Underground

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)

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)

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)

Coal Fatality – 8/5/24

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On August 5, 2024, a miner was seriously injured when an air lifting bag he was using to rerail the conveyance that was carrying the longwall electrical power center suddenly dislodged.  The miner died from his injuries on August 7, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Block or secure equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Provide miners with proper tools for rerailing track equipment.
  • Train miners on safe work procedures and to identify hazards associated with their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2024, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 7/25/24

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On July 25, 2024, a miner died when he was engulfed in material against the stacker belt conveyor’s feed chute.  The miner was kneeling and shoveling on the stacker belt conveyor when the belt conveyor unexpectedly rolled back.

Best Practices

  • Evaluate for possible stored energy and other hazards before beginning work.
  • Use proper devices and tools to block machinery against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Task train miners on safe work practices.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2024, and the sixth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 5/31/24

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Note: This alert was posted as a Safety Alert for Unsupported Roof on 6/18/24 and didn’t come up on my radar as a specific Fatal Alert. Sorry for the delay in posting to this site. – Randy

On May 31, 2024, a 27-year-old coal miner suffered fatal injuries from a roof fall when he traveled under unsupported roof. In May 2021, a 32-year-old continuous mining machine operator was killed by a roof fall when he was working under unsupported roof.

Best Practices

Mine Management:

  • Prohibit work or travel under unsupported roof.
  • Train all miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas
    of unsupported roof.
  • Identify and correct unsafe work practices.

Roof Control Plans should include:

  • Identifying the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible
    markers at all approaches.
  • Installing and maintaining adequately designed roof/ground control where miners
    work or travel.
  • Guidance ensuring miners are safely positioned while setting temporary support.
    Installing temporary supports under the direct supervision of a certified foreman

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

MNM Fatality – 7/26/23

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On July 26, 2023, a miner suffered serious injuries when he lost control of the pickup truck as it ascended a haul road. The victim died several months later from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • After repair and maintenance, ensure mobile equipment is safe to operate.
  • 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.

Additional Information

This is the 40th fatality reported in 2023, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage”.

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

MNM Fatality – 11/13/23

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On November 13, 2023, a rotating drill steel of a roof bolting machine entangled a miner, causing fatal injuries.

Best Practices

  • Always follow manufacturer recommendations when conducting maintenance on equipment, including:
    • Turn off or de-energize the machine.
    • Secure the equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Never touch or hold the drill steel, wrench, or bolt while it is rotating.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around any machinery with rotating parts.

Additional Information

This is the 36th fatality reported in 2023, and the 14th classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/18/23

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On August 18, 2023, a section foreman was installing hose for a dewatering pump.  He was found unresponsive lying in approximately eight inches of water and mud.  MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical related issues as the cause of death.  However, on September 26, 2023, MSHA received the death certificate which states cause of death is drowning.  After further investigation and review, MSHA has decided that this death should be charged to the mining industry.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Remove standing water where miners work and travel.
  • Ensure qualified electricians examine and maintain electrical equipment in safe operating condition; if equipment is defective, correct hazards or remove equipment from service. 
  • Report and correct any slip, trip, or fall hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 34th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

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