Machinery

Coal Fatality – 6/9/23

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On June 9, 2023, a contract truck driver died when an excavator bucket struck him.  A contractor crew was using the excavator to assist in unloading a fuel tank from a lowboy trailer when the excavator bucket suddenly moved.

Best Practices

  • Do not place yourself in a position that exposes you to hazards.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s warning and engage safety lock mechanisms before getting out of the operator’s seat. 
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition before working around moving equipment.  

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2023, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 6/1/23

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On June 1, 2023, a customer truck driver died when he was struck by a component of his truck’s air bag height/ride suspension system while performing maintenance. 

Best Practices

  • Follow manufacturer’s recommended procedures when performing maintenance on suspension system components.
  • Release all stored energy from components before beginning maintenance.
  • Position yourself in a safe location while pressurizing systems.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition.  Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2023, and the seventh classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

Coal Fatality – 2/26/23

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On February 26, 2023, a contract miner died while operating a bulldozer. The bulldozer traveled over the edge of an access road and rolled feet down an embankment, ejecting the miner from the operator’s cab. The miner was not wearing a seatbelt.

Best Practices

  • Always wear a seatbelt when operating mobile equipment. Monitor work activities routinely to ensure miners wear seatbelts and follow safe work procedures.
  • Examine ground conditions before beginning work and remain alert as conditions change throughout the shift.
  • Train miners on the equipment they operate, including safe work procedures, and to identify and report hazards.
  • Always be aware of your position relative to roadway edges and benches.

Additional Information

This is the ninth fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Machinery”.

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

Coal Fatality – 4/20/23

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On April 20, 2023, a contract laborer died while removing the side plate off a shaker screen. The unsupported side plate fell over and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Ensure blocking material is installed correctly and is of adequate size and strength to support and stabilize the load.
  • Ensure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2023, and the sixth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 4/9/23

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On April 9, 2023, a miner died while mounting off road truck tires on rims.  The miner was in the process of mounting a tire on its rim when another tire’s outer lock ring dislodged, became airborne and struck the victim in the head.

Best Practices

  • Use a tire safety cage (or other tire restraint device) when inflating a truck tire that is not on the truck.  Stand away from the inflating tire and out of the wheel and air blast trajectory during the inflation process.
  • Check tires and rims for damage and defects before performing work.
  • Before repairing tires, completely deflate the tires by removing the valve core and checking the valve stem to make sure it’s clear. 
  • Follow the manufacturer’s procedures and make sure tire and rim components are compatible.
  • Train miners who service tire and rim components. 

Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2023, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 3/15/23

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On March 15, 2023, a miner drowned when the ground sloughed causing the excavator he was operating to topple into a water-filled pit.  The excavator became submerged in approximately 25 feet of water.

Best Practices

Mine operators should:
•    Install berms at the edge of the working surface so machinery can operate a safe distance from the water.
•    Evaluate ground conditions and mining methods before operating equipment near water.
•    Examine work areas and equipment and correct unsafe conditions.
•    Task train equipment operators on the operation of machinery.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 3/1/23

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On March 1, 2023, a miner died when the bulldozer he was operating went over an embankment, ejecting him from the operator’s cab.

Best Practices

Operators should train miners to:

  • Wear a seat belt while operating mobile equipment. 
  • Examine ground conditions before beginning work in an area and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.  
  • Operate equipment safely, and to identify and report hazards.
  • Be aware of their position relative to edges of roadways and benches.

Additional Information

This is the tenth fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 12/16/22

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On December 16, 2022, a contract mechanic died while removing the counterweight of an excavator, when it fell and struck him.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
  • Assure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Train miners to conduct repairs according to manufacturer recommendations.

Additional Information

This is the 29th fatality reported in 2022, and the tenth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 1/4/23

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On January 4, 2023, a miner was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs;
  • position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas;
  • conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations; and
  • develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.

Additional Information

This is the first fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf) Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 10/1/22

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On October 1, 2022, a miner died while using a crane to remove a haul truck engine.  The auxiliary line broke, causing the hook and ball assembly to fall and strike the miner.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure cranes have functional anti-two blocking devices to automatically shut off the crane when the rigging on the hoist line gets close to the sheave at the end of the crane boom.
  • Make sure miners stay clear of suspended loads and use taglines when necessary for steadying or guiding suspended loads.
  • Make sure miners conduct thorough pre-operational inspections of all machinery, equipment, and tools prior to use.

Additional Information: 

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2022, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).