miners in the safe operation of mobile equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual.

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2024, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 9/6/24

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On September 6, 2024, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating traveled off the mine road and crashed into a residence.

Best Practices

  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
  • Ensure berms and guardrails are at least as high as the mid-axle height of the largest mobile equipment using the roadway.  Use larger berms and runaway safety features where mobile equipment can likely lose control.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • Always wear a seatbelt and remain in the cab with your seatbelt on while operating mobile equipment.  Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.
  • Ensure miners are task trained in the safe operation of all equipment they use.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2024, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 8/22/24 MA

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On August 22, 2024, a miner operating an excavator died when the highwall he was working near collapsed on the excavator.

Best Practices

• Use mining methods that ensure highwall stability and safe working conditions.
• Examine and, where applicable, test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed, prior to work commencing, after blasting and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.
• Scale highwalls to eliminate hazards, e.g., steep slopes or overhangs.
• Ensure that miners work, travel, and operate mining equipment at safe distances from highwalls.
• Train miners to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

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

MNM Fatality – 8/22/24 PA

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On August 22, 2024, a contractor was found deceased in a shallow pool of water at the base of a highwall.

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places. 
  • Ensure that miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Train miners on safe work procedures and to identify hazards associated with their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Drowning.”

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

MNM Fatallity – 8/22/24 OK

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On August 22, 2024, a contractor was installing a material feeder when they fell approximately 21 feet through an opening in the walkway platform.  The contractor died from his injuries on September 6, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Use personnel lifts or ladders to access elevated workplaces safely.
  • Provide and ensure proper use of fall protection where there is a danger of falling.  Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Identify risks and eliminate or control hazards before beginning maintenance activities.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely and use tools and personal protective equipment properly.

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 8/4/24

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On August 4, 2024, a contractor suffered severe chemical and thermal burns after he stepped into a deep opening in the floor obscured by puddled liquid. The contractor fell into a mixture of hot water and caustic liquid. On September 2, 2024, he died from his injuries.

Best Practices

• Install adequate warning signals and barricades for openings above, below, or near travelways where miners, including contractors, or materials may fall.
• Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
• Keep workplaces, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms clean and orderly.
• When wet processes are used, maintain drainage and provide false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing areas where practicable.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 8/9/24

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On August 9, 2024, an electrician was seriously injured by an arc flash from a 4,160 VAC circuit while working on an electrical panel for a motor control center.  On August 22, 2024, he died from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Lock out and tag out circuits before working on electrical equipment:
    • Identify and control all hazardous energy sources before starting any task.
    • Open the circuit breaker or load break switch to de-energize the equipment. 
    • Open the visual disconnect to confirm that incoming power is off.
    • Lockout/Tagout the visual disconnect.
    • Ground the de-energized conductors.
  • Use properly rated electrical meters and personal protective equipment, such as electrically rated gloves, arc flash protection suits, insulated blankets or mats, and polycarbonate barriers. 
  • Establish safe procedures before beginning work and discuss them with all miners involved in the task.

Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Electrical.”

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