Tag: #bestpractices

MHSA – Mine Fatality #18

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by MSHA
Accident scene where a miner died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Provide safe access to all working places by identifying hazards around belt conveyor systems.
  • Deenergize, lock out, tag out, and block equipment from hazardous motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Provide remote e-stops to allow for safe access around moving equipment.
  • Train miners to work around moving equipment, including the hazards associated with the work to be performed.
Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Longwall Accidents – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

From January 2013 to March 2023, there have been 545 accidents on longwalls in underground coal mines, causing seven deaths and 333 serious injuries. These accidents occurred when miners were performing routine work such as shoveling coal, working on shields, moving equipment, installing bits on shear drums and installing supplemental ground support at the face and roof during recovery of longwall equipment.

Chart indicating number of longwall accidents over 10-years.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Follow the approved Roof Control Plan and train miners on the plan’s requirements.
  • Never travel or work under unsupported roof.
  • Examine the roof, face, and ribs, from a safe position.
  • Correct hazardous roof, face, or rib conditions before any work or travel is permitted in the affected area and during longwall recovery.
  • Be alert to changing roof/rib conditions especially during longwall recovery.
  • Install temporary roof support (posts, jacks, cribs) as required.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Heat Ignition Hazard – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

Improperly applying large quantities of foam products to fill voids can cause underground mine fires. Polyurethane-based foam products will produce heat from an exothermic chemical reaction.

Improper application of a polyurethane-based foam product filling a high-volume void.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Use the Proper Product. Do not fill large voids with foam products that generate a hazardous amount of heat.
  • Follow the Manufacturer’s Directions. 
  • Train Miners. Train miners before handling and using foam, grout, and resin products, including potential heat hazards.
  • Educate Miners on Chemical Exposure Hazards. Provide miners with Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
  • Foam Placement. Form used to support foam should be fire resistant or fire retardant.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MSHA – Mine Fatality #15

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – On April 9, 2023, a miner died while mounting off road truck tires on rims.  The miner was in the process of mounting a tire on its rim when another tire’s outer lock ring dislodged, became airborne and struck the victim in the head.

Accident scene where a miner died while mounting off road truck tires on rims.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Use a tire safety cage (or other tire restraint device) when inflating a truck tire that is not on the truck.  Stand away from the inflating tire and out of the wheel and air blast trajectory during the inflation process.
  • Check tires and rims for damage and defects before performing work.
  • Before repairing tires, completely deflate the tires by removing the valve core and checking the valve stem to make sure it’s clear.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s procedures and make sure tire and rim components are compatible.
  • Train miners who service tire and rim components.
Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2023, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MSHA – Mine Fatality #17

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – 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.

Accident scene where a contract laborer died while removing the side plate off a shaker screen. The unsupported side plate fell over and struck him.
Photo property of MSHA
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.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MHSA – Mine Fatality #16

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – On April 11, 2023, a miner died when a 12-foot by 4-foot by 5-foot rock slab slid out of the rib from the hanging wall and crushed him.  The miner was installing a bolt in the rib of a slusher stope.

Accident scene where a miner died when a 12-foot by 4-foot by 5-foot rock slab slid out of the rib from the hanging wall and crushed him. 

Photo property of MSHA

Best Practices
  • Design, install, and maintain suitable ground support where miners work or travel.
  • Examine and test ground conditions immediately before starting any work in an area and as conditions warrant during the shift.
  • Periodically review mining methods and ground support to ensure they are suitable for conditions.
  • Be alert to changing ground conditions.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous ground conditions and install suitable support.
Additional Information

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Personnel Carriers – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

Since 2018, there have been seven fatalities involving miners operating personnel carriers.  These accidents could have been prevented if mine operators:  1) had adequate procedures in place to ensure safe travel of personnel carriers, 2) maintained braking systems, and 3) trained miners on the safe operation of personnel carriers.

Since 2018, there have been seven fatalities involving miners operating personnel carriers. These accidents could have been prevented if mine operators: 1) had adequate procedures in place to ensure safe travel of personnel carriers, 2) maintained braking systems, and 3) trained miners on the safe operation of personnel carriers.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Maintain steering and braking components.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational inspections of mobile equipment.  Correct any defects affecting safety before operating mobile equipment.
  • Tag out and remove equipment from service when defects affecting safety are found that cannot be corrected.
  • Maintain roadways free of debris, excessive water, mud, and other conditions that impact an equipment operator’s ability to control mobile equipment.
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds that are consistent with the type of equipment, roadway conditions, grades, clearances, visibility.
  • Task train miners on personnel carrier safety.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MSHA – Mine Fatality #14

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – 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.

Accident scene where 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.
Photo property of MSHA
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
  1. This is the 14th fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MSHA – Mine Fatality #13

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – 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.

Accident scene where 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.
Photo property of MSHA
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.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

MSHA – Mine Fatality #12

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by MSHA

MINE FATALITY – 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.

Accident scene where 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.
Photo property of MSHA
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.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.