Fatality #6 for Coal 2018

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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).

Fatality #5 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2018

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On June 13, 2018, a 65-year old truck driver with 4 years of experience was fatally injured when his truck traveled over a berm and into an impoundment of water.  Divers recovered the victim in 20 feet of water.

Best Practices

  • Maintain control and stay alert when operating mobile equipment.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and correct any defects affecting safety in a timely manner prior to operating mobile equipment. Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
  • Ensure that berms are adequate for the vehicles present on site, including but not limited to height, material, and built on firm ground.
  • Consider storing personal flotation devices in equipment that is being operated near water.
  • Ensure that all exits from cabs on mobile equipment, including alternate and emergency exits, are maintained and operable.
  • Use seat belts when operating mobile equipment.

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

Fatality #4 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2018

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On May 9, 2018, a 27-year old kiln technician with 32 weeks of experience was burned while lighting a gas fired kiln. There was a blow back when igniting the kiln and the miner received burn injuries to his head and chest.  The miner succumbed to his injuries on May 28, 2018.

Best Practices

  • Remove flammable and combustible materials from areas prior to cutting, welding, or other hot work. A qualified person should monitor nearby areas where heavy vapors could migrate and accumulate.
  • Ventilation systems should be properly designed, installed, and maintained.
  • Install fixed monitoring systems with alarms in areas with potential for flammable and other hazardous atmospheres and calibrate and maintain them regularly.  The systems should have redundant controls and system readouts located inside and outside of hazardous areas.
  • Process equipment and systems should be properly designed and completely installed prior to use.
  • Inerting systems should be properly designed, installed, adequately filled, and maintained.
  • Do not work in areas where concentrations of vapors can be immediately fatal (Lower Explosive Limit), Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, or where they exceed permissible exposure limits (PELs) to produce adverse health effects.
  • Minimize or eliminate hazards by using appropriate engineering and administrative controls.

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

Fatality #5 for Coal 2018

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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).

Fatality #3 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2018

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On April 12, 2018, a 60-year old customer truck driver was killed when he fell from, and was run over by, his truck while scanning into the operator’s check-in system.  The victim was found underneath the belly dump of the semi-trailer, and the truck was still in gear.

Best Practices

  • Implement check-in system technology that can be scanned remotely from inside the vehicle such as a RFID tag or indicator.
  • Commercial and customer truck drivers should remain in their trucks while on mine property, unless a safe area for tarping and checking their loads has been designated.
  • Operators should place their equipment in neutral and set the parking brakes before exiting the operator compartment.
  • Rules establishing safe operating procedures should be posted.
  • Ensure workers who operate heavy equipment are adequately informed, instructed, trained and supervised.

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

Fatality #4 for Coal 2018

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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).

Fatality #2 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2018

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On March 14, 2018, a 56-year old crusher maintenance employee with 15 years of mining experience sustained a fatal injury to his head while installing discharge chutes on the screen deck.  The suspended chute shifted striking him.

Best Practices

  • Stay clear of a suspended load.
  • Follow proper rigging procedures when lifting loads.
  • Establish safe work procedures and identify and remove hazards before beginning repair or maintenance tasks. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s procedures for the work being performed to ensure that all hazards have been addressed.
  • Use welded lifting eyes that are specifically intended for lifting and adequately rated for the loads being lifted.
  • Carefully inspect all rigging prior to each use.
  • Train persons to recognize and control all hazards associated with performing repair or maintenance tasks.
  • Persons should communicate during maintenance tasks with each other.
  • Position yourself only in areas where you will not be exposed to hazards resulting from a sudden release of energy.
  • Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while suspended. Stand clear of items of massive weights having the potential of becoming off-balanced while being loaded or unloaded
  • Assign a sufficient number of persons to repair or maintenance tasks to ensure the tasks can be safely performed.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing repair or maintenance tasks.
  • Miners should wear fall protection when working at elevated heights.

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

Fatality #3 for Coal 2018

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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.

Best Practices: 
  • Operate all mobile equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility, and other traffic.
  • Consider installing mechanical devices that limit the top speeds of fast-moving equipment.
  • Travel at safe speeds so that mobile equipment can be stopped within the limits of visibility.
  • Maintain haulage roadways free from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment.
  • Maintain steering and braking components so that mobile equipment can be controlled at all times.
  • Properly maintain brakes, lights, and warning devices on mobile equipment.  Perform functional tests of the brakes and other safety devices during the pre-operational examination.
  • Install safety devices, including seat belts, and ensure they are properly used and/or worn.
  • Conduct task training for each type of personnel carrier or equipment being operated.

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

Fatality #2 for Coal 2018

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On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, a 38-year-old highwall mining machine operator, with 21 years of total mining experience, was electrocuted when he contacted an energized connection of a 7,200 volt electrical circuit.  The victim was found inside a transformer station troubleshooting and/or performing electrical work on the electrical system that supplies power to the mining machine.

Best Practices: 
  • Lock-Out and Tag-Out the electrical circuit yourself and NEVER rely on others to do this for you.
  • Follow these steps BEFORE entering an electrical enclosure or performing electrical work:
    1. Locate the circuit breaker or load break switch away from the enclosure and open it to de-energize the incoming power cable(s) or conductors.
    2. Locate the visual disconnect away from the enclosure and open it to provide visual evidence that the incoming power cable(s) or conductors have been de-energized.
    3. Lock-out and tag-out the visual disconnect.
    4. Ground the de-energized conductors.
  • Wear properly rated and well maintained electrical gloves when troubleshooting or testing energized circuits.  After the electrical problem has been found, follow the proper steps before performing electrical work
  • Use properly rated electrical meters and non-contact voltage testers to ensure electrical circuits have been de-energized.
  • Install warning labels on line side terminals of circuit breakers and switches stating that the terminal lugs remain energized when the circuit breaker or switch is open.
  • ​Electrical work must be performed by a qualified electrician or someone trained to do electrical work under the direct supervision of a qualified electrician.

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

Fatality #1 for Coal 2018

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On February 6, 2018, a 52-year-old electrician with 13 years of mining experience was fatally injured while working alone performing routine maintenance on a continuous mining machine.  A portion of rib, measuring 42 inches long, 28 inches high, and 14 inches thick, fell and struck the victim.  He was found between a coal rib and the continuous mining machine.

Best Practices: 
  • Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs, especially when geologic conditions, or an increase in mining height, could cause roof or rib hazards.  Take additional safety precautions while working in these conditions.
  • Correct all hazardous conditions before allowing miners to work and travel in these areas.  Adequately support or scale any loose roof or rib material from a safe location.  Use a bar of suitable length and design when scaling.
  • Train all miners to conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs in their work areas, including more frequent examinations when conditions change.
  • Install rib bolts with adequate surface area coverage, during the mining cycle, and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan.  The roof control plan only contains minimum safety requirements.  Additional support may be required when roof or rib fractures, or other abnormalities are detected.

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