On June 20, 2009, a 52-year old equipment oiler/greaser with 24 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground salt mine. He was cleaning equipment when a large roof fall occurred.
Best Practices
- When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install effective ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
- Design, install, and maintain a support system to control the ground in places where persons work or travel.
- Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as ground conditions warrant during the shift.
- Be alert to any change of ground conditions.
- Identify and scale loose ground from a location which will not expose persons to falling material.
Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview(pdf)