Coal Fatality – 9/28/24

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On September 28, 2024, a 34 year-old miner with 14 years of mining experience was injured when the hook and strap assembly broke while attached to two longwall shields. The miner died from his injuries on October 5, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Use blocking material under the shields or a properly sized mechanical device to help them stay level and together. Inspect equipment for abnormal wear and damage.
  • Follow the roof control plan.
  • Always remain a safe distance from any chains or slings that are under tension.

Additional Information

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Machinery”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 9/25/24

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On September 25, 2024, a continuous mining machine operator died after being struck by a rock from a roof fall, while traveling under unsupported roof to extend a ventilation tube. 

Best Practices

  • Miners should never go under unsupported roof. 
  • Identify and correct unsafe work practices if miners attempt to travel under unsupported roof. 
  • Train miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas of unsupported roof.
  • Roof Control Plans should require mine operators to:
    • Identify the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible markers at all approaches.
    • Install and maintain adequately designed roof/ground control where miners work or travel.
    • Ensure that miners position themselves safely under supported roof during the mining cycle and while performing maintenance on equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.” 

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/20/24

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On September 20, 2024, a miner died after he fell approximately six feet from a front-end loader while attempting to replace a bulb on the right front headlight. 

Best Practices

  • Develop and implement a Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment that includes actions taken to identify hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment.
    • Identify hazards and risks.
    • Take corrective actions to eliminate / reduce risks.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all workplaces and establish safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/18/24

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On September 18, 2024, a miner died when a front-end loader struck him after he exited his truck.

Best Practices

• When approaching mobile equipment, communicate your intended movements with equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
• Wear high-visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
• Truck drivers should not exit their trucks during loading.
• Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
• Train miners in the safe operation of mobile equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual.

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2024, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 9/6/24

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On September 6, 2024, a continuous mining machine operator died after a rock from a roof fall struck him while he was under unsupported roof.

Best Practices

  • Never go under unsupported roof.
  • Correct unsafe work practices if miners attempt to travel in unsupported areas. 
  • Train miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas of unsupported roof.
  • Roof Control Plans–Operators should:
    • Identify the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible markers at all approaches.
    • Install and maintain adequately designed roof/ground control where miners work or travel.
    • Include guidance that miners position themselves safely under supported roof during the mining cycle and while performing maintenance on equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/6/24

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On September 6, 2024, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating traveled off the mine road and crashed into a residence.

Best Practices

  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
  • Ensure berms and guardrails are at least as high as the mid-axle height of the largest mobile equipment using the roadway.  Use larger berms and runaway safety features where mobile equipment can likely lose control.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • Always wear a seatbelt and remain in the cab with your seatbelt on while operating mobile equipment.  Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.
  • Ensure miners are task trained in the safe operation of all equipment they use.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2024, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/22/24 MA

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On August 22, 2024, a miner operating an excavator died when the highwall he was working near collapsed on the excavator.

Best Practices

• Use mining methods that ensure highwall stability and safe working conditions.
• Examine and, where applicable, test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed, prior to work commencing, after blasting and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.
• Scale highwalls to eliminate hazards, e.g., steep slopes or overhangs.
• Ensure that miners work, travel, and operate mining equipment at safe distances from highwalls.
• Train miners to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/22/24 PA

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On August 22, 2024, a contractor was found deceased in a shallow pool of water at the base of a highwall.

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places. 
  • Ensure that miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Train miners on safe work procedures and to identify hazards associated with their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Drowning.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatallity – 8/22/24 OK

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On August 22, 2024, a contractor was installing a material feeder when they fell approximately 21 feet through an opening in the walkway platform.  The contractor died from his injuries on September 6, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Use personnel lifts or ladders to access elevated workplaces safely.
  • Provide and ensure proper use of fall protection where there is a danger of falling.  Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Identify risks and eliminate or control hazards before beginning maintenance activities.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely and use tools and personal protective equipment properly.

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/11/24

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On August 11, 2024, a miner died while clearing spillage around a belt conveyor head roller. During this process, the belt conveyor moved forward causing the miner to fall 37 feet down a transfer chute, onto a belt conveyor, where he landed on the top of a stacker tube and fell approximately 60 feet onto a coal stockpile.

Best Practices

  • Lock out, tag out, and block belt conveyors against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance. 
  • Evaluate for possible stored energy and other hazards before beginning work. 
  • Provide safe access where miners work. 
  • Task train miners on safe work practices. 

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2024, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)