Coal

Coal Fatality – 6/9/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

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).

Coal Fatality – 2/26/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

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 – 5/16/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On May 16, 2023, a bulldozer operator died when a spoil pile slid and engulfed the bulldozer he was operating. At the time of the accident, the bulldozer operator was repairing a ramp used to access water pumps in the pit.

Best Practices

  • Establish and follow ground control plans that are consistent with prudent engineering design for the safe control of all highwalls, pits, and spoil banks.  
  • Examine highwalls, spoil banks, and ground that slope into working areas after every rain, freeze, or thaw before work in such areas.
  • Stay clear of potentially unstable areas.  Correct unsafe ground conditions in the affected area.
  • Equip bulldozers with two-way communication systems, high strength glass, and an SCSR for breathable air when working on material that has the potential to slide or engulf mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.” 

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

Coal Fatality – 4/20/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

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).

Coal Fatality – 3/22/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On March 22, 2023, a miner died when the personnel carrier he was riding overturned.  Another miner riding on the personnel carrier accidentally actuated the emergency stop causing the personnel carrier to drift backwards down a grade.  The personnel carrier struck a coal rib and overturned, pinning the victim beneath it.  The victim was not riding in a designated seating area.

Best Practices

  • Maintain steering and braking components.
  • Perform functional tests of brakes and other safety devices during the pre-operational examination.
  • Tag out and remove equipment from service when defects affecting safety are found.
  • Do not exceed the maximum designed seating capacity of personnel carriers. 
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with roadway conditions.
  • Task train miners on all equipment they operate.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 3/18/23

renewcomerLeave a comment

On March 18, 2023, a miner died when the mine roof collapsed during the installation of standing roof support (crib) as part of the longwall recovery cycle.  The accident occurred in an area adjacent to a longwall shield.

Best Practices

  • Follow the approved Roof Control Plan.
  • Design, install, and maintain roof support where miners work or travel.
  • Never travel under unsupported roof. 
  • Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before starting work in an area.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during longwall recovery.

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

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

Coal Fatality – 10/22/22

renewcomerLeave a comment

On October 22, 2022, a mine examiner drowned in an underground sump.  The mine examiner was assigned to start pumps in the area.  The float switch box was found open with exposed electrical conductors inside the box.

Best Practices

  • Make sure miners de-energize, lock out, and tag out equipment before entering an area to perform repairs or maintenance.
  • Make sure miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
  • Operators must conduct required examinations from safe locations to identify hazards, correct hazards, notify miners, and record hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Drowning.”

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

Coal Fatality – 9/1/22

renewcomerLeave a comment

On September 1, 2022, a roof bolter was electrocuted when he contacted a metal hook that became energized after it penetrated the 480-volt cable that supplied electrical power to a roof bolting machine.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure miners use suitable, non-conductive ropes when pulling or handling electrical cables. 
  • Never attach conductive parts, such as metallic hooks, to the portions of non-conductive ropes that contact electrical cables.
  • Make sure miners use proper Personal Protective Equipment when handling cables, such as insulated gloves.

Additional Information: 

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2022, and the first classified as “Electrical.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/23/22

renewcomerLeave a comment

MINE FATALITY – On August 23, 2022, a contract mechanic received fatal injuries while performing maintenance on the bucket (dipper) of an electric rope shovel.  A plastic block, used to prop open the dipper door, dislodged causing the dipper door to close and pin the victim against the back edge of the dipper.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure miners are positioned in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Make sure miners securely block equipment against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs. 
  • Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
  • Make sure miners conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Additional Information: 

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2022, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/17/22

renewcomerLeave a comment

MINE FATALITY – On August 17, 2022, a general inside laborer died when he was caught between a supply car and its coupler.  The victim was sitting on the supply car which was coupled to a locomotive parked in a track spur.  The locomotive was struck by another locomotive pulling three loaded cars into the mine.  The impact knocked the victim off the supply car, killing him.

Best Practices: 

  • Assure track switches are in the proper position for your direction of travel and the latches are in contact with the rail.
  • Make sure miners are in a safe location away from equipment parked in a track spur when other equipment is passing along the main rail line.
  • Make sure miners communicate their location and intended movements with the dispatcher.  Repeat the switch alignment back to the dispatcher, where applicable.

Additional Information: 

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2022, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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