Mining Fatalities

MNM Fatality – 8/9/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

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).

Coal Fatality – 8/5/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On August 5, 2024, a miner was seriously injured when an air lifting bag he was using to rerail the conveyance that was carrying the longwall electrical power center suddenly dislodged.  The miner died from his injuries on August 7, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Block or secure equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Provide miners with proper tools for rerailing track equipment.
  • Train miners on safe work procedures and to identify hazards associated with their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2024, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 7/25/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On July 25, 2024, a miner died when he was engulfed in material against the stacker belt conveyor’s feed chute.  The miner was kneeling and shoveling on the stacker belt conveyor when the belt conveyor unexpectedly rolled back.

Best Practices

  • Evaluate for possible stored energy and other hazards before beginning work.
  • Use proper devices and tools to block machinery against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Task train miners on safe work practices.

Additional Information

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

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

MNM Fatality – 6/14/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

Note: This alert was posted as a Safety Alert for Tire Explosion on 7/19/24 and didn’t come up on my radar as a specific Fatal Alert. Sorry for the delay in posting to this site. – Randy

On June 14, 2024, one firefighter died, and another was injured when a front end loader tire exploded while firefighters fought the equipment fire.

Best Practices

In the event of a possible or actual fire (e.g., odor, heat, smoke, flames):

  • Stop the machine, lower all attachments, set the parking brake, and turn the equipment off.
  • Actuate the machine-mounted fire suppression system, if available.
  • Safely exit the machine and retreat to a safe location, preferably 1,000 feet away.
  • Warn all others in the vicinity of the fire, notify management, and contact appropriate emergency personnel.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish a tire fire with a hand-held extinguisher.
  • Wait for emergency responders to arrive. Stay clear of the fire.
  • From a distance, emergency personnel can use a fire or water truck to cool down the equipment. (See SAE J2828NOV2016 – Off-Road Tire Handling Guidelines.)

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

Coal Fatality – 5/31/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

Note: This alert was posted as a Safety Alert for Unsupported Roof on 6/18/24 and didn’t come up on my radar as a specific Fatal Alert. Sorry for the delay in posting to this site. – Randy

On May 31, 2024, a 27-year-old coal miner suffered fatal injuries from a roof fall when he traveled under unsupported roof. In May 2021, a 32-year-old continuous mining machine operator was killed by a roof fall when he was working under unsupported roof.

Best Practices

Mine Management:

  • Prohibit work or travel under unsupported roof.
  • Train all miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas
    of unsupported roof.
  • Identify and correct unsafe work practices.

Roof Control Plans should include:

  • Identifying the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible
    markers at all approaches.
  • Installing and maintaining adequately designed roof/ground control where miners
    work or travel.
  • Guidance ensuring miners are safely positioned while setting temporary support.
    Installing temporary supports under the direct supervision of a certified foreman

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

Coal Fatality – 7/12/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On July 12, 2024, a rock truck operator was seriously injured after being struck by the bucket of a front-end loader.  While walking to her parked truck, the rock truck operator passed under the raised front-end loader bucket as it was being lowered to the ground during maintenance.  On July 23, 2024, the rock truck operator died from her injuries.

Best Practices

  • Provide adequate illumination for miners performing maintenance.
  • Ensure the work area is clear and barricade equipment before performing maintenance.
  • Communicate your intended movements with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence before traveling near mobile equipment.  
  • Stay clear of raised equipment or machinery until it has been lowered or securely blocked against motion.  
  • Wear reflective clothing when working in dark conditions.

Additional Information

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

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

Coal Fatality – 5/16/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On May 16, 2024, a miner died when the excavator he was operating traveled over a 200-foot highwall. 

Best Practices

  • Reduce fall hazard exposure by limiting the distance equipment can safely operate near the edge of highwalls. 
  • Examine benches to identify hazards related to insufficient bench width, locations of other equipment, loose material, etc.
  • Discuss highwall hazards with miners and train miners to recognize these hazards.
  • Address hazards in the mine’s Surface Mobile Equipment Safety Program.  Include safe work practices for weather conditions (fog, heavy rain, or snow) that could reduce visibility.

Additional Information

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 5/9/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On May 9, 2024, a miner died when he was pinned between the personnel lift that he was operating and the roof of a structure.  The miner was tramming the personnel lift from the basket to conduct a roller repair on an elevated belt conveyor.

Best Practices

  • Ensure miners maintain control of personnel lifts while in operation.
  • Use a spotter when moving mobile equipment in congested areas and around structures.
  • Monitor miners routinely to ensure miners follow safe work procedures while operating personnel lifts. 
  • Ensure miners are aware of their location in relation to nearby structures.
  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify and eliminate hazards before beginning work in an area.
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2024, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 5/8/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On May 8, 2024, a miner was electrocuted while unloading a roll of belt from a trailer.  The miner was performing rigging duties when the crane boom contacted an overhead high-voltage powerline.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that booms or masts of equipment are not operated within 10 feet of any energized overhead powerline.
  • Designate one person on the ground, located in a safe location, to give signals to the crane operator and watch placement and proximity of the boom.
  • Use non-conducting tag lines to steady loads when operating cranes where overhead power lines are present.
  • Post warning signs at all approaches to overhead powerlines; install barricades where necessary.

Additional Information

This is the fifth fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Electrical.”

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

MNM Fatality 4/15/24

renewcomerLeave a comment

On April 15, 2024, a miner died when the tail section of a collapsible belt conveyor fell and pinned him between the tail section and middle section.  The miner was working as part of a crew to tear down the conveyor in preparation to be moved.

Best Practices

  • Block all equipment against hazardous motion before beginning work.
  • Stay clear of suspended loads.
  • Never enter or work in pinch points or Red Zones around equipment.
  • Identify hazards associated with the task, review those hazards with all miners involved, and implement measures to protect miners.
  • Train all miners in the safe performance of tasks.

Additional Information

This is the fourth fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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