On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, a mobile equipment operator, with 10 years of mining experience, was killed while operating a mobile diesel can–setter.  He was stock piling pallets to prepare for the extraction of a longwall when he was crushed in the articulation area of the can-setter.
Best Practices

• Do not position yourself in pinch-point areas while a piece of equipment is running.  Ensure that equipment operators remain in the confines of the equipment cab while the machine is running.
• Never work or travel in the articulation area of equipment without engaging the steering frame lock or without using another effective means of preventing motion if the lock cannot be used.
• Always preform thorough pre-operational examinations on mobile equipment to identify any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
• Ensure that equipment modifications are either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts or at least meet OEM specifications.
• Ensure that equipment controls are maintained and function as designed.
• Do not depend on hydraulic systems to hold mobile equipment stationary during repairs or maintenance.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

On Friday, January 16, 2014, a 20-year-old general inside laborer with 2 years of mining experience was killed when he was struck by a feeder. The victim was standing between the coal rib and the feeder when the securing post dislodged, allowing the tailpiece unit to shift and pin him between the rib and the frame of the feeder. The victim had just finished connecting a chain between the feeder and the tailpiece when the accident occurred.

• De-energize and lock out the conveyor belt before repositioning the tailpiece.
• 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.
• Use equipment or material capable of supporting the tailpiece.
• Ensure any bracing, such as a post, is hitched into the rib properly.
• Ensure the tailpiece is anchored securely before re-energizing the conveyor.
• Operate the belt before allowing miners around the repositioned tailpiece. Keep miners at a safe distance and avoid pinch points until it is determined that the tailpiece is secure.

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

On Friday, October 11, 2013, a 59-year-old shuttle car operator, with approximately 22 years of mining experience, was killed when a shuttle car struck him. The victim was in the crosscut between the No. 6 and No. 7 entries. This crosscut and adjoining entries were being used to gain access to rooms being mined on the right side of the section.

Best Practices

• Use proximity detection systems to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
• Always ensure that visibility is not obstructed in the direction of travel and across the equipment being operated.
• Use transparent curtain for check and line curtains in the active face areas.
• Sound audible warnings when the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, such as when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains.
• Come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before proceeding through ventilation controls.
• Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of the ambient noise.
• Shine equipment lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
• Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
• Always communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.

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

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

On Saturday, October 5, 2013, a 47-year-old laborer with approximately 15 years of mining experience, was killed when the battery powered personnel carrier he was driving overturned and pinned him underneath the vehicle.

Best Practices

• Operate all powered haulage, along with trailers and sleds, at speeds consistent with conditions and the equipment used.
• Control equipment so that it can be stopped within the limits of visibility.
• Maintain off-track haulage roadways from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment.
• Sound audible warnings when making turns, reversing directions, approaching ventilation curtains, and any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed. Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of ambient noise.
• Maintain mechanical steering and control devices to provide positive control at all times.
• Provide all self-propelled rubber-tired haulage equipment with well-maintained brakes, lights, and warning devices.

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

On Friday, October 4, 2013, a 62-year-old longwall maintenance coordinator, with 42 years of mining experience, was killed while supervising the face conveyor chain installation on a longwall set up. A battery-powered scoop was being used in conjunction with a sheave block and wire rope to pull the top conveyor chain through the pan line toward the tail drive. The chain became fouled and the victim positioned himself to observe the cause of the problem. As the scoop continued to tram, the sheave assembly and wire rope, which were under tension, came loose and propelled forward. The sheave assembly struck the victim.

Best Practices

• Ensure that chains, wire ropes, and hooks are properly attached or rigged.
• Ensure persons are positioned in a safe location before tension is applied when pulling or lifting with chains, wire rope, or other rigging. This includes staying out of a potential line of flight of components in case of an equipment failure.
• Inspect devices for signs of wear such as rust, metallic loss, fraying of rope, broken strands in cables, elongation of metal, etc.
• Never weld hooks on equipment in order to attach ropes or chains for towing or hoisting.

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