MNM Fatality – 9/9/22

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On September 9, 2022, a dredge operator drowned while working in a dredge pond.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure a competent person conducts workplace examinations before miners begin work to identify conditions that may adversely affect safety.
  • Make sure miners wear life jackets or belts where there is danger of falling into water.
  • Make sure miners maintain communication when working alone.

Additional Information: 

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/23/22

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MINE FATALITY – On August 23, 2022, a contract mechanic received fatal injuries while performing maintenance on the bucket (dipper) of an electric rope shovel.  A plastic block, used to prop open the dipper door, dislodged causing the dipper door to close and pin the victim against the back edge of the dipper.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure miners are positioned in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Make sure miners securely block equipment against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs. 
  • Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
  • Make sure miners conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Additional Information: 

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2022, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

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).

August Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 8/4/22 MNM Machinery
  • 8/17/22 Coal Powered Haulage
  • 8/23/22 Coal Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

July Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 7/21/22 MNM Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Surface

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On June 20, 2022, a contract driller was working outside of his drill when he fell from the top of a highwall.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear fall protection when there is a danger of falling.  Assure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest and a secure anchorage system.
  • Train miners to properly use their personal protective equipment and to recognize potential hazards from falls and to safely perform tasks.
  • Provide communication systems when assigning miners to work alone.

Additional Information: 

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

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).

June Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 6/20/22 MNM – Machinery
  • 6/20/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 6/17/22

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On June 17, 2022, a contract miner died when the compactor he was operating overturned, pinning him beneath the cab.  As the miner was backing up, the left tire went off the edge of a four-foot embankment, causing the compactor to overturn.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear seat belts at all times when operating equipment.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely, and to recognize potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2022, and the 4th classified as “Machinery.”

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