Limestone

MNM Fatality – 8/22/24 MA

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On August 22, 2024, a miner operating an excavator died when the highwall he was working near collapsed on the excavator.

Best Practices

• Use mining methods that ensure highwall stability and safe working conditions.
• Examine and, where applicable, test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed, prior to work commencing, after blasting and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.
• Scale highwalls to eliminate hazards, e.g., steep slopes or overhangs.
• Ensure that miners work, travel, and operate mining equipment at safe distances from highwalls.
• Train miners to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatallity – 8/22/24 OK

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On August 22, 2024, a contractor was installing a material feeder when they fell approximately 21 feet through an opening in the walkway platform.  The contractor died from his injuries on September 6, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Use personnel lifts or ladders to access elevated workplaces safely.
  • Provide and ensure proper use of fall protection where there is a danger of falling.  Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Identify risks and eliminate or control hazards before beginning maintenance activities.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely and use tools and personal protective equipment properly.

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 5/8/24

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On May 8, 2024, a miner was electrocuted while unloading a roll of belt from a trailer.  The miner was performing rigging duties when the crane boom contacted an overhead high-voltage powerline.

Best Practices

  • Ensure that booms or masts of equipment are not operated within 10 feet of any energized overhead powerline.
  • Designate one person on the ground, located in a safe location, to give signals to the crane operator and watch placement and proximity of the boom.
  • Use non-conducting tag lines to steady loads when operating cranes where overhead power lines are present.
  • Post warning signs at all approaches to overhead powerlines; install barricades where necessary.

Additional Information

This is the fifth fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Electrical.”

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

MNM Fatality – 7/26/23

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On July 26, 2023, a miner suffered serious injuries when he lost control of the pickup truck as it ascended a haul road. The victim died several months later from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • After repair and maintenance, ensure mobile equipment is safe to operate.
  • Always wear a seatbelt and remain in the cab with your seatbelt on while operating mobile equipment. Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.

Additional Information

This is the 40th fatality reported in 2023, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage”.

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

MNM Fatality – 9/12/23

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On September 12, 2023, a haul truck operator died after his haul truck backed through the berm at a dump point and became submerged in a pond.

Best Practices

  • Construct substantial berms or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Do not travel into or onto berms. 
  • Dump material from a safe location and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before work begins.
  • Mark dump locations with reflectors, signage, or other indicators.

Additional Information

This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2023, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 5/22/23

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On May 22, 2023, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating overturned, when the edge of the bank at a dump point gave way.  The haul truck landed on the roof of the cab. 

Best Practices

  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before work begins in an area.
  • Dump material from a safe location and push the material over the edge with a bulldozer.
  • Ensure dump locations on unconsolidated material are properly designed, constructed, and maintained.   
  • Construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to prevent overtravel.  Clearly mark dump locations with reflectors and/or markers.
  • Never load material from the toe of a stockpile that is directly below an active dump point.  This may lead to an over steepened and unstable slope.
  • Wear a seatbelt.  Install advanced systems that restrain miners during roll-overs.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2023, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

MNM Fatality – 2/25/23

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On February 25, 2023, a miner drowned when his excavator traveled over a berm into a sediment pond.

Best Practices

  • When working near water, install a combination seat belt cutter and window breaker tool in the operator’s cab of equipment.
  • Keep all exits clear in cabs, including alternate and emergency exits, and make sure the doors and windows open freely before beginning work.

Additional Information

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

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 – 3/9/23

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On March 9, 2023, a truck driver died when the tractor’s rear wheels ran over him.  A front-end loader struck the tractor-trailer from behind, causing the tractor to move forward.

Best Practices

  • Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the transmission is in the park position, and parking brakes of all units in a combination vehicle are set.
  • Chock or turn wheels of mobile equipment into a bank when parked on a grade.
  • Never position yourself in hazardous areas around mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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).