September MSHA Impact Inspection Results

renewcomerLeave a comment

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that federal inspectors issued 374 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 18 coal mines and two metal/nonmetal mines in September 2011. The coal mines were issued 292 citations, 28 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and one order.

Special impact inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, including high numbers of violations or closure orders; indications of operator tactics, such as advance notification of inspections that prevent inspectors from observing violations; frequent hazard complaints or hotline calls; plan compliance issues; inadequate workplace examinations; a high number of accidents, injuries or illnesses; fatalities; and adverse conditions, such as increased methane liberation, faulty roof conditions and inadequate ventilation.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf), Results Spreadsheet (pdf)

 

Fatality #16 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Friday, October 7, 2011, a 23-year-old section repairman with five years of mining experience was killed when a continuous haulage conveyor fell on him. A rock had been used to block up the continuous haulage conveyor. The victim was working beneath the continuous haulage conveyor attempting to repair the bridge conveyor chain.

Best Practices
  • Do not work under raised equipment unless it is securely blocked.
  • Use proper blocking material that is properly placed and stable.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of all areas where work is scheduled and have adequate oversight to ensure all tasks are performed in a safe manner.
  • Provide additional training for all work procedures emphasizing best practices for each specific task.
  • Evaluate hazard potential before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

I’m Going for My Flu Shot Today

renewcomerLeave a comment

Yes it’s that time of the year again as we look forward in excitement to winter and in dread to the diseases of the season. I’m headed to the doctor today to get my annual flu shot. Are you? OSHA has some materials available to help you prevent OR have in place should a pandemic occur.

Check them out here. Workplace Safety and the Flu (web); Pandemic Influenza (web).

You can also find out about the flu, find informational videos to use, and even locate a source locally for flu shots at flu.gov.

North Carolina Mine Safety and Health Conference

renewcomerLeave a comment

The North Carolina Aggregates Association (NCAA) and the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) are partnering together to offer a two day North Carolina Mine Safety and Health Conference. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina on Thursday and Friday, March 29 – 30, 2012. A link to the Registration form is on the Safeminers.com Events Page. Click on the tab above. Registration must be made by February 28, 2012.

If you have any questions email me and I can hook you up with organizers there.

Fatality #10 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On September 23, 2011, a 32 year-old plant operator with 10 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was changing a screen in the plant when he fell approximately 56 feet to the ground below. He was standing on a steel rail that had been placed between the midrail of the protective rail surrounding the screen deck work platform and the screen structure.

Best Practices

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Before starting any work, identify and control all hazards.
  • Train all persons to recognize and understand safe job procedures, including the purpose of fall protection barriers and the proper use of fall protection.
  • Always use fall protection when working where a fall hazard exists.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #9 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On September 13, 2011, a 38 year-old miner with 3 years of experience was killed at a portable sand and gravel operation. The victim opened the 480 volt feeder box at the motor control center and started to remove the leads when he received a fatal shock.

Best Practices

  • Be trained on all the electrical tests and safety equipment necessary to safely test and ground the circuit being worked on.
  • Conduct a risk assessment.
  • Use properly rated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including Arc Flash Protection such as a hood, gloves, shirt, and pants.
  • Positively identify the circuit on which work is to be conducted.
  • De-energize power and ensure that the circuit is visibly open.
  • Place YOUR lock and tag on the disconnecting device.
  • Verify the circuit is de-energized by testing for voltage using properly rated test equipment.
  • Ensure ALL electrical components in the enclosure are de-energized.
  • Ground ALL phase conductors to the equipment grounding medium with grounding equipment that is properly rated.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

The Deadliest Month?

renewcomerLeave a comment

MSHA has issued an alert for October based on numbers that show that for Metal/Nonmetal mines it is the deadliest month.

Of course it’s a good idea to pay extra attention to safety any month, any week, or any day, but this certainly indicates there are factors in the industry that could make October a special month to pay attention to safety. Download the printout below from MSHA to post or distribute to your miners.

Click here for: MSHA Alert (pdf).

Fatality #8 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On September 7, 2011, a 30 year-old miner with I year of experience was killed at an underground gold mine. The victim was on a ramp waiting for a blast to be initiated. When the round was initiated, small rock and debris traveled through a 3-inch diameter diamond borehole, striking him.

Best Practices 

  • Plug a diamond drill hole that intersects any opening and map the hole.
  • During blasting operations, consider mine specific conditions, including diamond drill holes and rock strata, and establish mine policies and procedures to protect all persons.
  • When developing a blasting plan, make sure all drilled holes and open passageways that intersect the area to be blasted are known and taken into consideration before initiating any blast.
  • Use a central blasting system and schedule blasting between shifts or on off-shifts when no one is present.
  • Train persons to identify hazards associated with blasting activity and take action to correct them.
  • Never initiate a blast until the blast area has been determined to be safe and all persons have been evacuated from the designated blasting area.
  • Take special precautions to ensure that all roadways and regularly traveled areas are blocked to prevent access when blasting is being conducted.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Thursday September 1, 2011, a 29-year-old contract driller with 1 year, 3 months of experience was killed at a surface coal mine. The victim was attempting to separate a pipe connection when he was struck by a tong wrench. The rig was being used to drill a water well. The crew was working to free the drill stem that was stuck in the drill hole when the accident occurred.

Best Practices
  • Stand a safe distance from areas of potential high energy release.
  • Know the radius of machinery that pivots.
  • Establish and follow safe work procedures.
  • Ensure all components are adequately blocked and secured to prevent unintended motion.
  • Know the limitations of equipment used for blocking motion and ensure that they are used within their specified limitations.
  • Ensure all components are in good repair.
  • Establish and follow communication procedures.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Monday, August 15, 2011, a 46 year old miner was killed when he was struck by a portion of the mine roof that fell from an area adjacent to a longwall shield. The accident occurred during a longwall move, while the victim was installing a wooden crib in an area where a longwall face shield had been removed previously. The victim had approximately five years experience with this activity.

Best Practices
  • Assure that roof control plans are suitable to the prevailing geological conditions. If roof geology changes affect roof stability, reevaluate roof support techniques.
  • Share and discuss roof control plans with the miners on a regular basis. For miner safety, assure that the roof control plan safety precautions are followed.
  • Provide additional training for specialized work, such as longwall moves, emphasizing best practices for a specific task.
  • Conduct examinations of roof conditions frequently to prevent exposure to poor roof conditions. Remain vigilant for changing roof conditions.
  • When hazardous roof conditions are detected, danger off areas until they are made safe.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).