On Thursday, June 9, 2011, a 53 year-old contract steelworker, with over 16 years of coal mine experience, was killed when he fell approximately 8 feet from a steel beam. He hit a lower cross beam before he landed on a conveyor belt cover located about 32 inches below the cross beam. The victim had been engaged in cutting operations just prior to the fall, and was repositioning when he removed his lanyard tie-off safety device from the location where it was secured.
Best Practices
- Wear and use fall protection, maintaining 100 per cent tie off, when fall hazards exist.
See TieOff.asp - Ensure workers are trained and understand the proper use of restraint devices.
- Provide self retracting lanyard mechanisms when possible.
- Ensure secure footing in all work areas.
- Examine tools and personal protective equipment routinely and replace when defects or wear is evident.
- Conduct a risk assessment of the work area prior to beginning any task and identify all possible hazards. Use the SLAM; Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage approach for work place safety.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).