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)

On Friday, September 3, 2010, a 37-year old Truck Driver with approximately two years experience was killed when the haul truck he was operating struck another truck from behind. The lead truck had stopped short of the pit, while a bulldozer pushed up material for the track-hoe to load. The victim, returning from dumping, ran into the bed of the lead truck.

• Conduct adequate pre-operational examinations before placing equipment into operation and ensure all lights are operational.
• Use cab and vehicle marker lights at all times when vehicles are in use during low light conditions, even when stationary/parking.
• Provide adequate illumination for all work areas where visibility is critical.
• Maintain control of equipment at all times, making allowances for the prevailing conditions (low visibility, inclement weather, etc).
• Consider providing proximity detection devices to mobile equipment when the possibility of collision with other mobile equipment is present.
• Routinely monitor work habits and examine work areas to insure that safe work procedures are followed.
• Communicate actions and intent to co-workers, especially if non-routine or out of the ordinary.
• When waiting to be loaded, take the vehicle out of gear and set the parking brake.
• Stay alert, stay awake, and pay attention to the task.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

On August 31, 2010, a 25-year old truck driver, with 16 weeks and 3 days of mining experience, was killed when the truck he was driving left the haulage road. The truck traveled approximately 11 feet up an embankment on the left side of the haulage road, and then abruptly traveled back across the haulage road. Afterwards, the truck impacted a 5 foot high berm, travelled over the berm, and dropped 72 feet to the mine pit below.

• Conduct pre-operational examinations on all mobile equipment.
• Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
• Always wear a seatbelt when operating a haul truck or mobile equipment.
• Adequately task train miners on the equipment they will operate.
• Post the speed limit, appropriate gear, grade, curve or other warning signage along haulage roads as appropriate.

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