On Thursday, December 20, 2018, a mobile bridge carrier (MBC) operator, with 5 years and 21 weeks of mining experience, was fatally injured while operating his detached, remote-controlled machine during the mining process.  As the continuous haulage system pulled forward in preparation of mining, he was crushed between the coal rib and the No. 2 mobile bridge conveyor that was between both mobile bridge carriers.
Best Practices: 

• Maintain communications between equipment operators of a continuous haulage system prior to starting or tramming any component of the system.
• Institute and maintain a high level of equipment-specific training for all operators, which includes proper operator positioning during machine operation and also protocols for certain scenarios.
• Do not position yourself in pinch-point areas while remotely operating equipment.  Ensure that equipment operators remain in the confines of the equipment cab, if equipped, while the machine is running.
• Always perform thorough pre-operational examinations on mobile equipment to identify any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
• Be familiar with the de-energizing switches on your machine and remote-control unit. “Panic-out” at the first sign of a hazardous situation.

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

On Tuesday, September 11, 2018, a mobile bridge conveyor (MBC) operator, with 8 weeks of mining experience, was fatally injured during the mining process.  The continuous mining machine (CMM) and attached MBCs had been backed out of a completed cut.  While the CMM was being repositioned, it moved the attached MBCs and crushed the victim between his MBC and the coal rib.
Best Practices: 

• Frequently communicate with other MBC operators before starting or tramming any component of the system.  Always be in a location where other MBC operators can readily see or communicate with you.
• Install latching emergency stop switches so MBC operators can actuate them to prevent machine movement when they leave the operator’s cab or position.  See PIB No. P11-16 for information on man-in position switches. https://arlweb.msha.gov/regs/complian/PIB/2011/pib11-16.pdf
• Stay out of MBC Red Zones if the CMM or any of the MBCs are energized.
• Be familiar with how the de-energizing switches on your machine operate and immediately actuate them the moment a hazard is recognized.
• Install man-in-position switches on mobile bridge conveyor systems so all MBC operators know everyone is in a safe position before initiating machine movement.

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

On Monday, June 4, 2018, a 43-year-old miner with 10 years of mining experience, was fatally injured when a roof jack struck him in the head.  At the time of the accident, the miner was a passenger in a personnel carrier that traveled over the roof jack, which was lying in the roadway at the time.  As a result of being hit, the roof jack was propelled into the passenger’s compartment, striking the victim. The victim was flown to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
Best Practices: 

• Conduct thorough examinations of roadways and remove material that may pose a hazard to equipment operators, passengers, or other miners.
• Maintain roadways free of excessive water, mud, and other conditions which have an impact on an equipment operator’s ability to control mobile equipment.
• Establish safe operating procedures for mobile equipment and a maintenance schedule for roadways.
• Secure loads being hauled to prevent them from falling off haulage vehicles.
• Ensure each item being hauled reaches the intended destination.
• If items are lost during transport, immediately search for them and warn other mobile equipment operators.

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

On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, a 29-year-old belt foreman with .eight years of total mining experience was fatally injured while he and a co-worker were in the process of splicing an underground conveyor belt when the conveyor belt inadvertently started.  The victim became entangled with the belt splicing tools as the conveyor belt moved.
Best Practices: 

• Before splicing conveyor belts, perform the following steps:
  • Open the circuit breaker that supplies electrical power to the conveyor belt drive.
  • Open the visual disconnect for the cable that supplies electrical power to the conveyor belt drive.
  • Lock-out and tag-out the visual disconnect yourself and NEVER rely on someone to do this for you.
  • Release the tension in the conveyor belt take-up/storage unit.
  • Block the conveyor belt against motion.
• Keep the key to the lock at all times while repairs and/or maintenance are performed.
• Ensure that you are the only person who removes the lock after repairs and/or maintenance are completed.
• Ensure that no miner is in harm’s way before starting the conveyor belt(s).
• Provide a visible and/or audible system, with a start-up delay, to warn persons that the conveyor belt will begin moving.
• Establish policies and procedures for performing specific tasks on conveyor belts and ensure all miners are trained.

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

On Friday, March 16, 2018, a 34-year-old mechanic with 16 years of total mining experience was fatally injured while operating a diesel personnel carrier on the mine haulage road.  The vehicle hit the right rib and rolled onto its left side.  The victim was partially ejected from the mantrip and the canopy of the mantrip came to rest on his chest.

On Monday, October 23, 2017, a 48-year-old mine examiner with 19 years of mining experience, received fatal injuries after he fell on the No. 1 conveyor belt near the transfer point with the No. 2 conveyor belt and was transported by the belt conveyor system to the raw coal pile. It appears he was attempting to cross the No. 1 conveyor belt at the time of the accident.

• Never attempt to cross a moving conveyor belt, except at suitable crossing facilities.
• Train all employees thoroughly on the dangers of working on or traveling around moving conveyor belts.
• Provide conveyor belt stop and start controls at areas where miners must access both sides of the belt.
• Install practical and usable belt crossing facilities at strategic locations, including near controls, when height allows.
• Install pull cords to disconnect power to the conveyor belt at strategic locations along the conveyor belt.

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