Author: renewcomer

March Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/28/22 Coal – Machinery
  • 3/2/22 Coal – Fall of Face, Rib, Side, or Highwall
  • 3/4/22 MNM – Machinery
  • 3/20/22 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 3/22/22 MNM – Drowning

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

February Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/14/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 2/28/22 Coal – Machinery

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

Coal Fatality – 1/14/22

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On January 14, 2022, a 44-year-old contract laborer with 13 years of total experience received fatal injuries when he fell 27 feet to a concrete surface.  At the time of the accident, the contractor was on a belt conveyor in a preparation plant and was working to replace a belt conveyor roller. 

Best Practices: 

  • Establish and follow safety policies and procedures, when working at heights.
  • Train miners to use fall protection when a fall hazard exists.
  • Ensure fall protection is available and properly maintained.
  • Provide identifiable and secure anchor points to attach lanyards and lifelines.
  • Provide mobile or stationary platforms—or scaffolding—where there is a risk of falling.

Additional Information: 

This is the fourth fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person”

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

Coal Fatality – 1/7/22

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On January 7, 2022, a 35 year-old continuous mining machine (CMM) operator was fatally injured when he was pinned between the remote controlled CMM and the coal rib. 

Best Practices: 

  • Operate equipment from a safe location. Stay out of “Red Zone” areas including pinch points, the CMM turning radius, and areas close to the ribs.
  • Maintain proximity detection systems (PDS) in the approved operating condition.
  • Perform the manufacturer’s recommended static and dynamic tests to assure the PDS is functioning properly. Verify that the shutdown zones are at sufficient distances to stop the CMM before contacting a miner.
  • Wear miner wearable components in accordance with PDS manufacturer’s recommendations so warning lights and sounds can be seen and heard.
  • Develop and implement procedures for tramming, repositioning, cable handling and moving remote controlled CMMs safely.
  • Train miners on the function of PDS.

Additional Information: 

This is the second fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 12/3/21

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On December 3, 2021, a miner was fatally injured when he became entangled in the return idler on the belt conveyor under a portable crusher plant. 

Best Practices: 

  • Before performing maintenance and repair work near belt conveyors:
    • Remove power from the belt drive.
    • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Guard moving machine parts to protect miners from contacting moving parts.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of equipment. Report defects and do not work in unsafe conditions.
  • Train miners to assess risks and control hazards before beginning work on belt conveyors.

Additional Information: 

This is the 33rd fatality reported in 2021, and the 16th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 1/11/22

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On January 11, 2022, a 32 year-old miner died while driving on a mine road when a tree fell from a highwall onto the cab of his pickup truck.

Best Practices: 

  • Examine highwalls frequently and from as many perspectives as possible (bottom, sides, and top/crest).  Look for signs of instability such as cracks, sloughing, loose ground, and for fall of material hazards such as large trees and rocks.
  • Train all miners to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.
  • Conduct additional examinations as conditions warrant, especially during periods of changing weather conditions.
  • Clear loose or potentially hazardous material from near the edge of highwalls and slopes, especially when persons will work or travel below.
  • Develop and follow a ground control plan that addresses all potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the third fatality reported in 2022 and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.” 

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

MNM Fatality – 1/7/22

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On January 7, 2022, a 49 year-old front-end loader operator with 15 years of mining experience died when a large rock fell from the mine roof, crushing the cab of the front-end loader.  When the accident occurred, the victim was loading material from a recently blasted shot. 

Best Practices: 

  • Scale the back and ribs before performing work in an area.
  • Conduct examinations of the back, face, and ribs where miners work and travel.
  • Install suitable ground support where conditions warrant.
  • Use geologic hazard mapping to identify adverse conditions and be aware of changing ground conditions.
  • Train miners to identify workplace hazards and take action to correct them.

Additional Information: 

This is the first fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

MNM Fatality 12/13/21 Underground

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On December 13, 2021, a miner was fatally injured when he became entangled in the drill steel of the roof bolting machine he was operating.

Best Practices: 

  • Before performing maintenance and repair work on roof bolting machines or other equipment:
    • Turn off the engine.
    • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion by following manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Never touch or hold the drill steel while it is rotating.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around any machinery with rotating parts.
  • Train miners to perform their assigned tasks safely.

Additional Information: 

This is the 36th fatality reported in 2021, and the seventh classified as “Machinery.”

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

January Fatality Updates

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Final Reports posted:

  • None

Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:

  • 12/3/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 12/13/21 MNM – Machinery
  • 12/13/21 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/7/22 Coal – Machinery
  • 1/7/22 MNM – Fall of Roof or Back
  • 1/11/22 Coal – Falling or Sliding Material
  • 1/14/22 Coal – Slip or Fall of Person
  • 1/26/22 MNM – Powered Haulage
  • 1/28/22 MNM – Powered Haulage

Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:

MNM Fatality – 12/6/21

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On December 6, 2021, a miner was fatally injured while he was working in a pan feeder under a chute.  While attempting to remove angle iron that blocked the chute’s gate from closing, he was engulfed by material that fell from a surge pile above the chute.  The victim died from his injuries on December 10, 2021.

Best Practices: 

  • Do not allow miners to travel on or below material that is on or above the sides of a bin, hopper, or chute.
  • Provide mechanical devices or other effective means to protect miners from entrapment by caving material.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access for all working places.
  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery or equipment against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Examine work areas and equipment.  Correct defects, or report them to the operator.
  • Train miners to perform their assigned tasks safely.

Additional Information: 

This is the 35th fatality reported in 2021, and the second classified as “Confined Space.”

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