Tag: #mine

MSHA – Mine Fatality #36

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – On November 13, 2023, a rotating drill steel of a roof bolting machine entangled a miner, causing fatal injuries.

Accident scene where a rotating drill steel of a roof bolting machine entangled a miner, causing fatal injuries.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Always follow manufacturer recommendations when conducting maintenance on equipment, including:
    • Turn off or de-energize the machine.
    • Secure the equipment against hazardous motion.
  • Never touch or hold the drill steel, wrench, or bolt while it is rotating.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when working around any machinery with rotating parts.
Additional Information

This is the 36th fatality reported in 2023, and the 14th classified as “Machinery.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

MSHA – Mine Fatality #22

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – On June 8, 2023, a miner died after climbing over the handrail onto a conveyor belt to gain access to a magnet belt that needed adjustment. When the miner stepped onto the magnet belt, the belt started, throwing the miner 16 feet to the ground below.

Accident Scene where a miner died after climbing over the handrail onto a conveyor belt to gain access to a magnet belt that needed adjustment.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • De-energize, lock-out, tag-out, and block machinery against motion before performing repairs or maintenance on a belt conveyor.
  • Install a system which provides visible or audible warning to warn miners that the conveyor will be started.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all workplaces and establish safe work procedures.
  • Use fall protection when a fall hazard exists. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest and secure anchorage system, and that miners are properly trained.
Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

MSHA – Mine Fatality #34

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – On August 18, 2023, a section foreman was installing hose for a dewatering pump.  He was found unresponsive lying in approximately eight inches of water and mud.  The death certificate listed the cause of death as drowning.

Accident scene where a section foreman was installing hose for a dewatering pump. 
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places.  Remove standing water where miners work and travel.
  • Ensure qualified electricians examine and maintain electrical equipment in safe operating condition; if equipment is defective, correct hazards or remove equipment from service.
  • Report and correct any slip, trip, or fall hazards.
Additional Information

This is the 34th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Drowning.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

MSHA – Mine Fatality #31

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – On September 8, 2023, a miner died after entering a hopper to clear an obstruction.  A front-end loader dumped two loads of crushed limestone into the hopper with the miner inside.

Accident scene where a miner died after entering a hopper to clear an obstruction.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Install barricades to prevent mobile equipment access to bins and hoppers when miners are working in them.
  • Establish and train miners on procedures for safely clearing bins and hoppers.
  • Lock-out and tag-out the supply and discharge equipment before entering bins and hoppers.
  • Wear a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline in a confined space.
  • Equip bins and hoppers with vibrating shakers or air cannons to prevent material blockages.
Additional Information

This is the 31st fatality reported in 2023, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

MSHA – Mine Fatality #35

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – On October 2, 2023, a miner died after he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib.

Accident scene where a miner died after he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • When working around mobile equipment, communicate your presence and intended movements to equipment operators. Wait for acknowledgement before moving.
  • Avoid “Red Zone” areas where equipment operators cannot readily see you.
  • Increase the visibility of miners by using reflective clothing and/or strobe light devices.
Additional Information

This is the 35th fatality reported in 2023, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

Water Related – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Water-Related Fatalities on the Rise

5 water-related fatalities since 2022
Hazards of Working Around, Over, or Near Water 

HAZARDS – undercut banks, sloughing ground, varied water depth, swift currents, inadequate berms, narrow roadways
POTENTIAL DANGER – Entrapment, Entanglement, Drowning,

Electrocution RISKS – Traveling, operating mining equipment, around, over, or near water

Best Practices
  • Conduct daily workplace examinations.
  • Know the water depth and subsurface conditions and ground conditions before you begin work.
  • Keep equipment a safe distance back from the water’s edge.
  • Provide handrails around docks and work boats.
  • Properly berm roadways near water hazards.
  • Provide and ensure workers wear a Coast Guard approved Type I or Type V personal flotation device (PFD) when working around water.
  • Keep water rescue equipment easily accessible.
  • Practice good housekeeping and keep all travel ways clear around water hazards.
  • Post warning signs near water hazards.

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

Three Bulldozer Fatal Accident – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Three bulldozer related fatalities

A bulldozer operator was fatally injured when the bulldozer he was operating rolled down a 375 feet embankment. A second bulldozer operator was fatally injured when the bulldozer he was operating rolled down a 300 feet embankment. A third bulldozer operator was fatally injured when the bulldozer backed over the edge of a highwall. In all three accidents the operator was not wearing a seatbelt.

In all three accidents the operator was not wearing a seatbelt.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Conduct workplace examinations prior to beginning work.
  • Maintain control and stay alert when operating mobile equipment.
  • Wear seat belts when operating equipment.
  • Train Miners to perform task safely and to recognize potential hazards.

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

Machinery – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Ten Machinery Fatal Accidents 

Ten machinery accidents occurred.  These fatal accidents involved three bulldozers, a haul truck tire’s locking ring that dislodged and struck a miner, and the side plate of a shaker screen that fell during disassembly and struck a miner.  It also includes two truck drivers who were fatally struck, and three miners who were struck while equipment lifts were being performed.

(Left to Right) Shaker screen disassembly. Bulldozer rolled down an embankment. Locking Ring dislodged from truck wheel. Bulldozer rolled down an embankment.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Maintain equipment in safe operating condition.
  • Examine work areas prior to beginning work and operating heavy equipment.
  • Operate equipment on stable ground and away from hazards.
  • Maintain control of equipment and stay alert.
  • Always wear seatbelts: remain inside the cab; never attempt to jump clear; consider the use of four-point seat belt systems and new technology that provides early warning of tipping.
  • Provide adequate means to prevent locking rings (rims) from creating a hazard. Use tire cages and deflate tires before conducting repairs.
  • Train miners to safely perform task.

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

Working Alone – Safety Alert

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
working alone safety alert
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Evaluate the assigned task
    • Do you have adequate training, knowledge, skills and equipment to do the job safely?
    • Do you need help to complete the task safely?
  • Always inform a responsible person where you will be working or traveling in the mine
  • Identify hazards
  • Correct and isolate the hazard(s) or report the hazard(s) to your supervisor
  • Always use the proper tools and equipment to do the job
  • Don’t take shortcuts, do the job safely
  • Follow established communications procedures
  • Use established check-in/check-out procedures
  • It’s your safety! Protect it!

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA

MSHA – Mine Fatality #32

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

MINE FATALITY – 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.

Accident scene where a haul truck operator died after his haul truck backed through the berm at a dump point and became submerged in a pond.
Photo property of MSHA
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.”

McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by MSHA