Coal

Fatality #19 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c19

On November 4, 2013, a 36 year-old longwall chief, with 16 years of experience, was killed while shoveling loose coal and rock between the coal face and the pan line on a longwall section. The victim received crushing injuries when a solid piece of coal and cap rock fell from the coal face, striking and pinning him against the face side of the pan line. The coal/rock combination measured approximately 4 feet and 10-inches long, by 2 feet and 3 inches wide, and up to 24 inches thick.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a thorough examination of the roof, face, and ribs, including a visual examination and a sound and vibration test prior to miners being assigned to work or travel through an area.
  • Correct hazardous roof, face, or rib conditions before any work or travel is permitted in the affected area.
  • Use a bar of suitable length and design for removing loose or unconsolidated material.
  • Support the exposed longwall roof, face, and ribs by mechanical means in the immediate work area.
  • Train all miners in hazard recognition and safe work practices that are assigned to perform work on the longwall face.
  • Apply additional safety precautions in areas where geological changes and anomalies in strata are present.
  • Post a certified foreman at the work area when maintenance is being performed.
  • De-energize the face conveyor, notify the headgate operator, and disconnect power at the control station while work is being performed on the face conveyor (pan). Do not energize the conveyor until all persons are off the face side of the conveyor and the conveyor is supported adequately from inadvertent movement.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #18 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c18On Friday, October 11, 2013, a 59-year-old shuttle car operator, with approximately 22 years of mining experience, was killed when a shuttle car struck him. The victim was in the crosscut between the No. 6 and No. 7 entries. This crosscut and adjoining entries were being used to gain access to rooms being mined on the right side of the section.

Best Practices

  • Use proximity detection systems to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Always ensure that visibility is not obstructed in the direction of travel and across the equipment being operated.
  • Use transparent curtain for check and line curtains in the active face areas.
  • Sound audible warnings when the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, such as when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains.
  • Come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before proceeding through ventilation controls.
  • Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of the ambient noise.
  • Shine equipment lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
  • Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Always communicate your position and intended movements to mobile equipment operators.

For more information related to struck-by equipment accidents, view the following link: MSHA – Safety Targets Programs – Hit By Underground Equipment at www.msha.gov

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #17 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c17On Sunday, October 6, 2013, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a 44-year old bulldozer operator, with approximately 10 years of experience, sustained fatal injuries when the dozer he was operating went over the edge of a highwall.

Best Practices

  • Task train miners adequately on the equipment they will operate.
  • Train all employees on safe work procedures, hazard recognition, and hazard avoidance.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the edge of the highwall.
  • Ensure adequate berms are in place.
  • Be familiar with your work environment. Before beginning work, look at the area, walk around it, and plan the safest way to move the material and maneuver the equipment.
  • Ensure illumination is adequate when work is performed during non-daylight hours.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation.
  • Ensure that personnel operating mobile equipment always wear a seat belt.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #16 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c16On Saturday, October 5, 2013, a 47-year-old laborer with approximately 15 years of mining experience, was killed when the battery powered personnel carrier he was driving overturned and pinned him underneath the vehicle.

Best Practices

  • Operate all powered haulage, along with trailers and sleds, at speeds consistent with conditions and the equipment used.
  • Control equipment so that it can be stopped within the limits of visibility.
  • Maintain off-track haulage roadways from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment.
  • Sound audible warnings when making turns, reversing directions, approaching ventilation curtains, and any time the operator’s visibility is obstructed. Ensure the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of ambient noise.
  • Maintain mechanical steering and control devices to provide positive control at all times.
  • Provide all self-propelled rubber-tired haulage equipment with well-maintained brakes, lights, and warning devices.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c15On Friday, October 4, 2013, a 62-year-old longwall maintenance coordinator, with 42 years of mining experience, was killed while supervising the face conveyor chain installation on a longwall set up. A battery-powered scoop was being used in conjunction with a sheave block and wire rope to pull the top conveyor chain through the pan line toward the tail drive. The chain became fouled and the victim positioned himself to observe the cause of the problem. As the scoop continued to tram, the sheave assembly and wire rope, which were under tension, came loose and propelled forward. The sheave assembly struck the victim.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that chains, wire ropes, and hooks are properly attached or rigged.
  • Ensure persons are positioned in a safe location before tension is applied when pulling or lifting with chains, wire rope, or other rigging. This includes staying out of a potential line of flight of components in case of an equipment failure.
  • Inspect devices for signs of wear such as rust, metallic loss, fraying of rope, broken strands in cables, elongation of metal, etc.
  • Never weld hooks on equipment in order to attach ropes or chains for towing or hoisting.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c14On July 3, 2013, an 87-year-old contract employee was mowing an impoundment embankment with a skid steer machine equipped with a front-mounted brush mower. The victim was mowing the 40 degree embankment in a vertical direction when the machine traveled into the impounded water, submerging the machine, and drowning the operator.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a risk assessment prior to performing work and ensure that miners use proper equipment, tools, and procedures to eliminate hazards.
  • Provide hazard training to all personnel working on or near an impoundment for recognition of hazards associated with the impoundment.
  • Set up a communications protocol when persons are working alone.
  • Wear properly fitted personal floatation devices (PFD) when working around bodies of water.
  • Never assume an employee is knowledgeable in the task they are being assigned.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c13On Friday, August 16, 2013, a 24-year-old utility person with nearly 3 years of mining experience was killed when the Ford F350 utility pickup truck he was driving was crushed by a P&H 2800 electric shovel. A bulldozer and two pickup trucks were following the shovel while traveling up a grade (approximately 9%). The shovel rolled backward down the grade and hit the bulldozer and the two trucks. The driver of the first truck was killed, and the driver of the second truck sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital.

Best Practices

  • Ensure the grade is within equipment capabilities and equipment braking and steering systems function as designed.
  • Establish procedures that require smaller vehicles to maintain a safe distance from large mobile equipment. Provide training in those procedures.
  • Use clear communication at all times. Utilize radios to communicate when visual contact cannot be maintained.
  • Ensure road widths are sufficient for equipment movement.
  • Designate specific roadways or provide alternate routes for light duty vehicles in high activity or congested areas.
  • Ensure sufficient clearance is available for equipment movement.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #12 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c12On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, a 56-year old continuous mining machine operator, with 37 years of mining experience, was killed as a result of a coal rib outburst. The section crew was retreat mining the first right lift of the #3 entry in a five entry system when the accident occurred. Two other miners were injured, one seriously.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that the approved roof control plan support provisions are suitable for the geological conditions at the mine and that the plan is followed.
  • Ensure that the pillar dimensions and mining method are suitable for the conditions. OR, ensure that roof and rib control methods are adequate for the depth of cover and for the potential effects of any mines above or below active workings.
  • Develop a map of geological features and anomalies to determine orientation as a means to predict when and where they will be encountered during mining, so additional roof support can focus on those areas.
  • Conduct frequent and adequate examinations of roof, face, and ribs. Be alert for changing conditions. When hazardous conditions are detected, danger off access to the area until it is made safe for work and travel.
  • Maintain proper entry widths and pillar dimensions.
  • When gob falls have been delayed for periods that exceed routine intervals for the mining conditions, evaluate the area and consider evacuating miners and equipment to a safe area until the fall occurs.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #11 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c11On July 31, 2013, a 28-year-old mechanic with 7 years of experience, was killed while checking a strut on a rock truck. He was removing the top cap of the strut when the cap loosened, allowing the truck frame to abruptly drop. The victim was pinned between the top of the right front tire and the bottom of the fender.

Best Practices

  • Perform maintenance and repairs only after blocking machinery and components against motion.
  • Before loosening hydraulic hoses or components, determine if they are supporting something or trapping pressure.
  • Ensure warning labels are visible. Check them regularly and replace any labels that are illegible.
  • Consult and follow the manufacturer’s recommended safe work procedures for the maintenance task, and monitor work to ensure procedures are followed.
  • Ensure that safe work procedures are in place for specific tasks, machines, etc.
  • Before performing any job, consider all hazards and implement formal procedures that address hazards.
  • Ensure that you are positioned in a safe location when performing maintenance and repairs.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #10 for Coal Mining 2013

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ftl2013c10On Tuesday, July 2, 2013, a 35-year old continuous mining machine operator (victim), with 11 years mining experience, was killed when he was struck by a battery-powered coal hauler and pinned between the coal hauler and the coal rib. The victim was taking a lunch break behind a line curtain the No. 4 entry and the intersection of the last open crosscut, which was in the haulage route to the continuous mining machine.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that all persons are positioned to avoid danger from moving equipment. Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Use proximity detection systems to protect personnel from accidents of this type. See the proximity detection single source page on the MSHA web site.
  • Use transparent curtain for check and line curtains in the active face areas.
  • Sound audible warnings when the equipment operator’s visibility is obstructed, such as when making turns, reversing direction, or approaching ventilation curtains. Assure that the sound level of audible warnings is significantly higher than that of the ambient noise.
  • Energize the lights in the direction of travel when operating haulage equipment.
  • Equipment operators should come to a complete stop and sound an audible warning before proceeding through ventilation controls.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).