Mining Fatalities

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 #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On June 12, 2010, a 46-year-old contractor welder was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. He was preparing to weld on an overhead ventilation duct. The victim was using a ladder to access the duct when he fell over a handrail approximately 45 feet to the ground.

Best Practices

  • Always use fall protection when working where a fall hazard exists.
  • Position ladders to ensure their stability and to eliminate trip hazards.
  • Always face the ladder when climbing or working from a ladder.
  • Do not lean to reach items while standing on a ladder.
  • Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder when climbing.

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


Fatality #9 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 28, 2010, a 59-year-old supervisor with 20 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground gold mine. The victim and another miner entered a blast area when a misfire detonated without warning. The other miner was injured and hospitalized.

Best Practices

  • Follow the manufacturers’ guidelines for the storage and usage of explosives.
  • Keep explosives storage areas clean, dry and orderly.
  • Properly rotate explosive stock to use oldest stock first.
  • Never use damaged/deteriorated/outdated explosives, initiation devices, or blasting agents.
  • Wait a minimum of the required times before entering the blast area when either a misfire and/or burning explosives are a possibility.

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

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 26, 2010, a 28 year-old contract miner with 10 weeks of mining experience was fatally injured at an underground uranium mine. The victim was scaling a rib when he was struck by falling material approximately 11 feet high, 15 feet wide and 4 inches to 30 inches thick.

Best Practices

  • Always examine, sound and test for loose ground in areas before starting to work, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Train all persons to scale loose material safely.
  • Always perform manual scaling from a safe location.
  • When manually scaling, use scaling bars of a length and design that allow the removal of loose material without exposing the persons performing the work.
  • Install ground support in ribs where conditions warrant.

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

Fatality #7 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 24, 2010, a 61-year-old maintenance foreman with 32 years of experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim entered a vertical roller mill without locking out the electrical power switch. The mill was started with the victim in the mill.

Best Practices

  • Always follow established lock-out and tag-out procedures.
  • Never rely on others to place your lock on electrical power switches.
  • Always post warning notices at the power switches.
  • Never enter machinery without ensuring the energy source is locked out.
  • Always test to ensure power is off after locking out.
  • Maintain power switch lock out mechanisms to function properly.

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

Fatality #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 14, 2010, a 35 year-old mechanic/welder with 4 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was using an oxy- acetylene torch to cut a damaged drill steel to salvage the drill bit. The drill steel exploded causing metal fragments to strike the victim.

Best Practices

  • Always examine materials before applying heat, cutting or welding.
  • Never apply heat to materials without ensuring that flammables/combustibles/explosive materials are not present.
  • Always examine materials with hollow spaces or cavities to ensure gases can vent before applying heat.
  • Never apply heat to materials where pressure build up is possible.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview(pdf), Spanish Fatalgram (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 #5 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On May 5, 2010, a 21 year-old old contract driller with 1 year of experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was repositioning a truck mounted drill. He lowered the mast and raised the leveling jacks to move the drill. The drill then rolled down a grade and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Maintain parking brakes to ensure proper function.
  • Always set parking brakes when leaving a vehicle unattended.
  • Ensure parking brake will hold the vehicle before exiting cab.
  • Use tire chocks when parking equipment on grades.
  • Never attempt to enter the cab of a runaway vehicle.

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