Fatality #24 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On December 29, 2010, a 41 year- old laborer with 4 years of experience died at a dimension stone operation. The victim was replacing a hydraulic lift arm cylinder on a skid steer loader. The lift arms suddenly lowered, pinning him against the frame of the machine.

Best Practices

  • 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.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards associated with performing repair or maintenance tasks.
  • Prior to performing repair or maintenance tasks, turn the power off and block any raised component against accidentally lowering.
  • 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.
  • 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 #23 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On December 23, 2010, a 35 year- old contract blaster with 12 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. After firing the blast, he immediately walked into the blast site to examine the shot material. The victim was approaching the edge of the shot material when the ground collapsed, engulfing him in the water-filled pit.

Best Practices

  • Conduct effective workplace examinations in areas where contractors are working. Identify all hazards, and take action to correct them.
  • Establish mining plans based on geological evaluations and implement procedures to effectively protect all persons.
  • Establish methods to identify subsurface cavities and voids such as advance drilling and geophysical surveys (ground penetrating radar – GPR), electrical resistivity, or other available methods.
  • Wait at least 15 minutes or longer before conducting post-blast inspections. Take additional time if geological anomalies or other hazards are identified during drilling or blasting.
  • Keep a safe distance from cracks or any other signs of unstable ground conditions.
  • Tie off using a secure anchorage zone.
  • Wear a life jacket where there is a danger from falling into water.

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

Partnership Produces Resources for Aggregate Miners and Contractors

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MSHA and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association have teamed up to produce a web page on MSHA’s site that provides everything an aggregate miner or contractor needs to know… even if the disclaimer is needed to say it’s still your responsibility to be sure you are compliant in every way. It’s SAFETY PRO IN A BOX!

These are not new materials, but it’s certainly helpful to have them accessible from one page, something SafeMiner.com tries to do all the time. There are Web Education and Training Resources, Paperwork Requirements, and links to MSHA Handbooks, the Instructor Guide Series, Streaming Media Clips, and more!

But why am I telling you what’s there when you can check it out here!

Now about whether you can actually put a Safety Professional in a box or not without providing confined space training… Ha! SafeMiners.com will provide a permanent link to the site under our Resources Tab, so you can always find one in a box if yours is out wandering around.

Fatality #22 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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2010 MNM Fatality 22On December 17, 2010, a 35 year- old truck driver with 11 weeks of experience died at a crushed stone operation. The victim was standing on a belt conveyor, working inside a chute, when the belt conveyor started. He was pulled out of the chute and conveyed under two other chutes located on the same belt conveyor. After the belt conveyor was shut down, the victim was found under a third chute.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures before conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards of working near belt conveyors.
  • Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a chute, drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
  • Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them.
  • Sound audible warnings or alarms prior to starting belt conveyors.
  • Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before re-starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.

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

Fatality #21 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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M/NM Fatality #21On November 30, 2010, a 33 year- old mechanic with 14 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. The victim and a coworker were working under the rear portion of a ten-wheeled truck that was suspended by rigging attached to a hoist. The chain holding the truck slipped off the hook and the truck fell, killing the victim and injuring the other person.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures before a task is performed and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards of working under suspended loads.
  • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion while performing maintenance work.
  • Train all persons regarding the proper selection and use of lifting devices and rigging equipment.
  • Use lifting devices and rigging that are compatible with the load being lifted.

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

Fatality #48 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Saturday, December 4, 2010, a 32 year old contract truck driver with four years of experience was killed in a Powered Haulage accident on a coal mine haul road. The loaded truck struck the left berm on the elevated roadway and over-turned on the road, trapping the victim under the cab.

Best Practices

  • Never operate a truck or other mobile equipment without using a seat belt.
  • Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and properly maintain the brakes and other safety features.
  • Construct roadway berms to appropriate strengths and geometries to prevent driving through them or driving up onto them.
  • Train all employees on proper work procedures, hazard recognition and avoidance, and proper use of roadway berms.
  • Observe all speed limits, traffic rules, and ensure that grades on haulage roads are appropriate for haulage equipment being used.
  • Always select the proper gear and downshift well in advance of descending the grade.
  • Monitor work habits routinely and examine work areas to ensure that safe work procedures are followed
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times, making allowances for the prevailing conditions (low visibility, inclement weather, etc).
  • Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Do not attempt to exit or jump from a moving vehicle

For more information that can be used to prevent this type of accident refer to: MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Target Package – Trucks

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

Highwall Safety Alert

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Winter months can bring drastic changes to the stability of highwalls due to freezing and thawing. Water accumulates in crevices of rocks and then freezes. The ice acts as a wedge to expand the crevice opening. The ice thaws and the cycle begins again which in turn compromises the stability of the highwall that can result in highwall failure.

MSHA has issued a Safety Alert that can easily be printed out and posted or used in a toolbox talk.

Click here for: MSHA Safety Alert: Highwall Stability

Fatality #47 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, a 32-year old service man with 6 years of experience, was killed at a surface mine. The victim was driving a tandem axle lube truck down a grade into an active work area of the mine when he lost control of the truck. The truck struck an embankment and overturned onto its left side. The victim either jumped or was thrown from the truck.

Best Practices

  • Conduct pre-operational safety checks of all mobile equipment.
  • Equipment defects affecting safety shall be corrected before the equipment is used.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating a truck or mobile equipment.
  • Maintain adequate berms on the outer banks of elevated roadways.
  • Construct haulage roads to grade and lane widths appropriate for all equipment used.
  • Train all employees on proper operation procedures, hazard recognition, and avoidance.
  • Ensure traffic rules, signals, and warning signs are posted and obeyed.
  • Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
  • Operate vehicles in the appropriate gear and avoid changing gears when descending grades.
  • Ensure there is sufficient illumination of working areas and lights are maintained on mobile equipment.
  • Do not exit or jump from a moving vehicle.

For more information to prevent these types of accidents click on the following link:
MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Target Package

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

Fatality #46 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 39-year old continuous mining machine helper, with approximately 4 years of mining experience, was killed when he was struck by a loaded shuttle car. The victim was in the No.7 Entry between crosscuts No.37 and No.38, repairing a ventilation curtain. This entry and adjoining crosscuts were being used to gain access to the ratio feeder, which was located in the No.6 Entry.

Best Practices

  • Before performing work in an active haulage travelway, stop mobile equipment until work has been completed and communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.
  • Use approved transparent ventilation curtains to improve visibility.
  • Operate mobile equipment at safe speeds and sound audible warnings when making turns, reversing directions, approaching ventilation curtains, and any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed. The sound level of audible warnings must be significantly higher than that of ambient noise.
  • Place visible warning devices at all entrances to areas where work is to be performed in the active travelway of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of blind spots when traveling in the same areas where mobile equipment operates.
  • Install proximity detection systems on mobile face equipment.
  • Always wear reflective clothing, or use permissible personal flashing lights, to ensure high visibility when necessary to walk or work where moving equipment operates.

For more information related to struck-by equipment accidents view the following link: MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Hit By Underground Equipment at www.msha.gov.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #45 for Coal Mining 2010

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On October 11, 2010, a 56 year old roof bolting machine operator with 31 years mining experience was killed in a roof fall. The victim was standing beside the roof bolting machine when a portion of a rock brow fell from between the roof bolts and struck him. The rock was approximately 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, and varied in thickness from approximately 7 inches, up to 24 inches.

Best Practices

  • Remain alert for changing roof conditions, and remove hazards immediately.
  • Roof brows that are created by a sudden change in mining height can create unsafe roof conditions and may require removal and/or additional roof support.
  • Know and always follow your Approved Roof Control Plan.
  • Don’t leave freshly cut roof unbolted for long periods of time.
  • Use roof screen, large roof bolt plates, or other surface controls to prevent rocks from falling between supports.
  • Train all miners to identify unsafe roof conditions that are encountered daily.
  • Conduct thorough examinations in areas where miners will work or travel before and after work is completed.
  • Please see the following information related to roof bolter safety in the following links:

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