Author: renewcomer

MNM Fatality – 12/16/22

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On December 16, 2022, a contract mechanic died while removing the counterweight of an excavator, when it fell and struck him.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
  • Assure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Train miners to conduct repairs according to manufacturer recommendations.

Additional Information

This is the 29th fatality reported in 2022, and the tenth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

January Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/16/22 MNM – Machinery
  • 1/17/23 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/23/23 MNM – Hand Tools
  • 1/27/23 MNM (2) – Electrical
  • 1/30/23 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 1/4/23

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On January 4, 2023, a miner was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs;
  • position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas;
  • conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations; and
  • develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.

Additional Information

This is the first fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf) Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 12/6/22

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On December 6, 2022, a miner died when the diesel tractor he was operating struck a pillar.  The miner was thrown from the tractor and crushed under the rear tire of the tractor.

Best Practices

  • Make sure miners wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.
  • Make sure miners maintain control of equipment while it is in operation.
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 28th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 11/5/22

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On November 5, 2022, a miner died when he was engulfed in a coal stockpile at a cement operation.

Best Practices

  • Equip grates and feeders with mechanical clearing devices to prevent miners from being exposed to hazards of falling or sliding material.
  • Make sure miners do not travel by foot on stockpiles or near the toe of stockpile slopes.
  • Make sure miners can be seen, heard, or can communicate with others when working alone under hazardous conditions. 
  • Examine working places to identify the potential for falling or sliding materials prior to allowing access to areas in or around grates and feeders.

Additional Information

This is the 27th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Engulfment.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

Coal Fatality – 10/22/22

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On October 22, 2022, a mine examiner drowned in an underground sump.  The mine examiner was assigned to start pumps in the area.  The float switch box was found open with exposed electrical conductors inside the box.

Best Practices

  • Make sure miners de-energize, lock out, and tag out equipment before entering an area to perform repairs or maintenance.
  • Make sure miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Operators must conduct required examinations from safe locations to identify hazards, correct hazards, notify miners, and record hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Drowning.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 10/17/22

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On October 17, 2022, a miner died when he fell approximately 90 feet from the walkway outside the plant’s mill building.

Best Practices

  • Train miners to be aware of fall hazards in their workplace.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to areas where miners work or travel.

Additional Information

This is the 25th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Investigation determined that the fatality was not chargeable to mine operator.

New Year, New MSHA Web Page

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And that means broken links on SafeMiners.com. Yes, every time MSHA makes improvements to the look and function of their web page they change some of the file structure which means when you click on links from this page to MSHA’s you won’t go where expected and often get that dreaded “404 Error – the page you have requested was not found.” If the page displayed seems correct but doesn’t have the updated design “look” you may have wound up on an outdated page. Please let me know when either of these happens by emailing me at randy@completesafetysolutions.com with an explanation or copy of the link that didn’t work.

There’s no way to go back over 14 years of postings and fix everything, but I like to have things working… especially those that people actually use.

Oh, and… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

December Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 10/17/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
  • 10/22/22 Coal – Drowning
  • 11/5/22 MNM – Engulfment
  • 12/6/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 12/16/22 MNM – Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

November Fatality Updates

renewcomerLeave a comment

Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 10/17/22 MNM – Slip or Fall of Person
  • 10/22/22 Coal – Drowning
  • 11/5/22 MNM – Engulfment

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted: