Dimension Stone

Fatality #6 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2015

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m06On March 23, 2015, a 48-year old mine operator with 20 years of experience was killed at a dimension stone operation.  The victim was operating a walk-behind masonry saw, positioned between the saw and a ledge, when he tripped and fell.  The victim and the saw went over the 4½-foot ledge, resulting in the saw falling on him.

Best Practices

  • Identify all hazards and use appropriate controls to protect miners prior to conducting any work.
  • Ensure that operators are in a safe position and have control of their equipment at all times.
  • Keep workplaces free of tripping hazards.
  • Use barricades or railings at edges of drop-offs where persons are in danger of falling.
  • Equip walk behind masonry saws with automatic shut off devices to stop the engine if the operator cannot maintain control of the equipment.
  • Design bench top stone cutting patterns to ensure the saw operator is not positioned between the saw and the drop off edge.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2013

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ftl2013m13On September 19, 2013, a 32-year old laborer with 14 years of experience was killed at a dimension stone operation. The victim was operating a 2½ ton truck up a steep roadway. He was hauling water tanks in the bed of the truck when the load shifted and the truck overturned, crushing him.

Best Practices

  • Task train mobile equipment operators adequately and ensure they demonstrate proficiency in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks prior to operating mobile equipment.
  • Ensure that loads are stable and secured before transporting.
  • Never exceed equipment manufacturer’s load limits.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #24 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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On December 29, 2010, a 41 year- old laborer with 4 years of experience died at a dimension stone operation. The victim was replacing a hydraulic lift arm cylinder on a skid steer loader. The lift arms suddenly lowered, pinning him against the frame of the machine.

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures and identify and remove hazards before beginning repair or maintenance tasks. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s procedures for the work being performed to ensure that all hazards have been addressed.
  • Train persons to recognize the hazards associated with performing repair or maintenance tasks.
  • Prior to performing repair or maintenance tasks, turn the power off and block any raised component against accidentally lowering.
  • Assign a sufficient number of persons to repair or maintenance tasks to ensure the tasks can be safely performed.
  • Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing repair or maintenance tasks.
  • Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #17 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2010

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2010 MNM fatality #17On October 7, 2010, a 72 year-old dozer operator with 20 years of experience died at a dimension stone operation. The victim dismounted the dozer he was operating and walked near a haul truck that struck him.

Best Practices

  • Train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
  • Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
  • Never approach mobile equipment until you communicate with mobile equipment operators and receive confirmation from the operator indicating awareness of your presence.
  • Use radios to communicate when visual contact can’t be maintained.
  • Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
  • Install “rear viewing” cameras and proximity detection devices on mobile equipment.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and proximity detection devices to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
  • Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).

Fatality #13 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2009

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On July 2, 2009, a 52-year old mine owner with 34 years of experience was fatally injured at a surface dimension stone operation. He was working alone and was operating a walk behind masonry saw on a ledge. Apparently he was positioned between the saw and the edge when he tripped and fell. The victim and the saw went over the 9-foot ledge and the saw fell on him.

Best Practices
  • Identify all hazards and use appropriate controls to protect persons.
  • Ensure that operators are in a safe position and have control of their equipment at all times.
  • Keep workplaces free of tripping hazards.
  • Use barricades or railings at edges of drop-offs where persons are in danger of falling.
  • Equip walk behind masonry saws with devices to stop the engine if the operator can not maintain control of the equipment.
  • Design bench top stone cutting patterns so the saw operator is not positioned between the saw and the drop off edge.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview(pdf)