Fatality #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On June 4, 2011, a 39 year-old mill operator with 1 year and 14 weeks of experience was killed at a surface gold operation. The victim was sweeping in a crusher building when he fell through an opening approximately 60 feet to the floor below. The cover for the opening was not secured in place.

Best Practices

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards. Train all persons to recognize and understand safe job procedures before beginning work.
  • Always use fall protection when working where a fall hazard exists.
  • Protect openings near travelways through which persons may fall by installing railings, barriers, or covers.
  • Keep temporary access opening covers secured in place at all times when the opening is not being used.
  • Ensure that areas are barricaded or have warning signs posted at all approaches if hazards exist that are not immediately obvious.

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

 

Fatality #5 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Saturday, May 14, 2011, a 37-year old mechanic with 14 years of mining experience and 1½ years of experience as a mechanic, was killed while removing a counter weight fuel tank assembly from a front-end loader. He was positioned beneath the front-end loader when he removed 14 of the 16 mounting bolts that secure the counter weight. When the victim attempted to remove the next to last bolt, the remaining two bolts failed allowing the 11,685 pound counterweight to fall on him. The counter weight had not been blocked to prevent it from falling.

Best Practices
  • Install blocking materials before removing mounting bolts from machinery components which can fall during disassembly.
  • Follow known safe maintenance procedures.
  • Follow the equipment manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures when performing repairs to machinery.
  • Train new mechanics in the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

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

Fatality #5 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On April 25, 2011, a 31 year- old drill operator with 6 weeks of experience was killed at an underground crushed stone operation. He was walking in a crosscut when a slab of roof, approximately 5 feet wide by 6 feet long by 10 inches thick, struck him.

Best Practices

  • Train persons to identify work place hazards and take action to correct them.
  • Design, install, and maintain a support system to control the ground in places where persons work or travel.
  • Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as ground conditions warrant during the shift.
  • When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install additional ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
  • Be alert to any change of ground conditions.

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

Fatality #4 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Friday, March 25, 2011, a 54-year old continuous mining machine operator with 35 years of experience was killed when he was caught between the coal rib and the conveyor boom of the remote controlled continuous mining machine he was operating.

Best Practices
  • AVOID “RED ZONES”!!! Prior to tramming the continuous mining machine to a new place, ensure the machine operator is positioned outside the turning radius of the machine. MSHA Red Zone webcast (pdf)
  • Prior to tramming the continuous mining machine to a new place, ensure the tip of the conveyor boom is positioned on the side of the mining machine opposite to the side where the machine operator is located.
  • Install MSHA approved Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines. Proximity Detection Single Source
  • Assign another miner to assist the continuous mining machine operator. Train all persons in the programs, policies, and procedures for operating or working near remote controlled continuous mining machines. Additional information on preventing these types of accidents can be found at: MSHA’s Safety Targets Program Hit By Underground Equipment.

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

Fatality #4 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On April 15, 2011, a 53 year- old miner with 26 years of experience was killed at an underground silver operation. He was wetting a muck pile in a stope when a fall of back, approximately 90 feet long, struck him.

Best Practices

  • Design, install, and maintain a support system to control the ground in places where persons work or travel.
  • Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as ground conditions warrant during the shift.
  • When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install additional ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
  • Analyze extraction ratios and backfill methods and characteristics to improve stability.
  • Be alert to any change of ground conditions.

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

Still Time to Register for NC Seminars

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There’s still time to register for the upcoming North Carolina Mine Safety and Health Seminars. You can fax your registration up until Friday the 27th. Then enjoy your long weekend and enjoy a day of improving your safety and health program with the start of Summer. It’s only $25 to attend and that includes lunch and break refreshments. Click on the EVENTS tab above for links to agendas and registration forms for either Raleigh or Morganton.

 

NIOSH Lock-Out Tag-Out Publication

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NIOSH has issued a new Workplace Solutions publication on Using Lockout and Tagout Proceduresto Prevent Injury and Death during Machine Maintenance. The four page publication reviews the exposure of the hazard in OSHA industries and the OSHA Standard. It examines a case report of a fatality involving a Millwright and lists recommendations for employers, workers, and manufacturers. You can download a copy in pdf format here.

MSHA to kick off annual ‘Stay Out – Stay Alive’ public safety campaign

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration, along with Kansas City Chiefs running back Thomas Jones, will kick off its annual “Stay Out – Stay Alive” public safety campaign on Friday, May 6. Jones, the son of coal miners from southwestern Virginia, is the national spokesman for “Stay Out – Stay Alive,” which was established in 1999 to warn outdoor enthusiasts – especially children – about the dangers of exploring and playing on mine property. Each year, dozens of people are injured or killed in recreational accidents at active and abandoned mines around the country.

Jones will take part in a media conference call with MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main and then visit a Crofton, Md., elementary school to address students.

Prior to these May 6 activities, Jones is scheduled to meet on May 5 with various members of Congress to discuss his role as campaign spokesman.

Click here for: Stay Out Stay Alive Web Page

MSHA announces results of March impact inspections

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MSHA announced that federal inspectors issued 134 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and eight metal/nonmetal mines last month. The coal mines were issued 55 citations, four orders and one safeguard; the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 69 citations and five orders.

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf).

Fatality #3 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On February 24, 2011, a 56 year- old equipment operator with 10 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel operation. He was cleaning a tramp metal magnet on a belt conveyor when it started.

Best Practices

  • Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
  • Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a drive, head, tail, take-up pulleys, and magnets.
  • Lock-out/tag-out all power sources before working on belt conveyors.
  • Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.
  • Sound an audible alarm if the entire length of the belt conveyor is not visible from the starting switch.

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