On Thursday, November 29, 2018, a mechanic with 29 years of mining experience was severely injured when hydraulic pressure propelled a piece of metal out of a hydraulic fitting that he was examining, and the metal penetrated his head. The miner died on December 30, 2018, as a result of his injuries.
Best Practices:
- Train miners to recognize hazards in pressurized systems before troubleshooting or performing work on such systems.
- Consult and follow the manufacturer’s recommended safe work procedures.
- Position yourself in a safe location, away from any potential sources of failure, while troubleshooting or testing pressurized systems. When possible, examine and inspect hydraulic components while they are de-pressurized.
- Remove pressure from the hydraulic system before beginning modifications or repairs.
- Make modifications or repairs with proper components and parts that are adequately rated and specifically designed for such purposes.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).