On August 3, 2015, a 64-year old miner with 44 weeks experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine. The victim was operating a front-end loader, loading trucks from a stockpile, when he exited the loader. While outside the loader, the approximate 35-foot high stockpile slope failed and engulfed the victim between the stockpile and the loader.

Best Practices

• Ensure that miners are adequately trained in determining the stability of a stockpile. Any unconsolidated material sloped above its natural angle of repose is, by definition, UNSTABLE and potentially DANGEROUS.
• Ensure that equipment on site has the capability to trim stockpiles safely.
• Ensure that equipment is parked in a safe location before exiting the vehicle.
• Ensure adequate work place examinations are performed and promptly correct hazardous conditions that adversely affect safety and health.

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

On June 30, 2015, a 65-year old equipment operator with 19 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel surface mine. The victim was operating a front-end loader and was removing material from a sand bank when the bank collapsed and engulfed the machine and entered the operator’s cab causing the victim to be asphyxiated.

Best Practices

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
• Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
• Observe and evaluate all pit, highwall, slope, and bank conditions prior to beginning work and throughout the shift to ensure safety. Be especially vigilant for these conditions after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
• Provide equipment cabs strong enough to resist burial pressure.

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

On January 8, 2015, a 63-year old sales manager with 11 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine. He was installing new screen panels in the B tower screen. The feeder box pivoted, pinning him between the box and the rear support beam of the screen deck.

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed along with the methods to properly protect persons.
• Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures when conducting repairs to machinery.
• Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and understand safe job procedures to eliminate all hazards before beginning work.
• Securely block equipment and components against hazardous motion at all times while performing work.
• Ensure that blocking material is competent, substantial, and adequate to support the load.
• Require all persons to be positioned to prevent them from being exposed to any hazards.  Do not work in pinch points where inadvertent movement could cause injury.
• Monitor all persons to ensure safe work procedures, including safe work positioning, are followed.

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

On August 2, 2014, a 53-year-old plant operator with 25 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine.  The victim was working under the raised bed of a dump truck when the wooden block supporting the load suddenly failed, allowing the bed to fall and pin him.  The victim was working alone and was not found until 10 a.m. on August 3, 2014.

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and use methods to properly protect persons.
• Ensure that persons are trained, including task-training, to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
• Before working on equipment, block all raised components against hazardous motion and ensure persons are positioned in a safe location.
• Follow the safe work procedures provided by the manufacturer when performing all maintenance or repair work.  If provided, always use the manufacturer’s provided safety device or features for securing components against hazardous motion.
• Ensure that blocking material is competent, substantial, and adequate to support and stabilize the load.  Blocking must be strong enough and secured to prevent any unintended movement.
• Never block with steel on steel or depend on hydraulics to support a load.  Mechanical blocking can be achieved by installing a hinged prop leg.
• Do not assign a person to work alone in areas where hazardous conditions exist that would endanger his or her safety.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

On March 27, 2014, a 64-year-old foreman with 32 years of experience was seriously injured when he was struck by a section of plastic water pipe as it was being moved by an excavator.  The victim was transported to a hospital where he died on March 30, 2014, as a result of his injuries.

Best Practices

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
• Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
• Wear suitable hard hats where falling objects may create a hazard.
• Stay clear of a suspended load.
• Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while suspended.
• Implement measures to ensure persons are properly positioned and protected from hazards while performing a task.
• Monitor persons routinely to determine safe work procedures are followed.

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

On February 28, 2014, a 50-year old supervisor with 27 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mine.  The victim was at a backfill site and approached an 80-foot high bank when it failed, engulfing him.

Best Practices

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
• Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
• Prior to beginning work and as ground conditions warrant during the shift, examine all pit, highwall, slope, and bank conditions.  Be especially vigilant for these conditions after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
• Use mining methods that ensure pit, highwall, slope, and bank stability and safe working conditions.
• Correct hazardous conditions by working from a safe location.
• Stay clear of potentially unstable areas.

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

On December 13, 2013, a 53-year old utility worker with 19 years of experience was killed at a sand mine. The victim was standing near the edge of a bank when it collapsed engulfing him.

• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
• Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
• Evaluate all pit, highwall, slope, and bank conditions daily. Be especially vigilant for these conditions after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
• Slope trenches back at a stable angle or install shoring when working in and around trenches.
• Correct hazardous conditions by working from a safe location.

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