Machinery

MNM Fatality – 12/16/22

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On December 16, 2022, a contract mechanic died while removing the counterweight of an excavator, when it fell and struck him.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
  • Assure blocking material is substantial and installed correctly to support and stabilize the load.
  • Assure miners position themselves in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
  • Train miners to conduct repairs according to manufacturer recommendations.

Additional Information

This is the 29th fatality reported in 2022, and the tenth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 1/4/23

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On January 4, 2023, a miner was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.

Best Practices

Operators should:

  • block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs;
  • position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas;
  • conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations; and
  • develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.

Additional Information

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

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

MNM Fatality – 10/1/22

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On October 1, 2022, a miner died while using a crane to remove a haul truck engine.  The auxiliary line broke, causing the hook and ball assembly to fall and strike the miner.

Best Practices: 

  • Make sure cranes have functional anti-two blocking devices to automatically shut off the crane when the rigging on the hoist line gets close to the sheave at the end of the crane boom.
  • Make sure miners stay clear of suspended loads and use taglines when necessary for steadying or guiding suspended loads.
  • Make sure miners conduct thorough pre-operational inspections of all machinery, equipment, and tools prior to use.

Additional Information: 

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2022, and the eighth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality 8/4/22

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On August 4, 2022, a mine manager died while performing maintenance on a bulldozer.  While kneeling on the bulldozer’s track, the victim accidentally engaged the lever that put the bulldozer in reverse.  The bulldozer track moved the victim to the rear of the bulldozer where he was run over.

Best Practices: 

  • Operators should train miners on safe maintenance procedures:
    • turn off the engine
    • block equipment against motion
  • Operators should make sure miners are in a safe location in relation to machine parts that can move.

Additional Information: 

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2022, and the seventh classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 8/23/22

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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).

MNM Fatality – 7/21/22

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On July 21, 2022, a miner received fatal injuries when his right arm became entangled in an auger (screw) conveyor. 

Best Practices: 

  • Secure all conveyor covers in place during normal operation.  Keep tools, clothing, and body parts away from moving conveyors.
  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.  Never perform work on a moving conveyor.
  • Examine work areas and equipment.  Report defects to miners and assure defects are corrected and recorded.  Test emergency shut-off devices frequently.

Additional Information: 

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2022, and the sixth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 6/20/22 Underground

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A 50 year-old miner died when the excavator he was operating underground slid over an elevated loading pad and was engulfed by lime dust.

Best Practices: 

•    Conduct workplace examinations prior to beginning work and assure hazards are corrected.
•    Train miners to identify and report hazards and stay clear of potentially unstable areas.

Additional Information: 

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2022, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 6/17/22

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On June 17, 2022, a contract miner died when the compactor he was operating overturned, pinning him beneath the cab.  As the miner was backing up, the left tire went off the edge of a four-foot embankment, causing the compactor to overturn.

Best Practices: 

  • Wear seat belts at all times when operating equipment.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely, and to recognize potential hazards.

Additional Information: 

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2022, and the 4th classified as “Machinery.”

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

MNM Fatality – 3/4/22

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On March 4, 2022, a 37 year-old bulldozer operator died when the bulldozer he was operating went over the edge of the highwall, landing upside down on the pit floor.

Best Practices: 

• Dump loads a safe distance back from the edge of the highwall and push the material over.
• Maintain control of mobile equipment while it is in operation.
• Perform ground condition and workplace examinations.
• Train miners to safely perform tasks.Additional Information: 

This is the tenth fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 2/28/22

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On February 28, 2022, a contract miner died when he was crushed between the rib and a single boom face drill.  The victim was alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred because the remote control was inoperable.

Best Practices: 

  • Mobile equipment shall be maintained in safe operating condition.  Immediately remove mobile equipment in unsafe condition from service.
  • Always operate mobile equipment from a safe location.  Use the remote control or operate from within the operator’s compartment if available.
  • Determine the proper working position to avoid pinch points and Red Zone areas.
  • Train miners on the safety aspects and safe operating procedures of mobile equipment before use.  Review and discuss pinch points and Red Zone locations.

Additional Information: 

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

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