Author: renewcomer
OSHA COVID-19 Violations
Stepping into OSHA-land for a moment, a news release several days ago stated “U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Announces $2,851,533 in Coronavirus Violations.” Whether your job is in an OSHA or MSHA jurisdiction, OSHA provides some helpful enforcement and safety publications. Here are links to:
Common COVID-19 Citations (pdf)
New Fatality Dashboard
I’ve added a new dashboard to the Resource Page to help trainers classify and analyze fatalities. Starting with 2020 all mining fatalities are listed here along with basic information on what was mined, the victim’s job, age, and experience, and whether the victim worked for a contractor or not. The date on the chart links to the fatality while the rest will show you all fatalities that are classified like what you clicked on.
Check it out here.
NFPA Issues Outdoor Heater Fact Sheet
Because of the pandemic there are many efforts to use heaters to allow people to be in outdoor areas for dining and other social activities longer into the colder season. In response the National Fire Protection Association has issued an informative two page fact sheet that includes helpful safety information if you use propane heaters on the job or anywhere.
October Fatality Updates
Final Reports posted:
- 5/21/20 MNM – Limestone – Hand Tools (updated 10/8/20)
- 8/26/20 MNM – Sand & Gravel – Machinery (updated 10/15/20)
- 7/29/20 MNM – Sand & Gravel – Powered Haulage (updated 10/28/20)
- 8/18/20 MNM – Sand & Gravel – Falling Sliding Material (updated 10/28/20)
Fatalities awaiting Fatality Alert to be posted:
- 8/21/20 MNM – Limestone – Machinery
- 10/19/20 MNM – Dimension Sandstone – Machinery
- 10/27/20 Coal – Fall of Roof or Back
Fatalities awaiting Final Report to be posted:
- 7/24/20 MNM – Limestone – Machinery
- 9/1/20 MNM – Sand & Gravel – Slip or Fall of Person
- 9/16/20 MNM – Sand & Gravel – Powered Haulage
- 10/9/20 Coal – Machinery
- 10/13/20 Coal – Powered Haulage
- 10/14/20 MNM – Powered Haulage
October 30 is Mine Rescue Day
October 30th was set aside as Mine Rescue Day (MRD) in 2013 as a time to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of volunteers who risk their own lives to save other miners.
Throughout our nation’s history, members of the mining community have been called upon to rescue their fellow miners from emergency situations in coal and metal and nonmetal mines, whether trapped by fires, explosions, roof falls, flooding or harmful gases.
On Mine Rescue Day, we salute these brave individuals who give their time and risk their lives in the service of others. – MSHA
MNM Fatality – 10/14/20
On October 14, 2020 (at a South Carolina mine with 49 employees*), a lead person (61 years old with 17 years experience*) was killed when his pickup truck was struck by a haul truck.
Best Practices:
- Install and maintain collision avoidance/warning systems.
- Equip smaller vehicles with strobe lights and flags positioned high enough to be seen from the cabs of haulage trucks in all lighting conditions.
- Establish and follow communication protocols that require verbal verification for all mobile equipment operators.
- Design haul roads to minimize congested areas and maximize visibility.
- Do not drive smaller vehicles in a large truck’s potential path.
- Train miners on mobile traffic patterns and policies. Do not rely on training or other administrative controls alone to prevent powered haulage or other accidents.
Additional Information:
This is the 20th fatality reported in 2020 and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.” (Italicized details added by safeminers.com)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
The CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
If that sounds like a subscription you ought to have, you’re right. Seriously, I’ve was a subscriber even when it was only on paper… before the internet and email it was still free. Of course, I’ve long been accused of having a morbid sense of humor, but really there are loads of great charts and data here even when hospitalization rates weren’t something so many people were interested in.
If you think you’re interested in a subscription check out the MMWR online here and look for the blue subscribe envelope.
Coal Fatality – 10/13/20
On October 13, 2020, a miner died after being struck by a battery-powered scoop. He had parked his shuttle car in an intersection and was exiting when a scoop went through a ventilation curtain in an adjacent crosscut and struck him.
Best Practices:
- Install and maintain proximity detection systems on mobile section equipment.
- Use transparent curtains for ventilation controls on working sections.
- Communicate your presence and intended movements. Wait until miners acknowledge your message before moving your equipment.
- STOP and SOUND an audible warning device before tramming equipment through ventilation curtains.
- Avoid areas where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
- Wear personal strobe light devices to increase visibility.
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
Coal Fatality – 10/9/20
On October 9, 2020, a contractor was changing the nozzle on a hydroseeder and accidentally engaged the hydroseeder’s clutch while the nozzle was pointing towards him. The material sprayed from the nozzle struck him, causing him to fall backward and strike his neck on the hydroseeder handrail.
Best Practices:
- De-energize equipment while changing accessories until the equipment is ready to use and the operator is properly positioned.
- Position yourself to avoid hazards resulting from a sudden release of energy.
- Identify and apply methods to protect personnel from hazards associated with the work being performed. This includes all applicable personal protective equipment for identified hazards.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work and ensure those procedures are followed.
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).