On June 6, 2016, a 34-year-old contract laborer with 7 years of mining experience was fatally injured when a diesel-powered front-end loader fell on him.  Working together, another miner and the victim lowered the bucket and put downward hydraulic pressure on the bucket to raise the middle of the loader. Both miners then crawled under the loader.  The hydraulic pressure released, allowing the loader to lower, pinning both miners.  A mine examiner, who was nearby, lowered the bucket again to raise the loader off the miners.  One miner was freed and assisted in removing the unresponsive victim from under the loader.  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed, but the victim could not be revived.

Best Practices

• Do not work under a suspended load.

• Never depend on hydraulics to support a load.  Use the manufacturer’s recommendations to lift and block equipment against hazardous motion BEFORE starting any repairs.
• DO NOT proceed with repairs until all safety concerns are adequately resolved, especially if potential hazards or prescribed procedures are unclear,.
• Conduct examinations, from safe locations, to identify hydraulic leaks and assure repairs are conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.  Verify the release of, or fully control, all stored energy before initiating repairs.
• Treat the suspended load as unblocked until blocks or jack stands are in place, fully supporting the weight, and equipment stability has been verified.
• Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.  Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed to ensure miners are protected.  Use the proper tools and equipment for the job.
• Train all miners in the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

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

On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a 36-year-old continuous mining machine operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the conveyor boom of the remote controlled continuous mining machine and the coal rib while positioning the trailing cable. The victim had trammed the continuous mining machine back out of the No. 6 Face into the last open crosscut between No. 6 and No. 5 Entries. The victim had 5 years and 6 months of mining experience, with 1 year and 17 weeks experience as a continuous mining machine operator.

Best Practices

• Avoid “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a remote controlled continuous mining machine. Ensure all personnel; including the equipment operator is outside the machine turning radius before starting or moving the equipment. STAY OUT of RED ZONES.
• Maintain a safe distance from any moving equipment. Position the conveyor boom away from the operator or other miners working in the area or when moving the machine.
• Perform manufacturer’s pre-operation examinations each shift to ensure the proximity detection system is in proper working order to verify that the shutdown zones are sufficient to stop the machine before contacting a miner.
• Be aware that radio frequency interference and Electromagnetic Interference generated by mining electrical systems can disrupt communications between the Miner Wearable Components (MWC) and the Proximity Detection System.
• MWCs should be worn securely at all times according to manufacturer recommendations and in a manner so that warning lights and sounds can be seen and heard.
• Always ensure continuous mining machine pump motors are disabled before handling trailing cables and never defeat machine safety controls.
• Develop procedures to assist the continuous mining machine operator when repositioning or moving the machine.

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

On Wednesday, January 28, 2015, a 43-year-old continuous mining machine operator with 10 years of mining experience was killed when he was pinned between the conveyor boom of a remote controlled continuous mining machine and a coal rib.  The victim was operating the continuous mining machine from a remote position in the entry and was preparing for the next mining cycle when the accident occurred.

Best Practices

• Install and maintain proximity detection systems to protect personnel and eliminate accidents of this type. See the proximity detection information page on the MSHA website (Proximity Detection Single Source).
• Avoid “RED ZONE” areas when operating or working near a continuous mining machine, especially when moving a remote controlled continuous mining machine.  Frequently review, retrain, and discuss avoiding “RED ZONE” areas (http://www.msha.gov/Alerts/20040407REDZONE2.pdf).
• Ensure all miners, including the continuous mining machine operator, are outside the machine’s turning radius before starting or moving equipment.
• Stay behind moving mobile equipment when traveling in the same entry, and maintain a safe distance from any moving equipment.
• Use low tram speed when moving a continuous mining machine where the left and right traction drives are operated independently.  The continuous mining machine pivots quickly when the tracks tram over raised areas of the mine floor.
• Never turn your back to a self-propelled machine or get into an area where it can swing into you.
• Develop and follow effective policies and procedures for starting and tramming self-propelled equipment.  Train all miners regarding these policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the continuous mining machine operator has full visibility of the area while tramming equipment.
• Assign another miner to assist the continuous mining machine operator when the machine is being moved or repositioned.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)