Underground

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m10
On April 28, 2014, a 53-year-old miner with 32 years of experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The victim was drilling with a jackleg drill when his clothing became entangled in the drill steel of the machine.
Best Practices

  • Ensure that persons are trained, including task-training, to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and use methods to properly protect persons.
  • Conduct work place examinations before beginning any work.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
  • Stop the drill rotation when performing tasks near the rotating steel.
  • Provide safe routing of hoses and cables so they are not close to the rotation of the drill.
  • Do not assign a person to work alone in areas where hazardous conditions exist that would endanger his or her safety.
  • Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working around drilling machinery.
  • Keep work areas clean and free of tripping hazards.

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

Fatality #5 & #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m05-06On April 11, 2014, a 53-year-old scaler with 8 years of experience and a 29-year old scaler with 8 years of experience were killed at an underground limestone mine.  The miners were in a basket on a boom truck scaling a pillar about 40 feet above the mine floor.  Large slabs of rock fell from the rib and struck an outrigger and the back of the truck, causing the boom to fall to the mine floor. 

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures and train all persons to recognize and understand these procedures.
  • Discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.  Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
  • Always examine, sound, and test for loose ground in areas before starting to work, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Always wear fall protection where there is a danger of falling.
  • Scale loose material from a safe position and location.
  • Test for loose material frequently during work activities.
  • Install ground support in roof and ribs where conditions warrant.
  • Use equipment with a reach that reduces the possibility of the equipment being struck by falling material.
  • Position equipment to keep outriggers and boom from being struck by falling material.

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

Fatality #3 for Coal Mining 2014

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ftl2014c03On Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at approximately 1:45 a.m., a 41-year-old mechanic trainee with 23 weeks of mining experience was killed while working on a belt feeder. The victim was cutting through the inner left side plate of the crawler assembly that connects the hopper jack assemblies to the crawler frame. When the cut was completed, the crawler assembly pivoted upward, pinning the victim between the crawler track and the frame of the feeder.

Best Practices
  • Ensure that all stored energy is released or controlled before initiating repairs.
  • Securely block equipment against all hazardous motion at all times while performing maintenance work. Take extra precautions if it is possible for the equipment to move in multiple directions.
  • Always be aware of your location in relation to machine parts that can move.  Examine work areas for hazards that may be created as a result of the work being performed.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.  Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed to ensure miners are protected.
  • Study the manufacturer’s maintenance manual for safety precautions and recommended blocking securing procedures BEFORE initiating repairs.
  • If specified, always use the manufacturer’s safety device(s) or features for securing components against motion.
  • See additional information on blocking against motion here.

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

Fatality #2 for Coal Mining 2014

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ftl2014c02On Friday, February 21, 2014, a 24-year-old continuous mining machine operator with 5½ years of mining experience was killed when he was pinned between the end of the boom of a continuous mining machine and the right coal rib. The miner was tramming the remote controlled continuous mining machine in the last open crosscut toward the Number 1 entry.

Best Practices
  • Install and maintain proximity detection systems to protect personnel and eliminate accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA website.
  • Ensure everyone, including the equipment operator, is outside the machine turning radius before starting or moving equipment.
  • Develop policies and procedures for starting and tramming self-propelled equipment and especially remote controlled continuous mining machines. Implement measures to assure their use which includes training all miners that are exposed to the hazards.
  • Avoid the “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a continuous mining machine especially when setting over or place changing a remote controlled continuous mining machine.
  • When moving continuous mining machines where the left and right traction drives are operated independently, use the low tram speed.
  • Assign another miner to assist the continuous mining machine operator when it is being moved or repositioned.
  • Frequently review, retrain, and discuss avoiding the “RED ZONE” areas.

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

Fatality #1 for Coal Mining 2014

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ftl2014c01On Friday, January 16, 2014, a 20-year-old general inside laborer with 2 years of mining experience was killed when he was struck by a feeder. The victim was standing between the coal rib and the feeder when the securing post dislodged, allowing the tailpiece unit to shift and pin him between the rib and the frame of the feeder. The victim had just finished connecting a chain between the feeder and the tailpiece when the accident occurred.

Best Practices
  • De-energize and lock out the conveyor belt before repositioning the tailpiece.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
  • Use equipment or material capable of supporting the tailpiece.
  • Ensure any bracing, such as a post, is hitched into the rib properly.
  • Ensure the tailpiece is anchored securely before re-energizing the conveyor.
  • Operate the belt before allowing miners around the repositioned tailpiece. Keep miners at a safe distance and avoid pinch points until it is determined that the tailpiece is secure.

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

Fatality #20 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c20On Saturday, November 23, 2013, a 32-year-old longwall shieldman with 5 years of mining experience was killed when he was struck by high pressure hydraulic fluid from a panline valve bank. The victim was advancing shields and the panline when a hydraulic hose extending from the panline to a shield was pinched between a shield pontoon and the mine floor. As the shields and panline advanced, a fitting on the hydraulic hose broke where it was attached to a panline valve bank.

Best Practices
  • Keep all high pressure hydraulic hoses free from pinch points, sharp edges, and abrasive areas.
  • Use whip checks to prevent excessive free motion of hoses at connection points.
  • Ensure proper hose routing to eliminate abrasion damage and exposure to ignition and electrical sources.
  • Do not locate high pressure hoses in travel ways or in areas where miners are regularly exposed to them.
  • Replace hydraulic hoses with hoses identical (length, diameter, pressure rating, etc.) to the original hose.
  • Always assure pressure is removed from any hoses being replaced.
  • Always check for defective hydraulic hoses and replace damaged hydraulic hoses immediately.
  • Train miners on the dangers associated with hydraulic hoses on long wall faces and in proper maintenance procedures for the hydraulic system.

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

Fatality #16 & 17 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2013

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ftl2013m1617On November 17, 2013, a 33-year old powderman trainee with 5 weeks of experience and a 59-year old shift supervisor with 36 years of experience were killed at a silver mine. The two miners were in an area of the mine where explosives had been detonated the day before. Other miners working in the area were able to evacuate. Mine rescue teams entered the mine, found the two victims, and brought them to the surface. During the recovery operation, rescue teams detected fatal levels of carbon monoxide. Twenty miners were taken to the hospital and three were kept overnight.

Best Practices

  • Conduct effective workplace examinations. Identify all hazards and take action to correct them.
  • Ensure all active working areas are ventilated prior to allowing miners to work in those areas.
  • Monitor gasses as frequently as necessary to determine the adequacy of control measures.
  • Use properly maintained and calibrated gas detection instruments with alarms for concentrations outside of safe limits that are audible and visual.
  • Ensure all miners are trained to recognize all potential hazards and emergency procedures, including evacuation procedures.
  • Dispose of damaged or deteriorated explosive material in a safe manner in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #19 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c19

On November 4, 2013, a 36 year-old longwall chief, with 16 years of experience, was killed while shoveling loose coal and rock between the coal face and the pan line on a longwall section. The victim received crushing injuries when a solid piece of coal and cap rock fell from the coal face, striking and pinning him against the face side of the pan line. The coal/rock combination measured approximately 4 feet and 10-inches long, by 2 feet and 3 inches wide, and up to 24 inches thick.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a thorough examination of the roof, face, and ribs, including a visual examination and a sound and vibration test prior to miners being assigned to work or travel through an area.
  • Correct hazardous roof, face, or rib conditions before any work or travel is permitted in the affected area.
  • Use a bar of suitable length and design for removing loose or unconsolidated material.
  • Support the exposed longwall roof, face, and ribs by mechanical means in the immediate work area.
  • Train all miners in hazard recognition and safe work practices that are assigned to perform work on the longwall face.
  • Apply additional safety precautions in areas where geological changes and anomalies in strata are present.
  • Post a certified foreman at the work area when maintenance is being performed.
  • De-energize the face conveyor, notify the headgate operator, and disconnect power at the control station while work is being performed on the face conveyor (pan). Do not energize the conveyor until all persons are off the face side of the conveyor and the conveyor is supported adequately from inadvertent movement.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #18 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c18On Friday, October 11, 2013, a 59-year-old shuttle car operator, with approximately 22 years of mining experience, was killed when a shuttle car struck him. The victim was in the crosscut between the No. 6 and No. 7 entries. This crosscut and adjoining entries were being used to gain access to rooms being mined on the right side of the section.

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.
  • Always ensure that visibility is not obstructed in the direction of travel and across the equipment being operated.
  • Use transparent curtain for check and line curtains in the active face areas.
  • Sound audible warnings when the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, such as when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains.
  • Come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before proceeding through ventilation controls.
  • Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of the ambient noise.
  • Shine equipment lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
  • Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Always communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.

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), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #16 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c16On Saturday, October 5, 2013, a 47-year-old laborer with approximately 15 years of mining experience, was killed when the battery powered personnel carrier he was driving overturned and pinned him underneath the vehicle.

Best Practices

  • Operate all powered haulage, along with trailers and sleds, at speeds consistent with conditions and the equipment used.
  • Control equipment so that it can be stopped within the limits of visibility.
  • Maintain off-track haulage roadways from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment.
  • Sound audible warnings when making turns, reversing directions, approaching ventilation curtains, and any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed. Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of ambient noise.
  • Maintain mechanical steering and control devices to provide positive control at all times.
  • Provide all self-propelled rubber-tired haulage equipment with well-maintained brakes, lights, and warning devices.

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