Alumina

MNM Fatality – 8/4/24

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On August 4, 2024, a contractor suffered severe chemical and thermal burns after he stepped into a deep opening in the floor obscured by puddled liquid. The contractor fell into a mixture of hot water and caustic liquid. On September 2, 2024, he died from his injuries.

Best Practices

• Install adequate warning signals and barricades for openings above, below, or near travelways where miners, including contractors, or materials may fall.
• Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
• Keep workplaces, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms clean and orderly.
• When wet processes are used, maintain drainage and provide false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing areas where practicable.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #21 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2014

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m21On November 18, 2014, a 42-year-old contract supervisor with 19½ years of experience was killed at an alumina operation.  A crane was lifting a 2,500 pound door to be installed on a filtrate tank.  The welded lifting eye on the door broke loose and the door fell, pinning the victim on the concrete floor.

Best Practices

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work.
  • Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed.
  • Task train all persons to understand safe job procedures and to stay clear of suspended loads.
  • Use welded lifting eyes that are specifically intended for lifting and adequately rated for the loads being lifted.
  • Use certified welders and good quality welds when attaching lifting eyes or lugs.
  • Ensure the weld metal is compatible with the base metal of the connecting components and thoroughly clean any rust or scale from a surface prior to welding.
  • Carefully inspect all rigging prior to each use.
  • Attach taglines to loads that may need steadied or to be guided while suspended.
  • Avoid extreme side loading on a lifting eye or lug unless it is designed to handle such loading.
  • Monitor persons routinely to determine safe work procedures are followed.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

Fatality #3 for Metal/Nonmetal Mining 2009

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On January 31, 2009, a 40 year-old contractor technician with 36 weeks of experience was fatally injured at an alumina milling operation. He was cleaning hydrate that had built up inside a 30-inch pipe in the plant. The victim was using a high pressure water hose when the unrestrained hose end and attachment blew out of the pipe. He was struck by the water.

Best Practices
  • Establish, review, and follow procedures to ensure all hazards are identified and controls are used to protect persons before beginning work.
  • Train persons on hazards and safe work procedures for high pressure water cleaning.
  • Ensure that operators are in a safe position and have control of their equipment at all times.
  • Install barricades or warning signs to prohibit access.
  • Follow equipment manufacturers’ operating instructions.
  • Provide emergency stop/depressurization control.
  • Maintain sight or voice communications between person operating the high pressure nozzle and person operating the controls.
  • Use special protective equipment and clothing.
  • Contractor and mine management should routinely monitor work activities to ensure safe operating procedures are followed and persons are protected from hazards.

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