Confined Space

MNM Fatality – 10/7/22

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On October 7, 2022, a mechanic was fatally injured when he was engulfed in material after he entered an air separator to clear a blockage. 

Best Practices: 

  • Install mechanical flow-enhancing devices, such as mechanical vibratory devices, that can maintain material flow and prevent the need for miners to enter a confined space.
  • Mine operators should establish procedures to clear blockages and train all miners in the procedures.
  • Make sure miners wear a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline when entering a confined space, and that a second miner, similarly equipped, is attending the lifeline.

Additional Information: 

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Confined Space.”

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

MNM Fatality – 12/6/21

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On December 6, 2021, a miner was fatally injured while he was working in a pan feeder under a chute.  While attempting to remove angle iron that blocked the chute’s gate from closing, he was engulfed by material that fell from a surge pile above the chute.  The victim died from his injuries on December 10, 2021.

Best Practices: 

  • Do not allow miners to travel on or below material that is on or above the sides of a bin, hopper, or chute.
  • Provide mechanical devices or other effective means to protect miners from entrapment by caving material.
  • Provide and maintain a safe means of access for all working places.
  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery or equipment against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Examine work areas and equipment.  Correct defects, or report them to the operator.
  • Train miners to perform their assigned tasks safely.

Additional Information: 

This is the 35th fatality reported in 2021, and the second classified as “Confined Space.”

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

MNM Fatality – 9/15/21

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On September 15, 2021, a 33-year-old contract welder with nearly 11 years experience in mining and 7 weeks experience at the task he was performing* was fatally injured at a mine with 3700 employees and 115 contractors* when he crawled 40 feet into a 30-inch-diameter stainless-steel pipe.  The victim was welding a joint from the outside of the pipe, and then entered the pipe to troubleshoot issues related to argon gas leakage.  Coworkers found him unresponsive.

Best Practices: 

  • Remove dangerous working materials and gasses by means of a high volume of fresh airflow before entering confined spaces.
  • Assess risks and hazards before beginning work activities to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) and atmospheric testing is needed prior to entry and during work execution.
  • Test atmospheres from a safe location with a calibrated gas monitor capable of detecting harmful and noxious gasses before entering and continuously while working in confined spaces.
  • Designate a miner to maintain contact with the miner entering a confined space in the form of visual or voice contact, or signal lines.
  • Ensure miners use the appropriate PPE, including dry, flame-retardant clothing and respiratory protection equipment, such as powered air-purifying respirators.
  • Train miners to identify confined spaces and understand their associated hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2021, and the first classified as “Other.” (*details added by safeminers.com from MSHA data.)

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