On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, a 32-year old service man with 6 years of experience, was killed at a surface mine. The victim was driving a tandem axle lube truck down a grade into an active work area of the mine when he lost control of the truck. The truck struck an embankment and overturned onto its left side. The victim either jumped or was thrown from the truck.
Best Practices
- Conduct pre-operational safety checks of all mobile equipment.
- Equipment defects affecting safety shall be corrected before the equipment is used.
- Always wear a seat belt when operating a truck or mobile equipment.
- Maintain adequate berms on the outer banks of elevated roadways.
- Construct haulage roads to grade and lane widths appropriate for all equipment used.
- Train all employees on proper operation procedures, hazard recognition, and avoidance.
- Ensure traffic rules, signals, and warning signs are posted and obeyed.
- Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
- Do not exceed the truck’s capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
- Operate vehicles in the appropriate gear and avoid changing gears when descending grades.
- Ensure there is sufficient illumination of working areas and lights are maintained on mobile equipment.
- Do not exit or jump from a moving vehicle.
For more information to prevent these types of accidents click on the following link:
MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Operating Surface Equipment (Coal) Safety Target Package
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)