On Jan. 16, 2021, a miner (a 47 year old Driller/Blaster with 7y 32w experience*) was fatally injured (at a mine in Anchorage, AK with 251 employees*) while using a tool to remove a down-the-hole hammer. The drill motor turned unexpectedly, pinning the driller’s leg between the tool and the drill mast.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
This is the first fatality reported in 2021, and the first classified as “Machinery.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
The traditional Spring Thaws held around the country are virtual this year so you may be able to attend them even if they aren’t in your area. Spring Thaws are held by mining industry hosts to:
• increase awareness and recognition of mining hazards.
• improve hazard correction.
• encourage safe work practices.
At these events, safety professionals from mining and equipment companies, associations, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration share information on a range of mining hazards. While MSHA does not sponsor these events, they encourage miners to take advantage of those offered in your area, in-person or virtual.
You can see the schedule on MSHA’s web site here.
On December 15, 2020, a (contractor*) miner (age 58 with 22 years mining experience*) was fatally injured while changing the rear tire on a front-end loader (at a mine in Pikeville, KY with 9 employees*). The victim was underneath the front-end loader when it fell.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
This is the 29th fatality reported in 2020, and the ninth classified as “Machinery.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
On December 14, 2020, two miners (age 27 & 41 with 22 weeks & 27 weeks experience*) died when a back failure occurred in a large four-way intersection (at a mine in Avery Island, LA with 200 employees*). The miners were pumping sealing grout in the intersection when blocks of salt and anhydrite fell from beneath a slickenside onto the miners.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
These are the 27th and 28th fatalities reported in 2020, and the second and third classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
On November 23, 2020 (at a mine in Houston, TX with 12 employees*), a (39 year old Maintenance Mechanic with 1 year 7 weeks experience*) was electrocuted while troubleshooting a disconnect box for the classifier drive motor. The victim had the electrical disconnect box open and the main power supply was not deenergized.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
This is the 26th fatality reported in 2020, and the second classified as “Electrical.” (* Italicized details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
On Nov. 23, 2020, (at a mine in Dawes, WV with 154 employees*) a (20 year old*) miner (with 1 year and 8 weeks mining experience*) was fatally injured when the battery-powered scoop he was operating ran over a section of pipe in the roadway. The four-inch plastic pipe entered the operator’s compartment and struck him.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
This is the 25th fatality reported in 2020, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.” (* Italicized details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
On Nov. 8, 2020, (at a mine in Round Mountain NV with 864 employees*) a (58 year old*) bulldozer operator (with 41 years mining experience*) was killed when his bulldozer backed over the edge of a highwall (and came to rest over 300 feet downhill*).
Best Practices:
• Install and maintain lights to illuminate working places during the night and early morning hours.
• Install berms, signs or devices to identify the edge of working benches and to allow equipment operators to maintain control of equipment.
• Train equipment operators to identify dangerous conditions and to keep the dozer blade between the operator and the edge when near drop-offs.
• Develop and enforce policies requiring safety belts when operating machinery.
Additional Information:
This is the 24th fatality reported in 2020, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.” (* Italicized details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data)
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).