Underground

Coal Fatality – 3/18/23

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On March 18, 2023, a miner died when the mine roof collapsed during the installation of standing roof support (crib) as part of the longwall recovery cycle.  The accident occurred in an area adjacent to a longwall shield.

Best Practices

  • Follow the approved Roof Control Plan.
  • Design, install, and maintain roof support where miners work or travel.
  • Never travel under unsupported roof. 
  • Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before starting work in an area.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during longwall recovery.

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

MNM Fatality – 1/30/23

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On January 30, 2023, a miner died while troubleshooting a belt conveyor when he fell through a 37-inch-long by 34-inch-wide hole created by the removal of a section of grating.  The miner fell approximately 35 feet from the catwalk to the ground below.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Provide fall protection where there is a danger of falling and train miners on its proper use.
  • Replace guarding/grating that protects temporary access openings as soon as completing work.
  • Conduct workplace examinations and immediately correct any unsafe conditions.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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

MNM Fatality – 1/23/23

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On January 23, 2023, a utility management miner died, and another miner was seriously injured, while removing unused waterline pipe suspended from a mine roof.  The two miners were using hand tools to remove a pipe fitting when the waterline pipe suddenly came apart, striking the victim.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Release stored energy and pressure from pipes (block and bleed) before breaking a pipe connection.
  • Lock out, tag out, and block equipment from movement before performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks.

Additional Information

This is the third fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Hand Tools.”

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

MNM Fatality – 12/6/22

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On December 6, 2022, a miner died when the diesel tractor he was operating struck a pillar.  The miner was thrown from the tractor and crushed under the rear tire of the tractor.

Best Practices

  • Make sure miners wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
  • Make sure miners maintain control of equipment while it is in operation.
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 28th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 10/22/22

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On October 22, 2022, a mine examiner drowned in an underground sump.  The mine examiner was assigned to start pumps in the area.  The float switch box was found open with exposed electrical conductors inside the box.

Best Practices

  • Make sure miners de-energize, lock out, and tag out equipment before entering an area to perform repairs or maintenance.
  • Make sure miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Operators must conduct required examinations from safe locations to identify hazards, correct hazards, notify miners, and record hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Drowning.”

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

Coal Fatality – 9/1/22

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On September 1, 2022, a roof bolter was electrocuted when he contacted a metal hook that became energized after it penetrated the 480-volt cable that supplied electrical power to a roof bolting machine.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure miners use suitable, non-conductive ropes when pulling or handling electrical cables. 
  • Never attach conductive parts, such as metallic hooks, to the portions of non-conductive ropes that contact electrical cables.
  • Make sure miners use proper Personal Protective Equipment when handling cables, such as insulated gloves.

Additional Information: 

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Electrical.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/17/22

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MINE FATALITY – On August 17, 2022, a general inside laborer died when he was caught between a supply car and its coupler.  The victim was sitting on the supply car which was coupled to a locomotive parked in a track spur.  The locomotive was struck by another locomotive pulling three loaded cars into the mine.  The impact knocked the victim off the supply car, killing him.

Best Practices: 

  • Assure track switches are in the proper position for your direction of travel and the latches are in contact with the rail.
  • Make sure miners are in a safe location away from equipment parked in a track spur when other equipment is passing along the main rail line.
  • Make sure miners communicate their location and intended movements with the dispatcher.  Repeat the switch alignment back to the dispatcher, where applicable.

Additional Information: 

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2022, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 7/21/22

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On July 21, 2022, a miner received fatal injuries when his right arm became entangled in an auger (screw) conveyor. 

Best Practices: 

  • Secure all conveyor covers in place during normal operation.  Keep tools, clothing, and body parts away from moving conveyors.
  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.  Never perform work on a moving conveyor.
  • Examine work areas and equipment.  Report defects to miners and assure defects are corrected and recorded.  Test emergency shut-off devices frequently.

Additional Information: 

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2022, and the sixth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Underground

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A 50 year-old miner died when the excavator he was operating underground slid over an elevated loading pad and was engulfed by lime dust.

Best Practices: 

•    Conduct workplace examinations prior to beginning work and assure hazards are corrected.
•    Train miners to identify and report hazards and stay clear of potentially unstable areas.

Additional Information: 

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 2/14/22

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On February 14, 2022, a 34 year-old maintenance technician died while driving a lube truck underground.  The truck over traveled the edge of a stope and fell approximately 60 feet into the stope drift.

Best Practices: 

  • Provide berms, bumper blocks, safety hooks, or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of over travel.
  • Examine working places before work begins for conditions that may adversely affect safety and health

Additional Information: 

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: preliminary report (pdf) Final Report (pdf).