On October 16, 2010, a 52 year- old haul truck driver with 5 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. He was using an air-powered hammer/chisel to clean hardened material on a belt conveyor tail pulley. The victim was positioned on top of the return side of the belt conveyor, facing the tail pulley, when the belt conveyor was energized, entangling him in the tail pulley.
Best Practices
- Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
- Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them.
- Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
- Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
- Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before re-starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).