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).