May 2012 Impact Inspections

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that federal inspectors issued 158 citations, 26 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines in May. In a separate two-day inspection blitz, MSHA inspectors targeted 40 underground coal mines formerly owned by Massey Energy, where they issued 225 violations. The incident that precipitated these inspections was a burned conveyer belt at Road Fork No. 51 Mine in Wyoming County, W.Va. No similar violations were found during the subsequent 40 inspections.

Click here for: MSHA report with spreadsheet (pdf).

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On May 28, 2012, a 51-year old shift operator with 13 years of experience was killed at a cement operation. The victim was found near the plant’s crane bay building after being struck by a front-end loader. He was walking from the lunchroom toward the locker area.

Best Practices

  • Train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel and use all mirrors and cameras to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and give them time to move to a safe location.
  • Operate the mobile equipment at reduced speeds in work areas.
  • Ensure that backup alarms and lights on mobile equipment are maintained and operational.
  • Post signs to warn persons in areas where mobile equipment travel.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #7 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On May 23, 2012, a 36 year-old foreman with about 9½ years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel operation. He was operating an excavator on a dike separating two ponds. The ground beneath the excavator tracks failed and the excavator toppled into one of the ponds.

Best Practices

  • Examine work areas to identify all hazards and remediate before starting any work.
  • Evaluate the stability of the ground (slopes and berms) prior to operating equipment near any drop off or edge.
  • Always be attentive to changes in ground conditions and visibility when operating machinery.
  • Perform the work at a safe distance away from the edge of a pond or where the stability of the ground may be unknown.
  • If a potential hazard is present, use long reach equipment to limit exposure and maintain a safe distance away.
  • Consider areas that have experienced previous slope failures to be unstable and do not approach until the area is evaluated for stability.
  • Wear flotation devices where there is a danger of falling into water.
  • Be alert to changes in ground conditions such as cracking, bulging, sloughing, undercutting, and erosion.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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Best Practices

  • Ensure that mobile equipment operators are task trained adequately and demonstrate proficiency in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and ensure the service brakes are properly maintained and will stop and hold the mobile equipment prior to operating.
  • Operators of self-propelled mobile equipment shall maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion.
  • Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
  • Ensure that equipment manufacturer’s load limits are not exceeded.
  • Slow down or drop to a lower gear when necessary. Post areas where lower speeds are warranted.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Ensure that equipment operators maintain adequate communications.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #8 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Thursday, May 17, 2012, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a 57-year-old mechanic was killed at a coal preparation plant. The victim was standing on a 14-foot fiberglass extension ladder when it became unstable and slid across an I-beam. He fell down an adjacent hoist well opening 39 feet to the concrete floor below. He was attempting to cut and remove a 12-inch hoist beam located above the third floor in the plant.

Best Practices

  • Use fall protection when working in an elevated position and securely tie-off where the danger of falling exists.
  • Ensure all workers are adequately trained in the use of fall protection and restraint devices.
  • Examine fall protection equipment and personal protective equipment before each use. Ensure that defective equipment is replaced.
  • Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
  • Properly position ladders to ensure that footing is secure, that the ladder is resting in a manner that prevents movement, and that the ladder is protected from being struck by moving objects.
  • Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times. Do not lean too far to the side while working.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf),  MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

April 2012 Impact Inspections

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that federal inspectors issued 335 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines in April. The coal mines were issued 254 citations, 19 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and nine orders.

Click here for: MSHA report with spreadsheet (pdf).

Fatality #5 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2012

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On April 11, 2012, a 49 year-old excavator operator with approximately 8½ years of experience was injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was removing bolts from a counterweight on the back of an excavator when the counterweight fell and struck him. He was hospitalized and died on April 12, 2012, as a result of his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Before working on or near equipment, establish safe work procedures consistent with the design of the machine. Train all persons to recognize and understand these procedures.
  • Follow the equipment manufacturer’s procedures for the work being performed to ensure that all hazards are addressed.
  • Provide adequate task training to persons assigned to perform the work. Utilize assistance from the manufacturer when the equipment incorporates new technology and features.
  • Install blocking materials before removing mounting bolts from machinery components which can fall during disassembly.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #7 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, a 61-year-old demolition contractor with approximately 20 years of experience was killed from injuries received while dismantling a conveyor stacker belt from the surface area of an inactive underground coal mine. The victim had completed the final torch cut on an elevated, inclined stacker frame support beam containing the counter-weight, when the structure fell. The structure contacted the walkway (catwalk) where the victim was located. This section of the walkway, approximately 25 feet long, broke loose from the main structure, causing the victim to fall approximately 27 feet.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures, which include incorporating the manufacturer’s recommendations, to assure that workers are not exposed to hazards when performing maintenance, repairs, or demolition activity.
  • Prior to beginning work, ensure that all workers are trained in safe work procedures.
  • Examine work areas during the shift for hazards that may be created as a result of the work being performed.
  • Before starting any work, clear the area of tripping and stumbling hazards.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all work areas.
  • Secure structures against unexpected movement when performing demolition work.
  • Use appropriate fall protection where there is a danger of falling.
  • Stay focused on your work for your own safety and the safety of your fellow workers.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf),  MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #6 for Coal Mining 2012

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On Friday, March 23, 2012, a 37-year old electrician, with approximately 3½ years experience (approximately 1½ years as an electrician), was killed when he contacted the energized conductors of a shuttle car trailing cable. He was making the final electrical connections for a replacement cable reel when he was electrocuted.

Best Practices

  • Develop a hazard analysis work plan before conducting repairs.
  • Always lock and tag-out electrical equipment prior to electrical work.
  • Perform your own lock and tag-out procedure. Never rely on others to de-energize or disconnect a circuit for you.
  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all electrical work.
  • Ensure that all electrical circuits and circuit breakers are identified properly before troubleshooting or performing electrical work.
  • Use properly rated non-contact voltage testers to ensure that circuits are de-energized.
  • Eliminate personal distractions when working on equipment.

For more information related to Lock and Tag safety, click on the following link on the MSHA Web site: Lock and Tag Safety

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