On Monday, January 4, 2016, a 53 year-old belt foreman/fireboss with 34 years of mining experience was fatally injured when he came in contact with a moving underground belt conveyor. The victim was preparing to change out a hold up roller when he was caught by the moving belt and pulled into the roller.

Best Practices

• Never perform work on a moving conveyor belt.
• Ensure that power is off with a visual disconnect before any work is performed, use your own lock and tag.
• Ensure that machinery is blocked against motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
• Always identify safety hazards before beginning any task.
• Stay out of areas along a moving conveyor belt where clearance is restricted.
• Cross moving conveyor belts only where suitable crossing facilities are provided. (e.g. cross-overs or cross-unders).
• Ensure all guards are adequate and securely in place where exposed moving machine parts may be contacted by persons.

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

On Sunday, May 31, 2015, a 59-year-old mine examiner with 32 years of mining experience was found unconscious, unresponsive, and lying in a travel way.  The victim had been driving a diesel mantrip to travel to a set of seals to examine them.  The victim was located along the east coal rib, and the front right corner of the mantrip was in contact with the west rib just inby the location of the victim.

Best Practices

• Operate all mobile equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility, and other traffic.
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Maintain full control of the equipment while it is in motion.
• Standardize and establish traffic rules, including speed limits, signals, and warning signs, at the mine.
• Limit speed to safe levels by installing positive controls on personnel carriers and mantrips.
• Install safety devices to keep miners from falling or being thrown out of moving vehicles.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, a 34-year-old repairman, with approximately 15 years of mining experience, was killed when struck by a ram car while he was walking inby toward the face of the No. 7 entry. The ram car operator moved the ram car into the No. 7 entry with the batteries positioned outby the face area and then traveled towards the face area, striking the victim with the left side, trailer end of the ram car.

Best Practices

• Use proximity detection systems to protect personnel from accidents of this type.  See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
• Ensure that visibility is clear in the direction of travel and across the equipment being operated.
• Use transparent curtain for checks and line curtains in the active face areas.
• Sound audible warnings if the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains.  Ensure the sound levels of audible warnings are significantly higher than ambient noise.
• Come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before moving equipment through ventilation controls/curtains.
• Operate lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
• Position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators can readily see you and confirm eye contact with the operator.
• Require the use of personal strobe lights for any foot traffic inby the tailpiece.  Position personal strobe lights on the back of hard hats or equivalent areas and use reflective materials to ensure maximum visibility.
• For more information related to struck-by equipment accidents, view the following link: MSHA – Safety Targets Programs – Hit By Underground Equipment at www.msha.gov

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)