Underground

Fatality #13 & #14 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On August 12, 2010, a 38 year-old maintenance technician with 3 years of experience and a 47 year-old operations miner with 21 years of experience died at an underground gold mine. They were working from the top of a conveyance in a 16-foot diameter ventilation shaft attempting to locate and free a blockage in a 24-inch-diameter aggregate delivery pipe. While the conveyance was near the 820 foot level, the entire pipe from the shaft collar to the 860 level broke away and fell to the bottom at the 1330 foot level. The pipe struck the conveyance as it fell, causing the hoist drum to break away from its support base. The victims were found at the bottom of the shaft.

Best Practices
  • Routinely examine pipe support structures for indications of excessive corrosion and cracked, missing, or damaged: clamps, brackets, support beams, and connections.
  • Conduct periodic visual and non-destructive examination on couplings and pipes for corrosion, abrasion thinning, cracking, and loose connections.
  • Inspect and test process monitoring systems to ensure safety controls are functioning properly.
  • Perform construction and maintenance in accordance with design drawings and specifications.
  • Minimize exposure to hazards by using equipment such as air cannons and vibrators to prevent or clear blockages.
  • Ensure that miners are in a safe position to avoid falling objects or materials.

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

Fatality #42 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Thursday, July 29, 2010, at approximately 11:55 a.m., the left side integral roof bolter operator on a continuous mining machine was fatally injured. The victim was struck with a portion of rib measuring approximately 276 inches long by 55 inches high and up to 16 inches thick. The accident occurred while cutting an overcast. The victim had installed one test bolt and was near the left rear bumper of the machine, when the accident occurred. The rock in the left rib sheared off pinning, the victim against the machine.

Best Practices
  • Develop a plan for cutting overcasts and train miners in the procedures and precautions.
  • Examine the roof and ribs frequently while working.
  • Take down or support any loose ribs or roof adequately before working or traveling in the affected area.
  • Be aware of changing roof and rib conditions, especially when working between the ribs and equipment.
  • Unless necessary, do not position yourself between any piece of machinery and the rib.
  • Where the mining process allows, remain within the confines of protective devices such as cabs, canopies and rib protectors whenever possible.
  • Install additional rib support prior to mining in areas where the roof or floor is cut above or below the coal seam, especially overcasts, loading points, etc.

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

Fatality #41 for Coal Mining 2010

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diagram of coal fatality number 41 for 2010On Friday, July 9, 2010, a 61-year old production foreman with 33 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was struck by a battery-powered ram car. The victim was last seen in the No. 6 entry just outby the intersection at crosscut No. 107. This intersection and adjoining crosscuts were being used to gain access to the ratio feeder located in the No. 5 entry.

Best Practices
  • Install proximity detection systems on mobile face equipment. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Use approved translucent check curtains designed to allow mobile equipment to tram through.
  • 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.
  • Be aware of blind spots when travelling in mobile equipment travel ways.
  • Communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.

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

Off-Road Tire Fires

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Two recent fires occurred that involved front-end loaders. These fires proved very dangerous to miners and fire fighters because the off-road tires exploded, resulting in a dangerous release of energy. Large off-road tires can throw debris 900 feet when they explode. Although the exploding tires did not injure anyone during these accidents, one front-end loader operator received burns and injuries when he jumped from the loader

Click here for: Safety Flyer (pdf)

Fatality #40 for Coal Mining 2010

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COAL MINE FATALITY – On Thursday, July 1, 2010, a 60-year old section electrician was fatally injured when he was run over by a shuttle car. The victim was last seen walking outby the face in a connecting crosscut. As the loaded shuttle car was leaving the continuous miner, the victim was discovered under the shuttle car.

Best Practices

  • Always sound the shuttle car alarm or bell when approaching and before traveling through check curtains.
  • Be aware of your location in relation to movement of equipment, especially in lower coal seams.
  • Wear reflective or florescent clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Train miners to use effective means of communication between themselves and equipment operators.
  • Develop and follow standard operating procedures for tramming shuttle cars.
  • Ensure all personnel are clear of the traveling path and turning radius before moving equipment.
  • Pursue new technology such as proximity detection to protect personnel and eliminate accidents of this type.

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

Fatality #39 for Coal Mining 2010

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On June 24, 2010, a 29 year old continuous mining machine operator with 12 years experience received fatal injuries when he was caught between the right rib and the remote controlled continuous mining machine he was operating.

Best Practices
     

  • Install MSHA approved Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines.
    http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevention/...
  • Avoid “Red Zone” areas associated with remote controlled continuous mining machines and other mobile equipment.
    http://www.msha.gov/webcasts/coal2004/REDZONE2.pdf
  • Ensure equipment is being operated safely, especially in low mining heights, and slippery and uneven floor conditions.
  • Maintain equipment in a safe operating condition.
  • Observe work practices and provide timely feedback.

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

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On June 18, 2010, a 29 year-old contract miner with 6 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground silver mine. The victim was scaling loose ground in a stope when he was struck by falling material approximately 3½ feet long by 2½ feet wide by 2 feet thick.

Best Practices

  • 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.
  • Communicate unsafe ground conditions to all affected miners.
  • Perform manual scaling from a location which will not expose persons to injury from falling material.
  • When manually scaling, use scaling bars of a length and design that will allow the removal of loose material without exposing persons to the risk of injury.
  • Install ground support where conditions warrant.

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

Fatality #38 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, a 42 year old Section Foreman with 17 years of mining experience was fatally injured. While he was installing rib support, a section of rib 12 feet wide x 15 feet 6 inches high x 9 feet thick fell, knocking over a roof jack that struck him.

Best Practices

  • Conduct roof evaluations when entering a previously mined area for the purpose of pillar recovery.
  • Support loose ribs or roof adequately or scale down material before beginning work.
  • Conduct thorough pre-shift examinations and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before work or travel is in an area and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan. Take additional measures to protect persons if unusual hazards are encountered.
  • Assure the roof control plan is suitable for prevailing geologic conditions. Revise the plan if conditions change and the support system is not adequate to control the roof, face, and ribs.
  • Be alert to changing geological conditions which may affect roof, rib, and face conditions.

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