Powered Haulage

Fatality #40 for Coal Mining 2010

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COAL MINE FATALITY – On Thursday, July 1, 2010, a 60-year old section electrician was fatally injured when he was run over by a shuttle car. The victim was last seen walking outby the face in a connecting crosscut. As the loaded shuttle car was leaving the continuous miner, the victim was discovered under the shuttle car.

Best Practices

  • Always sound the shuttle car alarm or bell when approaching and before traveling through check curtains.
  • Be aware of your location in relation to movement of equipment, especially in lower coal seams.
  • Wear reflective or florescent clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Train miners to use effective means of communication between themselves and equipment operators.
  • Develop and follow standard operating procedures for tramming shuttle cars.
  • Ensure all personnel are clear of the traveling path and turning radius before moving equipment.
  • Pursue new technology such as proximity detection to protect personnel and eliminate accidents of this type.

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

Fatality #12 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On June 20, 2010, a 52 year-old mechanic with 8 years of experience was fatally injured at a surface copper operation. A ½ ton pickup truck had parked in front of a 240 ton haul truck that was also parked. The haul truck pulled forward and struck the pickup truck fatally injuring the driver and seriously injuring another miner.

Best Practices

  • Do not park smaller vehicles in a large truck’s potential path of movement.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, be certain no one is in the intended path, sound the horn to warn possible unseen persons, and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.
  • Ensure all persons are trained to recognize work place hazards, specifically the limited visibility and blind areas inherent to operation of large equipment and the hazard of mobile equipment traveling near them.
  • Establish procedures that require smaller vehicles to maintain a safe distance from large mobile equipment until eye contact is made or approval to move closer is obtained from the mobile equipment operator. Provide training in these procedures.
  • Install cameras and collision avoidance systems on large trucks to protect persons.
  • Regularly monitor work practices and reinforce the importance of them. Take immediate action to correct unsafe conditions or work practices.

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

Caterpillar Seat Belt Replacement

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Seat BeltBecause the Caterpillar operator manuals and other literature say that you must replace seat belts after three years, you may have to replace perfectly good seat belts. MSHA can enforce such requirements from manufacturers.

We can debate that for a long time, but let’s start back a step. Are you replacing seat belts when they become damaged or worn? While CAT’s policy may have created this firestorm (which is before the courts somewhere I’m told) it should at least lead us to take a good look and start by replacing seat belts that should be replaced. For that CAT has a very nice little tool. It’s a toolbox talk that provides a checklist that reminds us that it’s more than the webbing that should be examined. You can download the pdf file below. Why not give a copy to each of your operators (CAT equipment or not) and be sure that these lifesaving devices will function when called upon. I’ve also included an online checklist from an Australian aftermarket supplier.

If you are going to replace that seat belt and want to do it with something other than one from the manufacturer, be sure to meet the requirements of 30 CFR 56/57.14130(h) and 56/57.14131(c). They should have a tag on them showing adherence to the latest versions of SAE J386 or SAE J1194 standards. Check out the MSHA links below.

Resources: CAT Seat Belt Toolbox Talk, Seat Belt Safety Checklist, 30 CFR 56/57.14130, 56/57.14131, MSHA 2003 Final Rule seat belt update

Fatality #36 for Coal Mining 2010

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On Monday, May 10, 2010, a 55 year old continuous mining machine operator, with approximately 37 years of mining experience, received crushing injuries when he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib. As the loaded shuttle car turned into the last open crosscut, the victim was positioned in the outside turn radius of the shuttle car and was crushed between the shuttle car and the coal rib. The victim passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 while hospitalized.

Best Practices

  • Make a visual check to ensure all persons are in the clear, and sound the warning device before mobile equipment is trammed, especially in areas where visibility is limited.
  • Ensure good communication between continuous mining machine operators and shuttle car operators so that each is aware of each other’s movements.
  • Wear reflective clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Use approved translucent curtains made to allow mobile equipment to tram through.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)

Fatality #4 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On March 24, 2010, a 63 year-old contract truck driver with 21 years of experience was fatally injured at a surface area of an underground salt mine. The victim was loading his truck under a 150 ton salt bin when it collapsed, falling onto the cab of the truck. A second victim working in the area received serious injuries.

Best Practices

  • Routinely examine metal structures for indications of weakened structural soundness (corrosion, fatigue cracks, bent/buckling beams, braces or columns, loose/missing connectors, broken welds, etc.).
  • Keep corrosive material spillage/build-up removed from metal structures.
  • Report all areas where indications of structural weakness are found.

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

Fatality #2 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On January 26, 2010, a 59 year-old purchasing manager with 5 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was struck by an over-the-road tandem trailer truck. The truck had been waiting to unload. When the truck pulled forward, another truck driver observed the victim under the second trailer of the truck and immediately stopped the driver. The victim was holding a cell phone at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • Train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
  • Never approach mobile equipment until you receive confirmation from the operator indicating awareness of your presence.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, when exposed to hazards.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview(pdf), Spanish Fatalgram(doc)

Fatality #1 for Coal Mining 2010

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On January 2, 2010, a 57 year old mechanic with 8 years of mining experience was fatally injured at a surface shop of an underground coal mine. He was repairing a 1-ton truck (mantrip) that was raised and supported by jack stands. The victim was positioned under the truck and the truck’s rear wheels were on the floor. A coworker, who was assisting, entered the truck, depressed the clutch pedal, and started the truck. The truck was in gear when it was started. The coworker’s foot then slipped off the clutch pedal of the standard transmission, causing the truck to lurch forward, fall off the jack stands, and strike the victim.

Best Practices

  • Block vehicles against motion in all potential directions of movement prior to any work.
  • Keep standard transmission vehicles in neutral with the park brake engaged when work is performed on the vehicles.
  • The vibration of a running motor may cause blocked or jacked equipment to move or fall off of its blocks or jacks. Position yourself out of the path of travel in the event a failure occurs.
  • Observe blocking and jack stands during loading and ensure they remain solid without any tilting or sliding. The slots at the head of the jack should properly couple with the jack points underneath the vehicle.
  • Metal to metal contact may slide much easier than wood or other materials against metal. This is a good reason to ensure everything remains level and evenly loaded. Also, remove any grease or lubricants from the area that will contact the blocking/jack stand.
  • Jacks and blocks should be positioned on level ground and ensure they are all raised to equal heights.
  • If available, use a pit to perform maintenance work on the underside of mobile equipment.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Spanish Fatalgram (doc)


Fatality #16 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2009

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On September 27, 2009, a 28 year-old truck driver with 2 years of experience was fatally injured at a copper operation. He was operating a 240-ton haul truck that left the haul road and climbed a berm, causing it to overturn and land on the haul road. The victim, who was not wearing a seat belt, fell from the cab of the truck.

Best Practices

  • Always wear a seat belt when operating a haul truck or mobile equipment.
  • Monitor employees regularly to ensure seat belts are worn when operating mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control and stay alert when operating mobile equipment.
  • Conduct pre-operational checks to identify and correct any defects that may affect the safe operation of self-propelled mobile equipment.

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

Fatality #15 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2009

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On September 15, 2009, a 59 year-old delivery driver with 14 years of experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. She parked off mine property and walked on site to deliver a package. The victim walked behind a front-end loader that backed over her.

Best Practices
  • Establish a visitor control policy that includes signs directing visitors to a safe location.
  • Train delivery persons to recognize work place hazards they could be exposed to while at the mine.
  • Always make sure equipment operators see you before entering any area where mobile equipment is operated. If possible, make eye contact with the equipment operator. When moving to a different area, inform
    the equipment operator before leaving the area.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no one is in the intended path.
  • Ensure that all persons are clear before moving equipment. Sound your horn to warn unseen persons that you are about to move and wait a few moments to give them time to get to a safe location.
  • Ensure that backup alarms on mobile equipment are maintained and operational.

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