Mining Fatalities

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On September 7, 2011, a 30 year-old miner with I year of experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The victim was on a ramp waiting for a blast to be initiated. When the round was initiated, small rock and debris traveled through a 3-inch diameter diamond borehole, striking him.

Best Practices 

  • Plug a diamond drill hole that intersects any opening and map the hole.
  • During blasting operations, consider mine specific conditions, including diamond drill holes and rock strata, and establish mine policies and procedures to protect all persons.
  • When developing a blasting plan, make sure all drilled holes and open passageways that intersect the area to be blasted are known and taken into consideration before initiating any blast.
  • Use a central blasting system and schedule blasting between shifts or on off-shifts when no one is present.
  • Train persons to identify hazards associated with blasting activity and take action to correct them.
  • Never initiate a blast until the blast area has been determined to be safe and all persons have been evacuated from the designated blasting area.
  • Take special precautions to ensure that all roadways and regularly traveled areas are blocked to prevent access when blasting is being conducted.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Thursday September 1, 2011, a 29-year-old contract driller with 1 year, 3 months of experience was killed at a surface coal mine. The victim was attempting to separate a pipe connection when he was struck by a tong wrench. The rig was being used to drill a water well. The crew was working to free the drill stem that was stuck in the drill hole when the accident occurred.

Best Practices
  • Stand a safe distance from areas of potential high energy release.
  • Know the radius of machinery that pivots.
  • Establish and follow safe work procedures.
  • Ensure all components are adequately blocked and secured to prevent unintended motion.
  • Know the limitations of equipment used for blocking motion and ensure that they are used within their specified limitations.
  • Ensure all components are in good repair.
  • Establish and follow communication procedures.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Monday, August 15, 2011, a 46 year old miner was killed when he was struck by a portion of the mine roof that fell from an area adjacent to a longwall shield. The accident occurred during a longwall move, while the victim was installing a wooden crib in an area where a longwall face shield had been removed previously. The victim had approximately five years experience with this activity.

Best Practices
  • Assure that roof control plans are suitable to the prevailing geological conditions. If roof geology changes affect roof stability, reevaluate roof support techniques.
  • Share and discuss roof control plans with the miners on a regular basis. For miner safety, assure that the roof control plan safety precautions are followed.
  • Provide additional training for specialized work, such as longwall moves, emphasizing best practices for a specific task.
  • Conduct examinations of roof conditions frequently to prevent exposure to poor roof conditions. Remain vigilant for changing roof conditions.
  • When hazardous roof conditions are detected, danger off areas until they are made safe.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #7 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On August 9, 2011, a 24-year-old skid-steer loader operator with 12 weeks of experience was killed at a sand and gravel operation. He accessed an elevated platform near an unguarded head pulley and became entangled in the operating conveyor system.

Best Practices

  •  Identify hazards around conveyor systems, design guards, and securely install the guarding.
  • Always provide and maintain guarding sufficient to prevent contact with moving machine parts.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards associated with performing tasks.
  • Follow established lock-out and tag-out procedures before working on operating systems or moving machine parts.
  • Remain aware of potential hazards in your work area and take actions to eliminate the risks.
  • Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working near moving machine parts.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Monday, August 8, 2011, a 41-year-old longwall mechanic with nine years of mining experience was killed when he was struck in the chest by a piece of metal from the top of a base lift jack mounted on a longwall shield. The jack catastrophically failed resulting in the end cap separating from the cylinder and striking the victim.

Best Practices

  • Do not alter hydraulic circuits in a manner that could result in the trapping of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
  • When isolating hydraulic components for repair, ensure that the hydraulic system has a means to bleed the pressure from the components being repaired.
  • Evaluate potential energy sources before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page
  • Ensure re-built components meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
  • Ensure miners are adequately trained in proper maintenance procedures and plan requirements.
  • Examine and periodically inspect all hydraulic components for defects.
  • Ensure the ratings of hydraulic components are compatible with their intended use.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #12 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, a 39-year-old miner with 22 years of mining experience was electrocuted while welding to connect two pipes together. He was working in the ceiling of the filter room of a preparation plant. This area, where the welding was being conducted, was wet and the illumination was limited. The victim contacted an energized welding electrode.

Best Practices

  • Do not touch an energized electrode with bare skin.
  • Avoid wet working conditions. A person’s perspiration can lower the body’s resistance to electrical shock. Do not drape electrode wires or leads over your body.
  • Work in a confined space only if it is well ventilated and illuminated.
  • Do not use the plant structure as the work (return) conductor. Connect the work cable (return) as close to the welding area as practical to prevent welding current from traveling unknown paths and causing possible shock, spark, and fire hazards.
  • Insulate yourself from work and ground by using and/or wearing dry insulating mats, covers, clothes, footwear, and gloves. Inspect welding gloves for damage prior to welding and ensure the gloves are dry.
  • Use only well maintained equipment. Frequently inspect welding wires or leads for damaged or exposed conductors. Replace or repair wires or leads immediately if damaged.
  • Use voltage reduction safety devices (if available) for arc welders.

For additional information, please see MSHA’s Safety Target Packages at http://www.msha.gov/Safety_Targets/MaintenanceMNM/Welding 20safety.pdf

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

Fatality #11 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Thursday, July 21, 2011, at approximately 9:05 p.m., an office worker was killed at a surface coal operation when she was struck by a pickup driven by a vendor. As part of a wellness program instituted at the mine, the victim was walking along a rural road on the permit area for the mine when the pickup struck her from behind. The vendor was accessing the mine for routine maintenance.

Best Practices

  • Maintain complete control over vehicles and equipment while in operation.
  • Stay alert for unexpected pedestrians when driving in rural areas.
  • Drive at speeds relative to changing light and conditions.
  • Walk in designated pedestrian areas or facing traffic.
  • Wear highly visible reflective clothing when walking on roadways.
  • Ensure there is no oncoming traffic when crossing roadways.
  • Post signs and appropriate speed limits in areas where pedestrians may be present.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #10 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Monday, July 11, 2011 a 26-year-old supply motor operator, with 6 years 1 month of mining experience, was killed while transporting materials using a diesel powered 15-ton locomotive. When the locomotive approached a low, steel, over-cast beam, the victim placed his head outside of the operator’s compartment and was struck by the steel beam and the locomotive’s canopy.

Best Practices

  • Keep all body parts within the operator’s compartment while the equipment is in motion.
  • Ensure that all track mounted equipment has adequate clearance throughout mine.
  • Always look in the direction of equipment movement and exercise caution in low clearance work areas.
  • Conduct proper workplace and travelway examinations to identify and mitigate the hazards presented by low clearances.
  • Install warning signs that tell operators to reduce speed in low clearance areas.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #9 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at approximately 11:15 a.m., a 49 year old continuous haulage cable attendant was killed when he was struck by a section of rib. The rock was approximately 82 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 11 inches thick. The mining height at the accident site was just over seven feet, and the depth of cover was 700 feet.

Best Practices

  • Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before working or traveling in an area, and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Know and follow the Approved Roof Control Plan. Take additional measures to protect persons when hazards are encountered.
  • Assure the Approved Roof Control Plan is suitable for prevailing geological conditions. Revise the plan if conditions change and the support system is not adequate to control the roof, face, and ribs.
  • Rib bolts provide the best protection against rib falls and are most effective when installed on cycle and in a consistent pattern.
  • Be alert to changing geological conditions which may affect roof, rib, and face conditions.
  • Support loose ribs or roof adequately or scale down loose material before beginning work.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #8 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Monday, June 27, 2011, a 33 year old miner was killed when a portion of coal and rock fell from the upper portion of a pillar rib. The material that fell was approximately 8 feet long, by 32 inches thick, by 3 feet high.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work or travel is started in an area and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Perform careful examinations of pillar corners, particularly where the angles are formed between entries and crosscuts are less than 90 degrees.
  • Support any loose rib or roof material adequately or scale before beginning work.
  • Take additional safety precautions when mining heights increase to prevent development of rib hazards.
  • In areas prone to deterioration, install rib support when the area is mined initially.
  • Be alert to changing geologic conditions which may affect roof/rib conditions.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).