MNM Fatality – 2/27/20

renewcomerLeave a comment

On February 27, 2020, a miner died when an unsecured 20’x8’x1″ steel plate standing on edge fell and struck him. The steel plate was being used to cover the end of a feeder to allow an equipment operator to build an earthen ramp to the feeder.

Best Practices: 

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.
  • Identify and control all hazards.
  • Task train everyone on safe job procedures and to stay clear of suspended loads.
  • Require all workers to stay out of the fall path of heavy objects/materials that have the potential of becoming off-balance while in a raised position.
  • Monitor routinely to confirm safe work procedures are followed.
  • Be aware of your environment. Factors such as wind, snow, and icy surfaces can affect the stability of an object.
  • When securing an object, identify the location of its center of gravity.

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

Coal Fatality – 2/27/20

renewcomerLeave a comment

On February 27, 2020, a trucking company employee died while helping to position a low-boy trailer.  The victim was standing in front of the trailer wheels to assist the driver.  The truck driver moved the truck forward causing the wheels of the trailer to strike the victim.

Best Practices: 

  • Communicate your planned movements with the equipment operator before approaching mobile equipment and verify the information was received and understood.
  • Verify miners are clear before driving mobile equipment. Communicate your planned movements with miners and verify the information was received and understood.
  • Sound your horn to warn miners that you are about to move and wait to give them time to get to a safe location.
  • Establish policies and procedures for miners to stand in safe locations when directing mobile equipment.
  • Inspect backup alarms and collision warning/avoidance systems on mobile equipment to ensure they are maintained and operational.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.

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

MNM Fatality – 2/29/20

renewcomerLeave a comment

On February 29, 2020, a plant foreman was priming the main suction pump on a dredge when a two-inch coupling on the waterjet pipe failed, knocking the victim into the water. Divers retrieved his body several hours later. The victim was not wearing a life preserver.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear a life preserver where there is a risk of falling into the water.
  • Identify all possible hazards and ensure appropriate controls are in place to protect miners before beginning work.
  • Provide swimming training for everyone that works around water.

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

Coal Fatality – 2/10/20 – Rescinded

renewcomerLeave a comment

On February 10, 2020, a mine examiner was operating a personnel carrier down a mine intake slope. Evidence indicates that the personnel carrier struck the left rib while traveling down the intake slope. The mine examiner was found unresponsive near the bottom of the slope, lying beside the personnel carrier.

Best Practices: 

  • Maintain control and stay alert. Be aware and stay in control when operating mobile equipment. Install mechanical devices that limit the maximum speed of the equipment.
  • Operate mobile equipment safely. Operate equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, and visibility.
  • Test brakes, steering, and other safety devices. Correct safety defects before operating mobile equipment. Test mobile equipment before it is operated and before going up or down steep slopes.
  • Always wear seat belts.
  • Properly train miners. Ensure each operator of mobile equipment receives proper task training.
  • Remove unneeded materials. Keep personnel carriers free of unneeded materials.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Rescission Date:  August 5, 2020
MSHA’s Chargeability Review Committee reviewed the death certificate, autopsy report, medical information, and MSHA’s accident investigation findings and determined that the miner died from natural causes.  The  fatality is not chargeable to the mine operator.

2019 Fatality #11 / MNM #7

renewcomerLeave a comment
Image from Merck Manual

On July 15, 2019, a plant manager stumbled on a drill bench resulting in a compound heel fracture. While undergoing preoperative procedures for his injured heel on July 19, 2019, he became unresponsive and passed away the following day.

Best Practices: 

  • Identify and address hazards. Always be aware of your surroundings and any hazards that may be present. Establish and discuss safe work procedures.
  • Conduct workplace examinations and risk assessments to identify and correct hazards before working on any task. Examine work areas for hazards
  • Provide sufficient illumination in all work areas.
  • Train all miners, especially workplace examiners, to recognize and understand safe job procedures. Communicate and correct hazards in a timely manner.
  • Prevent slips and trips. Clear the area of tripping and stumbling hazards. Maintain traction by ensuring walkways and footwear are free of potential slipping hazards such as dirt, oil, and grease.
  • Stay focused on your work for your safety and the safety of your fellow workers.

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

OSHA @ 50

renewcomerLeave a comment

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a new webpage marking the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the landmark worker safety and health law that led to the creation of OSHA.

The webpage highlights transformative workplace improvements over the past half century, from OSHA’s first standards and whistleblower protections, to assistance programs for small businesses, and the creation of training centers and education grants to help everyone understand and comply with the law.

Visit www.osha.gov/osha50 to find 50th anniversary events and information on OSHA’s efforts to protect America’s workforce.

2019 Fatality #24 / Coal #11

renewcomerLeave a comment

On December 23, 2019, a miner was fatally injured while attempting to remove a splice pin from a 72-inch mainline conveyor belt splice.  A belt clamp and racket-style chain come along failed, releasing stored energy and causing the belt to shift upward and pin the miner against the frame of the belt tailpiece.

Best Practices: 

  • Identify, isolate, and control stored energy: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and gravitational. Relieve belt tension by releasing the energy at the take-up/belt storage system.
  • Check your environment. Always be aware of an object in your work location that could move if stored energy is released.
  • Check your equipment. Ensure belt clamps and other blocking equipment are substantial and properly rated for preventing conveyor belt movement.
  • Securely install, anchor, inspect, and test blocking equipment to ensure that it is able to prevent movement.
  • Conduct complete and thorough examinations from safe locations to identify hazards and items needing maintenance or repair.
  • Ensure miners are trained on safe work procedures. Develop step-by-step procedures and review them with all miners before they perform non-routine maintenance tasks such as adding or removing conveyor belt.
  • Properly block belts to secure components against motion.
  • De-energize electrical power and lock and tag the visual disconnect before beginning a belt splice.
  • Never use the start and stop controls (belt switches). This switch does not disconnect the power conductors.
  • Lock out and tag out disconnecting devices. Only the person who installed them can remove the lock and tag, and only after completing the work.
  • Talk to your coworkers. After the splice has been completed and before removing your lock and tag, ensure everyone is clear of the conveyor belt and communicate to others that you will be restarting the belt.

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