MHSA – Mine Fatality #18

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.

US Department of Labor announces availability of Brookwood-Sago grants to promote mine safety, health education, training

Original article published by MSHA
Program will award up to $1M in grants to support mining community

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $1 million in grant funding through its Brookwood-Sago grant program, which supports the delivery of education and training to the nation’s mining community to help them identify, avoid and prevent unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.

Established by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, the program honors 25 miners who perished in disasters in 2001 at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine in Brookwood, Alabama, and in 2006 in Buckhannon, West Virginia, at the Sago mine.

Administered by the department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration, the grants will fund education and training programs focused on workplace safety and health hazards faced by miners. These hazards include:

  • Exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica.
  • Safe use of powered haulage and mobile equipment.
  • Mine emergency and mine rescue preparedness.
  • Electrical safety.
  • Insufficient training of new and inexperienced miners.
  • Lack of training for managers and supervisors performing mining tasks.
  • Pillar safety for underground mines.
  • Lack of personal protective equipment to prevent falls from heights and other unsafe conditions.

The program aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to improve the safety and working conditions for nation’s miners.

In awarding the grants, MSHA will give special emphasis to education and training programs that target miners at smaller mines and underserved populations in the industry and make diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility priorities.

Learn more or submit a grant application. The closing date for applications is July 21, 2023. MSHA will award grants on or before Sept. 30, 2023.


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 Stress – Health Alert

Original article published by MSHA

Mining in hot work areas during summer can cause serious health issues for miners. Everyone needs to recognize the hazards of heat stress and mine operators should provide heat-stress recognition training, monitoring, and personal protective equipment.

 

Heat Stress miner shuveling sand under the sun

Photo property of MSHA

Symptoms of Heat Stress:

  • Skin is hot, usually dry, red or spotted.
  • Body temperature is over 105˚ F.
  • Victim may be confused.
  • The face may be pale or flushed.
  • Muscle cramps from loss of sodium.

heat stress fire in a tunnel

Photo property of MSHA

Treat Symptoms:

Temperature gauge for NWS Heat Index in proportion to Relative Humidity %

Heat Stress Prevention:

  • Provide cool drinking water near miners.
  • Encourage miners to drink a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Avoid drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar.
  • Use sunblockers, proper protective clothing and shade.
  • Use administrative controls to rotate miners on hot jobs.
  • Schedule heavy tasks during cooler times of the day.

DO:

+  Remove the miner from the hot area.
+  Apply cool wet cloths.
+  Give water if miner is awake.
+  Seek medical attention if there is no improvement.

DO NOT:

–  Apply ice directly to the skin.
–  Allow the miner to become so cold that shivering develops.
–  Leave the miner alone.


Heat Ignition Hazard – Safety Alert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.