Mining Fatalities

Fatality #22 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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2010 MNM Fatality 22On December 17, 2010, a 35 year- old truck driver with 11 weeks of experience died at a crushed stone operation. The victim was standing on a belt conveyor, working inside a chute, when the belt conveyor started. He was pulled out of the chute and conveyed under two other chutes located on the same belt conveyor. After the belt conveyor was shut down, the victim was found under a third chute.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures before conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards of working near belt conveyors.
  • Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a chute, drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
  • Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them.
  • Sound audible warnings or alarms prior to starting belt conveyors.
  • Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before re-starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.

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

Fatality #21 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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M/NM Fatality #21On November 30, 2010, a 33 year- old mechanic with 14 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. The victim and a coworker were working under the rear portion of a ten-wheeled truck that was suspended by rigging attached to a hoist. The chain holding the truck slipped off the hook and the truck fell, killing the victim and injuring the other person.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures before a task is performed and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards of working under suspended loads.
  • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion while performing maintenance work.
  • Train all persons regarding the proper selection and use of lifting devices and rigging equipment.
  • Use lifting devices and rigging that are compatible with the load being lifted.

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

Fatality #48 for Coal Mining 2010

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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

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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

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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)

Fatality #45 for Coal Mining 2010

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On October 11, 2010, a 56 year old roof bolting machine operator with 31 years mining experience was killed in a roof fall. The victim was standing beside the roof bolting machine when a portion of a rock brow fell from between the roof bolts and struck him. The rock was approximately 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, and varied in thickness from approximately 7 inches, up to 24 inches.

Best Practices

  • Remain alert for changing roof conditions, and remove hazards immediately.
  • Roof brows that are created by a sudden change in mining height can create unsafe roof conditions and may require removal and/or additional roof support.
  • Know and always follow your Approved Roof Control Plan.
  • Don’t leave freshly cut roof unbolted for long periods of time.
  • Use roof screen, large roof bolt plates, or other surface controls to prevent rocks from falling between supports.
  • Train all miners to identify unsafe roof conditions that are encountered daily.
  • Conduct thorough examinations in areas where miners will work or travel before and after work is completed.
  • Please see the following information related to roof bolter safety in the following links:

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

Fatality #20 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On November 13, 2010, a 42 year- old contract mechanic with 23 years of experience died at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was underneath a front-end loader, with the engine running, checking a hydraulic fluid leak when the machine moved and rolled over him. The machine was parked on a slight grade, the bucket was raised off the ground, and no wheel chocks were in place.

Best Practices

  • Train persons to recognize work place hazards.
  • Establish safe work procedures before a task is performed and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Set the park brake and securely block equipment and components against hazardous motion at all times while performing repair or maintenance work.
  • Do not rely on hydraulic systems to hold mobile equipment stationary during repairs or maintenance.
  • Lower the bucket to the ground when parking mobile equipment.

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

Fatality #19 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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mnm fatality number 19 for 2010On October 20, 2010, a 63 year- old contract truck driver with 41 years of experience died at a fuller’s earth (clay) operation. The victim backed his trailer into a bay at the mine loading dock. He got out of his truck and walked to an adjacent bay to discuss the loading procedures with the fork lift operator. At that time, a second trailer was being moved into the bay and it struck the victim, pinning him against the loading dock.

Best Practices

  • Establish a control policy that includes signs directing all truck drivers to report to a designated office clear of the dock and truck travel areas when dropping or picking up loads.
  • Train all persons to recognize work place hazards and to stay clear of normal paths of travel of mobile equipment.
  • Provide a clearly marked, safe area for pedestrian access to the facility. Clearly mark areas that are unsafe for pedestrian access and prevent entry into those areas.
  • Ensure that illumination is sufficient at the work site.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, backup alarms, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no one is in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of movement and wait to give them time to get to a safe location.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.

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

Fatality #18 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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2010 MNM Fatality 18On October 16, 2010, a 52 year- old haul truck driver with 5 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. He was using an air-powered hammer/chisel to clean hardened material on a belt conveyor tail pulley. The victim was positioned on top of the return side of the belt conveyor, facing the tail pulley, when the belt conveyor was energized, entangling him in the tail pulley.

Best Practices

  • Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
  • Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them.
  • Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
  • Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before re-starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.

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

Fatality #17 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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2010 MNM fatality #17On October 7, 2010, a 72 year-old dozer operator with 20 years of experience died at a dimension stone operation. The victim dismounted the dozer he was operating and walked near a haul truck that struck him.

Best Practices

  • Train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Never approach mobile equipment until you communicate with mobile equipment operators and receive confirmation from the operator indicating awareness of your presence.
  • Use radios to communicate when visual contact can’t be maintained.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Install “rear viewing” cameras and proximity detection devices on mobile equipment.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and proximity detection devices to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.

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