Fatality #2 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On March 2, 2011, a 51 year- old contract superintendent with 24 years of experience was killed at a phosphate rock operation. The victim was attempting to join two ends of 24-inch diameter pipe. Two excavators were being used to position the pipe in the saddle of a pipe fuser when the pipe slipped out and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures and identify and remove hazards before beginning a task. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s procedures for the work being performed to ensure that all hazards have been addressed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards associated with performing a task.
  • Repair broken or damaged equipment immediately.
  • Block material against motion to assure energy cannot be released while the task is performed.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
  • Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.

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

Fatality #3 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Friday, February 11, 2011, a 55 year old miner with 30 years of mining experience was killed when the fuel and grease service truck he was operating collided head on with a scraper. The two pieces of equipment were traveling in opposite directions. The impact resulted in a fire that engulfed the fuel truck.

Best Practices

  • Inform others when driving a vehicle into a work area.
  • Optimize traffic rules to maximize safe road travel.
  • Obey established traffic rules and signage that apply to the area.
  • Follow established communication procedures.
  • Ensure signage is in place and easily observed.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times.
  • Ensure all safety systems are maintained, including brakes and steering.

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

Fatality #1 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2011

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On February 12, 2011, a 41 year- old grader operator with 15 years of experience was killed at a phosphate rock operation. The victim and a coworker were standing and talking when he was struck by a grader that was backing up. The accident occurred in a staging area where equipment operators were inspecting their equipment before the shift.

Best Practices

  • Train all persons to recognize work place hazards and to stay clear of normal paths of travel for mobile equipment.
  • Regularly monitor work practices and reinforce their importance. Take immediate action to correct unsafe conditions or work practices.
  • Designate a specific area, clear of mobile equipment, where persons can meet before the shift starts.
  • Install cameras and collision avoidance systems on mobile equipment to protect persons.
  • Ensure that illumination is adequate at the work site.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, backup alarms, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no one is in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of movement and allow time to move to a safe location.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Consider use of wearable strobes when near mobile equipment.

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

Joseph Main Addresses House of Representatives Subcommittee

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Head of MSHA, Joseph Main, addressed the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workforce Protections to report on progress with investigation at Upper Big Branch since the explosion there last April and express his opinion of a need for further legislation.

You can read a PDF file of the statement or listen to a conference call after the testimony with members of the Press asking questions.

Click here for: Statement Given (pdf), Post Hearing Conference Call (wav).

Fatality #2 for Coal Mining 2011

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On February 3, 2011, a 49 year old dozer operator, with 2 years mining experience, was killed at a surface area of an underground coal mine. The accident occurred at an access road leading to a gas well plugging site. The victim parked on a grade and dismounted the dozer to assist a truck driver connect a winch cable from the dozer to the water truck. The dozer drifted backward into the water truck, pinning the victim between the truck and the dozer. The parking brake was not set and the blade was not lowered on the dozer.

On March 25, 2011, MSHA Solicitors made a determination that this fatality is not under MSHA jurisdiction, and therefore, not chargeable to the mining industry.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that equipment operators are trained and knowledgeable about equipment operation and the associated hazards.
  • Perform pre-operational equipment checks for defects and repair any defects found before operating equipment.
  • Analyze the job for what needs done and look for what could go wrong. More information can be obtained here: http://www.msha.gov/SLAMRisks/SLAMRISKS.pdf
  • Block dozers against motion by lowering the blade, setting parking brakes, and shutting off the machine.
  • Position equipment on flattest grade possible to connect equipment for towing, and consider positioning the tow machine at a distance and angle that would prevent a rollback collision.
  • Stay in equipment, if equipment has the potential to move.

Additional safety information can be found on Safety Target Packages:

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)


MSHA Fatality Summaries for 2010

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MSHA has posted Fatality Summaries for both the Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Industries. Each summarizes the various task and equipment groupings. The coal report includes information on each of the 19 fatalities that occurred in addition to the 29 killed in the Upper Big Branch explosion. It also include a look at the most common causes of all coal fatalities from 2001 to 2010 and provides suggested best practices. Also included are two Mine Safety Alerts for Powered Haulage and Roof Falls.
The Metal/Nonmetal report includes the same type of information for that industry with a number of colorful posters highlighting Machinery, LOTO, and Contractor Safety.

Fatality #1 for Coal Mining 2011

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On Thursday, January 27, 2011, a 19 year old underground miner with fifteen weeks of mining experience was killed when he became caught between the “V” shaped coal discharge guides adjacent to the discharge roller of the section conveyor belt. Both belt conveyors were operating at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • Train all employees thoroughly on the dangers of working or traveling around moving conveyor belts.
  • Never attempt to cross a moving belt conveyor, except at suitable cross-overs or cross-unders.
  • Install proper belt cross-overs and/or cross-unders at strategic locations, when height allows.
  • Be aware of locations where new miners are working or intend to travel.
  • Provide belt conveyor stop and start controls at areas where miners must access both sides of the conveyor. These areas should be provided with adequate crossing facilities (e.g. cross-overs or cross-unders).
  • Install adequate guarding at all conveyor belt pinch point locations.

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

MSHA Alert – Mine Deaths are NOT Inevitable

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued a fatality alert to the mining community profiling the causes of and circumstances surrounding the 71 fatal accidents that occurred last year.

“2010 will be remembered for the dramatic explosion that killed 29 men at the Upper Big Branch Mine and for the deaths of 42 other miners across the nation whose lives ended in needless tragedy,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “We can – and must – honor all of these miners by increasing our efforts to ensure safe and healthy workplaces for our nation’s miners.”

Click here for: MSHA Press Release (pdf).

Mining Health and Safety Scholarship

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The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association scholarship program and encourage new generations to enter the mine safety and health profession. A financial award is given to deserving candidates to help defray their educational costs in a field related to mining health and safety.

This scholarship program is open to persons who are pursuing careers in the mining industry, safety and health-related fields.

Scholarship awards are available in the following categories:

  1. High school graduates (graduating seniors) enrolled in a college or university degree program.
  2. Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college or university degree program.
  3. Graduates of a college or university pursuing a graduate degree.

Applicant must satisfy each of the following criteria:

  1. Provide a transcript of grades for the last 3 years of completed education (i.e. high school or college level)
  2. Complete the Financial Disclosure Information section to verify financial status and expenses of all persons living in the applicant’s household.
  3. Submit a 100-300 personal word essay on “Why I am pursuing a degree in mining or in a mine safety/health-related field.”
  4. Provide a list of Extracurricular Activities and/or a list of other Academic Achievements.
  5. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green-card holder).
  6. Complete application and submit it with all required documents by March 31, 2011.

Click here for: Joseph A Holmes Safety Association Scholarship web page and application.