Coal

Fatality #22 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, at approximately 8:35 a.m., a bulldozer operator with 18 years of mining experience was seriously injured when the bulldozer he was operating travelled over a highwall and fell approximately 90 feet to the pit below. The victim was in the process of clearing topsoil from the bench in preparation for the next blast. The victim was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the bulldozer. The victim died on December 6, 2011, from the injuries sustained in this accident.

Best Practices

  • Ensure the ground control plan is adequate for the mining conditions.
  • Perform examinations of ground conditions, and perform additional checks during the work shift to ensure ground conditions have not changed.
  • Mark the limits of travel with pylons or reflectors.
  • Be aware of your location and proximity to the highwall. When operating a bulldozer close to an edge, always keep the blade between you and the edge. Bulldozer operators should not operate their machines parallel to the edge of highwalls.
  • Use a spotter to warn equipment operators when they approach the edge of a highwall.
  • Ensure seat belts are provided, maintained, and worn at all times.
  • Never jump out of equipment.
  • Visit MSHA’s Safety Target Single Source Page for additional safety information concerning bulldozers.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf),  MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #21 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, a 28 year old bulldozer operator, with approximately 8 years of mining experience, was injured at a surface mine. The victim was conducting reclamation work on top of a graded slope when he lost control of the bulldozer and it rolled over several times, approximately 250 feet to the bottom of the slope. The operator was wearing a seat belt, but sustained serious injuries. He was hospitalized and died subsequently on November 14, 2011.

Best Practices

  • Task train miners adequately on the equipment they will operate.
  • Train all employees on proper equipment operation procedures, hazard recognition, and hazard avoidance.
  • Establish and follow safe work procedures and ensure that personnel are trained to recognize hazardous work procedures or activity.
  • Be familiar with your work environment. Before you start grading an area, look at it, walk around it, and plan the safest way to move the material and maneuver the equipment.
  • Install tilt gauges in dozers and do not exceed the equipment’s maximum operating angles.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation.
  • Ensure that personnel operating mobile equipment always wear seat belts.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #20 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Monday, November 7, 2011, a 47 year old mine foreman, with approximately 26 years of mining experience, was killed when he was pinned between a battery-powered, rubber-tire personnel carrier and a coal rib. The personnel carrier had become stuck in reverse and the victim was positioned on his knees in front of the personnel carrier. When the operator placed the directional switch in forward, the personnel carrier traveled forward, striking the victim. A wooden crib block had fallen onto the control pedals and restricted their use.

Best Practices

  • Never transport supplies or extraneous materials in a vehicle or on top of equipment that is not appropriate for the task.
  • Never obstruct the vision of the equipment operator with the load.
  • Do not operate a vehicle with debris, loose material, or trash in the operator’s compartment.
  • Never position yourself in an area or location where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Be aware of your location in relation to movement of equipment, especially in lower coal seams.
  • Train miners to use effective means of communication between themselves and equipment operators.
  • When operating mobile equipment, ensure that other workers are in a safe area before moving the equipment.v
  • Conduct Task Training for each type of personnel carrier or equipment being operated.
  • For more information on preventing these types of accidents:
    http://www.msha.gov/Safety_Targets/UGEquipCoal/EquipOpUGCoal.asp
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #18 & #19 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Friday, October 28, 2011, a 47-year old lead blaster and 23-year old blaster helper were killed when the 1-ton truck they were riding was struck and completely covered by fallen rock from a failed highwall. The victims were driving in the pit, past a trackhoe loading coal as they approached their work area. The rock reached approximately 80′ across the 100′ wide pit and struck the trackhoe and a haulage vehicle being loaded at the time of the accident.

Best Practices

  • Train all miners to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.
  • Look, Listen and Evaluate your highwall and pit conditions daily, especially after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
  • Be your own examiner and find hazards before they find you.
  • Maintain adequate lighting to aid in examinations of highwalls and pit during no light or low light situations.
  • Observe and communicate highwall hazards immediately.
  • Insure appropriate action is taken to remove the hazards associated with any anomaly that may appear in the highwall or pit.
  • Ensure that personnel’s work or travel areas and mining systems or equipment are operating are a safe distance from the toe of the highwall.
  • Follow safe job procedures.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #17 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Monday, October 17, 2011, a 62-year old miner was killed on the surface of the underground mine while using a jumper cable to move a track-mounted back hoe machine at a gap in the trolley wire. When reenergized by a jumper cable, the machine struck and ran over him. The victim had 30 years of mining experience, with one day of experience operating this machine.

Best Practices

  • Assure all tram control switches are in the off position and the brake is set before applying a DC power jumper to the machine.
  • Always attach a nip on the machine first, then attach the nip on trolley wire, while standing in a safe location.
  • Ensure adequate task training is provided to equipment operators which cover all machine controls, functions and hazards related to the machine operation and any safe operating procedures related to the specific equipment operation.
  • Use self-centering tram/power controls to limit unexpected machine movement.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #16 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Friday, October 7, 2011, a 23-year-old section repairman with five years of mining experience was killed when a continuous haulage conveyor fell on him. A rock had been used to block up the continuous haulage conveyor. The victim was working beneath the continuous haulage conveyor attempting to repair the bridge conveyor chain.

Best Practices
  • Do not work under raised equipment unless it is securely blocked.
  • Use proper blocking material that is properly placed and stable.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of all areas where work is scheduled and have adequate oversight to ensure all tasks are performed in a safe manner.
  • Provide additional training for all work procedures emphasizing best practices for each specific task.
  • Evaluate hazard potential before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #15 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Thursday September 1, 2011, a 29-year-old contract driller with 1 year, 3 months of experience was killed at a surface coal mine. The victim was attempting to separate a pipe connection when he was struck by a tong wrench. The rig was being used to drill a water well. The crew was working to free the drill stem that was stuck in the drill hole when the accident occurred.

Best Practices
  • Stand a safe distance from areas of potential high energy release.
  • Know the radius of machinery that pivots.
  • Establish and follow safe work procedures.
  • Ensure all components are adequately blocked and secured to prevent unintended motion.
  • Know the limitations of equipment used for blocking motion and ensure that they are used within their specified limitations.
  • Ensure all components are in good repair.
  • Establish and follow communication procedures.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #14 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Monday, August 15, 2011, a 46 year old miner was killed when he was struck by a portion of the mine roof that fell from an area adjacent to a longwall shield. The accident occurred during a longwall move, while the victim was installing a wooden crib in an area where a longwall face shield had been removed previously. The victim had approximately five years experience with this activity.

Best Practices
  • Assure that roof control plans are suitable to the prevailing geological conditions. If roof geology changes affect roof stability, reevaluate roof support techniques.
  • Share and discuss roof control plans with the miners on a regular basis. For miner safety, assure that the roof control plan safety precautions are followed.
  • Provide additional training for specialized work, such as longwall moves, emphasizing best practices for a specific task.
  • Conduct examinations of roof conditions frequently to prevent exposure to poor roof conditions. Remain vigilant for changing roof conditions.
  • When hazardous roof conditions are detected, danger off areas until they are made safe.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Monday, August 8, 2011, a 41-year-old longwall mechanic with nine years of mining experience was killed when he was struck in the chest by a piece of metal from the top of a base lift jack mounted on a longwall shield. The jack catastrophically failed resulting in the end cap separating from the cylinder and striking the victim.

Best Practices

  • Do not alter hydraulic circuits in a manner that could result in the trapping of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
  • When isolating hydraulic components for repair, ensure that the hydraulic system has a means to bleed the pressure from the components being repaired.
  • Evaluate potential energy sources before working in tight spaces. Click on the following link for more information: MSHA – SLAM Risks the Smart Way – Safety and Health Outreach Program Home Page
  • Ensure re-built components meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.
  • Ensure miners are adequately trained in proper maintenance procedures and plan requirements.
  • Examine and periodically inspect all hydraulic components for defects.
  • Ensure the ratings of hydraulic components are compatible with their intended use.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

Fatality #12 for Coal Mining 2011

renewcomerLeave a comment

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, a 39-year-old miner with 22 years of mining experience was electrocuted while welding to connect two pipes together. He was working in the ceiling of the filter room of a preparation plant. This area, where the welding was being conducted, was wet and the illumination was limited. The victim contacted an energized welding electrode.

Best Practices

  • Do not touch an energized electrode with bare skin.
  • Avoid wet working conditions. A person’s perspiration can lower the body’s resistance to electrical shock. Do not drape electrode wires or leads over your body.
  • Work in a confined space only if it is well ventilated and illuminated.
  • Do not use the plant structure as the work (return) conductor. Connect the work cable (return) as close to the welding area as practical to prevent welding current from traveling unknown paths and causing possible shock, spark, and fire hazards.
  • Insulate yourself from work and ground by using and/or wearing dry insulating mats, covers, clothes, footwear, and gloves. Inspect welding gloves for damage prior to welding and ensure the gloves are dry.
  • Use only well maintained equipment. Frequently inspect welding wires or leads for damaged or exposed conductors. Replace or repair wires or leads immediately if damaged.
  • Use voltage reduction safety devices (if available) for arc welders.

For additional information, please see MSHA’s Safety Target Packages at http://www.msha.gov/Safety_Targets/MaintenanceMNM/Welding 20safety.pdf

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