Powered Haulage

Fatality #22 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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m22On November 25, 2014, a 67-year-old truck driver with 10½ years of experience was killed at a sandstone mine.  The victim backed a haul truck to the edge of the overburden dumpsite and started to raise the truck’s bed to dump a load of material.  The bank failed, causing the truck to overturn and fall 30 feet below. The victim died en route to the hospital.

Best Practices

  • Task train all persons to understand safe job procedures.
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.
  • Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks prior to operating mobile equipment.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Examine dumping locations for stability prior to dumping the first load and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.  Where trucks are loaded out of the stockpile or ground conditions may fail to support the weight of the truck, dump loads a safe distance back from the edge.
  • Maintain berms or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Travel in a straight line when backing a truck toward a dump location.  Do not approach on a turn.
  • Monitor persons routinely to determine safe work procedures are followed.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2014

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c15On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, a 34-year-old repairman, with approximately 15 years of mining experience, was killed when struck by a ram car while he was walking inby toward the face of the No. 7 entry. The ram car operator moved the ram car into the No. 7 entry with the batteries positioned outby the face area and then traveled towards the face area, striking the victim with the left side, trailer end of the ram car.

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.
  • Ensure that visibility is clear in the direction of travel and across the equipment being operated.
  • Use transparent curtain for checks and line curtains in the active face areas.
  • Sound audible warnings if the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains.  Ensure the sound levels of audible warnings are significantly higher than ambient noise.
  • Come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before moving equipment through ventilation controls/curtains.
  • Operate lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
  • Position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators can readily see you and confirm eye contact with the operator.
  • Require the use of personal strobe lights for any foot traffic inby the tailpiece.  Position personal strobe lights on the back of hard hats or equivalent areas and use reflective materials to ensure maximum visibility.
  • 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)

Fatality #19 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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m19aOn September 26, 2014, a 55-year-old maintenance mechanic with approximately 2 years of experience was killed on the surface of an underground salt mine.  The victim was performing maintenance on a forklift in a mill building when the forklift moved forward, pinning him against a wooden support pole.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a pre-operational check to identify and correct any defects that may affect the safe operation prior to operating mobile equipment.  Remove the mobile equipment from service if any defective items are not corrected.
  • 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 address the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Block and secure equipment against motion before performing maintenance.
  • Follow the equipment manufacturers recommended maintenance procedures when performing repairs to machinery.
  • Ensure that equipment control switches are in the off position and the brake is set before performing maintenance.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings and any hazards that may be present.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2014

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FTL14c13aOn Saturday, October 18, 2014, at approximately 10:05 p.m., a contractor truck driver with over 5 years of truck driving experience was killed while operating a rock truck. The driver was removing top soil ahead of the East Elk Pit when he drove off a highwall and fell approximately 240 feet.

Best Practices
  • Operate equipment in a manner that is consistent with conditions of roadways, grades, clearance, visibility, traffic, and the type of equipment used.
  • Standardize and post traffic rules, signals, and warning signs.
  • Provide and maintain adequate berms and other barriers that are at least mid-axle high on the banks of roadways where a drop off exists.
  • Train all employees on the equipment they operate, on safe job procedures, hazard recognition, and on hazard avoidance.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation.  Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits, and safety features.
  • Monitor work activities and examine work areas to assure safe work practices are followed.
  • Monitor contract employees adequately at all job sites to ensure that safe work procedures are being followed.
  • Conduct pre-operational checks to identify and repair any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #16 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m16On July 23, 2014, a 51-year-old contract truck driver with 30 years of experience was killed at a cement operation while delivering a load of fly ash. The victim exited the truck to remove the tarp. A front-end loader backed down a ramp and struck the victim, pinning him against the truck.

Best Practices

  • Task train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel and use all mirrors and cameras to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and give them time to move to a safe location.
  • Operate mobile equipment at reduced speeds in work areas.
  • Ensure that backup alarms and lights on mobile equipment are maintained and operational.
  • Remain in your truck when mobile equipment is being operated nearby.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.  Stay in the line of sight with mobile equipment operators.  Never assume the equipment operator sees you.
  • Before operating equipment, always ensure other persons are clear and safely positioned.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #11 for Coal Mining 2014

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FTL14c11aOn 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)

Fatality #8 for Coal Mining 2014

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ftl2014c08On Monday, June 23, 2014, at approximately 7:35 p.m., a 58–year-old truck driver, with 5 years of mining experience, was killed when the haul truck he was operating traveled through a berm and descended approximately 75 feet into a spoil “V.”

Best Practices
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation.
  • Ensure seat belts are provided, maintained, and worn at all times when equipment is in operation.  Incorporate engineering controls that require seat belts to be properly fastened before equipment can be put into motion.
  • Conduct pre-operational checks to identify and fix any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
  • Know the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load limits and safety features.
  • Provide and maintain adequate berms on the banks of roadways where a drop-off exists.
  • Ensure all grades and haulage roads are appropriate for the haulage equipment being used.
  • Train miners to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Monitor work habits routinely and examine work areas to ensure that safe work procedures are being followed.

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

Fatality #12 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m12-1On May 9, 2014, a 20-year-old groundman with 9 weeks of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mill.  The victim was unloading a rail car using a mobile rail barge truck conveyor and was caught in the feed end of the conveyor.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that persons are trained, including task training, to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • 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.
  • Conduct work place examinations before beginning any work.
  • Position mobile conveyors to eliminate exposure of moving parts before operating.
  • Identify hazards around conveyor systems, design guards, and or emergency stop systems before putting into operation.
  • Always provide and maintain guarding sufficient to prevent contact with moving machine parts.
  • Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working near moving machine parts.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.

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

Fatality #11 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m11On May 1, 2014, a 57-year-old co-owner with 1 year of experience was killed at a gypsum mine.  The victim was driving an all terrain vehicle on the mine site to place signs around the perimeter of the mine.  He lost control of the vehicle while traveling on a steep hill and it overturned onto him.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that persons are trained to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
  • Ensure that operators are properly task trained before operating mobile equipment they may not be familiar with.
  • Maintain operating speeds consistent with road grades and conditions.
  • Load equipment and/or supplies properly on mobile equipment to ensure stability during operation.

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

Fatality #1 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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ftl2014m01On February 1, 2014, a 56-year old contract belt operator with 4 months of experience was killed at an iron ore mine. The victim was cleaning a return idler inside the frame of a belt conveyor when he became entangled between the return idler and the belt.

Best Practices

  • Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
  • Before beginning any work, ensure that persons assigned to clean belt conveyors are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work to be performed.
  • Do not perform work on a belt conveyor until the power is off, locked, and tagged, and machinery components are blocked against motion.
  • Never clean pulleys or idlers manually while belt conveyors are operating.
  • Identify hazards around belt conveyor systems, design guarding, and securely install the guarding to ensure miners do not contact moving parts.

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